2012 Cruise Companion and Shore Excursions - Uniworld River ...

Day 4 | Beijing, fly to Xi’an b d BB, L, D
Day 6 | Xi’an, fly to Hangzhou b d BB, L, D
Grand Asia & the Mekong
Featured Excursions: Hutongs tour with home-hosted lunch
and dumpling dinner in Xi’an 8 1 b f
You will visit a carpet factory, then see the pandas at the
Beijing Zoo, then you’ll get an authentic taste of old Beijing on
your last day in the city. Step back in time as you take a ride
in a rickshaw for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hutongs—
the ancient lanes and alleyways in the old residential area of
Beijing. The Hutongs, which have been around for more than
700 years, offer a fascinating glimpse of traditional Chinese
life and architecture—including the area’s famous courtyard
houses. While here, enjoy lunch with a local family. Later in
the day, fly to Xi’an, a legendary city known as the cradle
of Chinese culture, as well as home to one of the most
significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century—
the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. Spend your
first evening in Xi’an savoring a traditional dumpling dinner.
Day 5 | Xi’an BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: Terra Cotta Warriors, City Wall, and
Tang Dynasty dinner and performance 8 2 b f p
Xi’an was known in ancient times as Changan. Located along
the famous Silk Road and the capital of Shaanxi Province,
it was once one of the largest and most cultured cities in
the world. Today, most visitors come to see the site of the
life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses guarding the tomb
of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, one of the 20th-century’s biggest
archaeological finds. The 7,000-plus members of this massive
terra cotta army, which stands guard over the tomb of China’s
first emperor, were first discovered in 1974 by well-digging
farmers. You’ll be amazed by the intricacy of the life-sized
soldier and horse figures and the grandeur of the tomb complex
—only a small portion of which has actually been excavated.
After your exploration of these fabulous sculptures, you’ll
visit Xi’an’s massive ancient City Wall, the oldest and bestpreserved
surviving city wall in China. You will also have an
opportunity to visit a jade factory and store. In the evening,
indulge in a Tang Dynasty dinner and cultural performance
featuring music, dance, and traditional costumes. Xi’an
served as the capital city for 13 of China’s great dynasties,
and the Tang Dynasty is remembered as the most progressive
and prosperous era in the history of China. Tang Dynasty
music and dance symbolize the splendor and glory of the
Chinese civilization.
Featured Excursion: Lingyin Temple 8 2 b
Fly to Hangzhou—a city so lovely, none other than Marco
Polo pronounced it the finest and noblest in the world—and
transfer to your hotel on the banks of the incomparable West
Lake. In the afternoon, you will visit Lingyin Temple, one of
China’s oldest Buddhist temples and home to treasures of
Buddhist literature and art. Reflect on the more than 470
carved-stone Buddhist statues, some of which are up to
1,000 years old.
Day 7 | Hangzhou BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: West Lake boat ride and tea farm visit,
“Impressions West Lake” show 8 2 b p
Relax during a scenic boat ride on breathtaking West Lake,
where at every turn you’ll see images of such serene natural
beauty, they look like Chinese watercolors come to life.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, and possessing 10
legendary scenic spots, the lake is said to be the incarnation
of one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. In the afternoon,
enjoy a visit to a tea farm, where you’ll learn of the importance
of tea to Chinese culture for thousands of years and have a
tasting from the locally grown leaves.
In the evening thrill to the spectacular “Impressions West
Lake,” a multi-sensory performance combining light, water,
and hundreds of actors in a dazzling show based on a Hangzhou
legend and created by Zhang Yimou, one of China’s foremost
filmmakers and the creator of the Beijing Olympics’ stunning
opening ceremony.
Day 8 | Hangzhou, Wuzhen, Shanghai BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: Wuzhen 8 2 b
On the motorcoach ride to Shanghai you’ll stop at Wuzhen,
an ancient water town whose numerous canals make it “the
Venice of the East.” The houses that line the canals have a
charming look, with their white walls contrasting with black
tiles and oil-painted-timber framework. Continue on to Shanghai
for dinner at your hotel.
Grand Asia & the Mekong
38 uniworld.com Uniworld 39