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CHINA
EXTRAORDINAIRE
YANGTZE
RIVER CRUISE~ TOUR
CODE: DCE4
BEIJING ~ XIAN ~ KUNMING ~ LIJIANG ~
CHONGQING ~
YANTZE RIVER CRUISE ~ YICHANG ~
SHANGHAI
(19 DAYS/17 NIGHTS)
Fully Escorted ~ Deluxe/Superior Tour
Call for Rates
Package
Highlights
DAY 01. US West Coast/Beijing. Depart USA aboard your
transpacific flight to China. Cross the International Date Line
advancing one calendar day.
DAY 02. Arrive Beijing. Upon arrival in Beijing, China’s
capital and political center, you will be greeted and transferred
to your hotel. Kunlun Hotel or
similar.
DAY 03. Beijing. Enjoy a full day
of sightseeing including Tiananmen Square, the world’s
largest public square; the Forbidden City (Palace Museum),
grandeur of imperial China for 500 years during the Ming and Qing
Dynasties, closed to the common man; and the Summer Palace, an
imperial retreat sheltered from Beijing’s heat. In the evening
attend an authentic Beijing duck dinner at a local restaurant. Kunlun Hotel or
similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 04. Beijing. Today’s full day
tour is to the beautiful mountain area of the renowned Mutianyu
Great Wall, one of the greatest achievements of man. Take a cable
car ride to the top and enjoy the splendid panorama of the
surrounding countryside spread out in front of you as you walk
along the Wall. This part of the wall is less crowded and less
strenuous to walk. Then it’s to the Ming Tombs, the burial site of
13 Ming emperors. Stroll along the statue-lined Sacred Path
leading up to the tombs and descend into Dingling, the tomb of
Emperor Wanli. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Kunlun Hotel or
similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 05. Beijing.This morning
stroll through the
Temple of Heaven Park and get a glimpse of what Beijingers do for
morning activities. Afterward stop to see its remarkable
blue-tiled Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a masterpiece of 15th
century Ming architecture. Later take a trishaw ride into the
alleys (hutongs) of old Beijing and visit a local family, the Drum
Tower and Prince Gong’s Mansion. Weather permitting -- enjoy an
outdoor performance of Beijing Opera at the mansion, otherwise,
watch it as an evening show at Huguang Theater. Kunlun Hotel or
similar. (B, L,--)
DAY 06 Beijing/Xian. Fly south to the
ancient city of Xian
this morning. Visit the recent discovery of Han Yang Tomb either
to or from Xian airport. An afternoon tour starts with a
wonderful view of the city and countryside from the Big Goose
Pagoda built in 652 A.D to house Buddhist scriptures brought from
India. Then continue to the nearby Shaanxi History Museum with
its impressive collection of well-preserved historical relics.
This evening’s highlight is the colorful dinner show at the Tang
Dynasty Theater Restaurant. Shangri-La
Golden Flower Hotel or similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 07. Xian. Today see one of
the highlights of any China trip, an army of some 8,000
life-sized terracotta warriors near the burial grounds of China’s
first emperor, Qinshi Huangdi. Considered one of the world’s
greatest archeological finds, the burial pits can be viewed at the
enormous Terracotta Warriors Museum. After being treated to a
mouthwatering dumpling lunch, visit the City Wall for a stroll
along the top. This evening enjoy dinner at the hotel. Shangri-La
Golden Flower Hotel or similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 08. Xian/Kunming. Fly to Kunming, the capital of
Yunnan Province, and often called “the city of eternal spring” due
to its mild climate. Virtually surrounded by mountains, Yunnan is
one of the most ethnically diverse provinces. Visit the Western
Hills, part of the colossal national forest reserve on the west
bank of Dianchi Lake and delight in some of the local cuisine for
dinner in the evening. Harbour Plaza
Kunming or similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 09. Kunming. A day-long
excursion to the amazing Stone Forest is in store. See
peaks and pinnacles of limestone “trees” in bizarre shapes, formed
more than 200 million years ago by the erosive effect of water
when the rocks were exposed to the receding sea. Enjoy dining at
the hotel this evening. Harbour Plaza
Hotel or similar (B, L, D)
DAY 10. Kunming. Enjoy a full day
at leisure to relax, shop, or explore on your own. You may wish
to take an optional tour to northern part of Kunming, including the Golden and
Bamboo Temples and Yunnan Nationalities Museum. If you prefer, a
round of golf can be arranged at some of the finest golf and
country clubs in the area, such as the Spring City Golf and Lake
Resort, recognized as China’s best golf course and resort. Dinner
is at the hotel. Harbour Plaza Hotel or similar. (B,--, D)
DAY 11. Kunming/Lijiang. Fly to
enchanting Lijiang, home of the Naxi ethnic group. Ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
by cable car for spectacular glacier views. Continue to a small
village of Baisha (the former Naxi capital), famous for its temple
frescoes. Also visit Yufeng Si (Jade Peak Temple) noted for its
beautiful old camellia trees. Guanfang Hotel
or similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 12. Lijiang. This morning
head out to Longquan (Dragon Springs) to experience a typical Naxi
village. Make a stop at Black Dragon Pool Park and stroll
through the quaint old town of Lijiang classified as a UNESCO
World Cultural Heritage Site. This evening attend a performance
of the Naxi Orchestra playing traditional ancient music on
original instruments.
Guanfang Hotel
or similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 13. Lijiang/Kunming/Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise. Fly back to Kunming and visit the
Bird and Flower Market as well as Green Lake before making a
connecting flight to the mountain city of Chongqing. Visit the
Stillwell Museum showing US involvement in China during WWII. If
time permits, enjoy a stroll around Liberation Monument, the heart
of downtown area. Delight in a Western buffet dinner before
boarding either the East King or East Queen, China’s finest inland
cruise ships.
M/S East King or East Queen or the Victoria Cruise Line. (B, L,
D)
DAY 14. Yangtze River Cruise. Begin your
memorable journey down the Yangtze, China’s longest and busiest river.
Sail by scenic terraced countryside dotted with small towns and
remote villages. Today’s shore excursion is to Shibaozhai (Stone
Treasure Stronghold), a striking red temple built against a sheer
cliff. M/S East King or
East Queen or the Victoria Cruise Line. (B, L, D)
DAY 15. Yangtze River Cruise.
Today experience
breathtaking views of the Three Gorges, one of China’s natural wonders. Sail past
the Qutang Gorge and depending on the river’s water levels,
transfer to smaller boats for an exciting shore excursion on
either the Daning River (before Wu Gorge) or Shennong Stream
(after Wu Gorge) to view their dramatic smaller gorges. Return to
the ship to continue through Xiling, the last of the stunning
Three Gorges. M/S East King or
East Queen or the Victoria Cruise Line. (B, L, D)
DAY 16. Yangtze River Cruise/Yichang/Shanghai. Sail on near the
village of Sandouping and go on a shore excursion to the immense
Three Gorges Project area to see the world’s largest dam being
built which began in 1994 and scheduled for completion in 2009.
Disembark in Yichang and fly to cosmopolitan Shanghai contrasting ancient and
modern China. Rapidly becoming the ‘new Hong Kong,’ this vibrant
city is China’s center of commerce and finance. The afternoon
includes a city tour and a visit to the shops along Nanjing Road
and the Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront. Tonight’s dinner is
at Lubolang, a local specialty restaurant. Portman
Ritz-Carlton or similar. (B, L, D)
DAY 17. Shanghai. Today’s full day
of activities start with a visit toYuyuan Gardens, a traditional
Chinese garden of rockeries, ponds, and bridges. Explore China’s premier,
state-of-the-art Shanghai Museum with its magnificent treasures.
Then visit one of the charming Children’s Palaces offering various
after-school programs to high-achieving children. Tonight enjoy a
thrilling acrobatic show at the Shanghai Center Theater. Portman
Ritz-Carlton or similar. (B, L,--)
DAY 18. Shanghai. The day is at
leisure to enjoy the facilities at the hotel or to explore Shanghai on your own.
Perhaps take an optional excursion to nearby Suzhou, well-known
for its canals, gardens, and silk production. If you wish, a
round of golf can be arranged at some of China’s best clubs in the
area, such as the Shanghai Links Golf and Country Club, a Jack
Nicklaus-designed course. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner
with your fellow travelers at the hotel Tea Garden. Portman
Ritz-Carlton or similar. (B,--, D)
DAY 19. Shanghai/US West Coast. This morning bid
farewell to unforgettable China for your return transpacific
flight, crossing the International Date Line and arriving the same
day. (B)
Reservations
and Information Please Call:
(425) 747-1234
Direct line (425)
442-1886 Phyllis Lee
Direct Line (206) 890-7765 Amy Webster
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