SPIRIT OF THE YANGTZE SYDNEY departureYangtze River Cruise & Beijing

Spirit of the Yangtze 10 Day Tour Itinerary

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DAY 1 SATURDAY Chongqing Arrival Begin your journey with your international flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival at the Chongqing International Airport you will be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to Yichang for your memorable 4-night cruise down the Yangtze River.

DAY 2 SUNDAYYangtze River Cruise Three Gorges DamToday’s activities include; a morning Tai Chi lesson and an optional shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site. The Three Gorges Dam Site is one of the largest construction projects undertaken by mankind and is the biggest hydropower project in the world. You may also want to visit the Tribe of the Three Gorges, the only large scenic spot that has not be influenced by the Three Gorged Dam project, which showcase the abundant Ba Culture and Shu Culture. This evening you will return to the ship and attend the Captain’s Welcome Banquet and enjoy the evening entertainment with a Chinese dancing ball.

DAY 3 MONDAYYangtze River Cruise Lesser Three GorgesToday you may enjoy a shore excursion to Lesser Three Gorges - a shinning pearl hidden in remote mountains. You will leave your cruise ship and board smaller vessels to sail through the narrower and breathtaking Lesser Three Gorges region, lined by sheer cliffs and mountains. Along the Yangtze River you will appreciate the beauty of the Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge and visit the ancient plank road, Mengliang Stairway and the Hanging Coffins. You may also want to visit the White Emperor

City, an ancient temple that is located atop Baidi Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in Fengjie County. You will then return to the ship and continue sailing into the western section of Xiling Gorge.

DAY 4 TUESDAYYangtze River Cruise Fengdu Ghost CityToday you may visit the Fengdu Ghost City to see why it’s regarded as the “City of Ghosts”. The temples built on Ming Mountain depict the punish instruments and demon paintings, demonstrating the Chinese people’s imagination of hell. Return to the ship and continue to pass through the mountains of Eastern Sichuan. Tonight enjoy the farewell dinner and pack your bags in preparation for disembarking tomorrow.

DAY 5 WEDNESDAY Chongqing - BeijingToday you will be transferred to Beijing. Upon arrival at the airport you will be met by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Take some time to relax and prepare for your full day tour tomorrow.

DAY 6 THURSDAY Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden CityBegin your day with your daily hotel buffet breakfast, featuring a large selection of Asian and Western cuisine. You will then set out with your trip leader to discover Beijing’s imperial treasures. Stand in Tiananmen Square, one of the largest and grandest public plazas in the world. Enter the imposing walls of the Forbidden City, once the exclusive domain of the Ming Dynasty, for an extensive tour through this vast complex.

SPIRIT OF THE YANGTZESYDNEY departureYangtze River Cruise & Beijing

Travel Asia Pty Ltd | Tel : 1800 761 981 | Web www.travel-asia.com.au

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DAY 7 FRIDAYBeijing The Great Wall of China, 2008 Olympic Games SitesToday, you will travel into the rugged mountain landscapes north of the city to the magnificent Great Wall of China. Once on top of this ancient defensive structure, you’ll find that some sections are quite steep, but the views are magnificent and the experience is truly unforgettable. You will then learn about Jade, China’s most precious and celebrated stone, and its manu-facturing process at the largest Jade factory in Beijing. Further-more, you will visit the 2008 Olympic Games Sites including the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. Afterwards you will head back to the city to enjoy an oriental foot massage before returning to the hotel.

DAY 8 SATURDAY Beijing Temple of HeavenIn the morning you will practice Tai Chi in the Temple of Heaven. Tai Chi is an internal martial art system which places emphasis on the development and control of Chi (consciousness) energy within the body. Afterwards, visit the Silk Factory Outlet to learn about silk, the very trade item which started the famous Silk Road, and its delicate manufacturing process.

DAY 9 SUNDAY Beijing Explore Today you may choose to explore the city of Beijing at your own pace. Alternatively, you can join a selection of optional tours with our experienced local guide.

BEIJING MUST- SEE ATTRACTIONS:

• You can visit the Beijing Zoo – famous for its collection of rare and unique animals in China, including its resident Giant Pandas. • You may choose to visit the Lama Temple which is the largest and best-preserved lamasery in Beijing. It was built in 1694 and was originally the home of Qing Emperor Yongzheng before he became emperor. • In addition, you can visit the Capital Museum which houses a large collection of ancient porcelain, bronze, calligraphy, painting, jade, sculpture, and Buddhist statues from imperial China as well as other Asian cultures.

DAY 10 MONDAY Beijing Depart Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or you may choose to extend your stay and continue to explore the mesmerising cities of China.

We hope you enjoyed your journey to China with us!

Travel Asia Pty Ltd | Tel : 1800 761 981 | Web: www.travel-asia.com.au

Excursions & Entertainment

Evening Entertainment

Beijing - Legend of Kung Fu - $35 USD / 200 RMBEnjoy a thrilling evening of entertainment at the Legend of Kung Fu Show. The performance follows the journey of a young monk found wandering outside an ancient temple who, like most boys his age, dreams of becoming a legendary Kung Fu master. On the road to enlightenment the young monk is faced with many hardships and temptations. The story is told through Kung Fu, dance and acrobatic stunts, and is a fusions of modern dance and Chinese traditional arts.

beijing - acrobatic show- $35 USD / 200 RMBThe Chaoyang Acrobat Show is in our opinion one of the best shows to see while on tour in China.It appeals to all ages, from young children to adults. It is very visual and the show is not made of “tricks” but is feats of skill and fitness. It is comparable to many international Cirque style shows but at a price much lower and an opportunity to sit much closer. Having seen all the acrobat shows in Beijing and Shanghai, we consider this one to be the best of the lot.

Optional Excursions

Beijing - summer palace - $35 USD / 200 RMBThe Summer Palace, known as Yiheyuan in Chinese, is the most celebrated imperial garden in all of China. Constructed in the 1750’s, it was once the summer resort of the emperors. The Summer Palace is now renowned for its natural beauty and grandeur, having been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998.

Beijing - Hutong Rickshaw tour with lunch with a local family and shopping trip to Wangfujing walking district & Flea Market - $55 USD / 330 RMBAmongst the giant mega towers of Beijing, lies a small piece of authentic Beijing. Here, in the Hutong neighbourhood, you will find traditional courtyard style houses that date back hundreds of years. You will travel back in time to explore the hutong area on rickshaws, before enjoying lunch with a local family. Afterwards you will continue on to the famous Wangfujing walking district and explore the flea market, where incredible bargains can be found.

please note: Payment by credit card is accepted prior to departure, on site payment is cash only.