|
|
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YANGTZE (HTY) -16 DAY TOUR
(Beijing, Xi’an, Chongqing, Wuhan, Guilin, Shanghai)
Itinerary and Departure Dates and Fares:
Day 1. Friday. USA/Beijing.
Your tour departs from Los Angeles about mid-day and you will head across the Pacific Ocean to Beijing, the illustrious capital city of China. Spend the night aboard your trans-Pacific flight as you cross the International Date Line.
Day 2. Saturday. Beijing. (IM).
You arrive in Beijing, one of the largest cities in China, in the late afternoon. There, you will be escorted to a local four- or five-star hotel.
Day 3. Sunday. Beijing. (AB, L, D).
Enjoy a full days tour of China's capital. Today you will visit the infamous Tiananmen Square (the world's largest public square), the Emperor's Summer Palace, and the Forbidden City, the revered home of past emperors. A tour to the Summer Palace on Kunming Lake is another highlight of the day.
Day 4. Monday. Beijing. (AB, L, D).
Your highlight today will be a visit to the awe-inspiring Great Wall, a formidable symbol of ancient Chinese civilization. You will also visit the solemn Ming Tombs, the burial place for 13 Ming Dynasty Emperors. You will also visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties prayed for good harvests. In the evening, you will attend a delicious Peking Duck Banquet.
Day 5. Tuesday. Beijing. (AB).
The full day is yours at your leisure after breakfast. Enjoy shopping, visiting the zoo and seeing the pandas, or maybe a little people watching.
Day 6. Wednesday. Beijing/Xi’an. (AB, L, D).
Today you will take a domestic flight to Xi’an, the historic, ancient capital of China. Depending on the arrival time, you may visit a quaint farming village and mingle with the local residents. Next, you will take a trip to either Xi’an’s ancient Grand City Wall or the Wild Goose Pagoda. You will check in at a local four- or five-star hotel after dinner.
Day 7. Thursday. Xi’an. (AB, L, DS).
A full day’s tour will help you to recall the glories of ancient Xi’an as you visit a burial site containing an incredible army of 8,000 lifelike terra-cotta soldiers. After spending plenty of time at the site, you will tour either the City Wall or the Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, you will enjoy two specialties, a delectable Xi’an Dumpling Dinner and a wonderful Tang Dynasty Show at the renowned Shaanxi Grand Song and Dance Theatre.
Day 8. Friday. Xi’an/Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise. (AB, L, D).
Today you will fly to Chongqing for a short tour of this mountainous city located at the conjunction of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. Later in the day, you will board a Victoria Cruises river vessel for an exciting and scenery-filled Three Gorges river journey.
Day 9. Saturday. Yangtze River Cruise (Fengdu). (AB, L, D).
Your Yangtze exploration begins today with the morning departure of the Victoria Cruises river vessel. Your first stop is either at Fengdu, known as the “Ghost City,” or at Wanxian. After visiting one of these ancient cities, you will return to the river vessel and sail toward the awe-inspiring Three Gorges.
Day 10. Sunday. Yangtze River Cruise (Wushan Lesser Three Gorges). (AB, L, DS).
This morning, you will cruise along the Yangtze River as it winds through the spectacular Qutang and Wu Gorges. At Wushan, you will board a quaint sampan for an exciting excursion up the crystal-clear Danning River to see the Lesser Three Gorges. Along the way, you will travel between towering rock walls, see ancient hanging coffins and (with luck) spot some wild, golden-haired monkeys.
Day 11. Monday. Yangtze River Cruise (Three Gorges Dam). (AB, L, D).
After sailing through the beautiful Xiling Gorge, you will arrive at the city of Sandouping and stop for a tour of the marvelous Three Gorges Dam site. The Three Gorges Dam site is the largest construction project in the world, and when the dam is completed, it will be the largest hydroelectric and flood-control dam in the world. The 366-mile-long reservoir that will be created by the Three Gorges Dam beginning in 2004 will submerge a vast amount of land along the Three Gorges, including breathtaking scenery, large and small cities, quaint villages and towns, and historical sites and artifacts. These incredible sights along the Yangtze will be gone forever from view, and these next few short years will be the last chance for tourists and locals alike to enjoy this fantastic area.
Day 12. Tuesday. Wuhan/Guilin. (AB, L, D).
This morning, your cruise ship arrives in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province. There, you will take a domestic flight to Guilin, one of the most mystical and picturesque cities in China. Upon arrival, you will visit the ancient and colorful Reed Flute Caves, where spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations dazzle visitors. In the evening, you will check in at a local four- or five-star hotel, and you are then welcome to join an interesting and fun optional tour ($15.00) where you will see local fishermen ply their trade with the assistance of their trusted friends and partners, Cormorant Fishing Birds! Another optional side tour ($15.00) includes a revitalizing Reflexology foot massage and a relaxing shoulder massage.
Day 13. Wednesday. Guilin. (AB, L, D).
Today you will travel by deluxe motor coach through the lush countryside surrounding Guilin. During the trip, explore the bamboo trees, water chestnut trees, sugarcane and rice fields. You arrive at a local village and from there embark on a memorable Lijiang River cruise, passing through scenic Yangshuo, where you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, tour the local “American Town” where many Westerners reside and love to entertain you with real Western food, or do some shopping in the large local market. You may choose to take a ride in a local rickshaw taxi to see close up the beautiful trees, water and rock formations, and to visit the local farmers. On a ride such as this, you can stop anywhere and take excellent pictures from a variety of scenic landscapes and local villages.
Day 14. Thursday. Guilin/Shanghai. (AB, L, D).
Today you will take a domestic flight to Shanghai, China’s financial and commercial center. Following check-in at a local four- or five-star hotel, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Shanghai, a city that has retained the flavor of its European-influenced past.
Day 15. Friday. Shanghai. (AB, L, D).
Your tour today includes the very best that Shanghai has to offer. You will start with a tour of the historic, architectural marvels on the Bund. Next, you will wander through the solemn, peaceful grounds of the Yu Yuan Garden, and see its famous zigzag bridges, knolls and rock formations. Finally, you will take a trip to the Jade Buddha Temple, which displays the world's largest Jade Buddha.
Day 16. Saturday. Shanghai/USA. (AB).
Today you will board your trans-Pacific flight back to the United States. You will take home many wonderful memories of China.
Top
Departure Dates and Fares:
10 or more passengers that sign up as a group may be eligible for special discounts upon request.
If your preferred travel date is not listed in the departure dates, please call to set up your own tour date, at no additional charge.
2004:
|
Departure
Date
(Friday)
|
Return
Date
(Saturday)
|
Tour Fare
From
LA
|
Land
Tours
Only
|
Single
Supplement
|
|
3/19, 26
|
4/3, 10
|
$2,729
|
$2,019
|
$789
|
|
4/2,9,16,23,30
|
4/17,24,5/1,8,15
|
$3,059
|
$2,219
|
$969
|
|
5/7,14,21,28
|
5/22,29,6/5,12
|
$3,059
|
$2,219
|
$969
|
|
6/4,11,18,25
|
6/19,26,7/3,10
|
$2,929
|
$2,089
|
$859
|
|
7/2,9,16,23,30
|
7/17,24,31,8/7,14
|
$2,929
|
$2,089
|
$859
|
|
8/6,13,20,27
|
8/21,28,9/4,11
|
$2,929
|
$2,089
|
$859
|
|
9/3,10,17,24
|
9/18,25,10/2,9
|
$3,059
|
$2,219
|
$969
|
|
10/1,8,15, 22, 29
|
10/16,23,30,11/6,13
|
$3,059
|
$2,219
|
$969
|
|
11/5, 12
|
11/20, 27
|
$2,729
|
$2,019
|
$789
|
2005:
|
Departure
Date
(Friday)
|
Return
Date
(Saturday)
|
Tour Fare
From
Los Angeles
|
Land
Tours
Only
|
Single
Supplement
|
|
3/18, 25
|
4/2, 9
|
$2,729
|
$2,019
|
$789
|
|
4/1,8,15,22,29
|
4/16,23,30,5/7,14
|
$3,059
|
$2,219
|
$969
|
|
5/6,13,20,27
|
5/21,28,6/4,11
|
$3,059
|
$2,219
|
$969
|
|
6/3,10,17,24
|
6/18,25,7/2,9
|
$2,929
|
$2,089
|
$859
|
|
7/1,8,15,22,29
|
7/16,23,30,8/6,13
|
$2,929
|
$2,089
|
$859
|
|
8/5,12,19,26
|
8/20,27,9/3,10
|
$2,929
|
$2,089
|
$859
|
|
9/2,9,16,23,30
|
9/17,24,10/1,8,15
|
$3,059
|
$2,219
|
$969
|
|
10/7,14,21,28
|
10/22,29,11/5,12
|
$3,059
|
$2,219
|
$969
|
|
11/4, 11
|
11/19, 26
|
$2,729
|
$2,019
|
$789
|
Click here for other great tours.
Be sure to check out our Tour Guidelines and Terms and Conditions
Top
|
