Mystical
China
and
Yangtze River Cruise
Itinerary
(12 days)
Tour
is completed - contact us to customize this trip
for you.
Day
1 Evening
departure from LAX non-stop to China.
Dinner and breakfast served in flight.
Day
2
Morning
arrival in the historical tropical seaport of Guanzhou
where we will transfer to Chongquing, which is on the
banks of the Yangtze. We will tour this mountainous
city which is divided into three parts by the Daning
and Yangtze rivers. Our guides will escort us to Eulin
Park, the former estate of a wealthy salt merchant and
General Chaing. After dinner we will board our five-star
cruise ship. (B,L,D)
Day
3
Sit back, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and lunch, and
relax as you watch the languid waters of the world's
third-longest river. Disembark
in the afternoon for a visit to Shibaozhai, an ancient
temple built on cliff, overlooking the Yangtze river.
You may also participate in one of the many classes
offered every day on board such as Tai Chi or traditional
Chinese cooking. (B,L,D)
Day
4
As we wind through the Yangtze, it narrows until sheer
cliffs rise on either side of the ship, as we cruise
into Qutang George. Mysterious,
often shrouded in mists, the gorges of the Yangtze have
long served as a backdrop for Chinese paintings and
as an inspiration for classical Chinese literature and
poetry. As we sail through the Three Gorges, we are
among the very last of those fortunate enough to behold
a natural wonder often compared to the Grand Canyon.
We will transfer to a small motorboat that will transport
us up the Shennong River where sheer cliffs and towering
mountains abound. (B,L,D)
Day
5 After
a morning arrival in Yichang, time permitting we will
tour the city before flying onto Xi'an, the ancient
capital of China. Xi'an is where the Emperor Qin Shi
Huangdi first unified the seven ancient Chinese Kingdoms.
Afternoon check in at our luxury five-star hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Our full-day
excursion 20 miles east of Xi'an takes us to the site
of Qin
Shi Huangdi's underground army of more than 3,000 terracotta
soldiers. Each of the life-sized warriors was modeled
after a real soldier with mind-boggling precision and
detail. Evening includes a grand dumpling dinner and
a spectacular Tang Dynasty Stage Show. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Morning flight
to Beijing, where our guide will escort us to our deluxe
five-star hotel to freshen up before a visit to the
Summer Palace on the outskirts of Beijing. The afternoon
culminates with leisurely boat ride across Lake Kunming.
(B,L,D)
Day 8 After a morning
visit to the Great Wall of China, one
of the wonders of the ancient world, we will journey
to the Ming Tombs where colossal statues of civil and
military dignitaries, lions, horses, camels, and elephants
are all lined to protect the emperors' tombs. We will
unwind after an adventure-filled day over a specially
prepared dinner of world-famous Peking Duck. (B,L,D)
Day
9 As
we enter the Forbidden City through Tiananmen Square,
site of many historic events, we will tour the largest
imperial palace ever built. The Forbidden City served
as home to the Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
After a scrumptious lunch, we will accompanied to the
Temple of Heaven by an authentic Fengshui Master. Set
in a park of more than 670 acres, theTemple of Heaven
is an outstanding example of Chinese religious architecture,
exemplifying the harmonious principles of Fengshui.
Our evening ends with dinner and an exciting Acrobatic
Show. (B,L,D)
Day 10 A
morning flight will take us to Hong Kong, which serves
as the melting pot of Eastern and Western cultures.
It is a magical mixture of Chinese traditions, British
Colonialism, and the modern world of high finance. Afternoon
check-in to our luxurious 5-star hotel which overlooks
Victoria harbor. (B)
Day
11 Our
day begins with a tour around Hong Kong Island. We will
visit scenic Repulse Bay, the site of the largest indigenous
settlement when the British arrived and the famous harbor
of Aberdeen, home to some of the last boat people in
China. Afternoon and evening free to explore and shop
for the many bargains available. (B)
Day
12
Enjoy a leisurely morning of sightseeing, shopping,
and exploring. Return to the hotel to freshen up before
transferring to the airport to board our flight back
to the United States. (B)
Legend
(Meals symbols):
*B . . . Breakfast
*L . . . Lunch
*D. . . Dinner
Note: A passport
valid for at least 6 months prior to date of departure
is required. Double entry visa is required for China.
|