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Day1 Chengdu
Transfer via: flight – your arrangement
Activities for today: Airport to hotel transfer (Chengdu)
Meet with your tour guide at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and then transfer to your hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
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Day2 Chengdu
Transfer via: private vehicle
Activities for today: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, People's Park
This morning drive about 15 KM to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to over 100 giant pandas and one of the most important panda scientific research centers in China. You will walk through the bamboo-framed paths and closely observe the giant pandas of different ages eating, playing, tumbling, and climbing. Be sure to not miss the chance to watch female pandas nursing their cubs in the nursery rooms. There is also a very informative panda museum where you can learn some interesting facts about panda bears.
In the afternoon, drive back to the city to visit People's Park, where you can order a pot of tea, have a casual chat and watch locals indulging themselves in different kinds of entertainment - napping, playing Mahjong, disco dancing, giving neck massages, and practicing calligraphy with water on the floor etc.
Optional night show: We will recommend Sichuan Opera at Shufeng Yayun Sichuan Opera House. The opera includes interesting short comedy show, puppet show, hand shadow, music instruments mimic horse and people conversation, and the face changing show with fire spitting.
N.B.
1) We suggest starting your tour at 07:00 because the pandas are active at 08:00 - 10:00. They are playing and eating breakfast in their houses and gardens. If you go there so late, the pandas will asleep.
2) Holding a panda in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will cost RMB 1800 for 15 seconds. This is an optional activity for visitors.
Red Panda at Chengdu Giant Panda Base
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Chengdu People's Park
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Day3 Chengdu
Transfer via: private vehicle
Activities for today: Sichuan Museum, Wuhou Temple, Jinli Ancient Street
After breakfast tour Sichuan Museum, which displays over 250,000 items. Begin at the exhibits of pottery from the Hand Dynasty, then continue to the displays of bronze items and the section containing Tibetan Buddhist relics. Across several exhibit halls, you can see ceramics, stone sculptures, ancient coins, folk arts and crafts, and calligraphy. The museum also allows visitors to learn more about the cultures of local ethnic minorities, displaying their clothing, musical instruments, and other objects. Host to regular temporary exhibits, the museum frequently shows modern art from around the world.
This afternoon we will visit both Wuhou Temple and Jinli Street in the leafy neighbourhood of Chengdu. Wuhou Temple was built in the Western Jin period (265–316) in the honor of Zhuge Liang, the famous military and political strategist who was Prime Minister of the Shu Han State during the Three Kingdoms period (220–280). The temple highlights the Zhuge Liang Memorial Temple and the Hall of Liu Bei (founder of the Shu Han state), along with statues of other historical figures of Shu Han, as well as cultural relics like stone inscriptions and tablets. The Hui Mausoleum of Liu Bei represents a unique pattern of enshrining both the emperor and his subjects in the same temple, a rarity in China.
Jinli Ancient Street is nearby Wuhou Temple. It is a popular commercial and dining area resembling the style of traditional architecture of western Sichuan. "Jinli" is the name of an old street in Chengdu dating from the Han dynasty and means "making perfection more perfect". The ancient Jinli Street was one of the oldest and the most commercialized streets in the history of the Shu state and was well known throughout the country during the Qin, Han and Three Kingdoms periods. Many aspects of the urban life of Chengdu are present in the current-day Jinli area: teahouses, restaurants, bars, theatres, handicraft stores, local snack vendors, and specialty shops.
Sichuan Museum
Wuhou Temple
Jinli Old Street
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Day4 Chengdu/Chongqing
Transfer via: High speed train - our arrangement
Activities for today: train station transfer (Chengdu, Chongqing), Ciqikou Ancient Town, Three Gorges Museum and Hongya Cave
This morning our driver will escort you to Chegndu East Train Station for the high speed train (about 1.5- 2 hrs) to Chongqing.
Upon arrival in Chongqing, the Chongqing local guide will meet you and escort you to downtown area for today’s sightseeing.
First will be an interesting visit to the thousand-year-old Ciqikou Ancient Town, a famous business harbor in ancient time. Reputed as "Little Chongqing", Ciqikou is a heaven-like place where you can leisurely wander along the bustling old streets with Ming and Qing architectures standing by, visit the featured shops, taste delicate local snacks, or enjoy a cup of tea at the old teahouse.
Next drive about 13km from Ciqikou to Three Gorges Museum which sits opposite to People's Assembly Hall. Entering into this large and modern museum, you'll have a deep understanding about the geography of Yangtze River, the changes of Three Gorges and the world-famous project Three Gorges Dam; know the history of ancient Ba and Yu, as well as learn about every aspect of Chongqing City in 20th century.
Before the night falls, head to see Hongya Cave. You’ll find yourselves in a world of stilted buildings with old streets lined with featured souvenir stores, elaborate specialty shops and spectacular collection of restaurants ranging from western food to Japanese cuisine to various Chinese favorites. If time permits, enjoy the stunning night view of Hongya Cave at sunset.
In the late afternoon, you’ll be transferred to Chongqing Chaotianmen Port to board your ship at 18:00~20:00. Your cruise will sail at 21:00.
Ciqikou Ancient Town Chongqing China
Three Gorges Museum
Hongya Cave in Chongqing
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Day5 Yangtze River Cruise
Transfer via: ship - our arrangement
Activities for today: Shibaozhai Pagoda
In this morning, wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine shining over the tranquil Yangtze River. You can either follow the Taichi master to play Taichi on the sundeck or enjoy a cup of coffee to stretch your mood to start your beautiful day. It will be colorful and interesting no matter you stay onboard or go shore excursions at river stops.
Onboard you will enjoy different kinds of cultural activities and entertainment, like attending a Yangtze River History and Culture Lecture to know deeply about the third longest river in the world, taking part in the Captain’s Welcome Party to make new friends, or having great fun at the wonderful evening shows with sing, dance and music.
Also, you will follow a local English-speaking tour guide and make a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda, a pearl of Yangtze River in Zhongxian County. Reputed as one of the eight extraordinary architectures in the world, this 12-story, 16th century red wooden pagoda leans against the side of the rocky and craggy hill about 200 meters tall. Climbing up to the top of Shibaozhai, you can not only visit the Buddhist temples and halls but also have panoramic view of Yangtze River.
Optional excursion: Have a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City today with an extra fee. Called “the Homeland of Divine Comedy in China”, it consists of buildings, structures, dioramas and statues related to the afterlife in hell. Entering this “City of Ghosts”, you will know many mysterious stories about underworld and cruel tortures and different kinds of devils and Chinese demons.
Chaotianmen Port Chongqing
Shibaozhai Pagoda
Fengdu Ghost City Chongqing China
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Day6 Yangtze River Cruise
Transfer via: ship - our arrangement
Activities for today: Shennv Stream
Today you will sail through the spectacular Three Gorges! Follow the guide’s live interpretation and soak up the breathtaking gorge scenery passing by as you drift through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge respectively.
On this day, take an enjoyable shore excursion to Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream), a tributary of the Yangtze River in Wushan County. You will be switched to a smaller boat to sail down this primitive stream running in a narrow side gorge where you will have close-up views of steep mountains and hanging coffins high on the cliffs as well as hear some of the local history. Besides, you will be entertained with local music and dance offered by the Tujia ethnic group.
In this evening, enjoy the well-prepared Captain’s Farewell Party with all your mates onboard and have a pleasant dinner together.
Optional excursion: Enjoy a shore excursion to White Emperor City today with an extra fee. Located at the entrance of Qutang Gorge, this excursions gives you the chance to know Romance of the Three Kingdoms and offers the best pot to appreciate the magnificent “Kui Gate”.
Shennv Stream
Yangtze River Wu Gorge
View of Kui Gate from White Emperor City
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Day7 Yangtze Cruise/Yichang Exit
Transfer via: flight/train – your arrangement
Activities for today: Three Gorges Dam, transfer to airport or train station (Yichang)
After breakfast, you'll go through a check-out procedure and disembark at Maoping Port. Then take a morning shore excursion to visit the world-famous project - Three Gorges Dam. The dam is the largest hydropower station in the world with an annual energy output of 84.7 billion kilowatt-hours. The Three Gorges Dam includes three areas: the dam itself, a hydroelectric, and a system of locks. The height of the Three Gorges Dam is 185 meters (607 ft) above the sea level. The dam is about 2,300 meters (7,546 ft) long and about 115 meters (377 ft) wide. With a water capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters, the dam will hold a huge reservoir which will efficiently prevent flooding in the middle and lower portions of the Yangtze River. (Optional experience: you can choose to sail through the world's largest ship lift - Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift to very closely marvel at the huge dam which is a totally fresh and exciting experience for travelers.)
After the dam visiting, you’ll take the tourist bus arranged by the cruise company transferring you to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal around 12:30~13:30. Here you’ll be picked up and escorted to Yichang Airport / train station for your flight or train to next destination.
Notes: No matter you take Ship Lift or not, you’ll do check out procedure in this early morning. (1) Only dam visiting: you’ll take bus from Maoping Port to Three Gorges Dam for sightseeing. You’ll arrive at Yichang downtown around
12:30. (2) Dam & Ship Lift Experience: travelers who are interested in Ship Lift will first switch to a sightseeing boat to sail through the Ship Lift and then visit Three Gorges Dam Site. You’ll arrive at Yichang downtown area around 13:30.
Departure Ideas: You can take flights from Yichang Sanxia Airport to Shanghai, Xian, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, etc. Or you can take high speed trains from Yichang East Railway Station to Wuhan (about 2hrs), Shanghai (about 8hrs), Beijing (about 7.5hrs), Hangzhou (about 7.5hrs), Guangzhou (about 7hrs) and more cities.
Three Gorges Dam Yangtze River
Three Gorges Dam China
Three Gorges Dam China
