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SAN FRANCISCO
Monday, October 9 Depart on an overnight flight to Beijing. All meals served aloft.
BEIJING
Tuesday, October 10 Upon arriving in Beijing this evening, transfer to the deluxe Peninsula Palace Hotel, located in the heart of the city's business and shopping precinct and within a walk of Tiananmen Square. 
BEIJING
Wednesday, October 11 This morning visit the Forbidden City, with its remarkable collection of ancient buildings. After lunch at the Chang'an Club, the afternoon is reserved for a behind-the-scenes look at the city's art world. Gather in the evening for welcome remarks by Dr. Yu Zhou, followed by a festive dinner.
 BEIJING
Thursday, October 12 Take an exhilarating morning walk on the Great Wall, dating from the 5th century B.C. This amazing structure stretches from Central Asia to the East China Sea and has an average width of 22 feet. Following lunch at the Sino Swiss Hotel, return to Beijing for a tour of the hutongs, traditional neighborhoods. This evening attend a performance of the Peking Opera.
BEIJING
Friday, October 13 After a morning lecture, we will visit the Temple of Heaven. During the Ming Dynasty, the emperor's procession to the temple to pray for an abundant harvest was so sacred that the people of Beijing were forbidden to watch. Following lunch, visit the Summer Palace and take a boat ride on Kunming Lake. Enjoy a dinner of traditional Peking Duck.
BEIJING / XI'AN
Saturday, October 14 Board a short flight to Xi'an, a model of imperial splendor and the capital of eleven dynasties. After lunch visit the 3rd-century tomb of the First Emperor Qin (Qin Shihuangdi), where we have been granted special access for better viewing. See the extraordinary army of more than 7,500 painted terra-cotta warriors and horse-drawn chariots interred here with the emperor for his protection. Dinner is at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, our home for the next two nights.
XI'AN
Sunday, October 15 After a breakfast lecture, travel to the Forest of Stele, a large collection of ancient stone tablets containing early Chinese calligraphy. Wander the serene gardens of the Great Mosque in a romantic quarter of town. Adumpling lunch precedes our visit to the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, housing one of China's richest collections of ancient artifacts. Dinner and the evening are at leisure.
 XI'AN / CHONGQING
Monday, October 16 Depart on a morning flight to Chongqing, the wartime capital of Nationalist China, on the steep slopes of a cliff at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. The old section of the city is laced with winding narrow lanes, often converging into flights of steps that lead to various levels of the town. After lunch visit the Painting Academy Gallery and the Chongqing Zoo, home to Giant Pandas. Dinner and overnight are at the Harbour Plaza Hotel.
CHONGQING / DAZU / YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Tuesday, October 17 Drive to Dazu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rich images at Dazu represent the peak of Chinese rock art. Begin at the extraordinary Baodingshan Grottos, where the carved statues adjoin a 100-foot reclining Buddha figure in a brilliantly conceived composition. After lunch return to the Harbour Plaza Hotel for a lecture and dinner. Board the Victoria Anna this evening.
YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Wednesday, October 18 This morning sail down the legendary Yangtze, past some of the river's most stunning scenery. Shibaozhai Temple is one of China's architectural gems, built atop a stone cliff during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. In 1819 a nine-story wooden pavilion was built hugging the rock-face to facilitate the ascent of monks and visitors, and each of its floors is dedicated to a scholar, general or poet. Return to the ship for a lecture and dinner.
YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Thursday, October 19 There will be an opportunity to board motorized sampan boats for a morning excursion on the Daning River through the spectacular Lesser Gorges, often a subject of ancient Chinese art. An afternoon lecture and discussion will prepare us for our visit to Shanghai.
 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE / SHANGHAI
Friday, October 20 This morning visit the astounding Three Gorges Dam site, an engineering marvel. After lunch disembark the Victoria Anna in Yichang and continue to the airport for the short flight to Shanghai. As China's economic powerhouse, Shanghai boasts a rapidly expanding skyline of over 150 high-rise buildings. Accommodations are at the Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel. Dinner and the evening are at leisure.
SHANGHAI
Saturday, October 21 The comprehensive collections at the Shanghai Museum include rare bronzes and some of the finest Ming porcelains in the world. There will be time to relax in the museum's pleasant tearoom or shop for first-quality reproductions and crafts in its shops. After lunch at one of Shanghai's trendy restaurants, stroll the Bund. This shore boulevard, lined with 19th-century European-style buildings, is one of the most extraordinary urban settings in the world. The remainder of the afternoon and dinner are at leisure. This evening attend a thrilling performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
 SHANGHAI / SUZHOU / SHANGHAI
Sunday, October 22 Suzhou, popularly known as the "Venice of the East," is one of China's oldest and loveliest cities. Today's excursion will include several of the classical gardens of Suzhou, such as the Garden of Humble Administration, featuring the calligraphy of the painter Wen Zhenming. After lunch, visit the Master of the Fishing Nets Garden. Gather this evening for a farewell reception and dinner at the fashionable "M on the Bund."
SHANGHAI / SAN FRANCISCO
Monday, October 23 Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to San Francisco. |
