Stars Over China

                                                      U.S. and China Amateur Astronomer Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

A China tour specifically created for the amateur astronomer.  Bring your scopes, head for the mountains, get to know Chinese amateurs, and participate in China’s largest star party!

 

2006 Star Party Tour   from $1419 

September 19 – 27, 2008 (9 Days/8 Nights)

 

Highlights

Beijing Planetarium, Temple of Heaven, Ancient Observatory, Tiananmen Square, Great Wall, Summer Palace and Xinglong Observatory

 

Itinerary

9/19 - Tue Arrive in Beijing in the evening.  Welcome greeting and transfer to Novatel Peace hotel in Beijing. (Meal on own)

9/20 - Wed Full day tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Ancient Observatory. Lunch and Beijing Duck Dinner at local restaurant. (B L D)

9/21 - Thu Great Wall at Badaling section, Changling Tomb and Sacred Road. Lunch at a local restaurant. Buffet dinner at the hotel. (B L D)

9/22 - Fri Visit the Beijing Planetarium in the morning, lunch at a local restaurant. Free in the afternoon. Dinner on own. (B L -) 

9/23 - Sat Hotel check-out.  Large luggage storage available at the hotel.  Pick-up for transfer to Wulingshan Mountain, Hebei (200KM northeast of Beijing)  Opening Ceremony, talks on amateur astronomy, US and Chinese exchange. (Hotel arranged by CAAA). (B L D)

9/24 - Sun  A full day on the top of the Wulingshan Mountain, Hebei.  Observation and astrophotography and free exchange.  (Hotel arranged by CAAA). (B L D)

 

 

 

9/25 - Mon Morning at Wulingshan Mountain, then a visit to Xinglong Observatory followed by the closing ceremony.  Return transfer to Beijing Novatel Peace Hotel. (B L D)

9/26 - Tue Morning tour to Summer Palace in Beijing, lunch during tour, afternoon and evening open for individual activities. (B L -)

9/27 - Wed Morning departure to airport for those returning to USA (B - -)

 

China Discoveries invites you to extend your stay in Asia.  We have carefully selected two exciting options exclusively for you.  Please turn the page for more information.

         

 

 

 

 

Tour Extension: Guilin, Li River Cruise & Hong Kong from $1549  

 

 

 September 27 – September 30, 2008(4 Days/3 Nights)

 

Highlights

Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Li River Cruise,

Hong Kong Island Tour and Peak Tram & Saman ride

 

Itinerary

9/27 - Wed Morning departure to airport for flight to Guilin, upon arrival in Guilin, visit Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave.  Check into Bravo Hotel(4 star) overnight. Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. (B L D )

9/28 - Thu Morning transfer to port for Li River cruise with lunch on board, arrive in Yangshuo in the early afternoon, short visit the market before transfer back to Guilin. Evening flight to Hong Kong, check into The Kowloon Hotel. Dinner on your own. (B L -)

9/29 - Fri  A full day touring Hong Kong. Enjoy a Dimsum lunch. Hong Kong Island tour: Star Ferry including a Peak Tram & Saman ride. Evening on own. (B L -)

9/30 - Sat  Transfer to airport for exit flight (B - -)

 

 

Tour Extension: Xi’an and Shanghai  from $829 

September 27 – October 1, 2008 (5 Days/4 Nights)

 

Highlights

Terra Cotta Warriors, Banpo Museum, Wild Goose Pagoda,

Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, The Bund, Jade Buddha Temple,

Yu Garden, New Museum and Acrobat Show

 

Itinerary

9/27 - Wed Morning departure to airport, fly to Xian, upon arrival, visit City Wall, check into Diamond International Hotel (first class). Dinner at local restaurant. (B L D)

9/28 - Thu Full day visit to Terra Cotta Warriors Museum, Banpo Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Lunch at local restaurant. Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. (B L D)

9/29 - Fri Morning flight to Shanghai, visit the Bund, check into New Century Hotel (first class). Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. (B L D)

9/30 - Sat  A full day visit to Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Garden and New Museum.  Acrobat Show in the evening. Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. (B L D)

10/1 - Sun Transfer to airport for exit flight (B)

 

Reservations and Information Please Call:

 (425) 747-1234, (425) 442-1886

or (206) 390-7888

 

 

 

China Discoveries is a division of China Pacific Group, Inc.

www.chinadiscoveries.com

Fax: (425) 747-2706      E-mail inquires to Phyllis at PLcpg@aol.com

5467 Lake Washington Blvd. S.E. Bellevue, Washington 98006 USA          030806

 

 

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“Stars Over China” 2006 Reservation Form

A completed form is required for each passenger traveling.

 

1. 2006 Stars Over China                              

   (9 Days/8 Nights)                                         Sep 19 – Sep 27,  2008      £    $1419.00 USD         

     

2. Tour Extensions: Guilin, Li River Cruise & Hong Kong

    (4 Days/3 Nights)                                        Sep 27 – Sep 30, 2008       £    $1549.00 USD         

 

3.  Tour Extension: Xi’an and Shanghai                            

    (5 Days/4 Nights)                                     Sep 27 – Oct 1, 2008            £    $  829.00 USD         

 

 

Tour Participant:  (Name as in Passport)

 

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Please R all that apply:

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____________________________________________________________________________

Fax: (425) 747-2706 attn: Phyllis      E-mail inquires to Phyllis at PLcpg@aol.com

5467 Lake Washington Blvd. S.E. Bellevue, WA  98006

China Discoveries Payment Form

 

A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of reservation.  Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.  Gratuities to guides and drivers and personal expenses at hotels are not included. If cancellation is received after full payment has been made, 50% of tour costs is non refundable.  If cancellation is received less than 30 days prior to scheduled departure, 100% of tour costs and deposits are non-refundable.  Any bookings received within 30 days of departure will be subject to $100 per reservation rush fee.

 

Payment Information:

Send Check or Money Order Payments to:

China Discoveries

5467 Lake Washington Blvd. S.E.

Bellevue, WA  98006

Attn: Phyllis

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Fax: (425) 747-2706 attn: Phyllis or E-mail Payment Form to Phyllis at PLcpg@aol.com

China Discoveries 5467 Lake Washington Blvd. S.E. Bellevue, WA  98006

 

 

 

A Letter of Invitation:  ”Stars Over China”

September 19-27, 2008

 

 

 

Dear Fellow Amateur Astronomer:

 

We are pleased to announce “Stars Over China” – a tour specifically designed for the amateur astronomer.  This unique astronomical odyssey has been specially designed by China Pacific Group and its travel subsidiary, China Discoveries. 

 

“Stars Over China” will be a once-in-a-lifetime introduction to China that will include historical and modern astronomy sites, insights into daily life in China, and some of China’s major cultural marvels---plus two days (and nights) of observing and interacting with Chinese amateur astronomers.  “Stars Over China” features visits to some of China’s greatest splendors---including the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Tienanman Square, and the Forbidden City.  Not to be missed!

 

But what makes this tour truly exceptional will be two days and two nights at the 2006 Bootes Star Party---China’s biggest annual gathering of amateur astronomers. This year’s party will take place atop Xinglong Mountain, site of China’s greatest observatory.  And our host for this part of the tour will be Renjiang Xie---founder of Bootes, Sky and Telescope contributor, and leading Chinese amateur.   Count on 48 hours of talks, observatory tours, equipment displays, networking, dark-sky observing, and lots of good astronomical fellowship.   You’ll leave “Stars Over China” with great memories and new Chinese and American friends.

 

I’ll have the honor of leading “Stars Over China” this fall.  I’ve been involved with astronomy nearly all my life – having built telescopes starting when I was 10, co-discovering a comet while in high school, and traveling the world, as an American diplomat, exploring the heavens from both sides of the Equator—even heading the Comet Halley Watch in Nepal.  After Foreign Service tours in Africa, Southeast Asia, Nepal, and Washington D.C., I returned to my home town of Seattle where (weather permitting!) I pursue my love of astronomy.

 

Elsewhere on this page, you’ll find itineraries, registration forms, and a “Just for Astronomers” info sheet.  Please take a close look.  We hope that you, and your friends and associates, may be able to join us for “Stars Over China” this September!

 

Best regards,

Lew Macfarlane

United States Foreign Service, Retired

Senior Associate, China Pacific Group

  and China Discoveries

Email: tsirlr@mindspring.com