The Ultimate Yangtze (20 days / 17 nights)***** Based on 5-star hotels (land & international air)

Day 01 Depart Johannesburg:

Day 02 Hong Kong / Beijing (D.) : you are met and transferred to hotel. This afternoon, we will take a walk to Wangfujing Pedestrian Street before dinner.

Day 03 Beijing (B. DS.): The capital of the People’s Republic of China and an ancient capital of six dynasties, Beijing is one of the most famous historical and cultural cities in the world. Your exciting China adventure begins with a full-day tour commencing in the Temple of Heaven, a group of 15-century ceremonial buildings. Onto Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest square, featuring Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, and the Great Hall of the People, the seat of Chinese legislature. We walk on to the main entrance of the Forbidden City…China’s most

the forced abdication of the child Emperor Pu Yi in 1924. Enjoy dinner followed by the world-class ‘Kungfu’ ballet show, a mix of dance and martial arts.

Day 04 Beijing (B. D.): After breakfast a full-day excursion to the Great Wall of China…where you may actually climb on this

Chinese empire for nearly 2,000 years. Then, enjoy a walk along the grand entrance, Spirit Way at the Ming Tombs, lined

acclaimed Quanjude Restaurant.

Day 05 Beijing / Xi’an (B. D.): Enjoy a morning to the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved

city walls in all over China.

Day 06 Xi’an (B. L. DS.): After breakfast, you visit the famous Army of Terracotta Warriors. Incredibly, this archaeological site was discovered quite by accident as recently as 1974 by peasants digging a well during a drought. For more than 2 200 years an entire clay army had lain underground, undiscovered, even unrecorded by history. The awesome ranks of life-

the Bell Tower and the ‘Old Quarter’ of Xi’an. Finish the day with a moving, melodic Tang Dynasty Palatial dinner and show, a colourful performance of the ancient music and dance of the Tang dynasty.

Day 07 Xi’an / Chongqing / Yangtze River cruise (B. D.): enjoy a visit to the ‘old town’ of Chongqing and the Three Gorges Museum. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before embarkation.

Day 08 Yangtze cruise (B. L. DP.): Our exciting cruise begins at 09h00 a.m., when we set sail along the Sanxia (shang-shia) Dam, enjoying the scenic vistas and a leisurely lunch, before arriving at Fengdu, the new location of a town that was moved to higher reaches to make way for the new lake. Tonight the Captain’s Welcome Dinner, a splendid Chinese banquet with preprandial cocktails.

Day 09 Yangtze cruise (B. L. D.): Excursion to Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream. You can stand on the wide open deck topside with 360-degree views as the ship gently glides through Qutang Gorge – the smallest and shortest gorge (only 8km of geographic loveliness). Further on we traverse gorgeous Wu Gorge (about 44 gorgeous nature-landscaped

Gorge, at 80km the longest and most revealing of the three famous gorges…which ships once battled to traverse up or down in the drier seasons. Eventually, arrival at the new Three Gorges Dam wall, where the ship heaves to (usually at night) until permission is issued to pass through the 5-Step ship locks.

Day 10 Arrive Yichang / Wuhan (B. L. D.): This morning, an excursion to see a huge miniature model of the entire Three Gorges

to sail into Gezhouba Dam (completed in 1986), to Yichang for disembarkation. A transfer to the railway station and enjoy a 2-hour ‘bullet train’ journey to Wuhan, capital of Hubei province. On arrival, check into your hotel.

Day 11 Wuhan / Shanghai (B. D.): Enjoy a visit to Hubei Provincial Museum, known for its 2,000 years old musical instruments

China. Dinner at hotel.

Day 12 Shanghai (B. DS.): First to the renowned Shanghai Museum, the beautiful Yu Garden & Bazaar at the ‘Old Quarter’, and a

enjoy a panoramic view at the Observation Tower atop World Financial Centre (101-storeys, 492 metres high). Tonight, the stunning, simply sensational, Shanghai Acrobatic Show at Shanghai Circus.

Day 13 Excursion to Hangzhou (B. L. D.): Travel to Hangzhou by ‘bullet train’. Together with Suzhou, Hangzhou is praised as ‘Heaven on Earth’ and is one of the most beautiful cities in China. There, enjoy a boat cruise on serene West Lake and a visit to the Linyin Monastery.

Day 14 Shanghai / Guilin (B. D.): On arrival, a transfer to hotel. Sheraton Hotel or, similar

Day 15 Guilin (B. L.): Enjoy a 5-hour cruise down the Li River through an immensely rugged, mountainous and beautiful

Day 16 Excursion to Longshen (B. L. D.): After breakfast, enjoy a 2-hour journey to Longsheng, 90 km North of Guilin. Longsheng terraced landscape, with a total of 70 sq. km inhabited by the Zhuang and Yao (ethnic minorities) live in the wooden houses on stilts. The locals still preserves the original costumes, customs and culture. Long sheng terraced mountains located at 1,900 metres above sea level, vertical drop 800 metres… the Terrence Field are like chains or ribbons spreading from the foot of the hill to the top. The small one looks like spiral shell and some big ones are like towers.

a World Natural Heritage site.

Day 17 Guilin / Hong Kong (B. L.): A morning at leisure followed by a short excursion to the Reed Flute Cave, a colourfully-lit

Day 18 Hong Kong (B. D.): This morning a fascinating Hong Kong Island tour will take you to Victoria Peak, Aberdeen and Stanley Market. In the evening, enjoy a dinner cruise with stunning views of spectacular neon-lit skyscrapers.

Day 19 Depart for Johannesburg (B.): After breakfast, free time for individual sightseeing or shopping. Transfer to airport in

Day 20 Arrive Johannesburg: Arrive early morning at OR Tambo and then home with memories that last a lifetime.

Cost: From USD 7,430 per person sharing, USD 2,698 additional for single supplement