Start in: Shanghai
End in: Shanghai
Special Experience: Savor Chuan food, get close to Giant Pandas, enjoy a beach holiday in Putuo and explore the old town of Shanghai
Emei Mountain and Yangtze River Tour
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Shanghai
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown 
Transfer via: International flight on your own arrangement
Upon your arrival at Shanghai airport (Pu Dong), the local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
The frequent on-stage change of masks, without the audience noticing, is a special technique, known as changing faces in Chuan Opera.
Accommodations: Yinhe Dynasty Hotel
Meals: B,D
Sightseeing: Chengdu
Special Dinner: Chuan Food
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination--Chengdu. Upon arrival at Chengdu, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for a rest before a delicious dinner of Sichuan food at a local restaurant (this fee is included in our quotation).
- Chengdu: centrally located in the western Sichuan Plain, with a history of over 2300 years, the capital of Sichuan Province, Chengdu is renowned for its fertile land and agricultural wealth which have earned the city the nickname "Storehouse of Heaven".
- Chuan Food: Sichuan Cuisine, known more commonly in the West as Szechuan Cuisine, is one of the most famous Chinese cuisines in the world. Prepared with a wide variety of ingredients and characterized by its spicy and pungent flavors, Sichuan cuisine emphasizes the use of chili and peppercorn. It can be said that one who doesn't experience Sichuan food has never reached China. Savor the flavor of Sichuan, and it is becoming hotter and hotter!
Have a cup of tea at the Teahouse in Chengdu city, which is part of the local people 's life
Accommodations: Yinhe Dynasty Hotel
Meals: B
Sightseeing: Giant Panda Breeding Research Base,Du Fu's Thatched Roof Cottage,Marquis Wu Shrine,Tea houses
Today's full-day tour will bring you to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base first, and then Du Fu's Thatched Roof Cottage and Marquis Wu Shrine. After the sightseeing, enjoy a cup of tea at one of the local tea houses.
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base: 18km from the city center, housing 12 pandas in natural environments: it is the best place to see Chengdu's most famous residents and you can get to know more about this precious species in the museum there.
- Du Fu's Thatched Roof Cottage: located on the side of the Flower Washing Brook in the western suburbs of Chengdu. It is the former residence of the celebrated Tang dynasty poet, Du Fu (712-770AD) who was born in Henan province. At the age of 20 he left his home to travel within China. He used to be an official for 10 years in Chang'an (present Xian), the capital of the Tang dynasty, and was captured by rebels after an uprising. He then fled to Chengdu where he built this humble cottage and stayed for about four years.
- Marquis Wu Shrine: built by Li Xiong in the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316AD) in memory of Zhuge Liang, prime minister of Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280AD). Zhuge Liang (181-234AD) was not only a great statesman and military strategist but also the hero of the novel Sanguo Yanyi (the Romance of the Three Kingdoms).
- Tea houses: Chengdu is one of the few remaining cities in China with a really authentic tea house (Chadian) culture. Thousands of teahouses dotted about Chengdu are hugely popular with locals, especially the elderly. Teahouses throughout the city are still important locations for social gatherings. Its distinct and unique atmosphere will let you get a good feel for Chengdu.
Marquis Wu Shrine, Chengdu. It is built in a traditional Chinese style.
Accommodations: Red Spider's Hotel
Meals: B
Sightseeing: Leshan Giant Buddha,Mt. Emei,Baoguo Temple
In the morning, drive about 2 hours to Leshan and visit the Giant Buddha carved out from the rocks at the confluence of the Dadu, Minjiang and Qingyi Rivers, and then continue driving to Mt. Emei to visit Baoguo Temple and stay overnight at the foot of Mt. Emei.
- Leshan Giant Buddha: the largest stone Buddha statue in the world with 71 meters in height. It is amazing that the head itself is 14.7 meters high and 10 meters wide with total 1021 buns of hair on it, while its 8.5-meter-wide instep can accommodate 100 people.
- Mt. Emei: believed by Buddhists to be the home to Samantabhadra-patron of the Lotus Sutra and Bodhisattva of Pervading Goodness, the mountain is the highest of China's four holy Buddhist mountains with 3,099 meters above the sea level and known for its sunrise, sea of clouds, Buddhist Lamps, Buddha's Halo and naughty monkeys.
- Baoguo Temple: at 550m of Mt. Emei, the temple has a 25-ton bronze bell dating from 1564 AD.
View of the sea of clouds on the Emei Mountain, Sichuan
Accommodations: Red Spider's Hotel
Meals: B
Today, you will have a trip to Mt. Emei: the tourist bus will bring you to Leidongping first, where you need to walk to Jieyin Palace to take the cable car up to appreciate the natural scenery around Golden Summit, descend by the cable car and take the bus to Wannian Temple parking lot, where you will take the cable car up to visit the Wannian (Myriad Years) Temple which is the field for Samantabhadra, walk through Qingyin (Pure Note) Pavilion-the biggest natural ecology reserve area for monkeys, till you get to Wuxiangang parking lot to take the tourist bus down to the foot of the mountain. After the tour, return to Chengdu.
Winter View of Mt.Emei, one of China's four holy Buddhist mountains
Accommodations: On the Cruise
Meals: B
Transfer via: Bus or train on our arrangement
Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the bus station for bus to Chongqing. Upon your arrival at Chongqing, the largest city in Southwest China, our local guide will meet you and escort you to board the ship.
Accommodations: On the Cruise
Meals: B,L,D
Sightseeing: Fengdu Ghost City
Departs Chongqing at 08:00AM. Shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City.
- Fengdu Ghost City: constructed on the Mingshan Hill by the river bank, it is so called because of the legend which goes that about 1,700 years ago, two officials, Yin and Wang (the combination of their surnames means "Ghost King ") became Taoists here and eventually Immortals. Now with fantastic temples of underworld demons and gods, it shows the Chinese ghost culture and is a place for punishing the devil and awarding the good.
Pay a visit to Fengdu County during your Yangtze River cruise, where you can see local people's life along the river.
Accommodations: On the Cruise
Meals: B,L,D
Sightseeing: Shennong Stream
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream by smaller vessels
- Shennong Stream: a small tributary of the Yangtze River is 60 kilometers long and is famous for its picturesque scenery. Shennong Stream is beautiful and ancient. When you take a sampan drifting along it, which is not without risk yet exhilarating and a challenge to battle with the nature. You will be attracted and surprised by its crystal clear steam flowing swiftly from north to south through deep gorges, steep ridges and peaks, thick vegetation and wild flowers, flying birds and a plank road built along a cliff and ancient hanging coffins. Sweet love songs will be presented to you by the local ethnic people.
Boat Trackers in the Shennong Stream, a traditional way of making a living along the Yangtze River
Accommodations: On the Cruise
Meals: B,L,D
Sightseeing: Three Gorges
Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site.
- Three Gorges: spanning the Yangtze at Sandouping, Yichang, Hubei province, China. Construction began in 1994, and the 'Three Gorges Dam' is now the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. The Dam will be 2,335 meters long, 18 meters wide, and its bottom will be 130 meters wide after completion in 2009. When completed, the water level will rise to 135 meters above sea level. The reservoir began filling on June 1, 2003, and it will occupy the present position of the scenic Three Gorges area, between the cities of Yichang, Hubei, and Fuling, Chongqing Municipality.
Accommodations: Ningbo Hotel
Meals: B
Transfer via: China domestic flight on our arrangement
Disembark the ship in Wuhan at 11:30AM. Upon your arrival at Wuhan pier, our local guide will meet you and escort you to the Wuhan airport for your flight to Ningbo. Upon your arrival at Ningbo, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
The Shennu Peak, one of the Twelve Peaks in Wu Gorge, which you can see on your Yangtze River cruise
Accommodations: Ningbo Hotel
Meals: B
Sightseeing: Putuo Mountain
After breakfast, take a boat to Putuo, then visit the Putuo mountain.
- Putuo Mountain: the lowest of China's sacred mountains, located on a small island of only twelve square kilometers. A holy place before the arrival of Buddhism, the island is full of mystic caves, tranquil valleys, overhanging cliffs and golden beaches. The trip to Mount Putuo does not involve any overly strenuous climbing for the highest peak here is a mere 300 meters above sea level.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Meals: B
Transfer via: Mosquito craft on our arrangement
Sightseeing around Putuo Mountain. After lunch, our local guide will escort you to the pier for your mosquito craft to Shanghai. Upon your arrival at Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, our local guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Meals: B
Sightseeing: Zhujiajiao old town,Fangsheng Bridge,Beida Street,Xi's Residence
After breakfast, you will pay a visit to the Zhujiajiao old town. At Zhujiajiao, walking through Fangsheng Bridge, Beida Street, Xi's Residence etc, it seems that you walk back to the old days. Drive back to Shanghai.
- Zhujiajiao old town: a well-preserved and fan-shaped old town with hundreds of years of history around the shore of vast Dingshan Lake, one of the largest commercial centers on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911AD), where you can see thousands of buildings in Ming and Qing style standing along the river, 36 old stone bridges connecting nine streets in the old town to form a unique and beautiful waterscapes.
- Fangsheng Bridge: Fangsheng means freeing captive animals, the bridge looks like a rainbow over the peacefully flowing river.
- Beida Street: 1 kilometer long, with over 400-year-old history, it is the best preserved street of Ming and Qing Dynasties in Shanghai area, where there are lots of old shops and old residences.
- Xi's Residence: built by a celebrity in Ming Dynasty, it is the typical residence in Ming style. Its exquisitely carved bricks and window frames are simple yet elegant with pretty high artistic value.
Zhujiajiao Old Town is also a tiny water town in South China.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown
Meals: B
Sightseeing: Jade Buddha Temple
Gala Event: Acrobatic Show
Today, your full-day excursion of incredible Shanghai will include: magnetism fast train, Jade Buddha Temple. Enjoy a wonderful Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre tonight.
- Jade Buddha Temple: named after its exquisite milk-white jade Buddha brought from Burma in the 19th century by a Chinese monk, it is a spiritual oasis in the midst of a modern metropolis.
- Acrobatic Show: Chinese Acrobatics is one of the oldest performing arts with its history tracing back to Neolithic times, during its development in the history, it has been absorbing plentiful merits from the opera, dance and Chinese Kungfu, and formed its own artistic features. In Portman Acrobatic Show, in a very typical Shanghainese setting and atmosphere, you will enjoy many breathtaking and stunning programs such as Calvaria Skills, Silk Suspending, Hoop Diving and so on performed by very skillful performers, you will truly have an unforgettable experience of your life.
Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple with a precious white jade sitting buddha
Meals: B
Transfer via: International flight on your own arrangement
Free in the day until our local guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your sweet home.
China domestic flights as specified in the itinerary 
Accommodations for 14 nights, including
8 nights at four star or higher hotels, 2 nights at three star hotels, 4 nights at five star yangtze cruise ship
21 meals, including 14 full breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
(including Chuan Food)
1 gala evening events--Acrobatic Show in Shanghai 
Round-trip transfers---between airports, hotels and scenic spots in each city by private air-conditioned motor coaches with experienced drivers
A local English-speaking guide in each city
Entrance fees to scenic spots listed in the itinerary
Luggage transfers between airports and hotels
China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty insurance
Government taxes and service charges except tips for tour guides and drivers
Chuan food emphasizes on colour, smell, flavor, shape and nutrition. Sichuan cuisine is widely known for its "hot and spicy" flavors brought by chili and Sichuan pepper.
Sinbba, thanks for your organization, we have had a wonderful experience in a country where we had never been and never expected to go, I can tell you that this will not be the last time that we will visit China and when the time comes for us to visit again you can rest assured that I will call you at Odyssey to organize another memorable tour for us
- Charles and Doris Gatt,Australia
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