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

Day 3 | Beijing BB, L, D
Day 4 | Beijing, fly to Xi’an b d BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: The Great Wall, the Sacred Way, and
Kung Fu show at the Red Theater 8 3 b p
Featured Excursions: Hutongs tour with home-hosted lunch
and dumpling dinner in Xi’an 8 1 b f
China, Tibet & the Yangtze
In the morning, you’ll travel 40 miles (64 km) north of Beijing
for a memorable walk on a wonder of the ancient world—the
Great Wall. The Great Wall is the longest manmade structure
on earth. Original construction began in the third century BC
as a way to keep out warring invaders, and additional sections
extended the wall over the centuries to its present length of
nearly 4,000 miles (6,436 km)—a distance longer than the
United States is wide!
After your walk along this historic and awe-inspiring landmark,
you’ll travel the Sacred Way, home to remnants of the Ming
Tombs. Here, 13 of the Ming Dynasty’s 16 emperors were
laid to rest in lavish burial chambers. Ming monarchs made
an annual pilgrimage to the tombs to honor their departed
ancestors, and the grandeur of the site and its relics convey
the importance of ancestor worship in ancient Chinese culture.
You’ll end your day with an evening at the spectacular Kung
Fu show. The best Kung Fu practitioners from all over China
perform in this amazing 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.
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.
Today, you will visit a carpet factory, 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 lunch
with a local family before you fly to Xi’an and transfer to the
hotel. Tonight, you’ll be treated to a sumptuous traditional
dumpling dinner at a local restaurant in Xi’an.
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
Known in ancient times as Changan, Xi’an—which is located
along the famous Silk Road and is the capital of Shaanxi
Province—was once one of the largest and most cultured
cities in the world. 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 so far been excavated.
After your exploration of these fabulous sculptures, you’ll visit a
jade factory and store. Later, you will get to see 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. 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.
China, Tibet & the Yangtze
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