Fully Inclusive from the UK - Wendy Wu Tours

P12
Chinas
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2009
A once in a lifetime experience to view the longest total eclipse of
the 21st Century on 22 July 2009.
A total eclipse of the sun is one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena. As the earth slips into the
moon’s shadow, the sky darkens and an eerie twilight covers the land.This is the only time when the
sun’s atmosphere, the solar corona, is visible as a bright halo around the black disk of the moon.
Wendy Wu Tours is offering a number
of different options for viewing the
longest total solar eclipse this century.
On our very special China & Eclipse
Experience and Eclipse & Shanghai
Spectacular tours we will view the event
from the banks of the Qiangtang River.
We will also be running a number of our
classic itineraries that are timed to
coincide with the eclipse. These will
Hangzhou
allow observation from an
unobstructed site near to the cities of
Shanghai or Hangzhou, both of which
will experience totality for at least
5 minutes (weather permitting).
There is also the option for a four
day Eclipse Easy Stay in Shanghai,
which can be taken as a short break
on its own or combined with private
touring elsewhere in China.
For those on our very special China &
Eclipse Experience and Eclipse &
Shanghai Spectacular tours (pages 13-
14), top astronomy author Stuart Clark
will be with us in Hangzhou to share
his knowledge and experience as the
excitement builds before the big event.
To add to the anticipation he will make
a presentation and will also accompany
our groups to the Qiantang River
viewing site on Eclipse Day. Stuart has
written many astronomical books, is a
science advisor to the BBC and a
contributor to New Scientist. His book,
“The Sun Kings” was shortlisted by the
Royal Society for their best popular
science book prize. Find out more
about Stuart on his website
www.stuartclark.com.
What will happen during
the Total Solar Eclipse?
Experience uninterrupted views and
5 minutes and 40 seconds of totality
(weather permitting). Totality will occur at
0938 and at an altitude of 57 degrees.
At about 1230 witness the world famous
Qiantang River Tidal Bore. The gravitational
pull of the moon and sun will create a
wave several metres high as the high tide
penetrates the relatively narrow river mouth.