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

Day 1 | Beijing b
Arrive in Beijing and be greeted by a Uniworld representative
who will escort you to your hotel.
Day 2 | Beijing BB, L, W
China, Tibet &
the Yangtze
Beijing to Shanghai | 14 Days
Explore the majestic Yangtze and experience the best of
China and Tibet
Lhasa means “holy land,” and indeed, it is the heart and soul
of Tibet. In existence since the seventh century and ruled by
the Dalai Lamas from the early 1600s to 1959, Tibet has long
been associated with peace and spirituality. Marvel at Lhasa’s
unique architecture—from gilt-roofed temples and intricately
decorated monasteries to homes that face south and have flat
roofs for energy efficiency—and enjoy an inner calm as you
wander through its peaceful gardens.
Along with visiting Beijing, Xi’an, and Tibet, you’ll cruise the
most scenic section of the Yangtze River. On land, enjoy a virtual
dim sum of China’s highlights: the Great Wall, a Kung Fu show,
a Peking Duck dinner, the ancient Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an,
a home visit in Lhasa, and a night in lively Shanghai, complete
with a performance by the amazing Shanghai Acrobats.
The majestic scenery, soul-enriching spirituality, and wonderful
people of China and Tibet will reward you with unforgettable
memories.
Featured Excursions: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City,
Summer Palace, and Peking Duck Welcome Dinner with wine
8 2 b f S
Old meets new in China’s capital city of Beijing, where ancient
architecture mixes with modern highrises. The bustling city
has been a cornerstone of Chinese history through the ages.
It has been an important military and trading point since the
Qin Dynasty (202 BC) and the capital of China since the Yuan
Dynasty (Kublai Khan, 1279 AD), with historical buildings
around just about every corner. Beijing is also a hub of culture
with its temples, art treasures, and opulent palaces at every
turn, keeping the city thriving and alive.
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 many monuments in this area are Tiananmen Tower, the
Monument to the People’s Heroes, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall,
and the National Museum of China. Pose for a souvenir group
photo of you and your travel companions at Tiananmen Square.
Then, walk through Tiananmen Gate, or the “Gate of Heavenly
Peace” which is 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 on the palace was begun in 1406, and 24
emperors have ruled China from within its walls.
Continue on to another Beijing gem, the Summer Palace,
which has one of China’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.
At the end of the day, we invite you to indulge in a succulent
Peking Duck Welcome Dinner with wine, where you will receive
an exquisite piece of Chinese folk art as a gift. The city’s
namesake meal is a truly appropriate way to cap off your day
in Beijing, formerly known as Peking.
China, Tibet & the Yangtze
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