WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Sample Tour Package:
• All intra-China air/land transportation
• Includes all intra-China transfers between airports and hotels (initial arrival and final departure transfers are included when transpacific air is purchased through PDT
• 7 nights in FiveStarPlus® hotels
• 6 nights on Victoria Cruises Five-Star Yangtze River Cruise ship in Junior Suite with private balcony, full meal service offering fine cuisine and small group excursion.
• 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 11 dinners
• Includes baggage handling, port charges, hotel taxes and service fees
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Special inclusions:
• Group size limited to 16 members
• Experienced English speaking guide escorts groups all through-out China
• Full American or buffet breakfast daily at hotels
• Regional culinary specialties – Beijing Duck Dinner
• Choice of Western or Chinese cuisine at select meals
• Special entertainment: Traditional Drum Performance, Tang Dynasty Show, Shanghai Acrobatics Show
• Comprehensive sightseeing as noted
• Special cultural activities: Old town, artist at work, local family visit
• On board activities: Small group excursions, traditional performances and entertainment, Tai Chi lessons, Chinese language lesson, educational lectures, captain’s cocktail party, farewell banquet
Day 1 • Depart USA
Depart the USA and cross the international dateline.
Day 2 • Arrive Beijing
You will check into your luxury accommodations.
Day 3 • Beijing AB, L, D
This morning, see vast Tiananmen Square and the extravagant Ming-era Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City, including the jewelry section. After lunch, visit the elegant Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the largest imperial garden in the world. The grounds include over 3,000 structures with a variety of pavilions, towers and arched bridges surrounding Lake Kunming with boat ride (weather permitting). Tonight, attend a Beijing Duck dinner.
Day 4 • Beijing AB, L, D
A highlight of your trip today as you visit the renowned Great Wall. On the way, if traffic allows, stop to photograph the iconic “Bird’s Nest”– the Beijing National Stadium–host to many spectacular events of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Then arrive at the amazing Great Wall, and walk along its ramparts as emperors once did. After lunch, visit a Cloisonné Factory and observe the skilled artisans at work as they create intricate designs. This afternoon tour Beijing’s historic Hutong (“narrow lanes”) area by old-fashioned pedicab. Climb up the Drum Tower and see a traditional drum performance. Visit a local family living in a courtyard-style home known as a Siheyuan.
Day 5 • Beijing / Xi’an AB, DS
Fly to historic Xi’an, ancient capital of China and site of archeological treasures. This afternoon, explore Xi’an City Wall. Tonight, a special treat as you enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner and an entertaining show.
Day 6 • Xi’an / Chongqing AB, D
See the extraordinary Terra-Cotta legion of warriors, the bronze Chariot buried with the emperor for over 2,200 years, and the Circle Vision Movie. This afternoon, fly to Chongqing.
Day 7 • Chongqing / Cruise AB, L, D
After breakfast, board Victoria Cruises. This evening enjoy dinner on board the Victoria Prince.
Day 8 • Yangtze Cruise Qutang Gorge / Small Gorges Excursion / Wu Gorge / Xiling Gorge AB, L, D
Cruise through the first of the fabled Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge hemmed by mossy cliffs. At Wushan, sail up the Daning River via cruiser to view the dramatic Small Gorges. Continue by sampan to the picturesque mini-gorges of the Ma Du River with its clear, swift water, unusual rock formations, and monkeys and goats along the banks. Alternatively, your excursion may be on Shennong Stream with its impressive small gorges. Sail on downstream through scenic Wu Gorge, celebrated for its Twelve Peaks. Next, cruise into Xiling Gorge, the last and most scenic of all the gorges. This evening, pass through the amazing ship locks at the Three Gorges Dam.
Day 9 • Yangtze Cruise Xiling Gorge / San Dou Ping / Yichang AB, L, D
After breakfast, visit San Dou Ping to see the massive Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project. After your tour, board the ship at the eastern mouth of the Xiling Gorge, in Yichang.
Day 10 • Yangtze Cruise Wuhan AB, L, D
Arrive in Wuhan, a fusion of three cities spanning the Yangtze River. Disembark for a city sightseeing tour, including a visit to the Hubei Provincial Museum. Continue your downstream cruise later this afternoon.
Day 11 • Yangtze Cruise Guichi / Huangshan AB, L, D
The area around Guichi is well-known for its stunning natural beauty. Today’s memorable shore excursion takes you to spectacular Huangshan Mountain, revered throughout China. The area was named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its exceptional natural beauty and valuable habitat for rare and endangered species. Experience the feeling of walking into a living Chinese ink painting, as the sheer peaks and their breathtaking vistas unfold before you. Alternatively, depending on weather and road conditions, your visit may be to dramatic Jiuhuashan, the Mountain of the Nine Lotuses. Return to the ship and sail on from Guichi this evening.
Day 12 • Yangtze Cruise Nanjing AB, L, D
Arrive in Nanjing this morning, where your city tour visits Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and a Qing dynasty-style bazaar. Board your ship and continue sailing toward Shanghai.
Day 13 • Shanghai AB, L, D
Sail to Shanghai today, disembark and take a tour of the city. Sightsee Shanghai’s highlights: the Shanghai Museum, with an audio tour describing the special features of the museum’s permanent collections, Yu Garden, the Old Town, the city’s colonial European past at The Bund, the modern Xintiandi, and a renowned Shanghai silk carpet factory. After lunch, you will visit Children’s Palace or Urban Planning Center. Tonight after dinner, enjoy front section seating at an astonishing performance of the world-famous Shanghai acrobatic show.
Day 14 • Shanghai AB
Day at leisure to explore on your own, or enjoy an optional tour.
Day 15 • Journey Home AB
After breakfast, bid farewell to China. Perhaps you may choose to extend your trip with a post tour to Hong Kong or Vietnam or Bangkok.
These or similar category hotels:
• The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Beijing – Chaoyang District
• Shangri-La Hotel, Xian – Xian
• JW Marriott Hotel, Chongqing – Chongqing
• Victoria Cruises –
• The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai – Shanghai
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Tour Type: Air and land package
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