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

Splendors of China & the Grand Yangtze
Day 4 | Beijing, fly to Chongqing b d BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: Hutongs tour with home-hosted lunch
and Chongqing Zoo 8 1 b f
Today, you will visit a carpet factory, and then you’ll get an
authentic taste of old Beijing on your last day in the city.
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. Later in the day, you’ll
fly to Chongqing to visit the pandas. Enjoy dinner at the
hotel tonight.
Day 5 | Chongqing, Cruising the Yangtze River
b e BB, L, D
Featured Excursion: Fengdu 7 3
The mighty Yangtze is the third-longest river in the world, and
your cruise will show you some of its most beautiful sights.
Your luxury ship provides the perfect setting for soaking up
the breathtaking views of mist-shrouded mountains and
jagged limestone cliffs that surround you on either side as you
make your way down the river. You’ll also see bucolic hillside
rice paddies, village fishermen at work with their nets, and
historic cliff-side carvings.
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 a Welcome Reception
before dinner.
Day 6 | Cruising the Yangtze River, Lesser Gorges BB, L, D
Featured Excursion: Lesser Gorges 6 1 S p
Today’s journey will take you through the first of the Three
Gorges—Quatang, whose stunning scenery is justly celebrated
as some of the most beautiful in all of China.
You’re in for an additional treat today. 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 Wu gorges, and 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).
Later, you’ll sail through the Three Gorges Dam five-stage
ship locks, a true engineering marvel that is sure to impress.
Once you’re through the locks, After dinner, enjoy the beautiful
Victoria Fashion Show.
Day 7 | Cruising the Yangtze River, Yichang BB, L, D
Featured Excursion: Three Gorges Dam 6 2 b p
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
2012). The Three Gorges Dam harnesses the power of the
mighty Yangtze in order to provide electricity to ever-growing
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. An unforgettable Crew
Cabaret is waiting for you in the evening.
Day 8 | Cruising the Yangtze River, Wuhan BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: Wuhan city tour and Hubei Provincial
Museum 7 1 b m p
Tour Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province and the political,
economic, cultural, and educational hub of central China.
It is also the home of the well-known Hubei Provincial Museum,
which you’ll explore today. The museum has collected over
200,000 important cultural relics, including pottery, porcelains,
jade, bronze vessels, ancient weapons, and ancient musical
instruments. Among these cultural relics, 812 are listed as
first-class relics of China, and 16 are considered national
treasures. One of its most famous pieces is the Sword of
Goujian, which historians believe was owned by Goujian, the
King of Yue, who ruled from 496 BC to 465 BC. The sword
was discovered in the mid-20th century, and even though it
had spent the previous 2,000 years under water, it still had
a sharp blade and showed no signs of tarnish when found.
In the evening, enjoy the Victoria Minorities Show onboard,
featuring the costumes and customs of some of the 56 ethnic
groups that make up China.
Splendors of China & the Grand Yangtze
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