Feast Your Eyes & Feed Your Mind

Day 1 Beijing

On your arrival in Beijing, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. A brief orientation for the later China trip will be delivered.
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Day 2 Beijing

Make an early visit to Temple of Heaven where you can join the Chinese locals in learning Taichi so as to inject you more energy and get more ready for your coming Beijing exploration! Make a brief stop at Tiananmen Square before entering the Forbidden City. Try your hand at drawing the Beijing opera masks under the guidance of the old artist. Time permitting, you can visit the shopping street to release your shopping desire and show your bargain talent. Review your knowledge about the Opera learned in the mask drawing when you watch the Beijing Opera.
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Day 3 Beijing

Drive to Great Wall at Mutianyu -- the less-crowed and easily-accessible section of the Great Wall and enjoy an overlooking view on the cable car ( Round trip). Pay a visit to the nearby village, savor a tasty farmhouse meal and appreciate the unrestored section of Great Wall in the distance. If interested, you can climb to experience this pristine Great Wall section. Visit the 2008 Olympic stadiums- Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). Then feast on the crisp Peking duck.
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Day 4 Beijing - Taiyuan

Visit fast-vanishing Hutongs by rickshaw to glimpse into the ordinary life of Beijingners, and the Private Museum of the Old Beijingners' Stuffs in the Hutong trip will unveil you the past lifestyle of the Beijingners. Fly to Taiyuan and transfer to Pingyao.
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Day 5 Pingyao - Xi'an

Enjoy your half a day of exploration in the Pingyao Ancient Town. Pamper your taste buds with the local delicacies along the Mingqing Street. Roam on the ancient City Wall and bumpy cobblestone roads whose uneven trace has stored rich history. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the surrounding. The former wealthy residence -- Qiao Family's Compound is recommended. Take a soft sleeper night train to Xi'an.
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Day 6 Xi'an

The trip to Banpo Museum reveals the ancestors' life that had existed long before the Terracotta Warriors. Besides the amazing Terracotta armies in the museum, you can also watch a short film of discovering Terracotta Warriors. Tour the Shaanxi History Museum to learn about the history of Xi'an as a capital of ten dynasties. Then we go to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and have an overlooking view from the pagoda. Fill your stomach with the dumpling banquet which is also another good chance for you to challenge and enhance you chopstick skill when handling the escaping dumplings.
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Day 7 Xi'an - Chongqing

Say goodbye to Xi'an and fly to Chongqing (Because of its unique steep terrain, Chongqing is the only city without bikes in China -- the bicycle kingdom). After checking in the Yangtze cruise ship, we still have time to visit Three Gorges Museum to prepare the background information for your cruise. Try the special local transaction -- the Light Rail. If you have extra energy and gut, the cable car over the river will be a good choice for you to get a bird's-eye view of the city. The spicy hotpot would wake your taste buds up and stimulate your enthusiasm for the coming cruise.
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Day 8 Cruising the Yangtze River / Fengdu Town, Shibaozhai or Wanxian

(Due to frequent fluctuations in water level and river currents on the Yangtze, the Captain may adjust daily schedules and shore excursions.) The Yangtze River has its source in "the top of the world" on the Tibet Plateau. Our downstream cruise will unfold you wild mountain ranges, unbroken ravines, and charming landscapes. Receive an announcement of itinerary and facilities on board prior to cultural activities and conference. Make a shore excursion to Fengdu Town-"city of devils"(Shibaozhai or Wanxian, adjusted by the daily schedule). Enjoy the special programs on the cruise.
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Day 9 Qutang Gorge, Daning River or Shennong Stream

Pass through the first -- Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the three, but quite spectacular. Weather permitting; you will board authentic small boats for an excursion on the Daning River or Shennong Stream (depending on the water levels) to the Lesser Three Gorges. If you are lucky enough, you may experience the excursion in time-honored way -- trackers from shore will pull your boat forward. Pass through the second part --Wu Gorge and the ship lock of the new Three Gorges Dam.
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Day 10 Yichang - Shanghai

Wake up early to see (in the third part -- Xiling Gorge) the site of the controversial Three Gorges Dam Project in Sandouping Village. In the afternoon, arriving in Yichang, we will head to the vibrant city -- Shanghai. It is highly recommended to take a stroll along the Bund or sip a cup of coffee in a soothing bar to enjoy the city floating in a glittering ocean of lights.
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Day 11 Shanghai

Travel to Shanghai Museum and the new Shanghai landmark -- the World Financial Center to have an all-embracing view of Shanghai. Visit the tranquil Longhua Temple and try the vegetarian dishes that trick your taste buds to believe that they are made out of meat. Visit Temple of the Town Gods. For restoring energy for the following tour, indulge yourself in the dizzying variety of Shanghai specialties and snacks in the bazaar around the temple. Visit Yuyuan Garden, a garden full of exquisiteness for your detailed eye! A stunning and incredible acrobatic show will end today's trip.
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Day 12 Shanghai

Be a Shanghainese in a host family visiting the local markets and having a look at the original material of the cuisines you will cook under the guidance of your host family and bargaining with the vendors or learning the Chinese bargaining way. Engage yourself in the local community activities.
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Day 13 Shanghai

Take the maglev train (the fastest train in the world) to go to your departing plane at lightning speed!
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