The Experience

Experience China’s past and present on this journey from the capital of Beijing, Xian with its Terra Cotta Warriors and Chengdu to the storied Yangtze River, which you explore by luxury river cruiser. Day 1: Arrive Beijing, China Arrive in the capital city of Beijing, China’s long- time seat of power, where you are transferred to your luxurious hotel. Four Seasons Hotel Beijing Day 2: Beijing | The Great Wall This morning, walk or ride a cable car to the top of the well preserved Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, enjoying sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Four Seasons Hotel Beijing | Meals: B D Day 3: Beijing | Dynastic Capital Start the day with a tai chi class taught by a master practitioner at the ancient Temple of Heaven, an exquisite example from the Ming period of a Chinese wooden building constructed without the use of a single nail. Afterward, climb in a pedicab and ride through a hutong, a vast yet intimate neighborhood of small winding alleyways that once numbered in the thousands. This afternoon, explore Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square and a site of great political significance. Next, walk in the footsteps of emperors in the Forbidden City, China’s former imperial palace and now a vast museum housing imperial treasures collected over centuries by 24 emperors. Four Seasons Hotel Beijing | Meals: B L Day 4: Xian | The Great Silk Road Fly this morning to Xian, a modern city at the eastern terminus of the Great Silk Road, cloaked in over 3,000 years of history. After your arrival, enjoy a special tour of the Yangling Museum to explore its Restoration Lab and recent discoveries from Han Dynasty tombs. After lunch, walk the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter, where one of the oldest and best-preserved Islamic mosques reveals a fascinating mix of architecture. Shangri-La Hotel, Xian | Meals: B L D Day 5: Xian | Terra Cotta Warriors Today, accompanied by an on-site archaeologist, visit the excavation site of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, the life- size army created during the Qin Dynasty to protect Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in his afterlife. More than 8,000 soldiers are spread throughout three dig pits, each revealing a unique face testifying to the remarkable craftsmanship that went into making the warriors. Later, enter the Ancient Gate of Xian’s impressive City Wall with the option to cycle along its ramparts. Shangri-La Hotel, Xian | Meals: B L Day 6: Chengdu | Faces of Sichuan Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, where abundant natural resources and Shu handicrafts have defined the region’s charm for centuries. Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center to witness the distinctive bear in its natural habitat, a project supported by A&K Philanthropy. Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu | Meals: B Day 7: Chengdu | Giant Buddha Today you embark on a quest to the relaxed riverside city of Leshan, where a private boat ride brings you before the stone- carved Leshan Giant Buddha. At 233 feet tall, it,™s the largest Buddha in the world, with fingernails measuring taller than the average human. Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu | Meals: B L D Day 8: Chengdu to Chongqing | Board the ,˜Yangzi Explorer” This morning, see the Buddhist sculptures of the Dazu Caves and visit a family home in a village. Later, board your luxury river cruiser in Chongqing for a three-night journey through the Three Gorges. Sanctuary ‘Yangzi Explorer’ | Meals: B L D Days 9-10: Cruising the Yangtze | Asia’s Great River Spend two days on the Yangtze, passing through the legendary Three Gorges: Xiling, Wu and Qutang. This is perhaps the most picturesque region in China, and your voyage is enhanced with shore excursions led by expert historians and naturalists, including a visit with a local family relocated during the world’s largest dam project. Sanctuary ‘Yangzi Explorer’ | Meals: B L D Day 11: Yichang to Shanghai | Disembark ,˜Yangzi Explorer,™ Disembark in Yichang. Later, fly to Shanghai and transfer to your hotel on the Bund. The Peninsula Shanghai | Meals: B L Day 12: Shanghai | Pearl of the Orient Explore China]s dynamic and energetic Shanghai, where spectacular modern skylines meet with classic street markets and gardens. Visit Zhujiajiao, a traditional water village harkening back to China’s past, and glide through its main canal on a sampan (traditional wooden boat). Later, attend a Shanghai Acrobatic performance, one of China’s oldest performing arts. The Peninsula Shanghai | Meals: B Day 13: Shanghai | Life on the Bund This morning, stroll the streets of Old Town and visit the 16th-century Yu Garden with its pavilions and streams. Later, walk the Bund, Shanghai’s most popular promenade. This evening, explore studios and galleries in the M-50 Contemporary Art District, then gather tonight for a festive farewell dinner. The Peninsula Shanghai | Meals: B L D Day 14: Depart Shanghai After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your international flight home or begin a Guilin & Hong Kong Post- Tour Extension. Meals: B Guilin & Hong Kong Post-Tour Extension 5 days; priced from $2,295; internal air priced from $775. Available on the Apr 17, Apr 24, May 8, May 22, Jul 24, Aug 28, Sep 4, Sep 11, Sep 25, Oct 9, and Oct 23 departures. DAY 1: Fly from Shanghai to Guilin and transfer to your hotel. Participate in ancient cormorant fishing. Shangri-la Hotel, Guilin DAY 2: Enjoy bamboo rafting on the Li River, then visit Yangdi village and Yangshuo Market. Shangri-la Hotel, Guilin | Meals: B L DAY 3: Visit Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill and one of Guilin’s iconic limestone caves. The Peninsula Hong Kong | Meals: B DAY 4: Visit a local herbal medicine market and Man Mo Temple, followed by a sampan ride through a floating village. The Peninsula Hong Kong | Meals: B L DAY 5: Transfer to the airport for your flight home. | Meals: B