CHINA
PANDAS, TIGERS, IMPERIAL CITIES and ANCIENT TREASURES
Especially Created for
AZAD
1st
Departure……October 09 – 23, 2008
2nd
Departure….October 16 – 30, 2008
$3,499
from San Francisco***
***Cost and itinerary are correct as of September 16,
2007
Limited to 20 Participants
Yangtze
River Cruise Optional Post Tour Available for $1,255.00
On this exciting
adventure to China, you will visit all the classic sites such as Tiananmen
Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Great Wall (UNESCO sites). Prepare to be floored when you visit the
unearthed Army of Terracotta Warriors at Xi’an.
Travel far into the countryside to zoom in on the giant pandas in the
wild. Cruise on the scenic Li River
where scenes from ancient Chinese paintings come alive. End your adventure in vibrant Shanghai, the
“Paris of the East” where you’ll visit the Bund, the
broad avenue that’s a potent symbol of European influence. Depart for home the day after your Farewell
Dinner and a thrilling performance by the famed Shanghai acrobats or begin your
Yangtze River Cruise post trip.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day
1 Thu West
Coast to Beijing
Board your jetliner
bound for Asia. Cross the International Date Line. Meals Aloft
Day
2 Fri Beijing
You
are met on arrival and escorted to your hotel – the Capital Hotel (new wing).
Capital
Hotel 5 star
A landmark on the
bustling East Qian Men Street in the heart of Beijing, it features 596
well-appointed guest rooms, 8 distinctive food and beverage outlets. Indoor pool, sauna, massage and fitness facilities.
Day
3 Sat Beijing
AB, L, DH
This
morning we begin our discovery of this 2,000 year old city at vast – and
infamous – Tian An Men Square. And the Forbidden City, seat of imperial
power during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 – 1911) where you will visit the
living quarters, museum, clock collection and jewelry section. This afternoon you will tour the Summer
Palace with a boat ride on Kunming Lake (weather permitting). This evening enjoy a
buffet dinner, at the hotel, that includes Western and Asian dishes.
Day
4 Sun Beijing AB, L
This
morning we drive to the Great Wall of China a UNESCO World Heritage site that
stretches almost 4,000 miles. We will visit the Mu Tian Yu section by cable
car. Lunch at the
Little Dragon Well Restaurant. This afternoon we will have a lecture by
an expert on wildlife conservation in China. Weather permitting we divide into
smaller groups to cruise Houhai Lake in boats hung with red lanterns. Dinner is
on your own this evening.
Day
5 Mon Beijing to Harbin AB, L, D
Visit
the Temple of Heaven, an exquisite example of Ming Dynasty architecture, set in
a vast park. In ancient times the Emperor came here to perform sacred rites
designed to promote a ‘good harvest’ or pray for divine intervention. Transfer to the airport for your flight to
Harbin. Dinner is in your hotel this evening.
Shangri-La
Harbin
Hotel 5 star
A
Spectacular landscape surrounds the Shangri-La Hotel. Sitting alongside the
scenic Songhua River, the hotel brings world-class facilities and Shangri-La
service to Harbin, indoor pool, sauna, massage and
fitness facilities.
Day
6 Tue Harbin to Xi’an AB, L, DH
Primary
sightseeing is Dongbei Hu Linyuan
(Siberia Tiger Park) you will see baby tigers, rare white tigers, lions and the
lion tiger. You will travel within the preserve in a coach and you are not
allowed to disembark. Only the staff can feed the animals. You will also have a presentation on this
tiger breeding conservation project.
Transfer to the airport, fly to Xi’an. Under current flight schedules,
flight departs at 4:15 pm (dinner on flight). Arrive in Xi’an at 9 pm and
transfer to the hotel.
Shangri-La
Golden Flower Hotel 5 star
Offering warm
Shangri-La service and Xian’s most spacious accommodations, the Shangri-La
Golden Flower, Xian is a restful luxury retreat in one of China’s ancient
capitals. Aerobics, indoor swimming, massage, Jacuzzi and
sauna.
Day
7 Wed Xian
AB, L, DS
Today
we visit the extraordinary Terra Cotta Warriors, the more than 7,000 life-sized
soldiers created to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife. Lunch is at
the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum where you will see a fascinating noodle making
demonstration. This afternoon we will visit the Shaanxi Provincial Historical
Museum this afternoon. An exclusive
visit to the museum’s private artifact room is included. Tonight enjoy a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show.
Day
8 Thu Xi’an to Wolong
Nature Preserve AB, L, DH
Fly
to Chengdu and continue along the scenic route to Wolong Nature Preserve.
Dinner is in your hotel tonight.
Wolong
Hotel 4 star is the best
available property in Wolong Nature Reserve.
All rooms have private bathrooms.
Day
9 Fri Wolong Nature
Preserve B, L, DH
Explore the preserve
reserved for the Giant Panda. You will hear
experts talk about the Panda and the efforts to preserve this habitat. A visit to the panda kindergarten is also
included. Enjoy a
guided walk through this lovely area.
Day
10 Sat Wolong
to Chengdu B, L
A leisurely drive
brings you to your centrally located hotel. The balance of the day is
free. Dine on your own this evening in
the hotel or in one of Chengdu’s famous restaurants.
Jin Jiang Hotel 5 star
Located
right in the heart of Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan. The Jin Jiang Hotel
Chengdu represents a special world of 5-star luxury in southwest China. Steeped
in history and striking in architecture, the hotel’s interior is elegantly
decorated and furnished with a full range of facilities and amenities.
Day
11 Sun Chengdu AB, L, DH
This morning you will
visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base More than 30 pandas
have been bred here. You will have the
opportunity to see a baby panda and perhaps even hold one. Visit the Sanxingdui Museum this afternoon.
Pre-dating the terra cotta army, this is one of China’s most exciting new
museums. Their huge cast bronzes and
gold leaf masks are unlike anything seen anywhere else in the world. Tonight enjoy a typical Sichuan performance
including puppets and the famed ‘Changing of the Masks’
Day
12 Mon Chengdu to Guilin AB, L,
D
Transfer to the
airport for your flight to Guilin. Visit Fubo Hill known as
Piled Silk Hill for a view of the city. (if time
permits).
Sheraton Guilin Hotel 5 star
Ideally located by
the Li River, the Sheraton Guilin lies in the heart of this enchanting
city. Swim laps in the outdoor swimming
pool. Or head to the gymnasium where you’ll find all the gear for your
cardiovascular training or simply toning your muscles. Sauna and massage
facilities are also available.
Day
13 Tue Guilin to Shanghai AB. L, D
Today you will enjoy
a deluxe air-conditioned boat cruise with lunch along the Li River where you
will absorb the valley’s exceptional beauty and scenes from ancient paintings
come alive. . You will go ashore at the market town of Yangshuo where you will
have time to browse (depending on flight departure) On
your return to Guilin you will transfer to the airport for your flight to
Shanghai. After arrival at the airport you will be driven to your hotel.
Le Royal Meridien Hotel 5 star Stylish and sophisticated with an
ultra-modern design, Le Royal Meridien Shanghai is one of the city’s tallest
landmarks at 66 stories high. Centrally located on historic Nanjing Road East, opposite the
People’s Square, and overlooking the Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Grand
Theater. All rooms provide a 42” plasma TV, rain shower, wireless and High Speed Internet Access, and
floor-to-ceiling/wall-to-wall windows and a separate sofa to ensure the utmost
comfort. There is an indoor pool, gymnasium and sauna.
Day
14 Wed Shanghai AB, L, DP
Our morning begins
with a visit to the local market, followed by a visit to the Shanghai Museum
with its world-class collection of bronzes and ceramics. Visit the Bund, the
old quarter and the Jade Buddha Temple. There is time for shopping on Taikang
Road (Shanghai’s SoHo) or other local markets before gathering for our farewell
dinner followed by a performance by Shanghai’s famed acrobats.
Day
15 Thu/Mon Shanghai to USA AB
Transfer to the
airport for your flight home or fly to Chongqing to begin your Yangtze River
extension. Those returning home cross the International Date Line and arrive
home the same day.
Meal Code: AB = American breakfast; L = Lunch
D = Dinner; BD = Buffet dinner
DH = Hotel
dinner; DP = Dinner Party
Yangtze River Cruise Optional Post Tour***
***All shore excursions are included
Day 15 Thu • SHANGHAI to
CHONGQING
This
evening, board your Victoria cruise ship and settle into your comfortable
outside cabin with balcony before beginning your memorable cruise downstream.
Day 16 Fri • YANGTZE
RIVER CRUISE: SHIBAOZHAI*
Today’s
shore excursion shows the magnificent 12-story wooden pagoda known as the
“Pearl of the Yangtze” in scenic Shibaozhai.
MEALS: American
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Alternate
shore excursion may visit Fengdu or Wanzhou.
Day 17 Sat • YANGTZE
RIVER CRUISE: QUTANG GORGE to DANING RIVER’S SMALL GORGES or SHENNONG STREAM/WU
GORGE/XILING GORGE
Cruise
through the first of the fabled Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge hemmed by mossy
cliffs. At Wushan, an excursion via cruiser takes you up the Daning River to
view the splendid Small Gorges. Alternatively, your excursion may be on
Shennong Stream with its famed small gorges. Sail on through Wu Gorge,
celebrated for its Twelve Peaks. Next sail through Xiling
Gorge, the last and most scenic of all the gorges. Finally, sail through
the Three Gorges Ship Lock.
MEALS:
American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 Sun • YANGTZE
RIVER CRUISE:
XILING
GORGE/SAN DOU PING to YICHANG to SHANGHAI
This
morning, stop at San Dou Ping for a shore excursion to see construction at the
massive Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project. Re-board the ship and pass through the lock
at Gezhou Dam. Cruise on to Yichang, where you disembark. Transfer to the airport for your flight to
Shanghai. Transfer to Le Royal Meridien or
similar
Day 19 Mon SHANGHAI to
USA
Transfer to Pudong
International Airport for your flight home.
Cross the International Date Line and arrive in the States the same day.