1. Arrive in Hong Kong
Tour begins: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong. Transfers from Hong Kong International Airport are included to Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, where your extraordinary journey through China begins with a three-night stay on the Tsimshatsui East waterfront.

2. Sightsee Hong Kong
Ride the funicular tram to Victoria Peak for a stunning view of Hong Kong, before driving to Repulse Bay. Take a traditional Chinese sampan through the busy harbor at Aberdeen, home to a unique community of boat people who have lived afloat their entire lives. Visit the old fishing lanes of Stanley Market, now bustling with open-air vendors selling Chinese artwork, silk collectibles and more. The remainder of the day is free. Meals BD

3. Explore Kowloon
Explore local markets hidden amidst the maze of busy streets in Kowloon, renowned as a shopping mecca. Visit colorful fish markets to inspect some of the local specialties. The remainder of the day is free for you to do as you wish in this dynamic city. Meals B

4. Fly to Beijing / Peking Duck Dinner
Fly to Beijing for a three-night stay at one of the world’s best hotels. Join us this evening for a cocktail reception and a special Peking duck dinner. 13-day tour begins: 6:00 PM, The Peninsula Beijing. A transfer from Beijing Capital Int’l Airport is included to The Peninsula Beijing; tour begins at tonight’s cocktail reception. Meals BD

5. Tiananmen Square / Forbidden City
Walk into Tiananmen Square and imagine the historic events of the 20th century that took place here. The memory of Mao Tse-Tung dominates the square where his enormous portrait hangs above the “Gate of Heavenly Peace” – behind these walls, the Forbidden City looms. Step inside and tour the palace where China’s emperors ruled in absolute isolation. Take a trishaw ride into the back streets of old Beijing, known as the hutongs, and have tea with a local family for a taste of daily life. Meals BLD

6. Great Wall / Summer Palace
Travel outside of the city limits today to the Great Wall; ride a cable car to the highest point and take a walk along the wall. Spend the afternoon at the 18th-century Summer Palace, once a summer retreat for emperors of the Forbidden City. View the pavilions and gardens before boarding a dragon boat for a lakeside cruise. Meals BLD

7. Temple of Heaven / Fly to Xi’an
Visit the Temple of Heaven, built in the 15th century; it is considered the supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture. Fly to Xi’an, once the ancient capital of China, and journey through scenic countryside before arriving at your hotel. Meals BLD

8. Terra Cotta Warriors / Theater
Sightseeing today includes China’s largest and best-preserved city wall, 7th-century Little Wild Goose Pagoda and the amazing Terra Cotta Warriors. See an army of more than 8,000 life-sized terra cotta statues, each with distinctive physical features, which has been guarding their emperor’s underground tomb for over 2,000 years! Attend a cultural performance tonight. Meals BLD

9. Fly to Guilin
Take a flight to Guilin this morning for an overnight stay. One of the most picturesque places in China, Guilin boasts an inspirational setting that never fails to stir the soul. Visit Ludi Yan, the impressive Reed Flute Cave, and enjoy a therapeutic foot massage, before arriving at your hotel, flanked by the Li River and the new Zhengyang Pedestrian Street. Meals BLD

10. Yangtze River Cruise
A private Tauck cruise on the Li River sets the stage for your three-night cruise through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. An evening flight brings you to Chongqing, where you embark on your Victoria Cruises’ ship. Meals BLD

11. Fengdu, the Ghost City
Witness the beauty of China’s longest river, the mighty Yangtze, aboard one of the finest ships to cruise these waters. Start your day with relaxing Tai Chi exercises, followed by on-board lectures about the history of the Yangtze and Chinese healing arts. This afternoon, take a shore excursion to the ghost city of Fengdu. Meals BLD

12. The Three Gorges
A shore excursion to the Daning River enhances your viewing of Qutang Gorge this morning. Back aboard ship, see Goddess Peak as you pass through 25-mile Wu Gorge, then join a kite master for a kite flying lesson. You will have an opportunity to learn some basic Chinese and attend a freshwater pearl lecture as the ship makes its way through Xiling Gorge, the last and longest of the Three Gorges. Enjoy a farewell dinner banquet and cabaret tonight starring the ship’s crew. Meals BLD

13. Yichang / Fly to Shanghai
Sail to Yichang through the locks adjacent to China’s new engineering marvel, the Three Gorges Dam. The largest project of its kind in the world, it is scheduled for completion in 2009 and will continue to change the face of China’s interior and economy throughout the 21st century. Disembark the ship and fly to Shanghai, which is one of China’s most cosmopolitan cities. Note: Due to limited flight schedules, some groups will fly from Wuhan to Shanghai. Meals BLD

14. Shanghai’s Sights and Sounds
Shanghai, once known as the “Paris of the East,” is now a dynamic city with a population that surpasses 16 million people; enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city today. Visit Yu Gardens, classical Chinese gardens with over 30 pavilions linked by a maze of corridors and bridges over ponds, and tour the Shanghai Museum, frequently cited as the best museum in China. See a daring performance by the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobat Troupe after dinner; Shanghai's dazzling troupes are considered China’s very finest at this ancient craft. Enjoy dinner on your own tonight; Shanghai is known for its wonderfully diverse dining venues, including traditional teahouses and restored colonial mansions; your choice! Meals BL

15. Discover Zhu Jia Jiao
Explore Zhu Jia Jiao, dating back more than 1,700 years; walk along lovely willow tree-lined streets descending from the Ming and Qing dynasties and see centuries-old bridges still in use today. Learn how silk is created at a local silk weaving factory before returning to Shanghai for time at leisure. Meals BD

16. Journey Home
Tour ends: Shanghai, China. A transfer is included from Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai to Shanghai Pudong International Airport. You should allow 21/2 hours for flight check-in at the airport. Meals B

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