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Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Beijing, China

Day 2: Arrive Beijing We arrive in the Chinese capital and transfer to our hotel. After time to relax we gather for a briefing on the journey ahead followed by dinner together at the hotel. D

Day 3: Beijing After time to rest this morning, mid-day we begin our discovery of this 2,000-year-old city at vast Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City, seat of imperial power during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Tonight we savor a traditional Peking Duck dinner at a local restaurant. B,D

Day 4: Beijing/Great Wall This morning we tour the splendid Temple of Heaven complex, where China’s rulers once worshipped. After lunch we visit the Great Wall, the network of ancient defense install­ations that stretches almost 4,000 miles from the East China Sea to Central Asia. B,L

Day 5: Beijing This morning we enjoy a small group highlight, as we ride rickshaws through Beijing’s an­cient back roads and alleys (hutongs) and enjoy a home visit, giving us a glimpse of the traditional communal lifestyle. Then we visit the Summer Palace, the former royal retreat that is now a lovely park. B,L

Day 6: Beijing/Xian We fly this morning to Xian, a provincial backwater until the accidental discovery of the Terra Cotta Warriors in 1974. Upon arrival we tour the impressive nine-mile city wall and moat, then enjoy a special dumpling lunch. Next: Shanxi Provincial History Museum, with an acclaimed collection of historic and cultural artifacts. Tonight we attend a Tang Dynasty show and dinner. B,L,D

Day 7: Xian Our day begins with a visit to the revered Wild Goose Pagoda (c. 652 AD). After lunch we tour the museum housing the army of 7,000 life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors that had lain buried and forgotten for more than two millennia. B,L,D

Day 8: Xian/Chengdu We fly this morning to Cheng­du, where we visit the renowned Giant Panda Protection & Research Center, the only such panda ref­uge in the world. B,L,D

Day 9: Chengdu/Lhasa Early today we fly to Lhasa, Tibet’s capital and only major city. Sitting on a plateau between two Himalayan ridges, the Chinese province of Tibet covers an area as large as Western Europe. On the way to our hotel we stop to visit with a Tibetan family in their home. Since the altitude here is approx­imately 12,000 feet above sea level, we spend the remainder of the day acclimating. B,L,D

Day 10: Lhasa Our tour begins in the heart of the old city at Jokhang, Tibet’s holiest temple. Built in 647, Jokhang is an intriguing complex that attracts pil­grims day and night. Surrounding Jokhang is Barkhor, a plaza lined with chanting monks, street performers, and vendors. Later we tour the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas at Norbulinka; tonight, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. B,L,D

Day 11: Lhasa Opened to foreigners only since 1984, Tibet is a profoundly spiritual place where Buddhism has infused all aspects of life for 13 centu­ries. We see evidence of this at 17th-century Potala Palace, with 200,000 Buddha images and 1,000 rooms, some of which we explore this morning. This after­noon we visit the vast Sera Monastery. B,L,D

Day 12: Lhasa/Chongqing We depart for the flight to Chongqing, where we visit the Stilwell Museum commemorating WWII General Joseph Stilwell. ­Dinner tonight is at our hotel. B,L,D

Day 13: Chongqing/Dazu/Board Ship Today’s excursion features the Dazu Rock Carvings dating back more than a millennium – and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. These cliffside carvings ref­lect Buddhist teachings, tenets of Confucianism, and local folklore. Tonight we board our river ship and set sail downstream. B,L,D

Day 14: Yangtze Cruising – Wanxian or Fengdu Prized for its haunting natural beauty, the Yangtze is one of the world’s longest (3,600 miles) and busiest rivers. This afternoon we visit either the trading town of Wanxian, or the “ghost city” of Fengdu. B,L,D

Day 15: Yangtze Cruising – Qutang Gorge/Small Three Gorges/Wu Gorge/Xiling Gorge Today we pass through narrow Qutang Gorge then board a small sampan for a cruise through the stunning Small Three Gorges, among the most spectacular sights of our trip. Back aboard our Victoria Cruises ship this afternoon we enter tranquil Wu Gorge then cruise 41-mile Xiling Gorge. B,L,D

Day 16: Yangtze Cruising – Three Gorges Dam/Shanghai After visiting the site of the immense Three Gorges Dam we continue on to Yichang, where we disembark and transfer to the airport for the flight to Shanghai, the “Paris of the East.” B,L,D

Day 17: Shanghai Our day begins amidst the scenic pools and walkways of 16th-century Yu Yuan Garden, one of the few remaining vestiges of old Shanghai. We also visit the Bund, the broad avenue that’s a potent symbol of European influence; and the Children’s Palace, where young students study the arts. Tonight we attend a Chinese acrobatic show. B,L

Day 18: Shanghai This morning we visit the renowned Shanghai Museum, with its priceless collections of ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy. This afternoon is at leisure before tonight’s farewell dinner. B,D

Day 19: Depart for U.S. We depart for Shanghai for our return flight to the U.S. B

Please note: This trip involves full days of sightseeing and significant amounts of walking. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour. Lhasa’s altitude (12,090 feet) could pose problems for travelers with certain health conditions. You should consult with your physician if you have concerns.

Included

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary
• 17 nights' accommodations: 3 nights aboard Superior First Class ship of Victoria Cruises; 14 nights in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels
• 45 meals: 17 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 14 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip, including on shore excursions
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)

Dates and Prices

2009 Tour Dates & Prices

Prices Reflect $400 Savings	Nov 5	Apr 16 Oct 29	May 7 May 13 May 20 May 27 Aug 20 Oct 21	Jul 9 Sep 2 Sep 9 Sep 17 Sep 23 Oct 7
Los Ang, San Fran	$3,995	$4,295	$4,395	$4,595
Phoenix, Port (OR), Seattle	$4,195	$4,495	$4,595	$4,795
Chi, Cleve, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York	$4,295	$4,595	$4,695	$4,895
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Miami, Minn, Orlando, Phil, Tampa, Wash, DC	$4,395	$4,695	$4,795	$4,995

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in an outside cabin. Single travelers please add $1,195 Mar, Nov; $1,495 all other dates. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2009 tour prices above are guaranteed.

An overnight stay at the Doubletree San Francisco Air­port (upon departure or return) is available for $139 per person (single supplement:  $89). Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. departure cities may require an overnight stay at your expense.

Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Pacific flight from San Francisco: $7,995; from Chicago: $10,995. Air­line taxes and departure fees of $493 per person are sub­ject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.

Post-Tour Hong Kong Extension: $795 Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct; $595 all other dates. Single Supplement: $495 Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct; $395 all other dates. Land-only guests: add $200

Hotels

Hotels & Ratings

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Beijing 2-5 Beijing Beijing Marriott West Deluxe 6-7 Xian Sheraton Xian Sup. First Class 8 Chengdu Crowne Plaza Deluxe 9-11 Lhasa, Tibet Xin Ding Hotel First Class 12 Chongqing JW Marriott Deluxe 13-15 Yangtze Cruise Victoria Cruises Sup. First Class 16-18 Shanghai Hilton Shanghai Deluxe 19 Depart Shanghai for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.