Grand Tour of China & The Yangtze River Cruise

Day 1       Meet the tour leader at Malta International Airport at 17:00 to check in for our flight by Turkish Airlines TK1372 departs at 19:25 and arrive in Istanbul 22:50. Group B Fights by Emirates Airlines EK 110 departs at 15:30 and arrives in Dubai at 01:05*

Day 2  01:45 we fly by TK88 to Beijing - Arrive in Beijing at 15:35 (Local Time) transfer to our 4 Star ‘     Novotel Xinqiao Hotel’ Located in the historic Dong Jiaomin Xiang district. Dinner and overnight . Group B 03:50 we fly by EK303 to Beijing - Arrive in Beijing at 15:25

Day 3         Beijing: After Breakfast Full day to            explore the city of Beijing. First we start visiting Tian' Anmen Square with its plenitude of monuments testifying to the    communist, and more specifically, Mao's influence on China's modern history, and then driving to the Forbidden City the largest and best-preserved palatial complex still existing, also known as the Palace Museum. Then proceed to the Temple of Heaven, the place where    the Emperors prayed for peace and harvest. In the evening dinner, followed by an Acrobatic show in a local theatre

Day 4               Beijing:  Today we drive to Mutianyu Great Wall of China which is known for its beautiful surroundings - dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of a year. Return by cable car. Lunch and proceed to Pearl House and the Olympic Stadium for a photo shot.

Day 5     Beijing: After breakfast depart to visit the Summer Palace with a boat ride on the famous Kunming Lake. Continue.Lunch and continue to the airport to fly to Xi’an. Check in at the 4 Star ‘Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel’ located in central Xian one of the ancient capitals in China.  Overnight in Xi’an.

Day 6     Xi’an: Today we visit the World famous 6’000 life size Terracotta Warriors and Horses, buried with the first Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang. On our way back we visit the ‘Huagig Hot Springs’ site of a famous imperial bathing pool and various palace complexes over its 3,000-year history. In the Evening, Dumpling Dinner followed by Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.

Day 7          Xi’an: Breakfast.  Visit the Great Mosque in Xian which is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China and its location is northwest of the Drum Tower on Huajue Lane. It is really worth to see the Great Mosque, not only for its centuries-old history but also for its particular design of mixed architecture - traditional Muslim and Chinese styles. Continue our visit to the Ancient City Wall which is the best-preserved Wall in China. After proceeding to visit the Wild Goose Pagoda which is a very well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. Back to the hotel and free time

Day 8      Xi’an / Guilin. Breakfast. Transfer to airport for our domestic flight to Guilin one of Chinas most scenic areas. Upon arrival visit of the ‘Reed Flute Cave’ Guilin´s largest and most impressive cave. This cave is 790 feet deep. As we will walk for some 400 meters through a zigzagging way of stalactites and stalagmites in dazzling colours. Check in at the 4 stars ‘Lijiang Waterfall Hotel located in city centre and surrounded by some of the most popular shopping areas.

Day 9          Guilin: After breakfast transfer to Lijiang pier to embark for a cruise on Li River to Yangshou. Li River is one of the most popular and picturesque scenic spots in China, it was also listed as one of the World’s Top Ten Watery Wonders by America’s National Geographic Magazine. And in recognition for its beauty, the image of the Li River is featured on the current 20 Yuan banknote. Lunch box on board. Disembark at Yangshuo and take a stroll over the west street. Drive back to Guilin by private coach.

Day 10     Guilin / *Yangtze River Cruise: After brerakfast we take the bullet train to Chongqing, Kunch, then we drive to Chaotianmen Dock to board the Ship for a 3 nights cruise along the Yangtze River on Board Victoria Ship-Katarina. Make sure to be on the observation deck when we set to sail at 20:00hrs for not to miss the Spectacular view of Chongqing.

Day 11        *Yangtze River Cruise - today we have a shore excursion to Mount Shuang Gui in Fengdu. Mount Shuang Gui has over 20 cultural old pagodas, towers, pavilions and temples on the verdant mountain with stunning views and pleasant chirps to feel the rich literal culture in China.  Buffet lunch and tonight we have the Captain's Banquet

Day 12        *Yangtze River Cruise - After breakfast we sail through the Three Gorges, one of nature’s most extraordinary sculptures. We will pass through the first two—Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most dramatic. The 25-mile-long Wu Gorge is known for its quiet, beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Then we change to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Goddess Stream. Buffet lunch & Dinner included.

Day 13        *Yangtze River Cruise / Shanghai. Disembark in Yichang and Transfer to Airport to fly to Shanghai.  Check in at the 4 Star Hotel Jinjiang Shanghai which is located near Huaihai Road, also known as the “Champs-Elysées” of Shanghai.

* Yangtze River Cruise

Itineraries and timings are subject to change according to river conditions

Day 14   Shanghai: Today we have a full day to visit ‘Best of Shanghai’. We start the tour by People Square surrounded by great buildings on all sides, Shanghai Museum with its permanent collection and hosts various exhibitions with over 120,000 pieces including bronze ware, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, ancient Chinese coins,  Jade carving, ancient furniture, and western art, which shows you 5000 years history of China, Bund and Xin Tian Di .

Day 15        Shanghai: After breakfast we leave to visit the Jade Buddha Temple with its priceless collection of Jade statues from Burma then we visit the Yu Yuan Garden with their shaded alcoves, glittering pools churning with carp, pavilions, pines sprouting wistfully from rockeries, these gardens are one of Shanghai's premier sights. Then we visit Shanghai Old Street, historically called Miaoqian Dajie, and it is an old business street that has a combination of tourist attractions, shops, entertainment and cultural exhibits. It owes its special social attractions and rich commercial background to the fact that the earliest bank, gold shop, jeweler's store, wine shop and tea house ….                           

Day 16   Shanghai: After breakfast free time for the last-minute shopping from and personal sightseeing. We can keep the rooms till 18:00hrs. Transfer to Shanghai Airport for our flight TK27 to Istanbul and departs at 22:25 Group B Flight EK303 to Dubai and departs at 23:00

Day 17   05:25 Arrive Istanbul and fly back to Malta by TK 1369 departs 07:50 and arrive in Malta at 09:20 Group B 05:10 Arrive Dubai and fly back to Malta by EK109 departs 07:35 and arrive in Malta at 13:00