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Tauck’s China travel adventure begins at The Peninsula Beijing. A transfer is included upon your arrival from Beijing Capital International Airport to The Peninsula Beijing in the heart of the city, where a taste of Peking Duck awaits at tonight’s Welcome Reception followed by dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Lodging: The Peninsula Beijing, China

In Tauck’s China travel means more than simply seeing each destination — and today, you’ll explore the delicate balance between Beijing’s past, present and future at some of the capital’s must-see sites. Visit Tiananmen Square, a witness to much of modern Chinese history and home to Mao’s mausoleum; view his portrait hanging above the “Gate of Heavenly Peace.” Beyond it, in the legendary Forbidden City, where Imperial China’s emperors dwelt for centuries, tour the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Imperial Garden and more. After lunch, the director of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center shares insights on the city’s centuries-old hutongs with a multi-media presentation, and leads you on a private tour of one of these unique traditional neighborhoods threatened by ongoing urban development.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: The Peninsula Beijing, China

Besides being the only man-made structure visible from space, the Great Wall of China tops most travelers’ lists of the earth’s must-visit places. And today, you’ll not only visit it, but experience it in more ways than one – riding a gondola up to the highest point of its Badaling section, walking down to the bottom along an ancient stone path, and having lunch with views of this architectural wonder spread out all around you at the Commune by the Great Wall. Then recapture the welcoming spirit of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on visits to two of its most iconic venues – the “Bird’s Nest” (Beijing National Stadium), where the track and field events and opening and closing ceremonies were held; and the “Bubble” or “Water Cube” (National Aquatics Center), where U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps set a new Olympic record by winning 8 gold medals in 2008.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Lodging: The Peninsula Beijing, China

As Tauck’s China travel adventure continues, you’ll visit a grand example of traditional Chinese architecture, Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, a round, three-tiered wood structure intricately decorated with gold leaf and colorful designs; try to imagine a long-ago time when the emperor and his entourage would travel here in secret processions from the Forbidden City to hold solemn ceremonies asking the gods for a bountiful harvest. Take part in a Tai Chi racquet exercise in one of the Temple’s beautiful parks, learning the moves from the locals. Check out the pavilions, halls, bridges and gardens of the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take a dragon boat cruise on adjacent, man-made Kunming Lake. Tonight, have dinner à la carte at one of several fine restaurants housed in restored, historic western-style diplomatic buildings in Beijing’s Legation Quarter.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Lodging: The Peninsula Beijing, China

After a free morning to explore more of Beijing on your own or simply relax, today’s China travel includes a flight to the ancient city of Xi’an; set at the eastern end of the Silk Road, it’s one of the country’s oldest cities and served as the capital during the Han, Qin, Tang and other early dynasties. You’ll spend the next two nights at the Golden Flower Hotel by Shangri-La, Xian, in Horizon Club-level rooms.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Lodging: Golden Flower Hotel by Shangri-La, Xian, Xi’an, China

Go behind-the-scenes with Tauck today at the site of Xi’an’s amazing Terra Cotta Warriors – 8,000 individualized, life-size terra cotta statues of soldiers who stood guard at the underground tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, China’s first emperor, for more than 2,000 years. They were discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974, and are now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site! Tour the site’s museum to learn the secrets of tea at a demonstration and tasting, view the incredible statues, and get the scoop on future plans for their preservation during a talk with the museum’s conservation director. Explore Xi’an’s city walls and the 1,300-year-old, 15-tiered Little Wild Goose Pagoda before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Golden Flower Hotel by Shangri-La, Xian, Xi’an, China

The Shaanxi History Museum’s splendid collection of more than 350,000 artifacts illustrates the story of ancient China’s feudal dynasties, many of which had their capitals here in Xi’an; our special visit includes insights from a Tang Dynasty expert. Your China travel continues as you fly to Guilin, among China’s most picturesque places, whose landscapes have inspired poets and artists for centuries; you’ll overnight at the Sheraton Guilin Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Sheraton Guilin Hotel, Guilin, China

Today begins with a chance to observe fishermen on bamboo rafts and view traditional village life on a private cruise along the Li River that seems lifted from a Chinese scroll painting! Fly to Chongqing and board the Yangzi Explorer to continue your China travel with a memorable three-night cruise through the Three Gorges of the mighty Yangtze River. Dine à la carte aboard ship this evening before setting sail on your cruise, bound downstream (eastbound) to Yichang.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China

Visions of knobby, mist-shrouded mountains steeped in the mystique of old China travel with you as you experience the Yangtze from dawn to dusk aboard the recently renovated Yangzi Explorer, one of the finest and roomiest ships on the river. Start your day with Tai Chi exercises, and attend on-board lectures about the river and China’s healing arts as you cruise. Shore excursions include a visit to Fengdu, China’s ancient “Ghost City,” and a “relocation village” newly built for local farmers and villagers whose traditional homes and land were affected by the Three Gorges Dam project. Meet Yangzi Explorer’s Captain and crew at the Captain’s reception.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China

While cruising the Yangtze, view centuries-old pagodas and temples built against steep-sided cliffs, ancient roads and terraced fields along the river’s edge. Today you’ll navigate through Wu Gorge, explore Shennong Stream on a private Tauck shore excursion, and enjoy shipboard activities ranging from live entertainment to a lecture by the Yangzi Explorer’s on-board Sinologist. Pass through Xiling Gorge, largest of the Three Gorges, tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China

Sail into Yichang through a series of locks adjacent to the site of the Three Gorges Dam, scheduled for completion in 2009 and one of the world’s largest construction projects. On your private visit to the site, you’ll have access to the Map Room. After lunch aboard the ship, disembark and fly to Shanghai, one of the country’s most cosmopolitan cities, where you’ll spend three nights at a brand-new, five star hotel on the famous Bund, The Peninsula Shanghai.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: The Peninsula Shanghai, China

Your China travel adventure continues with a private introduction to Shanghai from the VIP viewing terrace of the Shanghai Urban Planning Center overlooking the city. Explore the center’s exhibits on this historic port city’s past, present and future, including a mock-up of 1930s Shanghai; a huge model of what the city might look like in 2020; a 360-degree, 3-D film and more. Then walk across People’s Square to tour the Shanghai Museum, displaying 120,000 works of art and artifacts. After lunch on your own in the Xiantiandi neighborhood, you’ll have time to explore the area and its vanishing traditional stone-gated shikumen homes. The daring acrobatic performers of Shanghai’s acclaimed ERA show entertain you tonight.

Meals: Breakfast

Lodging: The Peninsula Shanghai, China

Today you’ll explore Shanghai’s famous Bund, adjacent to your hotel, and walk through its sightseeing tunnel before visiting historic and harmonious Yu Gardens, whose original grounds and temple date back to the 1550s; the word yu translates to “peace and health.” Enjoy lunch at M on the Bund, then take a ride on the world’s fastest passenger train – the Maglev – which can reach a top speed of 268 mph! At Shanghai’s Children’s Palace, local youngsters entertain you with song, dance and musical performances. This evening, bid Shanghai adieu with a farewell cocktail reception in the Peninsula Shanghai’s glass-enclosed rooftop lounge, followed by dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Lodging: The Peninsula Shanghai, China

A morning flight takes you to continue your China travel in legendary Hong Kong, arriving in time for lunch at a local dim sum restaurant. You’ll experience this fascinating city from different perspectives today – first on a funicular tram ride up Victoria Peak, then aboard a traditional sampan on a cruise through one of the city’s oldest floating villages, Aberdeen. 14-Day Tour ends in Shanghai. Guests choosing a shorter, 14-day experience have the option to depart the tour after breakfast in Shanghai; a transfer is provided from The Peninsula Shanghai to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for these guests.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Lodging: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, China

Take a crash course in Hong Kong’s cultural, archaeological, and natural history with a visit to the renowned Hong Kong Museum of History this morning. Have lunch on your own and spend the rest of the day exploring the city as you please. Hong Kong abounds with street stalls selling everything from sneakers to silk, tropical birds to exotic fish; your hotel is in the Kowloon section, right in the heart of this shopper’s paradise. This evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Lodging: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, China

Tauck’s China travel days end in Hong Kong. Your extraordinary China travel adventure ends in Hong Kong, where you’ll catch your return flight home. A transfer is included from the Kowloon Shangri-La to Hong Kong International Airport; you should allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.

Meals: Breakfast