The solar eclipse to take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 will be a total eclipse of the Sun with a magnitude of 1.080. The phenomenon will be visible from a narrow corridor through northern India, eastern Nepal, Bhutan, central China and the Pacific Ocean. Among the major Chinese cities best for viewing the eclipse are Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Hangzhou and Shanghai. A partial eclipse will be seen from the much broader path of the Moon's penumbra, including most of South East Asia and north-eastern Oceania.

This total solar eclipse is the longest of its kind and will only occur once in the 21st century. Totality will last for up to 6 minutes and 39 seconds, with the maximum eclipse occurring at 02:35:21 UTC about 100 km south of the Bonin Islands, southeast of Japan.

17-day Total Solar Eclipse Tour to China with Yangtze Cruise (Jul 16-Aug 1, 2009)

Shanghai - Suzhou - Wuzhen - Hangzhou - Yichang - Yangtze Cruise - Chongqing - Xi'an - Beijing

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Day 1/Thu, Jul 16: Departing from North America
Depart home city and cross the International Date Line.

Day 2/Fri, Jul 17: Arrival in Shanghai
Arrive in late afternoon and transfer to hotel upon meeting your guide.  

Day 3/Sat, Jul 18: Shanghai
Paris of China, Pearl of the Orient, city of quick riches, paradise of the adventurers - those were some of the names by which Shanghai was known before the Communists took it over from the Nationalist Government in 1949. Like of the rest of the country Shanghai is currently undergoing one of the fastest economic expansions the world has ever seen, having experienced 19% GDP growth per year for the past 16 years.

Our sightseeing today begins with a walk on the Bund, a waterfront promenade famous for its landmark neoclassical buildings of European style. We then visit Shanghai Museum and the bazaar at the Temple of Town God. Evening entertainment is a dazzling acrobatic show. (B/L/D)

Day 4/Sun, Jul 19: Shanghai
Today is a free day. Exploring China's most dynamic city on your own is easy and fun. Our recommended to-do list includes a visit to glitzy Pudong New District, a ride aboard the world's only commercially run Maglev train, and the popular evening cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy the city's spectacular neon-lit skyline. (B)

Day 5/Mon, Jul 20: Shanghai - Suzhou
We drive to Suzhou (85km) in the morning. The 25-century-old city is best known for its traditional Chinese gardens, silk industry and well-preserved Grand Canal. Our schedule today includes Master-of-Nets Garden, a short cruise on the Grand Canal, and Panmen Gate. (B/L)

Day 6/Tue, Jul 21: Suzhou - Wuzhen - Hangzhou
Morning visit to the Silk Embroidery Research Institute and a silk spinning mill. We travel overland to Wuzhen (1 hour) after lunch and tour the major sites in the well preserved ancient water town before continuing on to Hangzhou, a historic city often referred to as "Paradise on Earth" by Chinese poets and writers. (B/L)

Day 7/Wed, Jul 22: Hangzhou
Eclipse day! After breakfast we go to the beautiful West Lake to set up our equipment. The solar eclipse begins at about 9:30 AM and lasts almost 6 minutes. After a glass of champagne in celebration of this exciting event we spend the rest of the morning at leisure. Afternoon schedule features Longjing Team Farm, the provincial museum, and a cruise on the West Lake. (B/L/D)

Day 8/Thu, Jul 23: Hangzhou - Yichang
Transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (3 hours) and fly to Yichang in early afternoon. If time permits, we will visit a farmers' market in Yichang before getting on the deluxe Yangtze cruise ship. (B/L/D)

Day 9/Fri, Jul 24: Yangtze Cruise
At 6,380km the Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world after the Nile and the Amazon. The most impressive section of the Yangtze is the Three Gorges.

This morning we tour the site of the Three Gorges Dam. Construction of the dam began in 1992 and is scheduled to be completed by 2009. Estimated to cost over $24 billion, the project upon completion will become the largest hydroelectric dam in the world with a reservoir stretching hundreds of kilometres upstream. (B/L/D)

Day 10/Sat, Jul 25: Yangtze Cruise
This morning we navigate Shennong Stream on a small vessel. Originating in the southern slopes of Shennongjia Nature Reserve, the crystal clear river twists and turns 60 kilometres through forested mountains before emptying into the mighty Yangtze. Admire nature’s grandeur while sailing through spectacular Wu Gorge (44km) and Qutang Gorge (8km) later today. Please note the excursion may be substituted by a motorized sampan ride through equally impressive Lesser Three Gorges of Daning River, another Yangtze tributary. (B/L/D)

Day 11/Sun, Jul 26: Yangtze Cruise
Today’s onshore visit features Shibaozhai or Stone Treasure Fortress, an ancient wooden pagoda built against rock cliffs facing the Yangtze. For the captain-hosted farewell dinner tonight we advise smart casual dress. (B/L/D)

Day 12/Mon, Jul 27: Chongqing - Xi'an
Our cruise ends this morning. City tour in Chongqing includes the local zoo (giant pandas) and General Joseph Stilwell’s former residence, location of the US Forces’ headquarters in China during World War II. Fly to Xi'an in late afternoon. (B/L) 

Day 13/Tue, Jul 28: Xi'an
Eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road and one of the ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) into eternity. Visit the excavation site of the Terracotta Army located 30km east of the city. A stroll on the ancient wall before dinner is also on our schedule. Tonight we enjoy a spectacular music and dance show reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), a period generally considered a golden era of the Chinese civilization. (B/L/D)

Day 14/Wed, Jul 29: Xi'an - Beijing
Morning flight to Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square and adjacent Forbidden City following lunch. Also known as Palace Museum or Gu Gong in Chinese, the Forbidden City was the place where the emperors of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties lived and carried out their administration. (B/L)

Day 15/Thu, Jul 30: Beijing
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the legendary Great Wall, 90km northwest of the city. Zigzagging over 6,000 kilometres from east to west along the undulating mountains, the Great Wall, said to be visible from the moon, was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. On the way back to the city in the afternoon we stop by at the Spirit Way at Ming Tombs. The Spirit Way, serving at the entrance to the Ming Tombs, is lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. (B/L)

Day 16/Fri, Jul 31: Beijing
Today we visit the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and a hutong - traditional alleyway flanked with courtyard residences. We then wrap up the day with a sumptuous Peking Roast Duck dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 17/Sat, Aug 1: Beijing - North America
Spend the morning packing and relaxing. Transfer to airport by taxi (cab fare approx. $15) to board return flight in the afternoon. Cross the International Date Line and arrive home the same day. (B)

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Hotels & Yangtze Cruise Ship
City	Nights	Hotel/Ship	Star Rating
Shanghai	3	Sheraton Shanghai Pudong
Suzhou	1	Sheraton Suzhou
Hangzhou	2	Zhejiang Narada Grand Hotel
Yangtze Cruise	4	Victoria Cruises
Xi'an	2	Sheraton Xi'an
Beijing	3	Sheraton Beijing

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