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

Day 9 | Cruising the Yangtze River, Yichang BB, L, D
Day 11 | Cruising the Yangtze River BB, L F
Featured Excursion: Three Gorges Dam 7 2 b
Featured Excursion: Fengdu 6 3
Today you’ll sail through the dramatic shoals and verdant cliffs
of Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the famed Three
Gorges, with cliffs that rise around you to heights of up to
4,000 feet (1,219 m).
You’ll begin your day with a visit to the site of the Three Gorges
Dam—the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. After more
than a decade of construction, the dam body was finished in
2006 (though the final components of the dam’s underground
power plant are not expected to become fully operational until
around 2012). The Three Gorges Dam harnesses the power
of the mighty Yangtze in order to provide electricity to evergrowing
China. In addition, the dam is designed to provide
relief from the loss of life and property previously caused
by frequent flooding in many riverside cities.
Then, return to your ship to sail through the Three Gorges Dam
five-stage ship locks, an engineering marvel that is sure
to impress.
Day 10 | Cruising the Yangtze River BB, L, D
Today, you’ll visit the bank-side town of Fengdu. This “City of
Ghosts” is famous for its gardens, temples, and statues of
ghosts, all modeled after the Chinese Hell in Taoist mythology.
A place of pilgrimage for nearly 2,000 years, Fengdu became
an island accessible only via the Yangtze after the construction
of the Three Gorges Dam. Tonight enjoy the Captain’s Farewell
Dinner. After dinner, enjoy “Emperor and Empress night,”
where you can try on traditional costumes of Chinese royalty
and have your picture taken.
Day 12 | Chongqing, fly to Xi’an e b d BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: Chongqing city tour, Chongqing Zoo
and giant panda visit, and traditional dumpling dinner in
Xi’an 8 1 b f
Disembark in the morning in Chongqing, the “Mountain City,”
which is located right in the middle of China. Here, you enjoy
a tour of the city, and if time allows, we’ll stop briefly at the
Chongqing Zoo for a glimpse of some cuddly but endangered
giant pandas.
Wonders of China & the Grand Yangtze
Featured Excursion: Lesser Gorges 7 1 S p
Today’s journey will take you through Wu Gorge. In the
afternoon, you’re in for a real treat. You’ll board a riverboat
and embark on a voyage through the enchanting Lesser
Gorges of either the Daning River or Shennong Stream. This
intimate encounter with the area’s striking scenery is truly a
once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Then, return to your cruise ship and continue down the Yangtze.
Today’s journey will take you through Quatang, whose stunning
scenery is justly celebrated as some of the most beautiful in all
of China.
An unforgettable Crew Cabaret is waiting for you in the evening.
Then it’s on to storied Xi’an. Known in ancient times as
Changan, Xi’an served as capital city to some of China’s most
important dynasties, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and
Tang. It is currently the capital of Shaanxi province. Xi’an is
also the eastern terminus of the famous Silk Road, a fact
that accounts for the city’s long history of prosperity and
exceptional cultural production.
Spend your first evening in Xi’an savoring a sumptuous
traditional dumpling dinner at a local restaurant.
Wonders of China & the Grand Yangtze
70 uniworld.com Uniworld 71