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

China, Tibet & the Yangtze
Day 6 | Xi’an, fly to Lhasa b d BB, L, D
Today, you’ll fly to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, which has a
fascinating history dating back more than 1,300 years. As
the former seat of the Dalai Lama, Lhasa, which translates to
“holy land” or “place of the gods,” embodies the culture of
Tibetan Buddhism, and beautiful temples, monasteries, and
palaces can be found all over the city. Tonight, enjoy dinner
at local restaurant and a quiet night of relaxation as you
adjust to Lhasa’s altitude.
Day 7 | Lhasa BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: The Jokhang Temple, Tibet Museum,
a visit to a Lhasa family home, and a folk show
8 2 f m p
Begin your encounter with Tibet by exploring the early
Buddhist Jokhang Temple, which is embellished with Nepalese
and Indian touches and capped by a golden canopy. Built
in the seventh century and standing in the heart of old town
Lhasa, Jokhang Temple is the most sacred building in Tibet.
Scores of the Tibetan faithful come to the temple to worship
day and night. You’ll get to see ancient sculptures, murals,
tapestries, and—if you climb the stairs to the ornately
decorated roof—you’ll get a breathtaking view of Lhasa and
the snowcapped mountains beyond.
Next, learn more about the history of the region and traditional
Tibetan life with a visit to the Tibet Museum, which houses a
rich collection of prehistoric cultural relics. Then catch a
glimpse into the life of the local people with a visit to a Lhasa
family’s home, and enjoy dinner with a traditional folk show.
Day 8 | Lhasa BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: Potala Palace and Sera Monastery
8 3 b
Today, you’ll visit Lhasa’s Potala Palace, once the world’s
tallest structure. The original 11-story structure was built in
637, but what you’ll see today is a 17th-century replacement
commissioned by the fifth Dalai Lama. While no longer the
tallest building in the world, this palace of the Dalai Lamas
perched atop Red Mountain still towers over Lhasa. Its 1,000
rooms now serve as a huge museum. Gaze at its jewel
collections and tombs, and wander the chapels as pilgrims
make offerings at the altars.
After lunch visit Sera Monastery, located three miles (5 km)
north of Lhasa at the base of Mt. Phurbuchok. Founded in
1419, this important Gelugpa monastery once housed more
than 5,000 monks. Monks still conduct daily philosophical
debates under the watchful eye of Manjashuri, the God of
Wisdom, in the courtyard of Sera Je Tratsang temple. Today,
you’ll enjoy a tour of the monastery’s numerous temples, which
are filled with amazing collections of perfectly preserved
murals and Maitreya, Bodhisattva, and Arhat statuary.
Day 9 | Lhasa, fly to Chongqing, cruising the Yangtze River
b d e BB, L, D
Featured Excursions: Chongqing city tour, Chongqing Zoo
and giant panda viewing 7 1 b
This morning, it’s time to leave beautiful Lhasa and fly to
Chongqing, the “Mountain City,” which is located right in the
middle of China. Here, you’ll stop at the Chongqing Zoo for a
glimpse of some cuddly but endangered giant pandas before
boarding your elegant Victoria Cruises ship.
Day 10 | Cruising the Yangtze River, Fengdu BB, L, D
Featured Excursion: Fengdu 7 3 p
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 both sides 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. This evening, enjoy a delightful
Captain’s Welcome Reception onboard your ship, followed by
a fashion show presenting beautiful clothes and traditional
costumes from China’s history, culminating in the modern
styles of China today.
China, Tibet & the Yangtze
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