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15-day China Discovery
Tour (2010)
Shanghai - Yichang - Yangtze
Cruise - Chongqing - Guilin - Xi'an - Beijing
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bottom for departure dates, prices and hotel list
Day 1/Mon: Departing from North America
Depart home city and cross the
International Date
Line.
Day 2/Tue: Arrival in Shanghai
Arrive in late afternoon and transfer to hotel upon meeting your guide.
Day 3/Wed: 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 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 18 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/Thu: Shanghai - Yichang
Free
morning to explore on your own. Transfer to the airport in the afternoon to
fly to Yichang where we set out for a 4-night Yangtze cruise. (B/D)
Day 5/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 6/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 7/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 8/Mon: Chongqing - Guilin

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 Guilin in late afternoon.
(B/L)
Day 9/Tue: Guilin
A medium-sized city by Chinese standard, Guilin has long been renowned
for its unique scenery. The name Guilin literally means "forest of sweet
osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees in
the city.
Day cruise on Li River. The 83km stretch of the
river between Guilin and Yangshuo affords breathtaking scenery as the river
snakes through tall karst mountains, gigantic bamboo sprays, and picturesque
villages -- sights that have inspired countless poets and painters for
generations. Disembark in Yangshuo and drive back to Guilin. (B/L)
Day 10/Wed: Guilin - Xi'an

Enjoy some free time before visiting Reed Flute Cave and historic Fubo Hill.
We fly to Xi'an in late afternoon or early evening depending on flight
availability. (B/L/D)
Day 11/Thu: 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 city 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 12/Fri: 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 13/Sat: 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 as the entrance to the Ming Tombs, is lined with statues of
guardian animals and officials. (B/L)
Day 14/Sun: 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 15/Mon: Beijing - North America
Spend the morning packing and relaxing. Transfer to the airport to board
return flight in the afternoon and arrive home the same day after crossing
the International Date Line. (B)
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Dates & Prices 2010 |
|
Depart (Mon) |
Return (Mon) |
Full Package
from Vancouver/San Francisco
air add-ons from other cities |
Land Package
excluding int'l airfare |
Single Supplement
applicable to travellers
without a roommate |
|
Aug 23 |
Sept 6 |
not available |
$3190 |
$1300 |
|
Sep 13 |
Sep 27 |
$3995 |
$3450 |
$1395 |
|
Sep 20 |
Oct 04 |
$3995 |
$3450 |
$1395 |
|
Sep 27 |
Oct 11 |
$3995 |
$3450 |
$1395 |
|
Oct 04 |
Oct 18 |
$3995 |
$3450 |
$1395 |
|
Oct 11 |
Oct 25 |
$3995 |
$3450 |
$1395 |
|
Oct 18 |
Nov 01 |
$3995 |
$3450 |
$1395 |
|
Oct 25 |
Nov 08 |
$3995 |
$3450 |
$1395 |
|
Nov 01 |
Nov 15 |
$3955 |
$3450 |
$1350 |
|
Nov 08 |
Nov 22 |
$3950 |
$3450 |
$1350 |
|
Nov 15 |
Nov 29 |
$3900 |
$3450 |
$1350 |
|
Nov 22 |
Dec 06 |
$3850 |
$3400 |
$1300 |
Strikethrough indicates the
departure has been closed to new customers. You may ask to be added to the
waiting list in case of cancellations.
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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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