Day 8 - October 31, 2007 - Wednesday: Yangtze River -  Xiling Gorge to San Dou Ping and Yichang AB,L,D After breakfast, visit San Dou Ping to see the massive Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project. After our tour, we reboard the ship at the eastern mouth of the Xiling Gorge in Yichang. The three gorges dam displaced over a million people, raised the water level upstream, and decreased the dramatic effect of the gorges by over 300 feet at the site, and less elsewhere. The dam helps control floods, provides irrigation and 84 million kwhs of hydroelectric power, and enables ocean-going ships to reach Chongqing.

Day 9 - November 1, 2007 - Thursday: Yangtze River - Wuhan AB,L,D
Arrive in Wuhan, a fusion of three cities spanning the Yangtze River. Disembark for a city sightseeing tour, including a visit to the Hubei Provincial Museum. Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, and is the most populous city in central China. It lies at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han River. It has a population of approximately 9,100,000 people. In the 1920s, Wuhan was the capital of a leftist Kuomintang government led by Wang Jingwei in opposition to Chiang Kai-shek. Continue our downstream cruise later this afternoon.

Day 10 - November 2, 2007 - Friday: Yangtze River - Guichi to Huangshan AB,L,D

The area around Guichi is well known for its stunning natural beauty. Today's memorable shore excursion takes you to spectacular Huangshan Mountain, revered throughout China. Depending on weather and road conditions, your visit may be to dramatic Jiuhuanshan, the Mountain of the Nine Lotuses. Experience the feeling of walking into a living Chinese landscape painting as the sheer peaks and their breathtaking vistas unfold before you. Sail on downstream from Guichi this evening.

Day 11 - November 3, 2007 - Saturday: Yangtze River - Nanjing AB,L,D

Arrive in Nanjing this morning, where your city tour visits Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum and a Qing Dynasty style bazaar. Covering an area of 20 acres Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum is located in the Zhong Mountain Scenic Area in the east suburb of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. As the mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of the Republic of China, it is considered the Holy land of Chinese people both home and abroad. With deep historical significance, magnificent architecture and beautiful scenery, it is a must see when traveling in Nanjing. Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) was a great forerunner of the Chinese democratic revolution and led by Dr. Sun the Chinese people brought down the corrupt rule of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and ended 2000 years of the feudal monarchy system, which led the Chinese peoples in to a new age. Reboard your ship and continue on toward Shanghai.

Day 12 - November 4, 2007 - Sunday: Shanghai AB,L
Sail into Shanghai today where you disembark and transfer to the Le Royal Meridien. Free day to explore Shanghai at your leisure. Originally a sleepy fishing town, Shanghai became China's most important city by the twentieth century and was the centre of popular culture, intellectual discourse and political intrigue during the Republic of China. Shanghai once became the third largest financial centre in the world, ranking after London and New York City, and the largest commercial city in the Far East in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. After the communist takeover in 1949, Shanghai languished under heavy central government taxation and many of its supposedly "bourgeois" elements were purged. Following the central government's authorization of market-economic redevelopment of Shanghai in 1992, Shanghai quickly surpassed early-starters Shenzhen and Guangzhou, and has since led China's economic growth. Some challenges remain for Shanghai at the beginning of the 21st century, as the city struggles to cope with increased worker migration and a huge wealth gap. However, these challenges aside, Shanghai's skyscrapers and modern lifestyle mark the pinnacle of China's recent economic development.

Day 13 - November 5, 2007 - Monday: Shanghai AB,L

Sightsee Shanghai: the rich dynastic collections of the Shanghai Museum, Nanjing or Huai Hai Road's shops, Jade Buddha Temple, a carpet factory, The Bund, and a charming performance at the Children's Palace. The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Road, is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. The most famous and attractive sight which is at the west side of the Bund are the 52 various buildings of different architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Romanesque, Classicism and the Renaissance. The Bund was the centre of Shanghai's politics, economy and culture hundreds of years ago, consulates of most countries and many banks, businesses and newspaper offices were settled there, and that's why we have these art-like buildings.  

Day 14 - November 6, 2007 - Tuesday:  Shanghai  AB,DP

Free Day: Optional trip to Suzhou which is a charming city noted for its ancient gardens. Founded in 514 BC, Suzhou is known as the Venice of the East. It was named by early travelers because the 40 town was built around a network of canals and 300 crisscrossing bridges that fanned out from the Grand Canal. But it is the natural beauty of Suzhou's 60 classical gardens and famous silk industry that inspired the Chinese to name this area "paradise on earth." The most famous gardens here are the Humble Administrator's Garden (1522 AD), the Lingering Garden (1 525 AD), and the Master of Nets Garden (1140 AD), duplicated at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Other attractions include the Drama Museum, located in a centuries-old courtyard theater that was renovated to house theatrical props and artifacts. The National Embroidery Institute was established in 1957 to preserve and further the study of silk embroidery, an important activity in Suzhou for more than 1,000 years. Its exquisite embroideries are often presented to foreign dignitaries. Suzhou is located 53 mi. west of Shanghai, less than one hour by train. Tour the Embroidery Research Institute, Pan Men City Gate, North Temple Pagoda and the Garden of the Master of Fishing Net. Return to Shanghai. Lunch included in Suzhou. Travel to Suzhou by train, motor coach or van depending on number in group. Farwell dinner tonight

Day 15 - November 7, 2007 - Wednesday: Shanghai, Pacific Ocean, San Francisco B,L,D

We leave to the airport on the Magnetic Levitated train and then fly homeward aboard United Airlines Flight No. 858 leaving Shanghai at 1:45pm and cross the international date line allowing us to arrive five hours earlier than when we left at 8:18am the same day.

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