CHINA FAMILY ADVENTURE ITINERARY:
Days 1 and 2 — Los Angeles/Beijing, China
Fly to Beijing, crossing the International Date Line, and
arrive the next evening.
Crowne Plaza
Day 3 — Beijing
After a relaxing morning, visit Tiananmen Square to fly
handmade paper kites, a favorite pastime of Chinese children and
adults alike. (B, L, D)
Day 4 — Beijing
Spend the day exploring the Forbidden City, home of Ming and
Qing dynasty emperors. After dinner, enjoy a performance of a
classic Chinese fairytale. (B, L, D)
Day 5 — Beijing
Set off to the spectacular Mutianyu section of the Great
Wall, and take a ride down an alpine slide. Visit Zhaoling, the
tomb of 16th-century emperor Longqing, and stroll through
neighboring villages. (B, L)
Day 6 — Beijing/Xi'an
Rise early to practice tai ji in a local park. Fly to Xi'an
and examine a working dig as archaeologists uncover ancient
artifacts. In Xi'an's Moslem Quarter, visit the Great Mosque and
a lively bazaar before enjoying a dumpling feast tonight.
Hyatt Regency (B, L, D)
Day 7 — Xi'an
Encounter one of the greatest archaeological finds of the
20th century: the spectacular army of 7,000 terra-cotta
warriors, protectors of the tomb of China's first emperor. Play
Chinese games with local children at the Small Wild Goose
Pagoda. (B, L)
Day 8 — Xi'an/Chongqing
Visit the Tang Art Museum, and, if you choose, try your hand
at Chinese calligraphy. Fly to Chongqing and observe pandas at
the zoo. This evening, board the Victoria Katarina and embark on
the Yangtze River. M.S. Victoria Katarina (B, L, D)
Days 9 and 10 Yangtze River
Explore Shibaozhai, a stunning pagoda built into a cliff
side. Travel in small boats up a beautiful tributary, and cruise
the new reservoir through the breathtaking Three Gorges. (B, L,
D)
Day 11 — Yichang/Shanghai
Discover the world's largest hydroelectric dam on a guided
tour with an engineer from the Three Gorges Dam project.
Disembark in Yichang and fly to Shanghai.
Garden Hotel (B, L)
Day 12 — Shanghai
Visit the Children's Palace before taking a cruise on the
Huangpu River. The afternoon is free to explore Shanghai on your
own. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 13 — Shanghai/Los Angeles
Transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)
Back to NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
EXPEDITIONS - Menu Page
