Early Booking Discount: $150.00/person
If booked before 12/15/08
Tour Code: CEAR
TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1 USA-Beijing
Your China and Yangtze vacation begins as you check in for the flight bound for Beijing. The wide body jetliner will traverse the expansive Pacific Ocean and cross the international date line to arrive in China
Day 2 Arrive-Beijing
Touch down in Beijing, the capital city of China. After retrieving your bags and clearing customs, you are met by the Ritz Tours representative in the arrival hall and transferred to the luxuriously appointed accommodations for check in. With a population of over 1.3 billion, China is the most populous nation in the world. The general consensus is that China's explosive economy and rapid increases in research and development make it an emerging superpower.
Day 3 Beijing
Located exactly in the middle of Beijing, the Forbidden City was the imperial palace to the emperor and his royal court. Covering a vast, expansive 74 hectares, it stands as the world's largest palace complex; it was home to Ming and Qing emperors from 1420 to 1924, when the last emperor Puyi abdicated the throne. Commoners were not allowed onto its grounds. Right across the street is another "world's largest" - Tiananmen Square. Walk off your lunch with a stroll along LakeKunming at the SummerPalace, the emperor's escape from Beijing's summer heat. Tonight, you attend a special Peking Duck Feast, savoring the tasty morsels of duck prepared in the traditional local style.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Party
Day 4 Beijing
The Great Wall of China embodies the magnificence and resilience of Chinese Culture. Spanning thousands of miles across five provinces and two autonomous regions, the Great Wall holds distinction as one of the seven great man-made wonders of the world. It is the centerpiece of any tour to China and today you spend abundant time atop its ancient walkways. The tour continues as the motor coach takes the group to the Ming Tomb museum. Take a walk along the Sacred Way where visitors can experience the path which Ming emperors took their final journey to the heavens. Upon returning to the city, dinner is served at the hotel.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Day 5 Beijing
The entire day has been set aside for you to use as you wish. No sightseeing has been planned so take the opportunity to explore Beijing at your own pace. If desired, an optional tour to Old Town Beijing is available. For this tour, a pedicab takes you through the famously narrow, winding "hutongs" of the OldTown, stopping at the actual siheyuan (traditional Beijing-style home) of a local resident for a home visit including lunch.
Meals: American Breakfast
Day 6 Beijing -Yichang -Yangtze River Cruise
The last sightseeing stop before departing Beijing for Yichang by air is the Temple of Heaven. The emperor was considered to be the "son of Heaven." Accordingly, the Temple of Heaven was where they came each year to pray for the coming harvest and pay homage to the heavens. Yichang is the economic and cultural center of China's HubeiProvince and serves as the starting point of your Yangtze adventure. Upon arrival you are transferred to the docks where the Victoria Cruise ship awaits. The ship embarks upstream on your Yangtze adventure.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise
The cruise ship's first stop is at SanDouPingVillage where the group disembarks to experience firsthand the massive Three Gorges Dam Project. An engineering project of unrivalled scale, the Three Gorges Dam will curb the devastating floods of the Yangtze and provide new hydroelectric power to the Yangtze RiverValley. Re-board later as the ship sails through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges at 41 miles long and also its highest (4000 feet).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise
Disembark at Wushan to board smaller vessels for a leisurely ride through DaningRiver to access the Lesser Gorges, which offers picturesque rock formations, clear running waters, and even monkeys and goats along its banks. Depending on river conditions, Shennong Stream may be visited instead of DaningRiver. Reboard the Victoria cruise ship as she sails through Wu Gorge, renowned for its quiet beauty, and Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. | |
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Yangtze River Cruise
Today's shore excursion will occur either at Fengdu or Wanzhou, largely dependent on local river conditions. Fengdu is known as the "GhostCity" and is the depiction of the after-life as envisioned by the ancients. Wanzhou is known as the gateway to the EasternSichuanProvince
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise -Chongqing -Xian
Sadly, the Yangtze River Cruise portion of your tour ends upon arrival at Chongqing this morning. Head into town for a brief tour of this important mountain city located the SichuanProvince. Sichuan cuisine is famous for its scorching hot Chongqing is the country's largest municipality and is one of just four cities that enjoys special provincial status. Board a flight to Xian, the much celebrated starting point of the famed Silk Road. On the way into town, drive by the well-preserved ancient City Wall. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Day 11 Xian
Xian was the former capital of China and enjoys a long and storied history. More recently, the accidental 1974 unearthing of Qin Shi Huang's Terra Cotta Army ranks as one of the world's most significant archeological discoveries and is the first stop of today's tour. The magnificent Terra Cotta Army features over eight thousand soldiers and horses standing in battle formation. After reviewing the troops at the three excavation pits, head back into town to tour the City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Tonight's schedule is abundant as a delicious Imperial Dumpling Banquet has been prepared for dinner. After dinner, attend the Tang Dynasty Stage Show, an internationally renowned performance which capture the imagination
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Show
Day 12 Xian -Guilin
Depart Xian for Guilin, regarded by many to be China's most picturesque city. The history of Guilin dates back to 111 BC under the reign of Han emperor Wu. A famous Chinese saying evokes praise: "Guilin's scenery is unmatched under heaven." Upon arrival the group takes a tour around town, stopping at Elephant Trunk Hill (it resembles the silhouette of an elephant) and the Reed Flute Cave, marveling at the unearthly stalactite and stalagmite formations inside. Dinner is served at the hotel.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Day 13 Guilin
Along the stretch of the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo, towering karst peaks rise straight up to the sky and serene mountains provide a fitting complement to the beautiful water. As you cruise down the Li River, you may see cormorant birds streak down from the sky into the waters below, emerging with fish in their beaks. Lunch is served aboard the river boat. Return to Guilin by motor coach where tonight you attend a special Chinese ethnic Minority Folk Dance show.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Show
Day 14 Guilin -Shanghai
Board a short flight to Shanghai, China's most populous city and its economic heartbeat. As the motor coach drives around the city, it's hard to believe that this once sleepy fishing town would grow into a busy seaport and become China's embodiment of cosmopolitan grandeur. It is an international city where visitors can clearly see the vestiges of old being blended with Western culture. The motor coach will drive by Nanjing Road, the quintessential shopping street for locals, and then proceed to the waterfront Bund. Time permitting, we will also visit the Yu Garden; if not, then tomorrow. Check in to the hotel to wash up before dinner.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Day 15 Shanghai
After breakfast, the motor coach takes you to the world famous ShanghaiMuseum. Spend the entire morning perusing 12 exhibits housing the 120,000 pieces of Chinese relics including collections of ancient bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, sculptures and coins. The afternoon is free at leisure and lunch is on your own. If you desire, you may choose either to stay at the museum for the duration of the day, walk to nearby Nanjing Road for some last minute souvenir shopping, or head back to the hotel to take advantage of the luxury amenities. Tonight, the group convenes for dinner followed by Chinese Acrobatics Show to round out the evening. | |
Meals: American Breakfast, Dinner show
Day 16 Shanghai -USA
Bid a fond farewell to China and the Yangtze River as you board your homebound international flight. | |
Meals: American Breakfast
Dates & Tour Costs (Per Person):
Departure Date | Return Date | Air & Land from
LAX/SFO | Single
Supplement |
03/21/2009 | 4/5/2009 | $3399.00 | $1000.00 |
04/11/2009 | 4/26/2009 | $3499.00 | $1000.00 |
04/18/2009 | 5/3/2009 | $3499.00 | $1000.00 |
04/25/2009 | 5/10/2009 | $3499.00 | $1000.00 |
05/02/2009 | 5/17/2009 | $3599.00 | $1000.00 |
05/09/2009 | 5/24/2009 | $3599.00 | $1000.00 |
05/16/2009 | 5/31/2009 | $3599.00 | $1000.00 |
05/23/2009 | 6/7/2009 | $3599.00 | $1000.00 |
05/30/2009 | 6/14/2009 | $3599.00 | $1000.00 |
06/06/2009 | 6/21/2009 | $3699.00 | $900.00 |
06/20/2009 | 7/5/2009 | $3699.00 | $900.00 |
07/04/2009 | 7/19/2009 | $3699.00 | $900.00 |
07/18/2009 | 8/2/2009 | $3699.00 | $900.00 |
08/01/2009 | 8/16/2009 | $3699.00 | $900.00 |
08/15/2009 | 8/30/2009 | $3699.00 | $900.00 |
08/29/2009 | 9/13/2009 | $3699.00 | $900.00 |
09/05/2009 | 9/20/2009 | $3799.00 | $1100.00 |
09/12/2009 | 9/27/2009 | $3799.00 | $1100.00 |
09/19/2009 | 10/4/2009 | $3799.00 | $1100.00 |
09/26/2009 | 10/11/2009 | $3799.00 | $1100.00 |
10/03/2009 | 10/18/2009 | $3799.00 | $1100.00 |
10/10/2009 | 10/25/2009 | $3799.00 | $1100.00 |
10/17/2009 | 11/1/2009 | $3799.00 | $1100.00 |
10/24/2009 | 11/8/2009 | $3699.00 | $1100.00 |
10/31/2009 | 11/15/2009 | $3699.00 | $1100.00 |
11/07/2009 | 11/22/2009 | $3599.00 | $1000.00 |
11/14/2009 | 11/29/2009 | $3599.00 | $1000.00 |
11/21/2009 | 12/6/2009 | $3499.00 | $1000.00 |
* Prices listed are for Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) departure
* Fuel surcharge and taxes apply and are additional
Tour Package Features:
-- All five star hotels for your comfort
Beijing 每 Renaissance Capital Hotel
Yangtze River 每 Victoria Katarina
Xi'an 每 Hyatt Regency Hotel
Guilin 每 Lijiang Waterfall Hotel
Shanghai 每 Swissotel Grand
-- Full American or buffet breakfast daily in hotels or on the cruise
-- Lunches at local restaurants
-- Chinese or western dinners in hotels, local restaurants, or on the cruise
-- Local specialties for your delight
Beijing 每 Peking Duck Banquet
Chongqing 每 Spicy Chongqing Cuisine
Xi'an 每 Imperial Dumpling Banquet
-- Special entertainment
Victoria Cruise 每 Lectures on Chinese History and Culture, Taichi Lessons, Evening Shows
Xi'an 每 Tang Dynasty Stage Show
Guilin 每 Minority Folk Dance Show
Shanghai 每 Chinese Acrobatics Show
-- Round trip international air ticket
-- China domestic air tickets
-- Comprehensive sightseeing program
-- Knowledgeable tour guide service throughout China
-- Travel Protection Insurance is provided at no additional charge if final payment is received 60 days prior to departure date
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payment, trip cancellation, please refer to the Terms &
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| For more information, please
feel free to contact us at 1-800-865-6221 or email to
us at info@chinacustomtours.com
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