Comprehensive China Route on the Yangtze River

We meet at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal and after ticket, baggage, and boarding procedures, we depart for Beijing with a scheduled flight of Turkish Airlines. We will spend the night on the plane.

After arriving in Beijing in the early hours of the morning, we meet with our private vehicle waiting for us and after breakfast at a local restaurant, we will depart for the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven Tour with Lunch. Our first stop is Tiananmen Square, one of the largest city squares in the world and one of China's most important symbolic areas in terms of politics and history; the Mao Zedong Mausoleum, a monumental structure located in the square where the body of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China, is exhibited; the Great Hall of the People, a monumental state building that hosts the meetings of the National People's Congress of China; and the National Museum of China, one of the largest museums in the world located on the east side of Tiananmen Square, showcasing China's thousands of years of history, are among the places we will see panoramically. Afterwards, the Forbidden City, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, was used as the palace of Chinese emperors for about 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is one of the largest and best-preserved palace complexes in the world. Surrounded by high red walls and golden roofs, this massive complex became the center of the imperial era and was called the "Forbidden City" because it remained closed to the entry of ordinary people for centuries. We will have the opportunity to visit this structure, which contains hundreds of palace halls, courtyards, and imperial gardens. After our Forbidden City visit, the Temple of Heaven, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the most important religious complexes where emperors prayed for good harvest and heavenly abundance during past dynasties. The temple is considered one of the most elegant examples of Chinese architecture. Surrounded by large park areas and ceremonial structures, this sacred area has been one of the most important centers where Chinese imperial rituals were performed. After our tour, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we will depart for the Great Wall of China & Summer Palace Tour with Lunch. The first stop of our tour is the Great Wall of China, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and whose construction began in 220 BC to prevent invasions from the north by Central Asian Turks. After visiting the Great Wall, we will have our lunch and visit the magnificent Summer Palace located on the shores of Kunming Lake. The Summer Palace is the best-preserved imperial garden and palace complex in China, located northwest of Beijing. The history of the palace dates back to the Jin Dynasty in the 12th century, but its current state was shaped by the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. The emperor had it built to escape the intense atmosphere of the main palace and to rest in touch with nature. The palace was damaged during the second opium war in 1860, and then restored by Cixi with funds allocated from the state's navy budget. Although it is known as a controversial anecdote, the current elegance of the palace is the work of the detailed restorations made at that time. Afterwards, we will see the Beijing Olympic Stadium, which is likened to a bird's nest, from the outside. We will have our lunch at a local restaurant during the tours. Afterwards, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we will depart for the Terra Cotta Museum Tour with Lunch. We will visit the "Underground Sculpture Army" museum, known as the Terra Cotta Warriors, one of the most important archaeological excavations unearthed in the 20th century, built to protect the tomb of Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Discovered by chance by a farmer in 1974, this army is home to 8,000 "Terra Cotta," meaning "Baked Earth," soldiers, each with a different facial expression and stance. These statues were prepared as a "spirit army," believing that they would protect the emperor even after his death. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to see the Emperor's power and the level of craftsmanship he possessed in his era. After our trip, we return to Xi'an. We will have our lunch at a local restaurant during the tour. At the end of the tour, we transfer to the hotel to rest. Overnight at our hotel.

**Depending on train availability, the journey may be carried out by plane.

After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we will transfer to Xi'an airport for our Chongqing flight. After our arrival, we will carry out a short Chongqing Tour. Hongya Caves, one of the city's most famous and tourist areas with its multi-story structures in traditional Chinese architecture built on the edge of a cliff, restaurants, and illuminated night view; Ci Qi Kou Ancient Village, one of the best-preserved historical settlements with its narrow stone streets, traditional houses, and local markets dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties; and People's Square, one of the administrative and cultural centers of the city, which is one of the most important public areas of Chongqing with its large square, park areas, and surrounding historical buildings, are among the places we will see. After our tour, we transfer to our ship and complete our check-in procedures. Overnight on the ship.

After breakfast on the ship, we will depart for the Fengdu Ghost City Tour. We will visit the Fengdu Ghost City, known in Chinese mythology as the "City of the Dead," located on the banks of the Yangtze River with a history of approximately 2,000 years. According to legend, this mystical region is considered a gateway to the spirit world and is home to temples, massive statues, and eerie demon figures shaped according to Buddhist and Taoist teachings. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to see places like the Bridge of Helplessness, where it is believed that souls are judged. After our trip, we return to the ship. Then, free time and continued sailing on the Yangtze River. In the evening, our guests who wish may participate in the optional Legend of the Three Kingdoms Show (100 USD). In this unforgettable show, we will watch the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," one of the most important epics in Chinese history. In this show, which will be performed with traditional costumes, impressive stage decorations, and fascinating performances, we will witness a world full of heroism, loyalty, and struggle. Then return to the ship. Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay on the ship.

After breakfast on the ship, we will depart for the White Emperor City Tour. This historical site, where Liu Bei, the legendary leader of the Three Kingdoms period, left his will to his loyal general Zhuge Liang, is known for its unique scenery that has inspired poets for centuries and its temples built on steep slopes. During our trip, we will also have the opportunity to see the famous view featured on the back of the 10 Yuan banknote. After our tour, we will return to the ship and continue sailing on the Yangtze River. During our cruise, we will be able to see the Three Gorges Dam, one of the world's largest hydroelectric power plants and engineering marvels. First, we will pass through the Qutang Gorge, the narrowest and most majestic of the Three Gorges. Afterwards, we will pass through the Wu Gorge, located among misty mountains, and then see the Three Gorges Dam. Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay on the ship.

** Depending on the weather conditions on the river, the White Emperor City tour may be replaced with another tour.

After breakfast on the ship, we will disembark and transfer to Yichang airport with our waiting vehicle. Upon arrival, after baggage and ticket procedures, we will depart for Shanghai on our scheduled local airline flight. After our arrival, transfer to the hotel and free time. Our guests who wish may participate in the optional Zhujiajiao Water Town Boat Tour with Dinner (85 USD) organized by our guide. On our tour, we will visit Zhujiajiao, known as the "Water Town" of Shanghai and referred to as the "Venice of China," by boat. Zhujiajiao has preserved its historical and ancient atmosphere from the Ming and Qing dynasties, escaping the shadow of modern skyscrapers. This historical town is known for its labyrinthine water canals, stone bridges, and traditional courtyard houses lined along the riverbank. We will have our dinner at a local restaurant during the tour. Then transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for the Jade Buddha Temple & Yu Garden Tour with Lunch (Tea Ceremony Included). The first stop of our tour is Yu Garden. A traditional Chinese garden dating back to the Ming period, Yu Garden reflects traditional Chinese architecture with its ponds, stone bridges, and pavilions. After visiting Yu Garden, we will have the opportunity to participate in a Tea Ceremony, where we will delve deeper into Chinese culture. Afterwards, we will visit the Jade Buddha Temple, located in the heart of Shanghai and considered one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in China. Built in 1882 to house two magnificent Buddhist statues brought from Myanmar, this temple carries the most elegant details of classic Song Dynasty architecture. During our visit, we will have the opportunity to see the world-famous Sitting Buddha and Reclining Buddha statues, carved from a single piece of white jade, adorned with precious stones, and representing inner peace. Our lunch will be taken at a local restaurant during the tour. After our tour, transfer to the hotel and free time. Overnight stay at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the Shanghai Tour. Our first stop will be the French Concession area, known for its narrow streets lined with plane trees and European-style villas. Here, we will explore the area that bears the western traces of the city. Afterwards, we will see Xintiandi, one of Shanghai's most stylish attractions, where traditional "Shikumen" architecture comes to life with modern restaurants and galleries. We continue our trip with the Tianzifang area, where art workshops, boutiques, and hidden cafes are tucked away in its labyrinthine side streets. Then, free time on Nanjing Road, one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. After our trip, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.

After the breakfast box we will receive at the hotel in the morning, we transfer to Shanghai airport for our flight to Istanbul. After baggage, ticket, and customs procedures, our flight to Istanbul takes place with the scheduled Turkish Airlines flight, and our services end.