*Tour Highlights: Beijing, Yichang, Three Gorge Cruise, Chongqing, Yangshuo(Guilin), Suzhou, Shanghai.
*Tour duration: 14 days (12 nights in China). (Subject to availability and rates).
This tour will provide special opportunities to participate in traditional Chinese culture, including meals at Chinese homes, tea ceremony, exploring 1.500 year old villages, and the 5 Star Cruise at the historic Three Gorges Dam, scheduled for 2009 completion, to see firsthand the changing face of China. We start in Beijing with its important historical and cultural sites, and end in Shanghai, China’s amazing city of contrasts. We also visit Suzhou, the Venice of China, with its Silk Factory and learn firsthand about the ancient art of silk weaving. Final stop is Shanghai, China’s ultramodern financial capital in amazing contrast with Old Shanghai.
Traveling by train and coach, we see the countryside up close. Tour is Sponsored by US China Peoples Friendship Association, USCPFA Palm Beach County Chapter and escorted by Joy Dupont, USCPFA Member, China Travel Specialist and student of Chinese language and culture, and hosted in China by Regent Tours. USCPFA is a nonprofit, educational people-to-people organization established in 1974.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Saturday, June 14: Depart USA En Route to China
Day 2, Sunday, June 15: Arrival in Beijing. Given time, visit Summer Palace, where Chinese emperors and his favorite concubines spent their summers. It is the largest imperial garden of its kind in the world and one of the four grandest gardens in China.
Day 3, Monday, June 16: Take the ride to the most scenic part of the Great Wall of China (Juyongguan Pass), and climb the part unknown to most tourists and enjoy the tranquility and peace on top. Each person will be granted a Wall Certificate after being witnessed climbing up to the first tower. En route, visit the unique craftsmanship - the cloisonné.
After lunch, visit the ancient De village and the Ming Tomb Surroundings. Dinner at the brilliant Bai Family restaurant, which will take you back to the 18th century, as you witness the dress, music, decor, welcome ceremony and servers - all presented in Qing dynasty style.
Day 4, Tuesday, June 17: This morning we visit the Temple of Heaven, the sacred place where Chinese emperors from 1420 till 1911 prayed for a good harvest twice each year respectively at Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice. Then visit the Pearl Market nearby to learn the knowledge of Chinese fresh water pearls.
Lunch followed by the visit to the Tian'an men Square, the largest city square in the world with the capability of holding three million people. We then walk through the Heavenly Peace Gate to the Forbidden City, also called Palace Museum, the world largest palace once home to 24 emperors in the Qing and Ming dynasties, containing 9999.5 rooms, and all newly renovated with glistening colors. Before leaving the territory of the Forbidden City, we enjoy the imperial tea ceremony at the former emperors' tea house. Peking Duck dinner followed by the famous Beijing Acrobatic Show or Chinese Kung Fu Show.
Day 5, Wednesday, June 18: Beijing fly to Yichang to catch the cruise.
Day 6, Thursday, June 19: Three Gorges Dam project - Shore excursion
Day 7, Friday, June 20: Passing through Wu Gorge, Xingling Gorge - Excursion to Shibaozhai
Day 8, Saturday, June 21: En Route on cruise - Shore excursion to Shennong Stream
Day 9, Sunday, June 22: Arrival in Chongqing, fly Yangshuo where you will experience one of the most magnificent, idyllic landscapes in China. Visit with a local farmer, Lucy, to guide us tot he most exciting part of the area. Lucy will greet us at the airport in Guilin and take us to Yangshuo where we will stay at the best local hotel, close to town, the 4star Paradesa. Dinner by the hotel.
Day 10, Monday, June 23: At 0600am in the morning we will follow Lucy to the riverside for the most tranquil bamboo-rafting along this breathtaking landscape. At 0900am we will return tot he hotel, shower and enjoy breakfast. Relax and enjoy the morning with a leisurely exploration of bustling Yangshuo & shopping.
At 11:30am we will bicycle with Lucy to her home in the village and enjoy a rustic lunch prepared by her husband in her three story house where you will see breathtaking views of the fields and hills of Yangshuo from the top balcony of her house. After lunch, bicycling back into the country roads and enjoy visiting with other local families before returning to your hotel. Dinner in a hotel followed by the optional grand show of " Liu San Jie".
Day 11, Tuesday, June 24: Yangshuo fly Shanghai, transfer to Suzhou. Suzhou is called “Garden City of China, Venice of the East".
Day 12, Wedneasday, June 25: Suzhou was a thriving trade route stop at the time of the Marco Polo's visits during the 13th century. Visit some of Suzhou's classical gardens - fusions of rock, water and architecture, reflecting beautiful pavilions and bridges and inviting contemplation. View the 53-arch Tang Dynasty stone bridge and visit the silk factory where silk is spun from cocoons. Ride to Shanghai later afternoon.
Day 13, Thursday, June 26: A leisurely stroll along the Bund along the river, where one could easily perceive the contrast of the old and new Shanghai. Enjoy the unique Mongolian BBQ lunch today at the Silk Carpet Factory. In the afternoon, visit the People's Square from where overlooking the fabulous Shanghai Opera House, Municipal Government Building and the City Planning Museum. From there we take a rather leisurely walk through the bustling Nanjing Shopping street. Dinner at the famous boat restaurant “Palace over Water" followed by the grandiose Huangpu River night cruise.
Day 14, Friday, June 27: Transfer to airport for flight home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Includes:
- 5 star hotel accommodations,
- 5 star cruise on Yangtze River Western Buffet
- Breakfasts in hotel or on cruise.
- Entrance, performances,
- Special meals.
- Chinese lunch and dinner,
- English speaking tour guide
- Domestic flights
- Domestic airport tax and fuel surcharge.
- Government tax
- Deluxe air-conditioned buses.
Not Included:
- International Airfare (arranged upon request)
- China Visa Fee $150 (1 year multiple entry visa)
- Personal expenses
- Tips to drivers & guide (suggested $10 per day)
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Cultural Journey
Food & Wine
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