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17-day Classic China with
Yangtze Cruise (2010)
Shanghai -
Hangzhou - Wuzhen -
Suzhou - Yichang -
Yangtze River Cruise - Chongqing -
Xi'an -
Beijing
Scroll down to
bottom for departure dates, prices and hotel list.
Day 1/Thu: Departing from North America
Depart home city and cross the International Date Line.
Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Shanghai
Arrive in late afternoon and transfer to hotel upon meeting your guide.
Day 3/Sat: 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: 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: Shanghai - Hangzhou

We travel to Hangzhou by deluxe motor coach this morning. With a history of
2200 years, scenic Hangzhou has often been referred to as "Paradise on
Earth" by Chinese poets and writers. A refreshing cruise on serene West Lake
is followed by a visit to the Silk Museum. (B/L)
Day 6/Tue: Hangzhou
- Wuzhen - Suzhou

Free morning to explore on your own. We stop by Longjing Team Farm where the
much treasured Chinese green tea is made before driving to Wuzhen (1 hr).
The 12-century-old water town boasts many well-preserved ancient residential
and commercial buildings. Tour the major sites before continuing on to
Suzhou (2 hours). (B/L)
Day 7/Wed: Suzhou
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, the Silk Embroidery Research Institute and a silk spinning
mill. (B/L)
Day 8/Thu: Suzhou - Yichang
 
Free morning. After lunch we transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (80km) to
fly to Yichang where we set out for a 4-night Yangtze cruise. (B/L/D)
Day 9/Fri: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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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Dates & Prices 2010 |
|
Depart (Thu) |
Return (Sat) |
Full Package
from YVR/SFO
air add-ons from other cities |
Land Package
excluding int'l airfare |
Single Supplement
applicable to travellers without roommate |
|
Mar 18 |
Apr 03 |
$3890 |
$3100 |
$1400 |
|
Mar 25 |
Apr 10 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1450 |
|
Apr 01 |
Apr 17 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1450 |
|
Apr 08 |
Apr 24 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1450 |
|
Apr 15 |
May 01 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1450 |
|
Apr 22 |
May 08 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1450 |
|
Apr 29 |
May 15 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1450 |
|
May 06 |
May 22 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1450 |
|
May 13 |
May 29 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1450 |
|
May 20 |
Jun 05 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1450 |
|
May 27 |
Jun 12 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Jun 03 |
Jun 19 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Jun 10 |
Jun 26 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Jun 17 |
Jul 03 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Jun 24 |
Jul 10 |
$3990 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Jul 01 |
Jul 17 |
$4100 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Jul 08 |
Jul 24 |
$4200 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Jul 15 |
Jul 31 |
$4250 |
$3250 |
$1450 |
|
Jul 22 |
Aug 07 |
$4200 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Jul 29 |
Aug 14 |
$4200 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Aug 05 |
Aug 21 |
$4200 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Aug 12 |
Aug 28 |
$4200 |
$3200 |
$1400 |
|
Aug 19 |
Sep 04 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1400 |
|
Aug 26 |
Sep 11 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1500 |
|
Sep 02 |
Sep 18 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1500 |
|
Sep 09 |
Sep 25 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1500 |
|
Sep 16 |
Oct 02 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1500 |
|
Sep 23 |
Oct 09 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1500 |
|
Sep 30 |
Oct 16 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1500 |
|
Oct 07 |
Oct 23 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1500 |
|
Oct 14 |
Oct 30 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1500 |
|
Oct 21 |
Nov 06 |
$4100 |
$3300 |
$1500 |
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|
Costs
Not Included in Tour Prices |
|
Taxes & Surcharges |
Recommended Tipping |
Chinese Visa Fee |
| Full Package |
Land Package |
| please contact us
for |
current amount |
$10/client/day |
Click here for details |
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