China Travel Specialists

Day-By Day Itinerary:

Day 1 • Los Angeles to Beijing
Your adventure begins as you board Northwest Airlines' wide-cabin 747 jet to fly transpacific. Cross the International Date Line.

CHINA

Day 2 • Arrive Beijing
Welcome to China's capital, Beijing, where you're greeted and transferred to the deluxe Renaissance Beijing Hotel.

Day 3 • Beijing

Out early to tour Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City's treasure-filled Imperial Palace with a tour of the living quarters, museum and jewelry sections. Later, visit the splendid pavilions of the Summer Palace, enjoying a boat ride on Lake Kunming. Tonight, you are invited to a Beijing Duck dinner party.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Party

Day 4 • Beijing

A day-long excursion takes you to the legendary Great Wall, where you walk atop the ancient ramparts. Stroll the statue-lined Sacred Way to the medieval Ming Tombs and Chang Ling Exhibition Hall. In the evening, enjoy a performance of the renowned Beijing Opera.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 • Beijin to Xi’an

This afternoon, fly to historic Xi'an, former capital of China and site of archeological wonders. You're reserved at the deluxe Sheraton Xi'an Hotel. Dine on western cuisine tonight.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 • Xi’an

A thrilling day as you view the famous 2200-year-old life-sized terra-cotta army disinterred from the first emperor's necropolis; Circle Vision Movie, the Bronze Chariot and renowned Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum. Tonight, you're our guest at the Tang Dynasty Theatre's celebrated dinner show.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Show

Day 7 • Xi’an to Chengdu

This morning, fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. After lunch, visit Wangjianglou Park, known for its scenic cedarwood pavilions and bamboo forest. Continue to Qingyang Palace, the oldest and largest Daoist temple in Chengdu. This evening, attend an entertaining performance of the Sichuan Opera. Full of local color and flavor, Sichuan opera is characterized by a combination of music, dance and acrobatics. Overnight at the Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 • Chengdu

This morning, a highlight of your trip includes a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the best place to see Chengdu's most endearing residents. Also included are the museum and a movie where you may learn more about the Giant Pandas' habitat and evolution. According to the pandas' activities when you visit, you may have the option to take your picture with an adorable baby panda! Continue on to the Sanxingdui Museum with its remarkable collection of archeological artifacts spanning 5,000 years of culture in the Chengdu area.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Western Dinner

Day 9 • Chengdu to Lhasa

Fly to Lhasa, mountainous capital of Tibet, and check in to the Lhasa Hotel. The rest of the day is free to adjust to the altitude of one of the world's highest plateaus - about 12,000 ft. above sea level.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Hotel

Day 10 • Lhasa

An extraordinary day of sightseeing shows Nobrulingkha (Precious Stone Garden), built on the orders of the 7th Dalai Lama in the 18th century. Then visit famous Barkhor Market, where you can shop for rare Tibetan items. See one of Tibet's holiest shrines, revered 7th century Jokhang Temple, where pilgrims come to prostrate themselves before the statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha, lavishly enthroned in gold.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Hotel

TIBET

Day 11 • Lhasa

You'll not soon forget the spectacular architecture at the world-famous Potala Palace. Former living quarters of the Dalai Lama, its massive 1000-room structure towers over this mountain city. Then tour Drepung Monastery, tiered against a mountain in traditional Tibetan style, once home to more than 10,000 Lamas.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Hotel

Day 12 • Lhasa to Chengdu/Chongqing

This morning, bid farewell to the mountains of Tibet as you fly to Chengdu and then continue on to Chongqing. On arrival, check in to the Harbour Plaza Hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Western Dinner

Day 13 • Yangtze River Cruise: Chongqing

Chongqing sightseeing includes the highlights of this mountainside city where neighborhoods rise in tiers along the steep riverbank above the Yangtze. Visit the Stillwell Museum where you will see memorabilia from the Flying Tigers, Americans who volunteered to aid the Chinese in World War ll against the Japanese invasion of China, before Pearl Harbor was attacked. Enjoy panoramic views of Chongqing from E Ling Park. Finally, visit historic Ci Qi Kou area, with its Qing dynasty homes, tea houses, shops and old docks, which were used for shipping local porcelain goods. This evening, board your Victoria cruise ship to begin your memorable cruise.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Buffet Dinner

Day 14 • Yangtze River Cruise: Shibaozai*

A shore excursion at Shibaozhai shows its 12-story wooden pagoda. Over 400 years old, this magnificent pagoda is known as the "Pearl of the Yangtze."
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

*Alternate shore excursion may visit Fengdu or Wanzhou.

Day 15 • Yangtze River Cruise: Qutang Gorge to Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream/Wu Gorge/Xiling Gorge

An exciting day begins as you cruise through the first of the fabled Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge, hemmed by mossy cliffs. Arriving at Wushan, you transfer to a cruiser for an excursion up the Daning River to view the breathtaking Small Gorges. Alternatively, your excursion may be on Shennong Stream with its equally spectacular small gorges. Rejoin your cruise ship and sail on through Wu Gorge, celebrated for its Twelve Peaks, and on through Xiling Gorge, the last and most scenic of all the gorges. Finally, you sail through the dramatic Three Gorges Shiplock.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16 • Yangtze River Cruise: San Dou ping/Yichang to Shanghai

This morning, visit the historic Three Gorges Dam site at San Dou Ping, the world's largest hydroelectric project. Continue on to Yichang where you board your flight to Shanghai. On arrival, check in to the Hua Ting Hotel & Towers.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17 • Shanghai

Sightsee Shanghai's highlights: the rich collections of the Shanghai Museum, Nanjing or Huai Hai Road, and Jade Buddha Temple. Tour The Bund and see a performance at the Children's Palace. Tonight, you'll see an astonishing acrobatic show.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18 • Shanghai to Suzhou/Shanghai

Today drive to Suzhou, a charming city noted for its ancient gardens. Tour the Embroidery Research Institute, Pan Men City Gate, North Temple Pagoda and the Garden of the Master of Fishing Net. Return to Shanghai.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Western Dinner

Day 19 • Shanghai to Los Angeles

Fly homeward aboard Northwest Airlines' wide-cabin jetliner. Cross the International Date Line.
MEALS: American Breakfast

THURSDAY DEPARTURES ON NORTHWEST AIRLINES:

Guaranteed Departures shown in Bold below
 

Tour Code: 5YE19VT

Tour Cost (Per Person)

LAND ONLY^*

AIR/LAND
from
Los Angeles

Single
Supp.

2005:

Apr 14

$3240

$3870

$1030

May 5, 19, 26

$3340

$3970

$1110

Jun 2, 9, 16, 23

$3240

$3870

$1030

Jul 7, 21

$3160

$3980

$1010

Aug 4, 18

$3160

$3980

$1010

Sep 1

$3440

$4260

$1210

Sep 15

$3440

$4070

$1210

Oct 6

$3440

$4070

$1210

EAST COAST CITIES AND OTHER GATEWAYS: For domestic Add-On air fares from interior U.S. cities to Los Angeles, please refer to Add-On Fare Chart below.
*Land Only rate does not include transpacific air fare.