Discover, Plan & Go!

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Depart home / Fly Overnight / Beijing, China

When you arrive in China’s political and cultural capital you’ll be greeted at the airport and assisted to your Superior First-Class hotel in downtown Beijing. Enjoy a night to rest up before touring.

Presidential Plaza Hotel

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Beijing

The glories of Beijing unfold before you today, beginning with a tour of vast Tian’anmen Square, the great plaza where Mao Tse-Tung held immense parades. Today, it’s a place for local families to stroll and children to fly their kites. Then, following a tasty lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll tour the Forbidden City, the vast 15th-century complex of palaces, courtyards, and gardens where the emperors and courts of the Ming and Qing dynasties once presided. In the evening, you and your fellow Vantage tour members will be a guest in a private dining room at a renowned local restaurant for a Welcome Banquet of Peking Duck. This succulent dish was developed 150 years ago by a royal chef of the Qing Dynasty.

Presidential Plaza Hotel (B,L,D)

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Beijing

One of the world’s most famous landmarks is this morning’s highlight, as you set out for a full-day tour to the remarkable Great Wall. You’ll have the opportunity to walk along this remarkable structure where it winds across wooded hills. You’ll also visit the Ming Tombs, burial site of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors. Your route to the tombs takes you along the scenic avenue called the Way of the Spirit. Lunch is included in a local restaurant. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Presidential Plaza Hotel (B,L,D)

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Beijing

Explore one of Beijing’s oldest neighborhoods, as you go on a fascinating trishaw (bicycle-powered rickshaw) ride through the narrow lanes of a hutong, one of Beijing’s traditional neighborhoods. You’ll stop to visit a local family for tea, with an opportunity to chat and ask questions. Later, visit another family for lunch in their home.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Summer Palace, set amid parklike grounds with an expansive lake. You’ll also visit the Peking Zoo, home of the famous giant pandas. A fascinating cultural event is in store this evening, as you attend a performance of the Peking Opera, a 200-year-old art form of stylized action, singing, mime, and dance.

Presidential Plaza Hotel (B,L)

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Xi’an, China

From Beijing, you’ll fly to ancient Xi’an in central China. At the height of the powerful Tang Dynasty, this remote city was the largest and richest in Asia. In the evening, you’ll get a taste for Xi’an’s past glory as you attend a Tang Dynasty banquet with musical entertainment.

Grand Castle Hotel (B,D)

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Xi’an

You’ll tour the city’s Ming Dynasty walls and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a tower that rises in 15 tiers. For lunch savor jiaozi, sculpted dumplings thought to bring good luck. Afterwards, marvel at the 2,200-year-old Terra Cotta Army — more than 7,000 life-size ceramic horses and warriors in full regalia. First unearthed in 1974, they are often considered the greatest archeological find of the 20th century.

Grand Castle Hotel (B,L)

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Hangzhou, China

After a morning at leisure in Xi'an you’ll take a short flight to Hangzhou, located in the heart of one of China’s most fertile tea regions. The city curves along lovely West Lake, with graceful pagodas dotting the shore and small islands. A buffet dinner is served at your hotel this evening.

Radisson Plaza Hotel Hangzhou (B,D)

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Hangzhou

Explore Hangzhou in depth on a full-day tour, beginning with a cruise on tranquil West Lake and a stroll among lakeside pagodas and gardens. Afterwards, you’ll go on a fascinating visit to a tea village just outside the city. Here, you can help harvest tea leaves with local farmers. You’ll also see how tea is dried, then served in a formal tea ceremony. For lunch, you’ll be a guest in the home of a local farmer. Later visit the 4th-century Lingyin Temple, a Buddhist monastery that houses a 60-foot camphorwood statue of the Buddha.

Radisson Plaza Hotel Hangzhou (B,L)

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Shanghai, China

This morning in Hangzhou you’ll visit the fascinating Huqingyutang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, which houses hundreds of odd historic objects related to traditional Chinese remedies. A lecture about traditional Chinese medicine by a Chinese doctor is followed by a walking tour of a street where many traditional potions are sold. After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy a scenic journey via First-Class train to Shanghai, the most “Western” of mainland Chinese cities. That evening, relax at your hotel or join an optional excursion to see the world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.

Regent Shanghai (B,L)

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Shanghai

On a full-day tour of Shanghai, you’ll explore the Bund, a sweep of grand European-style architecture on the riverfront, most of it built in the early 20th century. The Bund is a symbol of Shanghai’s modern history and it’s international, “outward-facing” attitude. You’ll get a glimpse into the city’s past on a visit to the Shanghai Museum, with its extensive collection of historic artifacts. At a Children’s Palace, see how the youth of Shanghai are schooled in the traditional arts. You’ll also visit the 400-year-old Yu Yuan Garden, an oasis of classical design, and tour Old Shanghai. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant today.

Regent Shanghai (B,L)

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Shanghai

Enjoy the day free to explore Shanghai on your own or join a half day optional tour. In the evening, enjoy a Western-style dinner at your hotel.

Regent Shanghai (B,D)

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Yichang / Embark Victoria Cruises for 4 nights

Today, you’ll fly to Yichang to board your comfortable Victoria Cruises ship. For the next four nights, the panorama of the Yangtze and its magnificent gorges unfurls before you. You’ll enjoy an outside cabin with your own private balcony!

Victoria Cruise Line (B,D)

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Yangtze River Cruise

You’ll tour the massive Three Gorges Dam project today, then cruise upstream through the dam’s locks into the Three Gorges themselves, beginning with Xiling Gorge.

Victoria Cruise Line (B,L,D)

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Yangtze River Cruise

Today, you’ll go on a scenic motorboat trip up one of the tributaries of the Yangtze — either among the “little gorges” of the Daning River or the forests and cliffs of Shennong Stream. Along the way, view local farms and people who work along the river. Afterwards, cruise between the twelve mist-shrouded peaks of dramatic Wu Gorge and beneath the over-hanging cliffs of Qutang Gorge.

Victoria Cruise Line (B,L,D)

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Yangtze River Cruise

Enjoy your final day of river cruising, with a stop at a small Yangtze River town where you can stroll and visit with the locals.

Victoria Cruise Line (B,L,D)

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Disembark / Chongqing, China / Guilin, China

You’ll disembark your Yangtze cruise in Chongqing, where you’ll visit the General Joseph Stilwell Museum. The museum is dedicated to the American general who helped the Chinese resist Japanese soldiers in World War II. In the afternoon, you’ll fly to Guilin, a green, scenic city.

Lijiang Waterfall Hotel (B)

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Guilin, China

Discover a classic Chinese landscape of villages, bamboo groves, and forested limestone crags as you embark for a scenic motorboat cruise down the serene Li River. Lunch is served during your river cruise. This evening, enjoy a Western-style dinner at your hotel.

Lijiang Waterfall Hotel (B,L,D)

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Hong Kong, China

After an included lunch, you’ll explore Guilin’s Reed Flute Cave and Seven Star Park, and visit a local school. Afterwards, fly to dynamic Hong Kong and settle into your hotel in the fashionable Kowloon District, located near some of the city’s best shopping emporiums.

Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers (B,L)

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Hong Kong

Tour Hong Kong Island today, with views of historic Repulse Bay, a drive to the top of Victoria Peak for the incredible panoramic view, and a sampan ride through Aberdeen floating village. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner this evening.

Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers (B,D)

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Return Home

Or extend your trip with 2 additional nights in Hong Kong.