Exploring China

Well, the new computer is here so I will be up to date by the end of this week. Check back 2-3 times this week for new articles.

This is another great Lindblad exploration which anyone with an interest in China would love.

Day 1 - 2 - You will fly from Los Angeles to Beijing. You will cross the International Date Line on this flight so you will actually lose two days!

Day 3 - 5 - Beijing. Start by enjoying the Pan Jia Yuan art and antique market and then visit Tiananmen Square which is still considered the political center of China. Enjoy a welcome dinner after your first full day in China!

Enjoy a wonderful excursion to the Great Wall of China and enjoy the Simatai section which isn't seen by a large number of visitors. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a picnic lunch and take scenic hikes here and an optional excursion to the valley of the 13 Ming tombs.

Day 6 - Beijing/Xi'an Fly to Xi'an. Visit the tomb of the Han emperor Jing Di to view items from the 2nd center B.C. The statues here were made of wooden arms and silk garments. In the afternoon you can enjoy an optional bike ride to the massive Ming Dynasty City Wall. You will be staying at the Hyatt Regency.

Day 7 - Xi'an Enjoy the life sized terra cotta army that stands guard at the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. In the afternoon you can enjoy an insider's opinions of the Great Mosque, given by a caretaker.

Day 8 - Fly to Chongqing in the morning. You will be able to watch pandas and learn about conservation efforts from a zoologist. Visit a World War II museum before boarding the river cruise ship VICTORIA KATARINA, one of the best river ships on the Yangtze. Your river cruise will start in the evening.

Day 9-10 - Cruising the Yangtze River. Explore Shibaozhai, a 17th-century Buddhist temple that is found on the cliffs near the river. On the second day of your cruise you will take smaller boats up a narrow tributary through beautiful scenery. You will cruise the new reservoir through the Three Gorges area.

Day 11 - Yichang/Shanghai An engineer will come on board and discuss the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric dam. Arrive in Yichang and then fly to Shanghai. Check into a historic hotel then enjoy a local expert on a walking tour from the French Concession the the new district of Xintiandi.

Day 12 - Shanghai Enjoy the fine art display at the Shanghai Museum. Visit the Urban Planning center to see the plan for Shanghai. Enjoy a walk through Yu Yuan a 16th century garden in the old center of Shanghai.

DAY 13 - Xitang Enjoy a memorable trip to the water village of Xitang which is linked by 100 bridges. View incredible building from the Ming Dynasty along the waterways. Return to stay in Shanghai in the evening.

Day 14 - Shanghai Visit the Longhua Temple. Enjoy an afternoon to explore Shanghai unsupervised. Enjoy a fairwell dinner in the city.

Day 15 - Leave Shanghai and arrive in LA the same day. There is an optional extension available.

If you are fortunate enough to make this trip please drop me a line.