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

Day 13 | Xi’an BB, L, D
Day 15 | Beijing BB, L, D
Wonders of China & the Grand Yangtze
Featured Excursions: Terra Cotta Warriors, City Wall, and
Tang Dynasty dinner and performance 8 2 b f p
Xi’an was once one of the largest and most cultured cities in
the world, but today most visitors come to see the site of one
of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th
century: the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. 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
a jade factory and store. After the jade factory, you will go
to Xi’an’s massive City Wall, the oldest and best-preserved
surviving city wall in China. In the evening, indulge in a Tang
Dynasty dinner and cultural performance featuring music,
dance, and traditional costumes. The Tang Dynasty is
remembered as the most progressive and prosperous era in
the history of China, and Tang Dynasty music and dance
symbolize the splendor and glory of the Chinese civilization.
Day 14 | Xi’an, fly to Beijing b d BB, L, D
Featured Excursion: Summer Palace 8 2 b S
Today, you’ll depart China’s ancient capital city and fly to its
current capital: Beijing! Your stay in Beijing will begin with
a visit to one of the city’s most beautiful historic gems—the
Summer Palace and the Imperial Gardens, which is one of the
world’s largest and best-preserved imperial gardens. In 1998,
UNESCO designated the Summer Palace a World Heritage
Site, noting that it is “an outstanding expression of the creative
art of Chinese landscape garden design, incorporating the
works of humankind and nature in a harmonious whole.”
You’ll take a boat ride on the lovely Kunming Lake, where
you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful natural elements of the
gardens as well as the graceful designs of the pavilions,
halls, palaces, temples, and bridges. Tonight, you will enjoy
a delicious dinner at your hotel.
Featured Excursions: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City,
Hutongs tour with home-hosted lunch, and Kung Fu show at
the Red Theater 8 2 b f p
Begin your first full day in Beijing with an exciting visit to
Tiananmen Square—the heart of Beijing and the largest
open city square in the world. Tiananmen Square has been
the site of many important events in China’s history. Among
the monuments in this area are Tiananmen Tower, the
Monument to the People’s Heroes, Mao Zedong Memorial
Hall, and the National Museum of China. You’ll pose for a
group souvenir photo of you and your travel companions in
Tiananmen Square. Then, walk through Tiananmen Gate,
which is the “Gate of Heavenly Peace,” the entranceway to
the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City is a 250-acre (97-hectare) complex of
palaces, pavilions, courtyards, and gardens. It’s the largest
and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world.
Construction of the palace began in 1406, and 24 emperors
have ruled China from within its walls.
Then it’s time to get an authentic taste of old Beijing. Ride in
a rickshaw for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hutongs—the
ancient lanes and alleyways located 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 a traditional Chinese
lunch with a local family. You will also visit a carpet factory
before dinner.
You’ll end your day with an evening at spectacular Kung Fu
show. The best Kung Fu practitioners from all over China
take part in this production. Their average age is just 17! The
costumes, set design and special effects are created by
some of the best stage directors and designers in China.
The performers are not only skilled in Kung Fu martial arts,
but are also trained in theatrical presentation. The dancers
and acrobats add new dimensions to the exploration of
the movements and discipline of Kung Fu. The action is
breathtaking and the drama is poignant.
Wonders of China & the Grand Yangtze
The show has English supertitles shown above the stage to
keep you informed of the story line. The actors do not speak;
the show is all Kung Fu, dance, and acrobatics. It is the fusion
of modern dance with Chinese traditional arts that makes this
performance unique and spectacular.
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