Go beyond the familiar & immerse yourself in an exotic new world with this spellbinding private voyage through China`s past & present. Discover the innovative spectacles & extraordinary achievements of sophisticated Shanghai, behold the ancient relics of Xiàn & delve into centuries past in Beijing. Lose yourself in the mystical landscapes along the legendary Yangtze River on a 4 night cruise. Encounter this epic lands friendly people as you disembark for expert guided shore excursions to age-old temples & charming rural villages. Featuring mouth-watering traditional cuisine, luxury hotels, private guide, driver internal flights & much more, you haven't seen the world till you've seen China!

Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

Transfer to/from airport with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

The Fairmont Peace Hotel (5*), overlooking Shanghai’s Huangpu River, boasts a history that overshadows that of any other hotel in the Far East. With its origins dating back more than a century, this beloved landmark served as a glamorous playground for the elite of Shanghai. Each spacious guest room and suite is inspired by the original art deco influence married to the rich blending of cultures that gave rise to Shanghai’s fame as the Pearl of the Orient. All has been luxuriously decorated with opulent furnishings and modern amenities - providing the guest with an experience that is both indulgent and exquisite. Experience extraordinary cuisine, innovative bars, headlining entertainment and attentive service at the most iconic address on the Bund. Watch heritage and haute cuisine blend to reflect the new spirit of Shanghai at one of their six dining destinations including the endeared Jazz Bar. Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Peace Hotel is relaxing, comfortable and sensorial.

Overnight at Fairmont Peace Hotel (5*).

Full day private guided tour of Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and Yu Garden with deluxe lunch. Shanghai Museum is a veritable treasure house of ancient Chinese art and houses 120,000 precious relics. Bronzes, pottery, paintings and calligraphies are distinctive features of the Museum's collection. The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most popular sights in Shanghai containing rare white jade Buddhas brought from Burma in the nineteenth century. Yuyuan Garden is the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The garden has six areas, each with its own style, the most popular being the Grand Rockery in the center.

Enjoy a deluxe dinner and VIP seats at an Acrobatic Show with private car transfer. The spectacular acrobatic feats are barely believable but come from expert training starting as young as age six or seven. Most performers have a minimum of twenty years experience.

Overnight at Fairmont Peace Hotel (5*).

Yangtze River cruises are either downstream from Chongqing to Yichang (4 days/3 nights), or upstream from Yichang to Chongqing (5 days/4 nights). There are typically 3-4 shore excursions on a cruise, which vary between different ships. Ironically, the shorter 4 day downstream cruise is more expensive than the longer 5 day upstream cruise due to higher demand.

Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide.

Fly from Shanghai to Yichang.

Airport/hotel/pier transfers with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

This evening you will board your luxury cruise ship in Yichang. By 10pm all passengers will have checked in, and you will overnight on the ship.

The newly renovated Yangtze Explorer (formerly East Queen) sets new standards for luxury on the river, and is operated by Orient Royal Cruise the premier cruise company. 180 passengers luxuriate in 80 cabins, including standard, Jade, and Imperial suites - the largest available on the Yangtze River. Large picture windows in each beautifully appointed stateroom offer breathtaking views. Breakfast is usually served at 7:30 a.m., lunch at 12:30 a.m. and dinner at 7:00p.m. at a pre-assigned table number. In-cabin dining is also available 24hrs a day.

Overnight at Sanctuary Yangtze Explorer Upstream.

This morning you will leave Yichang around 9am, and pass by Xiling Gorge East. Comprising many rapids and currents, Xiling Gorge starts at Badong County and zigzags for 76 kilometers down to the Nanjin Pass in Yichang. It is the longest part of the Three Gorges system with dangerous rapids like Xietan, Qintan and Kongling, collectively known as the Three Rapids of Xiling. The swift current carries boats down river at the rate of seven meters per second. It is a thrilling ride. Arrive at Yangjiawan Pier, where you will take a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project, which is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by mankind. This great dam, the largest of its kind in the world, provides China with tremendous power generation and flood control services. Visitors see the panorama of Three Gorges from the highest point of the building site, the exhibition house, natural scenic spot Maogongshan and Huangling Temple.

Overnight at Sanctuary Yangtze Explorer Upstream.

This morning you will pass by Xiling Gorge West. Kongling Rapids has 24 reefs, named Great Pearl, First Pearl, Second Pearl, Third Pearl, and so on, which overlap each other. The Great Rapid sprawls in the middle of the river, dividing the water into two channels; the south channel is full of jagged reefs and fickle eddies, and the north channel is narrow, twisted and littered with submerged rocks. This is a rapid where passing boats have to thread their way through the reefs. Visit the Shennong Stream, a tributary of the Yangtze River. With crystal clear water, this stream flows swiftly from north to south through deep gorges. A sampan tour will allow you to experience a high speed adventure along this unspoiled river. An arrow-like sampan glides through the four-kilometer-long Mianzhu Gorge and then enters the main stream of the Shennong. Next visit Wu Gorge, which is the most beautiful section of the Yangtze River, flanked by high peaks that are often capped by fog or clouds. The steep slopes of the gorge are green with trees and bushes. Also see Qutang Gorge, which is famous for its sheer and spectacular precipices, with uniquely beautiful rock formations in every direction.

Overnight at Sanctuary Yangtze Explorer Upstream.

Today you will visit Shibaozhai, a gem of Chinese architecture. From a distance the protruding 220-meter hill resembles a jade seal. Located on the south bank of the Yangtze River, it was first built during the Qing Dynasty in 1650. As one of the most spectacular sites along the river, this 12-story 56m wooden red pavilion hugs a sheer rectangular cliff.

Overnight at Sanctuary Yangtze Explorer Upstream.

Xi'an was the capital of China's first emperor whose tomb is guarded by the world famous terracotta warriors.

This morning you will arrive into Chongqing for disembarkation around 9am. Continue on your journey through China!

Transfer between airport and pier with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Fly from Chongqing to Xi'an.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

While the capital of China long ago moved from Xian to Beijing the culinary capital, when it comes to dumplings, remains. Experience a feast of perhaps China's most popular dish in the city it is best known for through a superb dumpling dinner at the famous Defachang Restaurant.

Shangri-La Hotel Xian has the very best of the city right on its doorstep such as the finest in shopping and entertainment. The hotel is just a 30-minute drive from Xian International Airport, and is within easy reach of many top tourist attractions. The hotel’s 386 guest rooms and suites set a new standard for deluxe accommodation in Xian and offer four trendsetting designer restaurants. With luxurious spa treatments and a fully equipped health club with heated pool, it's the perfect place to soothe mind, body and soul. Whether you're traveling for pleasure, Shangri-La Hotel, Xian offers exceptional levels of hospitality to further enhance your enjoyment of this magnificent city.

Overnight at Shangri La .

Take a full day private guided tour of the Terra Cotta Army, Banpo Museum and the Buddhist Wild Goose Pagoda with a deluxe lunch. China's greatest archaeological excavation - over 7,000 terra cotta life size warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty (246-209 BC). The Neolithic Banpo Village has nearly 10,000 production tools and the remains of 45 houses on display.

Overnight at Shangri La .

Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Fly from Xi'an to Beijing.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Full day guided city tour. Begin with a morning exploring the hutongs – Beijing traditional neighbourhood of winding laneways and courtyard homes. Stop for lunch with a local family where your family can get engaged by watching and helping prepare Jaozi – the traditional dumplings of Northern China. Next travel to the Summer Palace – an impressive fusion of classical Chinese architecture, garden design and construction and enjoy a boat trip (not private) on the palace’s Kunming Lake.

Fairmont Beijing Hotel is within a short driving distance to Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square, the Embassy District, Oriental Plaza or Wangfujing, and China World Trade Centre. The hotel offers natural-lit rooms with floor-to-ceiling-windows that are furnished in contemporary Chinese style. The gate-form architecture showcases natural light-filled interiors accented by contemporary Chinese artworks, creating a sense of space and luxury living in the heart of China.

Overnight at Fairmont Beijing Hotel .

Full day private guided tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven with a deluxe lunch (is included). Tiananmen Square was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and stretches a vast 440,000 square meters. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven.

Enjoy a Peking Duck dinner at Da Dong restaurant. Voted by locals as the best Peking Duck in Beijing.

Overnight at Fairmont Beijing Hotel .

Enjoy a full day private guided tour with lunch at the Great Wall at Mutianyu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. This section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles. Construction was started in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Built mainly from granite with 8m walls and 5m wide at the top, it is notable for its 22 watchtowers. Lunch is included.

Take an evening walking tour with your guide of the famous Chinese night food markets, and visit exciting Wangfujing Street.

Overnight at Fairmont Beijing Hotel .

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Depart from Beijing International airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.