Early Booking Discount : $200.00 / person
If booked before 12/15/2008
Tour Code: CEAU
TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1 USA - Shanghai
Your Ritz Tours Premiere vacation begins as you check in and board the international jetliner. Your destination is China, the ancient Land of the Dragon. Cross the international date line and spend the night aboard the plane.
Day 2 Arrive Shanghai
The jetliner touches down in Shanghai, China's largest city with a population of over 20 million and also its center of commerce. After baggage retrieval, enter the arrival hall to meet your Ritz Tours national guide. As the motor coach traverses the busy roads of Shanghai, you note that the boulevards are filled with cars, bicycles and pedestrians. Check in to one of the most luxurious hotels in all of Shanghai, the famed St. Regis, and settle in for a night of pure rest and relaxation.
Day 3 Shanghai
Shanghai is at the forefront of China's booming economy. Thoroughly modern and sophisticated, Shanghai effortlessly blends the best of the East and West. Standing as a testament to the past international influences, the mile long stretch of road along the HuangpuRiver called "The Bund" features a bustling financial district lined by beautiful buildings of European heritage. The motor coach drives through Nanjing Road, a favorite shopping area for locals as evidenced by the throngs of shoppers on the streets. The group also visits Yu Garden, a classical Ming garden built by a wealthy businessman for his parents as an act of filial piety. Yu Garden is considered one of the four top Chinese gardens. After the city tour is completed, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Day 4 Shanghai - Yichang - Yangtze River Cruise
A morning visit to the ShanghaiMuseum has been planned. The museum has 120,000 pieces of art arranged in 11 different exhibits. Later in the day, board a flight to Yichang, the economic and cultural center of the western HubeiProvince. The group is picked up at the airport and transferred to the docks where the Victoria Cruise ship awaits your arrival; Victoria Jenna is the newest addition to the fleet and will be your home during the four nights of the Yangtze cruise. Once settled into the cabin, onboard entertainment abounds: Karaoke, bar, lectures, library, are all available for your enjoyment. In the evening, the Jenna sets sail up the mighty Yangtze.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Yangtze River Cruise
The day begins with your first shore excursion, a morning visit to the enormous Three Gorges Dam site at Sandouping, the largest of its kind in the world. Originally envisioned by Dr. Sun Yat Sen (the father of modern China), the completed Dam will control the annual floodwaters that devastate the YangtzeValley. Re-boarding the ship, sail on through the Three Gorges ship locks and continue on through Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Yangtze River Cruise
The Anna arrives at Wushan where the group disembarks to board smaller vessels which affords access to the Lesser Gorges through either DaningRiver or Shennong Stream. The smaller vessels offer the opportunity to view picturesque rock formations, clear running water, and perhaps even monkeys and goats along the banks. Back aboard, the cruise ship gingerly navigates through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise
Depending largely on river conditions, the shore excursion today will be at one of two destinations: Fengdu or Wanzhou. Fengdu bears the nickname "GhostCity" as it contains numerous statues of devils and ghosts that roam the afterworld. Wanzhou is today a part of the greater ChongqingMunicipality, although it lies 143 miles away. By the time the Three Gorges Dam is completed, 47% of Wanzhou's old urban area will be submerged.
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise - Chongqing - Xian
All too soon, the Yangtze River adventure is at an end as the ship pulls into the docks at Chongqing. Head into town for a lunch of local spicy Sichuan fare and head to Xian by airplane later in the afternoon. Xian is 5000 years old and has witnessed the full history of the Chinese civilization. It is a proud city that served as the capital of 13 dynasties and currently serves as the capital of ShaanxiProvince. The motor coach takes the group inside city limits for check in to one of Xian's newest and best hotels. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening. | |
Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel
Day 9 Xian
The highlight of your visit to Xian is the life-sized Terra Cotta Army of Qin Shi Huang. Unearthed some 2200 years after being buried with China's first emperor, the Terra Cotta Warriors were charged to protect Qin Shi Huang even in the afterlife. Three excavation pits have been open for the public to review the 7000 troops, horses and chariots in battle formation. A fourth pit is underway as the archaeological dig is an ongoing project. During your lunch break, a demonstration of the local noodle-making art is performed for all to see. Head back into town, stopping at the ancient City Wall complex of Xian and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The talented performers of the world famous Tang Dynasty Stage Show provide your evening entertainment tonight. Dinner is served at the show. Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Show Day 10 Xian - Beijing Depart Xian for your next destination Beijing, the capital city of China. Beijing was host city to last year's Summer Olympic Games and has undergone a tremendous facelift. The ancient and the modern coexist as towering skyscrapers can be found next to traditional homes. Get started with a tour to the Temple of Heaven, a religious structure built in the Ming Dynasty. Ruling the earth under the mandate of heaven, China's emperors came here each year to offer up prayer to the heavens for a successful harvest. Check in to your accommodations at one of Beijing's newest luxury five star properties to wash up before dinner. Tonight, you attend a Peking Duck feast featuring savory slices of duck prepared in the traditional Beijing fashion. Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Party Day 11 Beijing The feature attraction of Beijing is the Great Wall of China, a massive 4000 mile long defensive structure initially undertaken by China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang. The enormous undertaking was not completed until the Ming Dynasty in 1640. The Great Wall is one of the world's seven great man-made wonders and stands as a splendid tribute to the Chinese spirit. Descend the Great Wall to walk the nearby Sacred Way to the Ming Tombs. A visit to the Ming Tomb museum details how 13 emperors of the Ming dynasty were buried here. Returning to the city, wash up before taking dinner at a local restaurant. This evening's entertainment is a special performance of Chinese Acrobatics Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Show Day 12 Beijing A full day's city tour awaits you. Located at the center of the city, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden city are right across the street from one another. The 99 square acre Tiananmen square is the largest public square in the world. Finished in 1420, the Forbidden City was home to Ming and Qing emperors and their royal court; commoners were not allowed within is gates. The PalaceMuseum, containing numerous cultural artifacts, is located within the walls of the Forbidden City and will be visited as well. Rounding out today's city tour is the SummerPalace, the emperor's place of respite from the hot Beijing summers. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening. Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at hotel Day 13 Beijing A special local cultural experience is in store as you embark on an excursion to Old Beijing's Hutongs. The Hutongs are ancient narrow alleyways lined by the walls of siheyuan (local courtyard style abodes). Unfortunately, the number of hutongs and siheyuan is steadily diminishing in light of the city's rapid expansion. You'll be taken through the Hutongs by pedicab, stopping for a home visit to a local siheyuan. Lunch is actually served by the hosts in their home. The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure. | | Meals: American Breakfast, Lunch Day 14 Beijing - USA Sadly, your Majestic Yangtze vacation is over all too soon as the group transfers to the airport to go home. Board the homebound international widebody jetliner to re-cross the international date line and arrive back at home. | | Meals: American Breakfast | |
Dates & Tour Costs (Per Person):
Departure
| Return
| Air & Land from LAX/SFO
| Single
Supplement |
04/26/2009 | 5/9/2009 | $3999.00 | $1500.00 |
05/03/2009 | 5/16/2009 | $4099.00 | $1600.00 |
05/10/2009 | 5/23/2009 | $4099.00 | $1600.00 |
05/17/2009 | 5/30/2009 | $4099.00 | $1600.00 |
05/24/2009 | 6/6/2009 | $4099.00 | $1600.00 |
05/31/2009 | 6/13/2009 | $4099.00 | $1600.00 |
06/07/2009 | 6/20/2009 | $4199.00 | $1500.00 |
06/21/2009 | 7/4/2009 | $4199.00 | $1500.00 |
07/05/2009 | 7/18/2009 | $4199.00 | $1500.00 |
07/19/2009 | 8/1/2009 | $4199.00 | $1500.00 |
08/02/2009 | 8/15/2009 | $4199.00 | $1500.00 |
08/16/2009 | 8/29/2009 | $4099.00 | $1500.00 |
09/06/2009 | 9/19/2009 | $4299.00 | $1700.00 |
09/13/2009 | 9/26/2009 | $4299.00 | $1700.00 |
09/20/2009 | 10/3/2009 | $4299.00 | $1700.00 |
09/27/2009 | 10/10/2009 | $4299.00 | $1700.00 |
10/04/2009 | 10/17/2009 | $4299.00 | $1700.00 |
10/11/2009 | 10/24/2009 | $4299.00 | $1700.00 |
10/18/2009 | 10/31/2009 | $4299.00 | $1700.00 |
10/25/2009 | 11/7/2009 | $4199.00 | $1600.00 |
11/01/2009 | 11/14/2009 | $4099.00 | $1500.00 |
11/08/2009 | 11/21/2009 | $4099.00 | $1500.00 |
11/15/2009 | 11/28/2009 | $3999.00 | $1500.00 |
* Prices listed are for Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) departure
* Fuel surcharge and taxes apply and are additional
Tour Package Features:
-- Premiere Hotel Accommodation
Shanghai 每 St.RegisHotel
Yangtze River 每 Victoria Jenna
Xian 每 Sofitel Hotel
Beijing 每 SofitelWandaHotel
-- Fine Dining
Meals provided as specified in itinerary
Full American or buffet breakfast daily at hotels
Lunches at local restaurants
Western or Chinese dinners in hotels, or dinner party and show at local restaurants
Local Specialties: Peking Duck Feast in Beijing, Imperial Dumpling Banquet in Xian
-- Special Entertainment
Victoria Cruises 每 Cultural Lectures, Lessons & Shows
Xian 每 Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
Beijing 每 Hutongs Pedicab
-- Transportation
Round trip transpacific air based on Air China
China domestic air tickets
Comfortable air-conditioned tour coach with professional service of experienced drivers
-- Sightseeing
Comprehensive sightseeing program
Experienced and knowledgeable tour manager escorts the group throughout China
Specialist local guides added in major cities
-- Travel Protection
Travel Protection is provided at no additional charge if final payment is received 60 days prior to departure date.
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feel free to contact us at 1-800-865-6221 or email to
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