12 Day Classic China with 3 Day Yangtze River Cruise

from
$1529
Land Only
from
$2129*
Air & Land
 

Highlights

Escorted Package Includes

  • Flights LAX-Beijing, Shanghai-LAX
    Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices
  • Airline fuel surcharges
  • Intra-flights
  • 10 nights First Class accommodations
  • All transfers
  • 20 meals: 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 3 dinners
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in a modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Services of an English-speaking tour manager
  • Entrance fees per itinerary

Special Features

  • Great Wall of China
  • Terracotta Army

Also Available

     

    Itinerary

    DAY 1, Saturday - Depart the USA
    Depart the USA to China. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

    DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Beijing
    Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
    Overnight: Beijing

    DAY 3, Monday - Forbidden City, Summer Palace Tour & Panda Visit
    Enjoy a full day tour of the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Begin at Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world. Erected in 1417 at the height of the Ming Dynasty, the square was renovated and renamed two centuries later at the onset of the Great Qing Dynasty. View several impressive monuments outlining the Square's perimeter, including the Great Hall of the People, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the Square's famed ceremonial gateway. From here, venture north for a visit to the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), a construction comparable to the Pyramids in Egypt. Known today as the Palace Museum, the entire site is comprised of 800 buildings with more than 9,000 rooms. Enjoy lunch at an authentic Chinese Restaurant close to the Forbidden City, before a visit to the Summer Palace and the Beijing Zoo to visit with the Pandas
    Optional: Peking Duck Dinner
    Overnight: Beijing
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 4, Tuesday - Great Wall of China & Ming Tombs
    Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Great Wall of China, the longest man-made structure on Earth, spanning nearly 4,000 miles of China's northern frontier. Walk along the promenades and enjoy the unrivaled scenic views of beautiful mountain passes, plateaus and grasslands from this 7th-century defensive fortification. Afterwards, depart for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Following lunch, continue for a tour of the Ming Tombs and a visit to a local jade factory before returning to Beijing
    Overnight: Beijing
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 5, Wednesday - Temple of Heaven Tour, Flight to Xian
    This morning enjoy a tour to the 15th century Temple of Heaven, where the Emperor, once considered the "Son of Heaven," displayed his respect to the heavens through ceremonial prayer. The Temple is the grandest of the four great temples located in Beijing and is famous for its white-marbled, circular altar. Stop for lunch and a visit to a local silk carpet facotry en route to the airport for your flight to Xian, and transfer to your hotel upon arrival
    Optional: Tang Dynasty Dinner & Show
    Overnight: Xian
    Meals: Breakfas, Lunch

    DAY 6, Thursday - Xian Antiquities Tour with Terracotta Army
    This morning enjoy a tour of Xian's antiquities. Your tour includes the archaeological site at the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259-210 B.C.), where more than 8,000 finely sculpted, life-size terracotta soldiers and horses were discovered by local farmers in 1974. The archaeological excavation of the three pits where the Terracotta Army was found continues today, more than thirty years since the time of its unearthing. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to a local Lacquer Furniture Shop before returning to your hotel
    Optional: Xian Dumpling Dinner
    Overnight: Xian
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 7, Friday - Xian Sightseeing, Flight to Chongqing
    This morning, trace the beginnings of Chinese civilization at the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum. Opened to the public in 1991, the museum is in southern Xian, and is home to a wealth of historical artifacts and treasures from the Han and Tang dynasties. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, then transfer to board your ship on the Yangtze River
    Overnight: Yangtze River
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    DAY 8, Saturday - Cruise to Fengdu
    Cruise to Fengdu, the "Ghost City," and view the temples at Mingshan Hill. (Alternatively, the cruise may visit Wanxian or Shibaozhai)
    Overnight: Yangtze River
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 9, Sunday - Qutang and Wuxia Gorges
    Sail through Qutang Gorge, the smallest of the three Yangtze gorges, and dock at Wushan for an excursion through the Small Three Gorges along the Daning River. Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountain passes as you sail through the 25-mile long Wuxia (Witches) Gorge, famous for its fabled Twelve Peaks. According to legend, the peaks are believed to be the spirits of 12 fairies, the most famous of them being the Shennu Feng (Goddess) Peak, which is topped by a huge rock resembling a kneeling maiden
    Overnight: Yangtze River
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 10, Monday - Xiling Gorge; Flight to Shanghai
    Sail downstream through Xiling Gorge. The longest section of the Three Gorges system, it comprises the Xietan, Qintan, and Kongling rapids in what is known as the Three Rapids of Xiling. Visit the Three Gorges Dam near Sandouping Village. The dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, nearly six times the size of the Hoover Dam. This afternoon, disembark at Yichang to board your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel
    Optional: Shanghai by Night with dinner
    Overnight: Shanghai
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 11, Tuesday - Shanghai City Tour
    This morning, tour the major attractions of Shanghai. Wander the classical Yuyuan Garden, built during the Ming Dynasty by the high-ranking government official Pan Yunduan. The Gardens' total area occupies approximately five acres, and features pavilions, ponds, rockeries, cloisters, and streams all within six scenic zones, including the Sansui Hall and Wanhua Chamber. In existence for 400 years, the Gardens were specifically constructed for Pan's aging parents as a sanctuary in which to live out their lives. Next, experience the old world charm of the Bund, the former "Wall Street" of the foreign powers. Walk along its park-like waterfront promenade between the Wusong River and Old Town. Later today, enjoy a stop at a local pearl shop. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure
    Optional: Acrobatic Show with dinner
    Overnight: Shanghai
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 12, Wednesday - Depart for the USA
    Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
    Meals: Breakfast

    Optionals

    Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling may cost an extra 10% or even more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.

    Peking Duck Dinner Day #3 01 Jan 2010 - 31 Mar 2011     $49
    Peking Duck Dinner The Peking Duck Dinner has the reputation of being the most culturally famous meal in China. It is a must to experience during your visit to the country. Enjoy the culinary presentation as the chef roasts the duck directly over the fire and then slices the meat tableside. The duck is served with very thin pancakes, Chinese onions and special sauce. Transfers to and from your hotel included.

    Tang Dynasty Dinner & Show Day #5 01 Jan 2010 - 31 Mar 2011     $65
    Tang Dynasty Dinner & Show Dine on Imperial set menu of 6 hot courses. All while you enjoy the beat of Chang' an music. After dinner, enjoy the celebrated Tang Dynasty show, a one-thousand-year-old dance performed by the passionate Tang Dynasty Troupe. This historical performance is a national art, reflective of the glory and richness of China's Tang Dynasty.

    Dumpling Dinner Day #6 01 Jan 2010 - 31 Mar 2011     $15
    Dumpling Dinner This evening, enjoy a delicious dumpling banquet featuring nearly 20 varieties of jiaozi, or dumplings, stuffed with an assortment of vegetables, meats, and seafood. The traditional banquet also includes rice wine and bronze hot pot soup.

    Shanghai by Night with dinner Day #10 01 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2011     $39
    Shanghai by Night with dinner Depart for dinner in a local restaurant. After the dinner, drive to the pier near the Bund water front to board a ship for a 40 minute cruise on the Huangpu River,the mother river of Shanghai. Witness the 200 years of Colonial history. You will see European style buildings on one side of the river and the futuristic, skyline of Shanghai on the other side. After the cruise, experience an exciting driving through the city Wall of buildings to witness this thriving capital of the Far East.

    Acrobatic Show with Dinner Day #11 01 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2011     $35
    Acrobatic Show with Dinner Having undergone thousands of years of evolution, the Shanghai acrobatic arts has now blossomed into a unique style. The Shanghai Circus death-deifiers will amaze and astound you with their high-flying versatility, fearlessness, and flexibility. This evening, enjoy a world-class performance that includes dance, magic, acrobatics and beautiful music after dinner at local restaurant.

    Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling may cost an extra 10% or even more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.

    Rates & Hotels

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    12 Day Classic China with 3 Day Yangtze River Cruise - details  
    Dates & Prices Land/Cruise Only Air & Land/Cruise
    Dates & Prices Land/Cruise Only
    Dates & Prices Air & Land/Cruise
    2010
    Mar 27$1539$2589*
    Apr 24$1569$2329*
    May 15$1659$2539*
    Jun 26$1539$2799*
    Jul 31$1549$2579*
    Aug 28$1659$2429*
    Sep 11$1689$2489*
    Sep 25$1689$2249*
    Oct 16$1689$2439*
    Nov 6$1529$2249*
    Nov 20$1529$2129*
    Create Your Own Flexible Vacation

    Also Available:

      *Not Included:
      Airport taxes & fees, optional tours, and gratuities.


      Additional Information:
      Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers, but does include flights Beijing - Xian, Xian-Chongqing and Yichang-Shanghai.

      Cruise Itineraries are subject to change. River conditions may not always permit the cruise to see all three of the Small Gorges due to water levels and darkness.

      Yangtze River Cruise cabins cannot comfortably accommodate 3 adults; therefore, our triple adult pricing reflects the additional cost of an upgrade to Junior Suite.


      Entry Requirements:
      US citizens require a passport valid for six months beyond travel dates.


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