16 Day China with 4 Day Yangtze River Cruise & Shanghai

from
$2429
Land Only
from
$3399*
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
  • 14 nights first class accommodations
  • All transfers
  • 27 meals: 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Services of English-speaking tour manager
  • Entrance fees per itinerary

Special Features

  • Great Wall of China
  • Terracotta Army
  • Three Gorges Dam
  • Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show

Also Available

     

    Itinerary

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

    DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Beijing
    Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure
    Overnight: Beijing

    DAY 3, Saturday - Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven Tour
    Enjoy a full-day tour of the Forbidden City and the 15th-century Temple of Heaven. 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 outset 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 in scope 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 Temple of Heaven
    Overnight: Beijing
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 4, Sunday - Great Wall of China Excursion
    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. Afterward, depart for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Following lunch, continue for a tour of the Ming Tombs before returning to Beijing. This evening, enjoy a traditional Peking Duck dinner
    Overnight: Beijing
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 5, Monday - Yangtze River Cruise
    Morning at leisure. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Yichang. 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 6, Tuesday - Yangtze River Cruise
    This morning, visit the Three Gorges Dam near the Sandouping Village. This dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, nearly six times the size of the Hoover Dam. Following your visit, cruise upstream to Xiling Gorge. The longest section of the Three Gorges system, it comprises the rapids of Xietan, Qintan and Kongling, collectively known as the Three Rapids of Xiling
    Overnight: Yangtze River 
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 7, Wednesday - Yangtze River Cruise
    This morning, enjoy an excursion to 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. Continue through the Qutang Gorge, the smallest of the three Yangtze gorges, and admire its bluffed banks and lush terraced hillsides
    Overnight: Yangtze River
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 8, Thursday - Yangtze River Cruise
    Cruise to Fengdu, the "Ghost City," to view the temples at Mingshan Hill. Alternatively, the cruise may visit Wanxian or Shibaozhai depending on local conditions 
    Overnight: Yangtze River
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 9, Friday - Flight to Xian
    Disembark the cruise in Chongqing and transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure 
    Overnight: Xian
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 10, Saturday - Xian Antiquities Tour with Terracotta Army
    Today's tour of Xian's antiquities 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. Later, 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. This evening, enjoy a dumpling dinner and gala show at the Tang Dynasty Theater
    Overnight: Xian
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 11, Sunday - Xian City Wall, Flight to Guilin, Reed Flute Cave
    Today, visit Xian's City Wall, a massive stone wall originally built to protect what was once one of China's four great ancient capitals. With colorful flags decorating the battlements and pagoda-topped wall towers, the structure clearly reflects aesthetic interests in addition to practical defensive considerations. After your tour, transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Reed Flute Cave, Guilin's largest and most impressive grotto, offering a world of beautiful stalactite deposits, stone pillars and intriguing rock formations
    Overnight: Guilin
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 12, Monday - Li River Cruise with Pearl Factory Visit
    Cruise the crystalline Li River and view the many vertical rock formations, stone pinnacles, bamboo groves and villagers reaping rice along the river banks. The high forested peaks that dominate the banks and terraced hillsides are why the Li River is one of China's top sightseeing destinations, with many of the peaks being associated with legendary stories of mystical spirits and love.  Then, visit a pearl factory to see local artisans at work and browse a selection of fine pearl products. Finally, return ashore in the late afternoon. Evening at leisure
    Overnight: Guilin
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 13, Tuesday - Flight to Shanghai
    Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Transfer to the hotel, and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
    Optional: Acrobatic Show
    Overnight: Shanghai
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 14, Wednesday - Shanghai City Tour
    Enjoy a half day tour to the classical Yuyuan Garden and Jade Buddha Temple. 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 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. Depart the Gardens for a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple. The Temple's name derives from its two white-jade Buddhas, one recumbent on a redwood bed, the other seated on a lotus flower. In 1882, the two Buddha statues were brought to China from Burma. Afterward, transfer to the hotel
    Overnight: Shanghai
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 15, Thursday - Full Day Shanghai
    Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Shanghai independently
    Optional: Full Day Suzhou
    Overnight: Shanghai
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 16, Friday - 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 cost at least 10% 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.

    Acrobatic Show in Shanghai Day #13 01 Apr 2009 - 31 Dec 2010     $39
    Acrobatic Show in Shanghai Having undergone thousands of years of evolution, the Shanghai acrobatic arts has now blossomed into a unique style. The Shanghai Circus death-defiers 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. Departs at 6:45 p.m. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel

    Full Day Suzhou Day #15 01 Apr 2009 - 31 Mar 2010     $105
    Full Day Suzhou Enjoy a full day Suzhou Tour. Located in the northeastern part of Suzhou city, the Humble Administrator's Gardens is one of the four classical gardens in China. It is a fine example of a classical Chinese garden from the Ming era and typical of the horticultural arts south of the Yangtze River. Its westerly garden is home to a large bonsai garden, where more than 700 bonsai are displayed. Lunch included. Departs at 9:00 a.m. from hotel lobby. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.

    Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% 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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    16 Day China with 4 Day Yangtze River Cruise & Shanghai - details  
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    2009
    Nov 26 (Sold Out)$2359$3149*
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    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 intra-China flights Beijing - Yichang, Chongqing - Xian, Xian - Guilin, Guilin - 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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