Travel Idea:
Best of China
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Length of trip:
15 days
Approximate price of this trip per person:
from $ 1999 to $ 2399
Best travel dates to go:
Jun 18, 2008 to Jul 02, 2008; Sep 10, 2008 to Sep 23, 2008; Oct 29, 2008 to Nov 12, 2008; Oct 01, 2008 to Oct 15, 2008; Jul 16, 2008 to Jul 30, 2008; Oct 15, 2008 to Oct 29, 2008; Sep 24, 2008 to Oct 08, 2008; Nov 05, 2008 to Nov 19, 2008;
Detailed Description of this trip:
Along with Beijing, Xian and our deluxe 5 day Yangtze Cruise on board the MS Victoria Empress, the highlight of this program is the addition of 2 nights in Guilin featuring a sailing down the mystical Li River and the "Window to the West", Guangzhou! First class all the way! It is also the choice itinerary for adding our 2 night Hong Kong extension at the end – for a truly Best of China experience!
This Trip is Recommended for:
Tags:
Cruise Vacation, Cruise, Cruising, Adventure Tour, Exploration, Yangtze Cruise, Sightseeing Tour, Adventure Travel, Excrusion,
Trip Properties:
- Specialty: Family Trip, Group Retreat, Trip Around World,
- Activity: Sailing, Beach, Food, Relaxation, Shopping, Museums, Performing Arts, Sightseeing,
Trip Itinerary:
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Day 1 - On the Plane
USA-Beijing.
Commercial Flight
Overnight flights to China.
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Day 2 - Beijing
Arrival in Beijing.
Arrive in China’s capital and transfer to your first class hotel.
Food and Dining
Meals are on your own today.
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Day 3 - Beijing
Sightseeing
Morning city tour to the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Food and Dining
Lunch is on your own. The evening is reserved for your special Peking Duck Dinner. (B, SD)
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Day 4 - Beijing
Sightseeing
This morning you will depart for an excursion to the Great Wall, where lunch will be served after the tour. On your way back you will be visiting a jade factory.
Sightseeing
The remainder of the afternoon is free and dinner is on your own.
Optional
Performing Arts
Peking Opera in the evening. (B, L)
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Day 5 - Beijing
Sightseeing
Today we head to the old Hutong District of Beijing where you will enjoy a rickshaw-ride which will take you to visit a local Chinese family who will cook and share their lunch with you.
Shopping
After that pay a visit to the Silk Market.
Relaxation
The rest of the day is at leisure and dinner is on your own.
Optional
Performing Arts
Summer Palace and evening Folk Dance Dinner Show available. (B, L
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Day 6 - Yichang
Beijing - Yichang.
Commercial Flight
Fly to Yichang in the morning.
Food and Dining
Here you spend the day and have lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
River or Barge Cruise
Embark on your deluxe “floating hotel” for check-in and overnight. (B, L, D)
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Day 7 - At Sea
Visit Three Gorges Dam.
Sightseeing
After breakfast, enjoy your excursion to the Three Gorges Dam.
River or Barge Cruise
Upon returning to the ship, set sail as you pass through the gigantic locks on your way through the first of the three large Gorges - the Xiling Gorge. (B, L, D)
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Day 8 - At Sea
Shennong Stream/Daning River.
River or Barge Cruise
Pass through the Wu Gorge and enjoy a special treat: embark on small motorized sampans for an excursion along either the the Shennong Stream or Daning River, both tributaries of the Yangtze. There you will have the opportunity to view unique flora and fauna, the 1000 year old “hanging coffins” of the ancient Ba people and also stop and visit local villages.
Sailing
In the afternoon continue sailing through the Qutang Gorge.
Food and Dining
Enjoy our special Crew Revue after dinner! (B, L, D)
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Day 9 - At Sea
Shibaozhai/Fengdu.
Sightseeing
Today make a stop at either Shibaozhai or Fengdu, both typical Yangtze riverside towns where your tour will highlight all of the local attractions.
Food and Dining
Then, as you sail on, prepare for our Captain’s Farewell Dinner followed by a Karaoke party. (B, L, D)
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Day 10 - Chongqing
Chongqing - Xian.
Sightseeing
Arrive in Chongqing, where you disembark, and your China adventure continues by land. Stop at the Panda Exhibit and the "Grand Hall" featuring Chinese paintings before flying to Xian.
Commercial Flight
Fly to Xian.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Food and Dining
Dinner is on your own tonight. (B, L)
-
Day 11 - Xian
Museums
This exciting day will begin with a tour of the magnificent History Museum, where the 8000 Terra-Cotta Warriors of the emperor Qi have been buried for over 2000 years!
Sightseeing
You will have lunch at the museum and afterwards visit a lacquer ware factory.
Performing Arts
The evening is reserved for a fabulous Tang Dynasty dinner and show. (B, L, SD)
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Day 12 - Guilin
Xian-Guilin.
Commercial Flight
Fly to Guilin in the morning.
Sightseeing
Upon arrival you will visit Fubo Hill and Elephant Trunk.
Hotel
Check into your first class hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
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Day 13 - Guilin
Sailing
Today you will sail down the magnificent Li River.
Sightseeing
On your way back to Guilin, visit a pearl workshop.
Performing Arts
Enjoy dinner with a show at the Minority Performance Theater. (B, L, SD)
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Day 14 - Guangzhou
Guilin- Guangzhou.
Commercial Flight
After breakfast, board your morning flight to China’s “window to the west” Guangzhou.
Sightseeing
On arrival, enjoy a half day tour of this bustling city including a visit to the memorial complex of Dr. Sun-Yat- sen, known as the Father of China.
Food and Dining
End the day with a special farewell dim-sum dinner at a local restaurant. (B, SD)
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Day 15 - Guangzhou
Guangzhou – Home or Optional Extension to Hong Kong. (see below)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flights home or extend your China adventure by taking the 3 hour hydrofoil to Hong Kong (China services end with transfers to either the airport or port terminal). (B)
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Day 15 -Hong Kong Optional Extension - Guangzhou
Guangzhou - Hong Kong.
Hotel
On arrival to Hong Kong, transfer to your 4* hotel (Miramar or similar) for check-in. The balance of the day is free to explore your surroundings on your own. (B)
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Day 16 - Hong Kong Optional Extension - Hong Kong (SAR)
Sightseeing
Your half day tour will include stops at the renowned Stanley’s market and Floating village and a ride up magnificent Victoria Peak.
Shopping
The afternoon is free for bargain shopping at one of many nearby shops and markets.
Food and Dining
Dinner on own. (B)
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Day 17 - Hong Kong Optional Extension - Hong Kong (SAR)
Hong Kong – Home.
After breakfast, with empty pockets but a suitcase full of memories, transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)
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