Classic Beijing and Splendid Yangtze River Cruise

Our guide will meet you at the arrival hall of Beijing Capital International airport and then transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to recover from your flight or explore near the hotel. Our free CH cell phone package is a convenient way to stay in contact with your families and friends. The package includes free rental for the cell phone and SIM card with at least 30 talk time.

This morning, you will visit Tiananmen Square which is the largest city square in the world. The Forbidden City is just across the street. The Forbidden City is the palace which was home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Lunch is at a great local restaurant. In the afternoon, hop on a rickshaw and ride through the Hutong alleys. A local family visit is included in the Hutong tour. Lunch arranged in a famous Roast Duck Restaurant

Mutianyu Great Wall

Today we will drive 2 hours to visit Mutianyu Great Wall. This section of the Great Wall is a less-crowded section with a cable car to take most of the hard work out of your visit. Mutianyu section has superb views over the forest. Lunch is at local restaurant which serves local farmhouse style dishes. After lunch, we drive back to the city and visit the Temple of Heaven. The Temple of Heaven is the place where emperors worshiped God and pray for a good harvest. The main attractions in the Temple of Heaven: The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, The Circular Mound Altar and the Echo Wall.

Bid farewell to Beijing and fly to Chongqing. The tour guide in Chongqing will pick you up at the airport and commence a half day Chongqing tour. First stop is Goose Neck Park where locals spend their spare time playing Mahjongg, singing, dancing or just relaxing. Next to Ciqikou old town where you will see the life style of the local who still live in the old wooden houses on narrow streets . Lunch is at a great local restaurant. After lunch, take the light rail to see the Jialing River and natural scenery of this Mountain city – Chongqing. Then transfer to the cruise pier to board the ship at around 6pm-8pm to start your cruise trip.

--Shibaozhai, literally means Stone Treasure Fortress, Located in Zhong County, it was first built in Qing Dynasty in 1750. Shibaozhai is one historic site that will look much different in 2009. The wooden architecture stands on the riverside. It is built by catch upon a rectangular rock with sheer cliffs with a height of 56 meters and 12 stories. And every floor of the wooden structure contains interesting artifacts. Each of the 12 floors of Shibaozhai is dedicated to a famous general of the Three Kingdoms period (220-265AD), a local scholar or a renowned Chinese poet.

--Taichi exercise.
Passes through the 1st gorge--Qutang Gorge.
Passes through the 2cd gorge---Wu Gorge.
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream(1:30pm-5:30pm). You have the option of visiting White Emperor City(RMB290 per person).
Crew's Performance.
Sails through the 5-steps Ship locks.
Shennong Stream is another tributary of the Yangtze River, and its fast-flowing, crystal clear water runs southwards through deep gorges. The stream races past large and small karst caves, flocks of swallows, sheer cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls, three-colored springs, rapids, the ancient plank path, a suspended coffin in the cliff, groups of ancient tombs and marvelous karst formations.

Yichang pier pick up and transfer. Beijing airport pick up and transfer.

Our guide will transfer you to the airport today.