Journey of a Lifetime 2012 (ST12) - 29 Day

Day 2 - Arrive Beijing

Meals: In-Flight Meal

Arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3 at 5:55 pm local time. You will be greeted by our experienced tour guide(s) outside the customs and they will transfer you to Sheraton Hotel, one of the newest and best hotels available in Beijing. On the way to the hotel, your guide(s) will briefly introduce themselves to you and provide you with some important information regarding your trip.

Day 4 - Beijing

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will begin the morning by setting out to the Sacred Way of the Ming Tomb. Located in the mountains according to Feng Shui principles, this imperial mausoleum is a site not to be missed. Tour the exterior portion of the tombs that include the "Spirit Way," a seven kilometer road lined with statues of mythical animals and officials to guard the 13 emperors buried in this necropolis. You will visit a jade factory on the way.

After lunch, you will travel to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, also considered as one of the greatest wonders of the world. This massive wall stretches well over 4,000 miles and once was used as the soldiers' safeguard to protect the Chinese empire's northern boarders against invaders. You then have the opportunity to climb up the mammoth sized wall at your own pace. Be sure to take in the experience and enjoy the breath-taking view from the top of one of the greatest achievements of civilization. Later, you will capture the lifestyles of families residing within the Historic Hutong by rickshaw. The amazing gray brick courtyard residence is Beijing's oldest and remains infused with timeless culture and history. In the mid-1990's, most of the original Hutongs vanished rapidly and was substituted by high-rise buildings and commercial offices. 

The Ming Tombs	The Great Wall	Historic Hutong

Day 6 - Urumqi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning will entail a full day of activities in Urumqi. The inland city is considered furthest away from the ocean and has also played an intricate role in the northern pathway of the Silk Road. You will start by visiting the surreal Heavenly Lake, local name Tian Chi, which is surrounded by the vastness of mountain peaks and alpine meadows. Thereafter, you will explore the nomadic Khazak community and witness the lifestyle of people who call this place home. In the afternoon, you will visit the International Grand Bazaar, which has a Middle-Eastern feel and is a highly frequented local hot spot for shopping at a bargain price.

Heavenly Lake	Khazak People	Grand Bazaar

Day 8 - Turpan to Dunhuang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's excursion entails a full day of visits to several main attractions. In the morning you will visit the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves located in the legendary Flaming Mountain, where Monkey King was badly burned when he tried to extinguish the flame by using a false fan borrowed from Fan Princess. On the premises, there are 77 artificial caves and inside each cave is a mural of the Buddha painted on the ceiling along with hundreds of Buddhist sculptures and figures protected over hundreds of years. Thereafter, you'll visit the western front of the Flaming Mountain, where the Grape Valley lies. There are acres upon acres of sweet and delectable grapes that exist here. Next, awaits the Karez Underground Irrigation Channels, a 2,000-year-old system that its main function is to deliver water from nearby snow-capped mountains to Turpan and its agricultural fields. Prior to an overnight train that will transport you to the next destination of Dunhuang you will have the chance to visit the local Uygar People's Family to witness the daily lifestyle of the Muslims in Turpan.

Transportation Detail: Overnight Train Approximate travel time of 7 1/2 hours. There are soft sleeping compartments on the overnight train with 4 berths per compartment. The guide in China will be the one to assign a berth to each passenger. You may request to share a compartment with another person/couple on the tour, but you cannot pay extra to have one compartment per couple or to oneself. Also be sure to have an overnight bag in your carry-on because your check-in bag will be in cargo.

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves	Grape Valley	Uygar People

Day 10 - Dunhuang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is primarily devoted to tour the Mogao Grottos, also widely referred to as the "Caves of the Thousand Buddhas." The cave that attracts swarms of tourists contains the most impressive and well-preserved examples of ancient Buddhist cave art aging over 1,000 years. The treasure house contains hundreds of sandstone caves holding more than 2,000 statues and 45,000 brilliantly bright paintings of Buddha and Chinese mythological figures.

Day 12 - Jaiyuguan to Xian

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you will visit Jiayuguan Fort, the western end of the Great Wall. At the base of Jiayu Mountains, situates the legendary Jiayuguan Pass, known as the most strategic point along the ancient Silk Road. The whole fortress was built in 1372 during the Ming Dynasty and is encompassed by magnificently designed towers that exude landscape views from every direction. After lunch, fly to the next captivating and history-filled city of Xi'an. Xi'an was the ancient capital for 11 dynasties and east end of the Silk Road. It was the world's most open and prosperous ancient international metropolitan with over a million before Beijing became the political and economic center of China. It has been also considered a favorite to tourists for experiencing and understanding of this amazing city with its glorious past and splendid progress of today. Make sure to get some rest and relaxation and prepare for the next day's adventure.

Flight Detail: Approximately 2-hour flight

Jiayuguan Fort	Jiayuguan	The Great Wall

Day 14 - Xian to Wuhan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, take a city tour. After lunch, you will fly to Wuhan.

Flight Detail: Approximate flight time via Air China is 2 hours.

Day 16 - Yangtze River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner

In the morning, depart from Yichang and set sail into Xiling Gorge (the longest at 41 miles). Then take a land excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site. It is the world's largest dam, 1.7 miles long and 220 feet high, and the largest electricity-generating plant of any kind. The dam body was completed in 2006. All of the originally planned components of the project were completed on October 30, 2008. The project produces hydroelectricity, increases the river's navigation capacity, and reduces the potential for floods downstream by providing flood storage space. From completion until September 2009, the dam has generated 348.4 TWh of electricity, covering more than one third of its project cost. There were over 1.2 million people who immigrated to other parts of the country in order to complete the project. In the afternoon, sail through the five-step ship lock. There will be a Captain's Welcoming Dinner and evening entertainment.

Xiling Gorge	Three Gorges Dam	Captain's Welcome

Day 18 - Yangtze River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Special Dinner

After practicing Tai Chi on the sundeck, take a land excursion to Shibaozhai, one of the gems of Chinese architecture along the Yangtze River. The 720-foot hill on the north bank can appear to resemble a jade seal. It is said that the hill was created by the goddess Nuwo while redecorating the sky. Atop the hill sits a temple built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. In 1956, three more stories were added to this historic temple. Eventually, the rising water levels will surround the temple, which is preserved with a tiny dam, but left on an island. This magnificent pagoda, which no nails were used to build it, is appropriately named "The Pearl of the Yangtze". After the land excursion, there are various cultural programs you may attend on the ship. A Farewell Dinner is planned for the night.

Shibaozhai	Shibaozhai Pagoda	Farewell Party

Day 20 - Leshan and Mount Emei

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will visit the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei.  Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone carved Buddha in the world.  The region of Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.  The Giant Buddha was carved during the Tang Dynasty.  It is carved on a cliff side, facing Mount Ermei, while Min River flows beneath its feet.  Standing 233 feet tall, the statue depicts a seated Maitreya Buddha.  Mount Emei is the tallest of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, regarded as a place of enlightenment.  Emei is the location for the first Buddhist temple built in China in the 1st Century CE.  There are seventy six Buddhist monastateries of Ming and Qing Dynasty, majority of them located near the mountain top.  Today you will only see some of Mount Emei.

Day 22 - Leshan to Dujiangyan to Chengdu

Meals: Braekfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you will visit Dujiangyan, an ancient irrigation system built  in 256 BC during the Warring States Period of China by the Qin Kingdom.  It is located 45 km away from Chengdu on the Min River. Before it was built, the locals suffered from anually flooding.  The system prevented further flooding of the local region once completed.  At the same time it irrigates several thousand acres of land, making Sichuan the most productive agricultural place in China.   It turned disasters into bountiful harvests. Unlike conventional river dams, Dujiangyan did not stop the flowing water with a wall, because it had to keep the waterway open for military vessels.  Instead it redirects portion of the water flow and discharge the excess water upon the dry Chengdu Plains and beyond.  You will then head to Chengdu by bus.

Day 24 - Guilin to Yangshuo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Guilin is said to be "the best scenery under heaven" for its unique limestone karsts creating the picturesque of the location. This city of surreal beauty is prevalent of aromatic Osmanthus trees and is famous for its hills along the Li River. You will embark on a memorable 3-hour Li River Cruise passing through the scenic landscape of Yangshuo. As the whimsical cruise docks, you will then hop on a trolley that will transport you to your hotel. Take a glimpse of the lush agriculture that surrounds you. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. If you are willing and ready to exit the door of your hotel, you will find yourself immersed in a market full of vendors anxiously waiting for you from all directions. Test you bargaining skills and have fun! There is also the option to rent a bicycle or a tuk-tuk to go around the countryside and get an up close and personal look at the hills of Yangshuo and the life of the Chinese residing in this city. Depending on the weather conditions, you will have the choice to partake in an evening show directed by the famous Zhang Yimou who designed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Li River	Yangshuo Countryside	Impression Show

Day 26 - Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will first begin the day with a visit to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Municipal History Wax Museum. After lunch, you will take a walking tour along the world renowned Shanghai Bund. This landmark known for its district neo-classic architecture of 52 European style buildings not only lined the Huangpu River but once upon a time housed the most influential financial institutions including national banks that were considered part of the "Big Four."  Your walking tour will then end in the old town of Shanghai, the most ancient area of the city, still maintaining it's circular shape as it did centuries ago. You will have some time to explore this area on your own. At the old town of Shanghai, you would find the City God Temple, and the famous Yu Garden (Yuyuan). After attending a mesmerizing Shanghai Acrobatic Show. You will visit a Silk Museum today.

The Bund	Oriental Pearl TV Tower	Acrobatic Show

Day 28 - Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast

Today is a free day to explore the vibrant culture and lifestyle of Shanghai. Indulge yourself by shopping at the stores along Nanjing Road, which is the main shopping street of Shanghai and one of the world's busiest shopping streets. If you're interested in more sightseeing, then visit the Jade Buddha Temple. It is still an active temple with 70 resident monks who live and work there. Another option is the Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar, which is believed to have been built in the Ming Dynasty over 400 years ago.  One of the highlights is the Exquisite Jade Rock that resembles the appearance of jade with its translucent nature and numerous holes caused by water erosion. If you're just looking for a relaxing time, stop by the famous Old Jazz Bar at Peace Hotel. It's open daily from 8pm to 2am where you can enjoy jazz music dating back to the 30's and 40's and experience specially prepared cocktails and Irish or Italian coffee. The local guide will be available to give you directions and advice if you cannot decide what to do. Whatever you choose, you will enjoy the splendors of this magnificent city!

Yu Garden	Old French Concession	Shanghai Museum