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The Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world, and is long regarded as an almighty river among Chinese. Shanghai is a booming metropolis with changing skyline every day, where East met West since 19 century. Nanjing, one of the top seven ancient capital cities, is the place Dr. Sun Yat-Sen established the democracy system in 1911. Xi’an is the root of Chinese civilization, with more than 13 dynasties establishing their capitals there for more than 1100 years. Beijing, the capital city of PRC, once served as capital for five dynasties, particularly the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1368 to 1911. Starting in Shanghai we walk along the Bund and explore Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum.

The visit in Nanjing are more related to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. Xian is home to the world renowned 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors, the duration will bring you back to 2000 years ago. The boat trip on Yangtze River will reward you with the stunning gorges and huge dam project.We will finish our trip in Beijing, the capital of China. We will explore all the major places of interest, including the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square. We also visit a mostly unrestored and remote section of the Great Wall, allowing you to absorb the immenseness of this incredible structure without jostling for a position with thousands of other tourists.

Days 1-2 Shanghai
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Shanghai. No activities are planned, so arrive early if you can, as there is plenty to see. There will be a pre-tour briefing with your tour leader late in the afternoon. For those who arrive early, there is so much to see and do in Shanghai. Shanghai is a vibrant, fast-moving city with a fantastic variety of markets and restaurants for eating out. The shopping area on Nanjing Road is situated nearby. We will enjoy free time in Shanghai, and your tour leader can show you how to find the way to the famous Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar, a representative of private garden in south China and highlight of the city. We might have opportunities to try some wonderful food stalls as well. Acrobat here is recommended for your entertainment at night. There is a full free day for further exploration of Shanghai.

Keen photographers are rewarded by an early start to the day, as scores of locals practise Taichi along the waterfront at dawn. The old French Quarter is also a great place to wander around, and the Jade Buddha Temple and the impressive Shanghai Museum are both well worth a visit. The gleaming towers on the Pudong side reflect China’s march towards modernisation and the rapid rate of changes that are taking place.

Days 3-4 Nanjing
After a free morning in Shanghai, we take an afternoon train to Nanjing (approximately 3-4 hours). In this attractive city there is plenty of free time to explore and get a feel for the city's glory during the Ming Dynasty. We will visit Dr. Sun Yat Sen's mausoleum and the Nanjing Massacre Museum. In the evening of Day 4 we settle into an overnight train for a 14-hour journey to Xi'an. Long-distance trains provide a great opportunity for interacting with the local people.

Days 5-6 Xi'an
Arriving at the Tang Dynasty capital of Xi'an early, we transfer to our hotel. Xian topped the other ancient capital cities in China. Many wonderful places are on your exploration list. Food options are excellent here as well, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in local restaurants. Widely known as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, the city is the deep root of Chinese history. A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors shows us to these unearthed pottery statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century. Over 6,000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, even facial expression. They are standing in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China's first Emperor, the great Qin Shi Huang Di. These soldiers were accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974.

A free day can easily be spent wandering the narrow streets among the Muslim quarter where we find quaint shops, lively markets, groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dingy cafes. For those who are interested in history, please do not miss Shaanxi History Museum, which introduces you the total history of Chinese civilization. Other places you may visit include Bell Tower, Drum Tower, City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist temple. On the afternoon of Day 6 we take the overnight train from Xi'an to Chongqing, arriving early the next morning.

Days 7-10 Chongqing-Yangtze River Cruise-Yichang
We will arrive at Chongqing in the morning. We have time in the evening to take a stroll along the banks of the Yangtze River, prior to embarking on our fantastic river cruise. Before boarding, you may wish to purchase some small snacks to take with you on the boat. The Yangtze (also known locally as the Changjiang River) is, at 6,300 kilometres, the world’s third longest waterway. It rises deep in the heart of the province of Qinghai, to the north of Tibet, and flows relentlessly eastwards until it empties into the East China Sea near Shanghai. Effectively dividing the country into north and south, the river not only supplies the rural heart of China, but has also spawned many industries reliant upon its power. The Yangtze has also inspired poets, writers and travellers over the centuries. The “Sanxia”, as they are known in Chinese, stretch for 200 kilometres and vary from 100 metres to 300 metres in width. In the early evening we can take a stroll along the riverfront and join the locals in watching the sunset.

Early in the morning of Day 8 we begin our journey on the Yangtze River. Over the next two days, we start the cruise through the famous Three Gorges. With the construction of the Three Gorges hydroelectric project, life along this majestic river is changing at a rapid pace. The scenery is spectacular! We enjoy our cruise on a tourist-class boat between Chongqing and Yichang. This is a much more comfortable way to travel than on the local boats that ply the same route, and offers a fascinating insight into life along the river. We spend three nights on board and sleep in twin share cabins with private facilities in accommodation similar to a small hotel room. Bedding and sheets are provided, as are all meals throughout the cruise On Day 10 we disembark from our riverboat and drive to the Yichang, the gateway of Yangtze River, where we will drive to Wuhan to catch the overnight train to China’s capital, Beijing. Please note that all rooms on the Yangtze cruise are on a share basis. If you are not already sharing a room with someone from your group, you may be required to share with someone (of the same gender) from outside your group. This could be a member of another tour group or a local person.

Days 11-14 Beijing
Beijing is abundant in cultural and historical sites. The vast Forbidden City, built nearly 600 years ago and off limits to citizens for almost all that time, is a truly amazing place. The size might surprise you (it is huge!), but what makes it fascinating is that every square metre is interesting, ranging from intricately carved walkways to colourful, painted ceilings. A visit to China is not complete without walking along the Great Wall. We will travel to Simatai Great Wall, a largely unrestored and, as such, more authentic section of the famous wall, not crowded with hordes of other tourists. Climbing up this incredible man-made engineer and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience.

There is also ample free time in the itinerary, allowing you to make your own discoveries and explorations. Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are two other fine examples of extraordinary workmanship and architecture. In the evening, you have the chance to enjoy a performance of the unique Beijing Opera or Kongfu Show (optional). We have a final night's dinner in one of the great restaurants.Our trip ends in Beijing on Day 14. Checkout time is usually around 12 Noon; however you are free to leave at any time in the morning.Additional accommodation can be arranged on request.