A trip through the famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River will only be possible for the next eight years when the Sanxia Dam will be completed creating the largest water reservoir in the world. The scenic beauty of these natural wonders will be hidden beneath the lake that will rise behind the 185 meter high dam, flooding villages and cities, historic locations, and great natural beauty. Millions of people will be displaced and have to be relocated. Chongqing, now high in the mountains along the Yangtze River will become a metropolis situated on the shores of a giant lake. If you are planning more than one trip to China in the coming years, at least one of them should include a trip through the Three Gorges which are about to become extinct. There have been proposals to flood our Grand Canyon for hydroelectric power, but fortunately, we are more environmentally concerned than the Chinese who are focusing only on industrial development, river navigation, and flood control.

Day 1: San Francisco Departure
Meet in San Francisco for departure to Beijing. Lose one day crossing the International Date Line.

Day 3: Beijing (L,D)
Arrive in Beijing. Transfer to the four-star Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel.

Day 4: Beijing vicinity (AB,L,SD)
The highlight of this day is a visit to the Great Wall, symbol of the Chinese civilization and one of the man-made wonders of the world. Then we will go to the famous Ming Tombs. Return to Beijing for a special dinner of Beijing (Peking) Duck.

Day 5: Beijing (AB,L, D)
Today we will visit the Forbidden City, home to China's Emperors for over 500 years. Then we will proceed to the Summer Palace of Empress Dowager Ci Xi.

Day 6: Beijing/Xi'an (AB,L,D)
Our day begins with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, which, according to custom, is at the exact geographical center of the world and the universe. Then we transfer to the airport for a flight to Xi'an. Check into the four-star Garden Hotel. Walk atop the city wall, the only totally intact city wall left in China.

Day 7: Xi'an (AB.L,SD)
A full day tour recalls the glories of ancient Xi'an as we visit the burial site of an incredible army of 8,000 life-like terra-cotta soldiers, the ancient Banpo Neolithic Village, and the majestic Big Wild Goose Pagoda. For evening delight and entertainment we will experience the 20-course dumpling dinner and the Tang Dynasty Show of traditional and colorful singing and dancing.

Day 8: Xi'an/Wuhan
Fly to Wuhan at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han Rivers. Enjoy a short city tour of Wuhan including a visit to the Guiyan Temple before settling in on our Yangtze cruiser for an evening departure up river.

Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Stopping in Yueyang this morning, we go ashore to view the elegant Yueyang Tower. Continuing our cruise, we spend the remainder of the day passing through one of the finest stretches of river scenery. Welcome banquet on board.

Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
Cruise to the Upper Yangtze and visit the 230-foot high Gezhouba Dam at Yichang. Here the trip will pass through one of the three massive locks. Cruise through the Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges, a stunning area with its temples, caves, and weathered peaks.

Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
We weave through the Wu Gorge with twelve bewitching peaks soaring above. Then continue to Wushan and ride small boats up the Daning River to the Three Small Gorges, a stunning area of narrow passages through high cliffs, caves, and lush bamboo groves.

Day 12: Yangtze River Cruise (B,L,D)
We arise early for a spectacular journey through the last of the Three Gorges, Qutang. This breathtaking narrow passage through misty peaks and sheer cliffs is the grandest of them all. Continuing upstream, we journey past the striking cliff-side temple to Shibao-zhai enroute to ancient Fengdu, the legendary city of ghosts. Here we explore the local temples before returning aboard to attend the farewell banquet.

Day 13: Chongqing/Guilin (B,L,D)
Your cruise concludes with your arrival in Chongqing. After visiting the General Vinegar Joe Museum and stopping to say hello to the panda at the Chongqing Zoo, we fly to the mystical city of Guilin. Check in to the four-star Guishan Hotel before dinner.

Day 14: Guilin (AB,L,D)
We will have a different river experience as we cruise a section of the scenic Li River through spectacular mist-shrouded limestone mountains passing picturesque farms and fishing villages. After the river cruise, we will tour the Reed Flute Caves where spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations and a mirror lake dazzle visitors.

Day 15: Guilin/Guangzhou (AB,L,D)
After breakfast in the hotel, we will fly to Guangzhou. Highlights of our tour will be the Chen Family Temple and Memorial Hall and then the Great Hall of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, founder of the Chinese Nationalist Movement, revered both by the Communists and Nationalists. Accommodation at the four-star Landmark Hotel.

Day 16: Guangzhou/Hong Kong (AB)
Travel by train to Hong Kong. Check in to the four-star Omni Hong Kong Hotel, located in Kowloon at the Star Ferry. On your own in Hong Kong.

Day 17: A full day to explore Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories. No meals included on this day.

Day 18: Transfer to the airport for flight home.