Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to incredible People’s Republic of China - the name alone makes you want to get packing. It's going places, so jump aboard, go along for the ride and see where it is headed.

Arrive in Beijing, the capital city, one of the most cosmopolitan cities today. Constantly reimagining itself as it races towards the future, yet inextricably linked to its glorious, notorious past, Beijing is as compelling as it is complex.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Beijing Capital International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

Arrive at the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Stop–start capital since the Mongol Yuan dynasty, Beijing is one of China’s true ancient citadels. It is also an aspiring, confident and modern city that seems assured of its destiny to rule over China ad infinitum.

Ancient Civilisations| Imperial Delights | Acrobats & Artists | Food Heaven

Few places on earth can match the extraordinary historical panorama on display in Beijing. There are 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this city alone (just one less than the whole of Egypt). At its heart is the magnificent Forbidden City, a royal palace on a scale like no other. Beijing is also home to sublime temples that aspire to cosmological perfection, while the city centre is criss-crossed by enchanting hútòng: ancient alleyways that teem with life today, as they did hundreds of years ago. And, to cap it all, the awe-inspiring Great Wall snakes its way across the hills north of town.

A vast and symmetrical metropolis, Beijing is the orderly seat of the communist political power in China, so its architecture traces each & every mood swing from 1949 to the present, from felled hutong (narrow alleys) to huge underground bomb shelters scooped out during the paranoid 1970s. One moment you are sizing up a blank Soviet-style monument, the next you spot a vast, shimmering tower rising up from the footprint of a vanished temple.

It is not just the ancient architecture that wows tourists. Beijing is also home to some of the world's most innovative modern buildings. The world's leading architects clamber for the chance to make their mark on this global powerhouse & jaw-dropping structures such as the CCTV Building, Galaxy Soho, the NCPA concert hall & the Olympic Stadium are clear signs that Beijing is not shy about proclaiming its status as China’s capital. Like the temples & palaces of the ancient past, and the imposing socialist realist monuments of the 1950s, these latest additions are built on a scale that screams, ‘Look at me!’

History may have been trampled in Beijing over the past half century, but there is still much more substance here than in China’s other dynastic capitals. You just need to do a bit of hunting & patient exploration to find the historical narrative. It is also essential to sift the genuine from the fake: some of Beijing once illustrious past has been fitfully resurrected in the trompe-l’oeil of rebuilt monuments. Colossal flyovers & multilane boulevards heave with more than three million cars but ample pockets of historical charm survive. It is the city’s epic imperial grandeur, however, that is truly awe-inspiring. And for all its diligence & gusto, Beijing dispenses with the persistent pace of Shanghai or Hong Kong & locals instead find time to sit out front, play chess & watch the world go by.

Beijing isn’t just the political centre of China - it is the cultural heart of the country too. The nation’s top artists, writers, movie-makers & musicians converge here, making this the place to take the pulse of China’s ever-evolving cultural scene. With top-class museums, galleries galore & an increasing number of music venues, there is enough to keep you busy day & night. Beijing is also the centre for the traditional Chinese performing arts. Whether it is the mystique of Peking opera, tumbling acrobats or the graceful lines of Chinese classical dance that entrances you, the capital has it & more.

Food is an obsession for the Chinese & the dazzling array of different dishes you will encounter in Beijing reflects the sheer joy locals take in eating. Dining out is the main social activity; it is in restaurants that Beijingers party with friends, romance each other, hold family reunions & do business, and the sheer variety of places to eat here is mind-boggling. Menus will have you salivating over succulent Peking duck, delicious dumplings & chewy noodles, but there is food from every corner of China (& beyond) to be sampled too. From fiery Sìchuanese to Turkic-inspired Uyghur cuisine, Beijing's 60,000-plus restaurants cover every base.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.      

Morning, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 09:00 am & embark on an exciting full day 8 hour sightseeing of the city.

Start with a visit to the Forbidden City & its Imperial Palace complex, once the home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is the ‘famous’ 100-acre Tian-an men Square, the largest public square in the world.

Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in the vicinity.

Continue to the former Summer Palace, a complex of pavilions, temples & galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds, situated besides Kunming Lake. Enjoy a cruise on shimmering waters of the lake.

Move on to see the iconic Pandas Garden in the Beijing Zoo. It has been breeding the largest numbers of Pandas as an institution away from the normal habitat areas & along with other Panda Sanctuaries, has been designated as a UNESCO site.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Morning, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 08:00 am & continue on another full day 8 hour tour.

Today’s sightseeing commences with a visit to the iconic “Beijing 2008 Olympic Centre” – the Bird’s Nest & the Water Cube, which played host to many spectacular events. Enjoy the architecture from the outside & stroll around the complex to click photos.

Continue on to the Great Wall of China, that once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Many dynasties in Chinese history actively built the Wall. Among many historical ruins of the Great Wall in Beijing, the section  built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) is the most often seen & best preserved, running over 373 miles & containing about 827 city wall platforms, 71 passes & countless towers. The famous Great Wall sections include the Badaling, Huanghuacheng, Mutianyu, Jiankou, Gubeikou, Jinshanling & Simatai. The strong, primitive walls enhance the beauty of the wilderness.

Reach a village in the Badaling section where the Great Wall is well preserved & walk along the ramparts to enjoy a breathtaking view of the sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. It is famous for its deep-rooted culture, magnificent sights & complete military facilities - the essence of the Great Wall. You may find many pictures of it in magazines & guide books and printed on stamps. Badaling, being one of the more popular section of the Great Wall, it is crowded with visitors especially during holidays.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Take a leisurely walk down the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Ming Tombs - the general name given to the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial & integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural & historic value. The layout & arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures. Only the Changling & Dingling tombs are open to the public.

The complex was originally built as Changling, the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di & his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the tombs. The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built around Changling. The chief of the Ming Tombs, it is the largest & most well preserved. The total internal area of the main building is 1956 square meters. There are 32 huge posts, the largest of which measures about 14 meters in height. It entombs Emperor Zhudi, the fourth son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.

A must see site within the complex is the Ling'en Palace.   It is unique as the only palace, covering about 2086 square meters, made of camphor wood. The ceiling is colorfully painted & supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor was decorated with gold bricks.

Unlike Changling, Dingling is under ground & about 27 meters deep. It is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the 13^th emperor who occupied the throne for the longest period during the Ming Dynasty & his two empresses. The main features are the Stone Bridge, Soul Tower, Baocheng & the Underground Palace, which was unearthed between 1956 & 1958. The entire palace is made of stone. The Soul Tower is symbolic of the whole of Dingling & it forms the entrance to the underground chambers. The yellow glazed tiles; eaves, archway, rafters & columns are all sculptured from stone & colorfully painted. The entire construction is stable & beautiful!

Return to the hotel to relax.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Early morning at 06:00 am, meet the Tour-guide again & return to the Forbidden City complex to visit another renowned imperial site.

Marvel at the Temple of Heaven, the Imperial Hall of Pray Harvest, the Imperial Vault & the Imperial Sacrificial Altar.

You will also see the echo wall & stones in the vault and on the altar where the emperors supposedly conversed with celestial beings by means of the phenomenon that utilizes the theory of sound wave. You will see local people doing Taiji & morning exercises there.

Next stop will be Beijing City Planning Museum where you will watch a 3D film which tells the glory history & fast evolution of Beijing. Many visiting Presidents find time to come here even with their limited schedules.

You will also gain the unique experience of riding a cycle rickshaw, like the locals do, ride through one of Beijing’s Hutongs, the city’s ancient alleys & historical sites, behind the main streets. If time permits, you will also visit a Pearl Workshop where again you will observe the artisans turning the pearls into pieces of art.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Morning, you would be met by a Journeys Rep who would transfer to Terminal? - Beijing Capital International Airport, for your flight to Xian.

On exiting in the arrival Hall at Terminal? - Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, you would be welcomed  by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

Check-in at the hotel & relax for a while.

Xi’an is a large city and capital of Shaanxi Province in central China. Once known as Chang’an (Eternal Peace), it marks the Silk Road’s eastern end & was home to the Zhou, Qin, Han & Tang dynasties' ruling houses. A melting pot of cultures & religions, it was also home for courtesans, poets, monks, merchants & warriors in the glory days of Xi’an, which may have ended in the early 10^th century, but a considerable amount of ancient Chang’an, the former city, survives behind the often roaring, modern city.

One of the largest & wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure trove. Xi’an’s Ming-era city walls remain intact, vendors of all descriptions still crowd the narrow lanes of the warren-like Muslim Quarter & there are enough places of interest to keep even the most amateur historian riveted. In Xi’an’s surrounding plains are the famed Bingmayong (Terracotta Warriors), thousands of life-size, hand-molded figures buried with China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.

Later in the afternoon, meet the Tour-guide at 02:00 pm & proceed for a 4 hour tour of the city.

You would be visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Provincial Museum.

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda Temple was regarded the landmark of Xian. Dynasties expanded their territories enormously to the west.  When Monks & the envoys came to China with many Buddhism Scriptures, the temple was built & a large team of scholars was organized for translation of the Buddhism Scriptures into Chinese and it gradually became a holy pilgrimage place. Behind the pagoda is the courtyard, which tells story of the great Buddhism envoys.

Continue on to the Provincial Museum which showcases Chinese archaeology’s excavation at Xian Areas from very beginning of Chinese primogenitors of Neolithic Age 20000 - 8000 years ago to the glorious dynasties 980AD. It has numerous collections and treasures on display. 

Depending on the available time, you may also see Xī’an City Walls & the Muslim Quarter.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.  B L  

Morning, meet the Tour-guide again at 09:00 am & continue the sightseeing.

Start with a visit to one of the most famous sites where in 1974, the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers.

Marvel at the legion of the Terracotta Warriors, over 6 ft. tall, that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. You will see the excavated Exhibition Area 1, 2, 3, 4 & watch the archaeologists as they continue to work in the fields to explore further. You will also enjoy watching the Circle Vision Movie of the historical story.

During lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a Noodle - making demo by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand.

On the way back to the hotel, you will visit the Ceramics & Pottery Center where you can observe the traditional artisans at work.

Return to the hotel to freshen up before embarking on another great Xian experience.

At 06.00 pm, you will be transferred to the Shaanxi Grand Opera House, which is one of the most well-known of the traditional dumpling banquet halls hosting the “Tang Dynasty” Dinner Show, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances.

The Tang Dynasty was a highpoint in Xian’s long & illustrious history. Their reign was known as the golden age - a period of most prosperous & glorious society in the Chinese history.

The 3 hour Show illustrates this prosperity of the empire in the field of the imperial life, art, religion, music & so on, by means of graceful dancing & singing. Traditional instruments set the musical scene, with choreography & costumes reflecting Xian’s openness to outside influence, situated as it was at the end of the Silk Road. Set pieces include the sensual Rainbow Costume Dance & the stirring Warriors’ Triumphal Dance.

All of this is dished up with fine Chinese cuisine. An interesting & cultural eating experience, the dinner will be the most traditional dumplings & this dumpling banquet contains some 16 courses of the different shaped dumplings with very different fillings inside, some will be made in the shape of a chicken, which indicates the fillings inside will be chicken meat, some will be made like a duck, meaning the filling is duck, with leeks, carrots, lotus roots & more.

Come back to the hotel.

Morning, you would be transferred to Terminal? - Xi'an Xianyang International Airport for your flight Yichang, a small, compact city known as the culmination (or origin point) for many a Three Gorges cruise.       

On arrival, as you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Yichang Sanxia Airport, you would be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days aboard Yangtze cruise. 

Located in the middle of China, on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, Yichang is the transportation center which connects the eastern & western parts of China.

As an ancient city, Yichang is the site of some important historical relics such as Qu Yuan Hometown, Zhaojun Residence & Ancient Battle Relics of Three Kingdom Period.

Xiling Gorge which is located near Yichang is an important part of the 'Three Gorges Gallery'. Apart from the Three Gorges, the abundant natural resources & historical sites of Yichang are also attractive. Mountains, waterfalls, caves, stone forests & pools form picturesque scenes. There are many natural reserves in or around the city, including Chaibuxi National Forest Park & Houhe Natural Reserve.

Enjoy a short drive around the city.

You will be transferred to the Pier by 03:00 pm to board your floating hotel for the next 4 nights as you cruise on the Yangtze River.

The UNESCO site designated Yangtze River with Three Gorges is the third longest in the world & the largest in China with stirring, riffle water along with swirling bubbles. Many isolated small villages & numerous local temples & pagodas and historical sites along the river side will give you lessons in geography, history & legends beyond what you will find in the books.

Check in & relax.

Evening at leisure.  Dinner on board.

The ship will sail in the afternoon. Watch the scenery unfold as you sail.

Winding about 3,964 miles, Yangtze River is the largest river in China & the third largest in the world after the Nile in Africa & Amazon in South America. Originating from the Tanggula Range in Qinghai Province in western China, the Yangtze River traverses eleven provinces and cities from west to east, including Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu & Shanghai. Finally it pours into the East China Sea at Shanghai. The Three Gorges Dam on the river is the largest dam project and hydro-electric power station in the world.

Sail through the picturesque dark green Xiling Gorge which is the longest of the three gorges. It is divided into four parts, marking specific areas that the Yangtze River turbulently passes through. Sailing down the Yangtze River, you pass through many historical sites along both river banks. Zhaojun Hometown & Qu Yuan Hometown are on the north bank of the river.

No one would deny the majesty of the Yangtze Three Gorges - Qutang Gorge, Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge.

As you sail through the huge Three Gorges Dam, you will see the 5 ship locks which lowers the boat down by 412 feet. The Three Gorges' Dam Project holds many world records. One of the most impressive is the world's largest ship lock. The Three Gorges Dam's Five Stage ship lock can raise, or lower ships to cross the Three Gorges Dam. Essentially it is a giant ship elevator. It is capable of lifting a passenger line, or cargo ship of 14,000 tons to a maximum height of 113 meters. Because of the giant ship lock, a ship can pass through the dam in about forty minutes.

Design & construction of the ships lock was exceptionally difficult. Because a ship would have to be raised, or lowered over 100 meters, the water pressure is enormous. There is no existing gate that can withstand such pressure. In order to solve the ship lock's designers designed five locks, instead of one. This way the water pressure is greatly reduced. Each lock raises or lowers a ship approximately 20 meters. The entire process takes over half an hour. The Three Gorges Dam's Five Stage Ship Lock is truly a modern marvel.

After passing though the Locks, we stop to visit the Three Gorges Dam site area open to the public.

Return to the Ship & continue moving upstream through the second section of the Xiling Gorge to reach Shennong Stream & enjoy the sights.

Morning, when the Ship reaches the famed Shennong Stream, transfer to a small boat & sail deep into the fabled Three Lesser Gorges for 3 hours of exploration & to admire the marvelous views.

Along with the grandeur, elegance & danger of the Yangtze River, the Shennong Stream has its own unique scenery. It has four natural gorges - Chengnong Gorge, Mianzhu Gorge, Yingwu Gorge & Longchang Gorge - and each has unique characteristics

After getting to the upstream part, we again transfer to a small sampan (14 yards long & two yards wide), which holds ten visitors at a time, to experience another kind of feeling.

Drifting along the Shennong Stream in the small open sampans (called 'peapod boats' by the locals) is a unique method for viewing the natural scenery, the ancient villages & the flavor of Tujias (the local ethnic minority).

The sampan is usually steered by six boatmen who are local peasants. While appreciating the natural beauty & historic sights along the two banks, you can hear the songs from the rowers as they row the boat. Reaching the shallow-stream places, they will paddle in the swift-flowing stream to tow the boat upstream by the rope. This scene has made the drift a unique one compared to other stream drifts.

After sailing for a distance of 430 miles in all the great gorges & the deep mountain valleys, reach the Ghost City of Fengdu.

Fengdu got its name as the Ghost City in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Two officials from the imperial court Yin Changsheng & Wang Fangping decided to come to Ming Mountain to practice Taoist teachings. Through self-cultivation, they became immortals. Combining their surnames produces the term "Yinwang" meaning the "king of hell." Later, during the Tang Dynasty, a stupendous temple was erected on Ming Mountain depicting life in hell. It displays demonic images & torture devices and reflects the notion that good people will be treated well in the afterlife & that bad people will be punished by going to hell. The temples here reveal the ancient Chinese religions & legends with their imaged constructions & ghost statures for the lucky ones. 

Proceed for a shore excursion to explore the deserted city. Visitors marvel at the artisanship of the ancient craftsmen, the unique styles of architecture & the culture of the ghost. Whatever are your beliefs, you are constantly reminded that “Good will be rewarded with good & Evil with evil”.

In the Chinese vision of the afterlife, the dead (or ghosts) must undergo three major tests to enter the netherworld. These tests are taken at three locations - Nothing-To-Be-Done-Bridge; Ghost Torturing Pass & the Tianzi (son of heaven) Palace. These three locations are among many attractions in the Ghost City.

Nothing-To-Be-Done-Bridge: Built during the Ming Dynasty, the bridge connects the nether world with the real world & is a testing point for good & evil. According to legend, the Nothing-To-Be-Done-Bridge is composed on three identical stone arches. The middle arch is used for testing people. There are different protocols for crossing the bridge depending on your gender, age & marital status. Below the bridge are square-shaped pools of water. Virtuous people will pass over the bridge without obstacle; villainous people will fall into the pools below. The other two arches are called the golden & silver bridges respectively. When preparing to leave, visitors are encouraged to pass these two bridges because according to local superstition this will bring them good fortune.

Ghost Torturing Pass: The Ghost Torturing Pass is the second test before entry into the nether world. It is said that this is the place where the dead report to the Yama, the King of Hell, for judgment. In front of the structure, there are eighteen sculptures depicting ferocious demons. Each of these devils is quite lifelike creating a feeling of true eerieness.

Tianzi Palace: Having over three hundred years' history the palace covers an area of nearly 2,908 square yards. It is composed of a temple gate (paifang) & the palace itself. The gate is an archway made of wood & stone rising to height of nearly 33 feet. The palace is the nerve center of the Ghost City & is the oldest & largest temple on Ming Mountain.

The third test to evade hell takes place at a large stone in front of the gate. The ghost must stand on the stone on one foot for three minutes. A good person will be able to do this while an evil one cannot & will be sent to hell.

One other ghostly attraction in Fengdu worth mentioning is the Last-Glance at Home Tower. This structure was built in 1985 and commemorates the site where spirits consigned to hell could take one last look at their families.

If time permits, we could also visit the new settlement town built after the relocation due to the Dam Project.   

Return to the Ship & continue sailing.

Continue sailing through the Qutang Gorge & early morning, reach Chongqing where the Cruise concludes.

On arrival at the Docks, you will be met by a Journeys Rep / Tour-guide, who will provide assistance on disembarkation.

You will immediately proceed to visit another UNESCO World Heritage site, Dazu, located just outside the city, famous for the most fascinating grottos & large number of artificial sculptures & carvings on the cliff faces. It enjoys equal popularity with Dunhuang frescoes & forms the trilogy with Yungang & Longmen Grottoes

Located 163 kilometers, away from downtown Chongqing, the general term of "Dazu Grottoes" refers to all the cliff & rock carvings in Dazu County. Under conservation & protection, there are 102 spots of cliff carvings & grottoes, hosting more than 60,000 statues & over 100,000 Chinese characters of inscriptions and epigraphs, in Dazu District.

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Commissioned during the period of the Tang Dynasty & continued through the Ming & Qing Dynasty (1368-1911), the Dazu Rock Carvings comprises all the cliff-side carvings in Dazu County. The Carvings are a series of Chinese religious sculptures & carvings and Buddhist statues dominate although Taoist & Confucian stone figures can also be seen.

Among some of the many well preserved ones, are the Baodingshan, Beishan & Shimeshan Rock Carvings groups, all of which are of the highest artistic attainment & demonstrate the most exquisite skills. You will have time to visit 1 or 2 at the most.  

Baodingshan Rock Carvings made up of 13 groups of stone carving figures, totaling nearly 10 thousand cliffside figures, represents the highest sculpture art of China. The rock carvings in Baodingshan include Giant Buddha Bay (which is centered on Shengshou Temple, a magnificent temple built along the mountain) & Lesser Buddha Bay. Nearly ten thousands of Buddha statues carved on a 500m long cliff & this long collage illustrates almost all stories recorded by the Buddhist scriptures in a secular way, which makes it more acceptable by visitors with different backgrounds. One will see some original & ethnic Buddhist rock features.

Among all the sculptures here, the Thousand-Hand Kwan-yin is called the national treasure of national treasures. It actually has 830 hands in total & all of them are situated in a 7.7m high & 12.5m wide grotto. This statue combines sculpture, color paint & gild art into together, and it is designed like a peacock spreading its tail, very stunning.

The Beishan Rock Carving group illustrates the common Buddhist faith in the elaborate craftsmanship depicting 'an Assembly of Oriental Beauties', where one can see the graceful statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, crowned as 'the Oriental Venus'. 

Enjoy lunch & then it is time to go back to the city.

Chongqing is a port city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River at the confluence of the Yangtze & Jialing Rivers. Since its founding 3,000 years ago, Chongqing has been called Jiangzhou, Yuzhou & Gongzhou, before getting its present name nearly 800 years ago. Since the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), many dynasties have set up administrative institutions that have endowed the city with brilliant cultures. Perched beside the Yangtze, the "Golden River," Chongqing symbolizes Yangtze River civilizations & is the cradle of Bayu culture.

There is a frontier-town vibe to Chongqìng & despite a history that dates back to the ancient Ba kingdom, as well as being China's de facto capital during WWII, this former walled fortress has a distinctly brash feel. Yet the city has a unique energy that makes it a fascinating place and the locals are some of the most welcoming in all China. The gritty docks, too, are a permanent reminder of how Chongqìng's fortunes have long been tied to the river that flows through it.

With a population of over 30 million, sprawling down both banks of the Yangtzi River for kilometres - with further development ongoing - but very little remains of old Chongqìng, it is the starting point for the Yangtze River Cruise, which explores the stunning scenery of the Three Gorges.

The city centre is a peninsula poking out horizontally between the Yangzi & Jialíng rivers. This area is called the Yuzhōng District & the busy urban core at its eastern tip is known as Jiefangbei To the south of Yuzhong across the Yangzi is Nan'an; the main attractions for visitors are the strands of new bars & restaurants along the waterfront. West of Yuzhong is Shapíngba, home to several universities & some of Chongqìng's hipper nightlife.

On arrival in Chongqing, visit the People's Hall of Chongqing which was completed in 1954 as a memorial of China's resistance in wars & the establishment of the new government. It is denoted as one of the top 10 classic Asian architectures in 20^th century.

The last stop will be Chongqing Stilwell Museum (Flying Tiger Memorial) which was once used as an important lodging place by the Nationalist (KMT) government to accommodate VIPs during the war against Fascism.

Drive to the hotel & Check-in.

Balance of the day is at leisure or if there is time, perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Morning, you will be met by a Journeys rep who will transfer you to Terminal? - Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport for your flight to Guilin.

On arrival, as you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, you would be met by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

Guilin, a city in southern China known for its dramatic landscape of limestone karst hills. or decades, children's textbooks proclaimed 'Guìlín's landscape is the best under heaven'. It was the darling of Chinese politicians, the star city proudly presented to visiting dignitaries. Today Guìlín's natural endowments still amaze, yet, thanks to imperfect urban planning, the resulting development here is not top of the line.

At its center are 2 lakes, Shanhu (Cedar) and Ronghu (Banyan), remaining from a medieval-era moat that once surrounded the city. Boats travel through these and other lakes via connected rivers.

None of any other scenery in the world could be ranked in parallel with Guilin for the magnificent natural landscape. The serene mountains & strangely shaped peaks & shimmering waters inspired the visitors for centuries. Guilin is considered to be the pearl of China's thriving tourist industry on account of the natural beauty & historic treasures.

Covering an area of about 27,800 square kilometers (10,734 square miles), the city is rather compact when compared with other major tourist cities in the country. The strangely shaped hills or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboos to conifers, together with crystal clear waters & wonderful caves make Guilin such an appealing destination that it has been designated as a UNESCO site. Guilin is also an important cultural city with a history of more than 2,000 years. The city has been the political, economic & cultural center of Guangxi since the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127).

Check-in at the hotel & relax for a while.

Afternoon, meet the Tour-guide at 02:00 pm & proceed for a 4 hour tour of the city.

First point will be the Reed Flute Cave.

Reed Flute Cave is an underground crystal palace, near the downtown of Guilin. It got its name from the verdant reeds growing outside, with which people make flutes. Inside this water-eroded cave is a spectacular world of various stalactites, stone pillars & rock formations created by carbonate deposition. Illuminated by colored lighting, the fantastic spectacle is found in many variations along this 240-meter-long cave. Walking through the serried stone pillars, tourists feast their eyes on changing spots, feeling they are in a paradise.

You enter the cave & then take a U-shaped sight-seeing route to see different spots, exiting from another cave quite near the entrance. It is a Chinese habit to give each formation a legendary or poetic name such as Crystal Palace, Dragon Pagoda, Virgin Forest, Flower & Fruit Mountain and other interesting names. It is a pleasure to listen to romantic or fairy tales whilst appreciating the fantastic stone formations. Both the stories & the lighting add mystery to the scene. Some 70 inscriptions on the cave wall are said to be travelogues and poems derived from the Tang Dynasty.

After enjoying the Caves, drive to Piled Silk Hill to discover the old small temples and grottoes & experience the bird overview of beautiful landscape. The Piled Silk Hill which lies  on the bank of the Li River is famous for the stone blocks are piled one after another just like a pile of colorful folded silk, hence the name. The top of the Piled Silk Hill provides a panoramic view of the beautiful Guilin & it  occupies an area of two square kilometers, composing of Mingyue Peak, Xianhe Peak, Siwang Hill & Yuyue Hill.

The graceful surrounding hills / peaks are easy to climb & have therefore become famous as one of the best places to appreciate the beautiful scenery of Guilin.

Climbing several flights of stone steps, you will first reach the Piled Silk Pavilion. There are many attractions on the hill itself, such as the Folded Brocade Pavilion, the Yuyue Pavilion, the Chengren Tablet of Masters Qu and Zhang, the Yangzhi Hall, the Wind Cave, the Brocade Building, the Wangjiang Pavilion & the Nayun Pavilion which is the highlight when traversing Piled Silk Hill. If you climb up to the Moon Peak & stand in the Nayun Pavilion, you will have a bird’s-eye view of the whole Guilin city. 

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure or if there is time, perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Early morning, you at 07:00 am, would be transferred to the Jetty to embark on a 60 mile scenic cruise in an air-conditioned boat along the Li River, that reveals the haunting beauty of the mist-wrapped peaks & amidst ethnic villages.

The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the highlight of any trip to Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst peaks give you surprises at each bend of the limpid river under the blue sky. Water buffalo patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids & fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. With its breathtaking scenery & taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the Li River has become one of China's top attractions.

The trip commences from the dock south of Liberation Bridge in Guilin downtown area. It is a Chinese tradition to divide the long trip into sections (just as the Three gorges along the Yangtze River) & give each peak an imaginative name. Listening to your Tour-guide's narration of the legendary stories related to the Peaks, while you appreciate the landscapes, is a delightful experience. The first section, which is from Guilin to Ox Gorge, comprises of the following scenery: Elephant-Trunk Hill, Rooster Fighting Hill, Pagoda Hill, Forest of Odd Shaped Peaks, Daxu Ancient Town, and Ox Gorge.

Disembark in Yangshuo, an enchanting fairyland town at the downstream end of the Cruise & billed as one of the best in Guilin region. It is so small that you would know every single resident if you stay there for a month. The West Street in the town, lined with western cafes, restaurants & hotels, is the best choice for people who want to explore Chinese life.

Walk around the town before driving back to Guilin, where you will visit an Art Gallery prior to returning to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure or if there is time, perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Overnight.    B L  

Morning, you will be transferred to Terminal? - Guilin Liangjiang International for your flight to Shanghai.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Shanghai Pudong International Airport  Airport, subsequent to Customs & Immigration, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

Shanghai - few world cities evoke so much history, excess, glamour, mystique & exotic promise in name alone.

Beijing often hogs the limelight as China’s cultural nexus, but for what is essentially a town of wheelers & dealers, Shanghai is surprisingly creative with many .exciting Art Galleries offering a window onto contemporary Chinese concerns, while nightlife options have exploded. Acrobatics shows are always a favourite & you might grab the chance to catch some Chinese opera.

One of the main highlights that will linger in visitors' mind is the Shanghai's gorgeous night scene. As night descends the entire city is lit up by colorful lights. In addition to its modernization, the city's multicultural flair endows it with a unique glamour.

As China's largest & richest city, Shanghai oozes an atmosphere of vitality and rival New York & Paris in terms of modernity.

The city is home to the world's second-tallest tower & a host of other neck-craning modern architectural wonders. But Beyond the crisply cool veneer of the modern city typified by Pudong, there is a treasure trove of architectural styles. The city's period of greatest cosmopolitan excess - the 1920s & 1930s - left the city with pristine examples of art deco buildings. And there is more: from Jesuit cathedrals, Jewish synagogues & Buddhist temples to home-grown longtang laneway and shíkumen housing, Shanghai’s architectural heritage is like nowhere else.

Retail therapy is one way of spending ‘new’ money & the Shanghainese aren't called 'little capitalists' by the rest of China for nothing, especially at the luxury end of things. But it is not all Prada, Gucci & Burberry. There are pop-up boutiques, bustling markets, cool vintage shops & young designer outlets. Beyond clothing, you have a wide choice, whether you are in the market for antiques, ceramics, art, Tibetan jewellery…whatever is on your shopping list.

Food is the hub of Chinese social life. It’s over a meal that people catch up with friends, celebrate & clinch business deals, and spend hard-earned cash. In previous years, international food confined to the dining rooms of 'exclusive' hotels. Today, the mouth-watering restaurant scene is varied, exciting and up-to-the-minute, and Shanghai now has its own Michelin dining guide - proving just how far the city has come.

Shanghai's rollercoaster back story is as decadent as it is debauched, but these days there is a palpable energy & confidence that this is a city on the rise…yet again. Here, one finds the perfect blend of cultures, modern & traditional and western & oriental.

Check-in at the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure or if there is time, perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Morning, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 09:00 am & embark on an exciting full day 8 hour sightseeing of this magical city.

Enormous Shanghai, on China’s central coast, is the country's biggest city & a global financial hub. Its heart is the Bund, a famed waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings. Across the Huangpu River rises Pudong’s futuristic skyline, including 632m Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with distinctive pink spheres. Sprawling Yuyuan Garden has traditional pavilions, towers & ponds.

Start with a visit to Old Downtown & classical Yu Garden.

Old Downtown has many narrow zigzag lanes, small squares, fish pond and pavilion linked by stone bridges. A draw for the locals & visitors alike, it has many popular bars, restaurants, tea houses & souvenir shops. .

The UNESCO world Heritage listed site - Yu Garden, built 400 years ago, is a famous ancient private garden built in the Ming & Qing dynasties. Owing to its ingenious design, zigzag layout of pavilions, chambers & towers, opera stage, elegant rocks and bridges on the mirroring lakes and moats, it has become a real museum of Chinese ancient architecture. The vivid brick-carving figures of warlords & warriors, unique animals standing on the roofs of ancient buildings and the huge dragons decorating the range of walls makes it very unique.

Visit the Shanghai Museum, located in the center of Shanghai in People's Square.

It is a large depository of ancient Chinese art. The attractions here include enormous finest stone sculptures, bronze-ware, porcelain, calligraphic works, Chinese paintings & ancient furniture. The museum style & presentation surround visitors with artifacts demonstrating ancient wisdom & philosophy. The exterior design of the round dome & the square base symbolizes the ancient idea of a round heaven & a square land.

The Museum is divided into eleven Galleries & three Exhibition Halls. The eleven Galleries cover most of the major categories of Chinese art: Ancient Bronze, Ancient Ceramics, Paintings, Calligraphy, Ancient Sculpture, Ancient Jade, Coins, Ming & Qing Furniture, Seals & Minority Nationalities.

The bronze ware of the Shang & Zhou dynasties contribute to our understanding of ancient civilization. The over 400 pieces of exquisite bronze wares cover the history of ancient Chinese bronze art.

The ancient ceramics collection is a special Shanghai Museum treasure. Among the more than 500 pieces are artwork from various dynasties, such as painted & gray pottery from the Neolithic age, primitive celadon from the Shang, Zhou & Warring States, mature celadon from the East Han Dynasty, the well-known tri-colored glazed pottery from the Tang Dynasty, blue, white & black glazed as well as painted porcelain from the Song, Jin & Liao & the brilliant works from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, the center of the industry during the Yuan, Ming & Qing dynasties.

Chinese paintings & calligraphy have profound traditions and unique national styles. Masterpieces from different periods & genres are featured.

The Gallery of Chinese Ancient Sculpture focuses mainly on Buddhist sculptures. Jade in ancient China was both decoration and the symbol of wealth & power. It was further personified to symbolize perfect morality. The elegance of jade wares glows through its crystal colors & vivid patterns.

The Ming & Qing dynasties witnessed the heyday of Chinese furniture. The Gallery shows a refined garden-like residence of that time. Even a simple chair demonstrates Chinese culture & etiquette.

First of its kind, the Gallery of Chinese Seals, reflects the importance of seals in history from the Western Zhou to the end of the Qing Dynasty.

After the Museum tour, stroll around in the People Square before driving back to the hotel.

If time permits, you will also visit a Carpet Factory enroute.

Come back to the hotel.

Evening at 06.00 pm, you will be met by a Journeys Rep & transferred to a venue to enjoy the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show & dinner afterwards.

A tradition dating back to the Qin Dynasty, acrobatic shows are the Chinese equivalent of Cirque du Soleil, with dangerous stunts, magic, comedy, theater & Chinese acrobatic arts - one of the oldest performing arts with the basic skills of handsprings, somersaults, waist & leg flexibility, and headstands.

The evening begins with an astounding performance by the Shanghai Acrobatics School & Troupe, one of the oldest acrobatic troupes in China.  You will enjoy juggling (one of the traditional elements of Chinese acrobatics, as well as of western circus arts), diabolo or Chinese yo-yo. You will see the plates spinning, leg & foot juggle, rolling cups & contortion, poles climb, bungee jump, rolling hoops dives, trapeze, bicycle feats & much more.

The core members of the troupe have been professionally trained in China from as young as six years old & each had a minimum of twenty-year experience. They have performed for many foreigners from all over the world & have gained international acclaim.  While maintaining a traditional flavor, the performance is modern with ‘extreme’ feats guaranteed to keep you at the edge of your seat.

After the 70 minute show, drive through the city for fabulous views of Shanghai at night.

See how this busy metropolis mixes ancient and modern at attractions like People’s Square, the city lights along the Bund & the former French Concession District.

You will be transferred back to the hotel.

Or, if you want to explore independently, you can be dropped off at Xin Tian Di, a trendy neighborhood boasting boutiques, pubs & restaurants where you can relax & enjoy the Shanghai nightlife (you will have to reach the hotel on your own).

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08:00 am & embark on a full day 8 hour excursion to China’s Venice, another unchanged face of Shanghai just outside the city.

Located in a suburb of Shanghai city, Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town well-known throughout the country, with a history of more than 1700 years.

Covering an area of 47 square kilometers, the little fan-shaped town glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes & mountains. Endowed with another elegant name - 'Pearl Stream' - this little town is the best-preserved among the four ancient towns in Shanghai. Unique old bridges across bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow trees & houses with courtyards attached, all transport people who have been living amidst the bustle & hustle of the modern big city to a brand-new world full of antiquity, leisure & tranquillity.

It is said that to visit Zhujiajaio without seeing the bridges means that you have not really been to Zhujiajiao at all! The ancient Bridges in the town were built during Ming & Qing Dynasties. The old town is thoroughly connected by 36 delicate spans in different shapes and styles, from wooden to stone to marble. Fangsheng Bridge (Setting-fish-free Bridge), built in 1571 is the longest, largest & tallest stone bridge, with five openings both in Zhujiajiao and in the Shanghai region. Lang Bridge (Veranda Bridge), also named Huimin Bridge, is the only wooden bridge & the most featured span in this town. It has wooden bars on the two sides & upturned eaves above, just like a narrow corridor.

In the town, there is the North Street, an ancient street filled with representative ancient buildings from the Ming & Qing Dynasties, attracting great numbers of tourists. Only one kilometer long, the whole street is at once primitively simple, yet very elegant. Strolling on this ancient thoroughfare & appreciating the historic buildings, long-established stores & old bridges as well as the many narrow lanes is another enjoyment.

Zhujiajiao boasts imposing gardens as well as ancient dwellings built during the Ming & Qing Dynasties. Among the ancient architecture, Ke Zhi Yuan is the largest manor garden in the town. The garden is commonly named 'Ma Family Garden' after a former host named Ma Wenqin. Located in Xijin Street in the northern part of town, Ke Zhi Yuan features beautiful sightseeing, quiet & secluded surroundings. It consists mainly of three parts, including a hall area, an artificial hill area & a garden area.  In the artificial hill area, there is magnificent symbolic architecture - a foursquare five-story building, on the top of which stands a diametric pavilion named 'Moon View Pavilion.' This building is considered the tallest architecture in the town.

Lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Drive on to the Jade Buddha Temple which is a good place to experience the peaceful & transcendent. Located in the western part of Shanghai, the venerable & famous Buddhist temple was built in 1882 to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. The temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Fortunately the jade Buddha statues were saved & a new temple was built on the present site in 1928.

The two precious jade Buddhist statues are not only rare cultural relics but also porcelain artworks. Both the Sitting Buddha & the Recumbent Buddha are carved with whole white jade. The sparkling & crystal-clear white jade gives the Buddhas the beauty of sanctity & make them more vivid. The Sitting Buddha is 190 centimeters high and encrusted by the agate & the emerald, portraying the Buddha at the moment of his meditation & enlightenment. The Recumbent Buddha is 96 centimeters long, lying on the right side with the right hand supporting the head and the left hand placing on the left leg, this shape is called the 'lucky repose'. The sedate face shows the peaceful mood of Sakyamuni when he left this world.

 In the temple, there is also another Recumbent Buddha which is four meters long & was brought from Singapore by the tenth abbot of the temple in 1989. Furthermore, there are many other ancient paintings & Buddhist scriptures distributed in the different halls of the temple.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure or if there is time, perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Finally, the mystical experience comes to an end and it is time to say good-bye.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, you are allowed to use the hotel facilities and leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Shanghai Pudong International Airport, for the flight back home.  B

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