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Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Days 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 have a briefing on the journey ahead. Tonight we enjoy 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 – and infamous – Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City, seat of imperial power during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Tonight we savor a traditional Peking Duck dinner. B,D

Day 4: Beijing/Great Wall This morning we tour the splendid Temple of Heaven complex where China’s emperors once worshipped. Then this afternoon we encounter the Great Wall, the incredible collection of ancient defense installations (and UNESCO World Heritage site) that stretches almost 4,000 miles from the East China Sea to Central Asia and where we visit the Mu Tian Yu section by cable car. B,L

Day 5: Beijing Our day begins with a rickshaw ride through Beijing’s ancient back roads and alleys (hutongs). Here we visit the home of a local family for a rare glimpse of the traditional communal life­style that is fast disappearing. This afternoon we tour the Summer Palace, the former royal retreat with beautiful gardens and temples that is now a lovely park attracting both visitors and locals. Dinner tonight is on our own. B,L

Day 6: Beijing/Xian This morning we fly to Xian, arriving in time for a special dumpling lunch. Once among the world’s greatest cities, Xian devolved into a provincial backwater until the accidental discovery of the Terra Cotta Warriors in 1974 – considered among the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. This afternoon we tour Xian’s ­impressive nine-mile city wall and moat. Tonight we attend a Tang Dynasty dinner show. B,L,D

Day 7: Xian Our day begins at Wild Goose Pagoda (c. 652 AD), among China’s most acclaimed Buddhist temples. Then after lunch we visit the museum hous­ing the renowned Terra Cotta Warriors, the more than 7,000 life-sized soldiers created to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife. We see these astounding pieces, each with an individually sculpted face, stand­ing in military formation in three separate vaults. The entire complex is now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. B,L,D

Day 8: Xian/Chongqing This morning we fly to Chongqing, where we visit the zoo housing the beloved pandas, and the Stilwell Museum dedicated to World War II General Joseph Stilwell. Following dinner at a local restaurant, we board our Victoria Cruises ship and set sail this evening. B,L,D

Day 9: Yangtze Cruising – Shibaozhai/Qutang Gorge Prized for its haunting natural beauty, the Yangtze is one of the world’s busiest and longest (3,600 miles) rivers. Early this morning we visit the Red Pagoda in Shibaozhai, built in 1816 and a gem of Chinese architecture. Following an afternoon of lei­surely cruising we enter grand Qutang Gorge. B,L,D

Day 10: Yangtze Cruising – Lesser Gorges/Wu and Xiling Gorges/Three Gorges Dam Scenes from ancient Chinese scroll paintings come to life this morning as we dock in Wushan, board a small boat, and cruise along the Daning River or Shennong Stream to the stunning Lesser Gorges. We return to the ship for lunch as we enter tranquil Wu Gorge, considered the most beautiful of the Three Gorges. Late this afternoon we approach the locks of 42-mile Xiling Gorge, with swift rapids and churning whirl­pools. Partway through the gorge we enter the locks of the Three Gorges Dam for the fascinating three-­hour transit. B,L,D

Day 11: Yangtze Cruising – Three Gorges Dam/Xiling Gorges/Shanghai We tour the site of the immense Three Gorges Dam Project this morning then continue cruising through Xiling Gorge and Gezhouba Dam to Yichang. Here we disembark and fly to Shanghai, the “Paris of the East,” where we spend the next two days. B,L,D

Day 12: Shanghai Today we visit The Bund, Shanghai’s broad and bustling riverfront boulevard that once was the center of European influence in the Far East. We also call on the Children’s Palace, where young students study the arts; and peaceful Yu Yuan Gardens, a traditional Chinese garden whose plantings, courtyards, and pavilions create the illusion of mountains, caverns, and lakes. Tonight we attend a lively Chinese acrobatics show. B,L

Day 13: Shanghai This morning we tour the acclaimed Shanghai Museum, with its priceless collections of ancient Chinese bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy. Our afternoon is at leisure to explore on our own; perhaps to experience China’s free market economy on the pedestrian Nanjing Road shopping street … take a scenic boat ride along the Huangpu River that bisects Shanghai … or get a bird’s-eye view of the city from the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Tonight we toast our adventure at a farewell dinner. B,D

Day 14: Depart for U.S. We depart Shanghai for our return flights to the U.S. B

Included

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary
• 12 nights' accommodations: 3 nights aboard Superior First Class ship of Victoria Cruises; 9 nights in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels
• 30 meals: 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip, including 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 $200 Savings	Nov 4	Oct 21	Sep 16 Sep 23 Oct 7
Los Ang, San Fran	$2,995	$3,295	$3,395
Phoenix, Port (OR), Seattle	$3,195	$3,495	$3,595
Chi, Cleve, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, New York	$3,295	$3,595	$3,695
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Miami, Minn, Orlando, Phil, Tampa, Wash, DC	$3,395	$3,695	$3,795

 

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 $995 Nov; $1,195 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: $2,695; from Chicago, Washington DC: $2,995. Airline taxes and departure fees of $397 per person are subject to change and will be listed separately on your invoice.

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

Hotels

Hotels & Ratings

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Beijing 2-5 Beijing Renaissance Beijing Deluxe 6-7 Xian Sheraton Xian Sup. First Class 8-10 Yangtze Cruise Victoria Cruises Sup. First Class 11-13 Shanghai Hilton Shanghai Deluxe 15 Depart Shanghai for U.S.

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