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The Heart of China and Yangtze River Cruise
Experience China in depth during this 17-day river cruise vacation on the famed Yangtze River. Your journey begins with three nights in Beijing, where you will visit historic sites, such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, and enjoy a variety of cultural experiences. Next, travel to Xi'an to visit the Dayan Pagoda and see the Terracotta Warriors. In Chongqing, embark on your 3-night river cruise aboard the Victoria Anna. On this magical cruise you will marvel at the beautiful landscape of the Three Gorges and sail to the Three Gorges Dam site before disembarking in Yichang on your way to Shanghai. There you will tour the Shanghai Museum, Yu Yuan Gardens, and see an amazing acrobatic show. Travel to Guilin for a relaxing day cruise on the Li River. The sites of the one-of-a-kind port city of Hong Kong are the perfect end to your journey through China.
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| Call (630) 879-2930 for more information or to book today! Mention code 6530376 | | Globus | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Board your transpacific flight | (Wed.) Board your transpacific flight. | | Day 2 | Beijing | (Thu.) Welcome to China's capital city. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. | | Day 3 | Beijing | (Fri.) Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China's great emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening, meet your traveling companions at a special Chinese WELCOME DINNER hosted by your Tour Director, featuring delectable Peking Duck. (B,L,D) | | Day 4 | Beijing | (Sat.) The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China's barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then visit a CLOISONNE WORKSHOP where you will see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful make-up being applied to the performers. (B,L,D) | | Day 5 | Xi'an | (Sun.) This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing's HUTONGS, the city's ancient alleys. During this visit, you're welcomed into the courtyard of a family's home, a daycare center, and a retirement community to experience life in this historic neighborhood. Fly to Xi'an where you spend the next two nights. This evening, enjoy "The Tang Dynasty" dinner show featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,D) | | Day 6 | Xi'an | (Mon.) One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi'an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. Sightseeing begins with a visit to the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 A.D. Then learn to write like a local during a traditional Chinese CALLIGRAPHY CLASS. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. In 1974, the enormous tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. (B,L,D) | | Day 7 | Yangtze River Cruise | (Tue.) This morning, visit Xi'an's South Gate; you may
even see some locals practicing their morning Tai Chi. Visit a LACQUER WORKSHOP before flying to Chongqing, China's capital during World War II. The city is high on a hill overlooking the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Visit a local zoo to see pandas before boarding the Victoria Anna for a 3-night cruise through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze. (B,D) | | Day 8 | Wanxian or Shibaozhai or Fengdu | (Wed.) Depending on river conditions, one of the following shore excursions will be offered: Wanxian, "Gateway to Eastern Szechuan Province," where you will see an acrobatic show, market, and possibly a school; Shibaozhai, with its 400-year-old, 12-story red wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff side; or Fengdu, where you'll visit the Snow Jade Cave. (B,L,D) | | Day 9 | Shennong Stream or Daning River | (Thu.) Head downstream through the first and second of the three gorges""Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch, disembark for a boat excursion down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. Continue sailing through Xiling Gorge and the Three Gorges ship locks. (B,L,D) | | Day 10 | Shanghai | (Fri.) View tiny villages clinging to hillsides as you proceed toward Yang Jia Wang. This morning, visit the Three Gorges Dam site, where the Chinese progress toward building the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch, say farewell to your ship's crew in Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China's most populous city and center of trade and industry. (B,L) | | Day 11 | Shanghai | (Sat.) Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city's riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. You'll visit a SILK FACTORY and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN'S PALACE, one of China's famous kindergartens. This evening, be amazed at a fabulous ACROBATIC SHOW. (B,L) | | Day 12 | Guilin | (Sun.) After a morning at leisure, enjoy lunch and visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin, one of China's most beautiful areas. Tonight, you may choose to join our optional trip to see trained cormorants dive for fish, the traditional Lijiang fishing method. (B,L) | | Day 13 | Guilin | (Mon.) Limestone mountains, their needle peaks hidden in mist, rise from the green plain surrounding Guilin. The scene conveys a sense of mystery that artists have tried to capture for centuries. Savor unique vistas during a leisurely CRUISE on the Li River and enjoy a light lunch. (B,L) | | Day 14 | Hong Kong | (Tue.) Visit the famous Reed Flute Cave to see unusual stalactite and stalagmite formations. Then visit a local TEA FARM for a hands-on demonstration of the tea-making process followed by a tea ceremony. Later, fly to Hong Kong. (B,L) | | Day 15 | Hong Kong | (Wed.) This morning's sightseeing begins with a cable car ride up to Victoria Peak for panoramic vistas of this one-of-a-kind port city. Continue to Repulse Bay, a popular beach area, and then to the Aberdeen Fishing Village where you will enjoy a SAMPAN RIDE on the harbor. Next stop is STANLEY MARKET, a narrow street jammed with stalls offering clothing, arts, and crafts. Tonight, consider an optional sunset cruise on Hong Kong's magnificent harbor. (B) | | Day 16 | Hong Kong | (Thu.) A full free day to explore this exciting city. You may wish to join one of our optional excursions to view the giant Buddha on the island of Lantau or an excursion to learn about Hong Kong's history before the British colonized the area. Shopping is a highlight of Hong Kong with markets, malls, and shops to fit any taste and budget. This evening is the perfect finale to a great adventure as you're hosted at a special FAREWELL DINNER. (B,D) | | Day 17 | Return Home | (Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) |
| | | BEIJING Westin Beijing (D) | | XI'AN Shangri-la Golden Flower(SF) | | VICTORIA CRUISES Victoria Anna | | SHANGHAI Westin Shanghai (D) | | GUILIN Sheraton Guilin Hotel (F) | | HONG KONG Harbour Plaza (D) |
| | US$ Price Details Applicable air fare taxes and fees*Air inclusive prices are based on departure from San Francisco. Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11 fee of up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.40 per segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Air inclusive prices are not guaranteed until payment is made in full. Restrictions apply.
Single room supplement: $1950
Extra nights per person in Beijing:
Mon.-Thu.: in single room $244; in twin room $134
Fri.-Sun.: in single room $199; in twin room $111
Extra nights per person in Hong Kong
Apr.: in single room $391; in twin room $207
May-Jun.: in single room $242; in twin room $132
Sep. 14-20 & Oct. 1-7: in single room $291; in twin room $157
Sep. 21-30 & Oct. 8-31: in single room $436; in twin room $229
Extra nights per person in Bangkok
in single room $184; in twin room $104
Triple rooms are not available. Suites are available on board the Victoria Anna upon request. Please call for pricing.
Our volume buying power saves you money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.
Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
Price Guarantee: All vacation prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Prices are subject to increase without notice if such rates change prior to departure. The current price will be confirmed at the time of reservation. However, once Globus has received your deposit for any vacation departing during the current year, that land price is guaranteed, and any subsequent land cost increases are at our expense, not including any government tax increases. Airfares included as part of air-inclusive vacation prices are guaranteed when we receive confirmation of air itinerary and full payment. Vacation prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single room supplements and triple room reductions may be applicable.
Not included in the tour price: Federal Inspection Fees for the U.S. Customs and immigration; International Air Transportation Tax; agricultural tax; any other taxes; security fee; airport taxes and fees; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your tour director; tour host; tour driver; local city guides; gratuities on ferries, trains and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; mini bar; alcohol; beverages and food not on the regular table d'hote menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel or restaurant); optional excursions; porterage at airports; travel protection; excess baggage fees; all other items of a personal nature. |
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