CHINAAND HONG KONGFeaturing Yangtze River Cruise• 21 DAYS • SEPTEMBER 17 - OCT. 748.With one of the oldest civilizations known tomankind, as well as a host of breathtakingmodern wonders, China has emerged as oneof the most intriguing countries to visit in theworld. Sites such as The Great Wall,Tiananmen Square, the clay warriors of Xianand the Li River offer travellers a diverse set ofexperiences from extravagant architecture, tohistorical wonders and of course magnificentlandscapes and natural beauty.This tour offers an abundance of truly once in alifetime opportunities in this wonderful andmysterious land. Included is a 3-day cruise in astate-of-the-art deluxe cruise ship along thegorgeous Yangtze River - the longest river inAsia. The cruise will feature the incredibleThree Gorges - perhaps the most spectacularnatural wonders in China. Each cabin on ourship has its own private balcony, which willallow you to view the beautiful Yangtze Riverand its surroundings at your leisure.Our trip concludes in Hong Kong, a city wherethe “east truly meets the west”. Boastingperhaps the most magnificent skyline in theworld, Hong Kong delightfully balancesmodernity with Chinese traditions. You will bethrilled with the brightly lit stalls in the open airmarkets, the scenic harbour and the neverending supply of unique arts and crafts shops.As well as one of our experienced TourManagers, we will have local guides givingcomprehensive commentary on all the placeswe visit.This tour is recommended only for the fit andactive traveller.HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS• All airfare (trans-Pacific carrier is Air <strong>Canada</strong>)• Deluxe and first class accommodation• Full breakfast, lunch and dinner daily(except for 2 dinners and 1 lunch while inHong Kong). Meals are both Chinese andWestern.• Deluxe Yangtze cruise in outside cabins withbalcony• Visa fees (arrangements through our office)• PLUS ALL TOUR INCLUSIONS on Page 1COSTSper person, double occupancy, from Toronto,Calgary or Edmonton ... $6997Single Supplement - $1190From Ottawa, Winnipeg or Montreal add $150From Halifax add $350From Vancouver deduct $200
TENTATIVE ITINERARY FOR CHINA & HONG KONGDAY 1DAY 2DAY 3DAY 4DAY 5DAY 6DAY 7DAY 8DAY 9DAY 10DEPART. We depart for Beijing.BEIJING. We arrive in Beijing, China’s political andcultural centre, and transfer to our hotel.BEIJING. Our touring begins at Tiananmen Square,where up to half a million people can gather onspecial occasions. The Square is dominated by theGate of Heavenly Peace, the Great Hall of the Peopleand the Chinese Revolution Museum. Then we enjoythe tranquillity of the beautifully landscaped gardensat the 12th century Summer Palace, considered oneof the most beautiful palaces in the world with itslakes, arch bridges, jade pagoda and paintings. Wealso visit the Forbidden City, former home of theEmperors, now a vast museum housing pricelesstreasures from China's past. This evening we enjoy aPeking Duck dinner at a local restaurant.THE GREAT WALL. The Great Wall is one of theGreat Wonders of the World. Built over 2000 yearsago, it snakes its way across the mountains for 3,600miles. After a stroll on the Great Wall we return toBeijing and visit the Temple Of Heaven, featuring theHall of Prayer for Bountiful Harvest. Tonight we enjoya Peking Opera performanceXIAN. We fly to Xian, once the largest city in theworld. Touring includes the Drum Tower and the GreatMosque. Tonight is a special dumpling dinner.XIAN. Today we see an incredible sight - the BuriedSculpture Legend of Qin Shi Huang. For his protectionin the after-life this emperor of 2,200 years ago buriedwith him 6,000 life-sized clay figures of warriors andhorses. This amazing archaeological find wasuncovered just 30 years ago. Tonight enjoy aspectacular performance of Tang Dynasty dances.XIAN / HANGZHOU. After a morning at leisure we flyto Hangzhou. The city curves along lovely West Lake,with graceful pagodas dotting the shore.HANGZHOU. Our touring begins with a cruise ontranquil West Lake and a stroll among lakesidepagodas and gardens. We then visit a tea villagewhere you can help the farmers with their harvest, seehow tea is dried then served in a formal tea ceremony.Lunch will be at the home of a local farmer. Later wevisit the 4th-century Lingyin Temple, a monastery thathouses a 60-foot wooden statue of the BuddhaHANGZHOU / SHANGHAI. This morning inHangzhou we visit the fascinating TraditionalMedicine Museum, which houses hundreds of oddobjects related to traditional Chinese remedies. Alecture by a Chinese doctor is followed by anopportunity to buy traditional potions. After lunch weboard the bullet train for a scenic journey to Shanghai.SHANGHAI. Today’s city tour begins at the Bund(often referred to as the “Wall Street” of former foreignpowers). We then visit the Old Shanghai Quarter(Temple of the City God) and Garden of Mandarin YuYuan - built in 1577 it contains pools, a tea house anda ceremonial zigzag bridge. This evening we enjoy anacrobatic performance.DAY 11DAY 12DAY 13DAY 14DAY 15DAY 16DAY 17DAY 18DAY 19DAY 20DAY 21SUZHOU / SHANGHAI. Today’s excursion to Suzhoubegins with a fascinating cruise on the historic GrandCanal. We then visit the "Three Attractions atPanmen" and the Fishman Net Master Garden - aUNESCO world heritage site. We will drive back toShanghai in the early evening.SHANGHAI / YANGTZE CRUISE. A morning atleisure in Shanghai before we fly to Yichang andboard our deluxe ship for our Yangtze River Cruise.YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE. This morning we visit thesite of the massive new Yangtze Dam, which will raisethe water level by more than 200 metres. Then we sailthrough the Three Gorges ship locks and enter theXiling Gorge, passing areas with intriguing namessuch as “Precious Sword Gorge”, “Military Manual”,“Ox’s Liver” and “Horse’s Lung Gorge”.YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE. We pass through WuGorge, known for its deep valleys and quiet beauty.The “Twelve Peaks” lining the banks of Wu Gorgehave been admired by visitors from for centuries. AtWushan we disembark to explore the Three SmallGorges, whose magnificent scenery includes steepcliffs, jagged mountain peaks, sparkling waterfalls andterraced landscapes. Rejoining the ship we enter thefinal gorge, Qutang, considered the most spectacularwith cliffs rising to 1,000 metres and more.YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE. A shore excursion inFengdu shows the new resettlement of the town onthe Yangtze’s south bank, a farmer’s home and localmarket. Sit back and enjoy the river scenes as youcontinue up the Yangtze in the afternoon.CHONGQING / GUILIN. We disembark and have atour of historic Chongqing, visiting the People’s Halland zoo. Later we fly to Guilin, an artist’s paradisewith its limestone pinnacles, mountains and mistenshrouded rocks. For centuries this region has beenthe subject of countless Chinese paintings and poetry.GUILIN. Today is a highlight of our tour. We enjoy ascenic boat trip down the Li River - breathtakingscenery, traditional farm settings and mist shroudedmountains rising from the river banks. Our cruise endsat the colourful market town of Yangshou where wecan do some shopping before we return to Guilin.GUILIN / HONG KONG. This morning we visit thelocal markets and some of the area’s more beautifulcaves including the Crystal Grotto with room for over1,000 people. Later we fly to Hong Kong.HONG KONG. Our tour begins at Aberdeen, a fishingcolony at the foot of skyscrapers where thousands ofpeople live and work on junks. We visit Repulse Bayknown for its colourful temple and fine beach, andthen enjoy the panoramic view from the top of VictoriaPeak where we have lunch. Afternoon at leisure.HONG KONG. A day at leisure to explore the localmarkets, take the ferry to Lantau or Macau or enjoythe wonderful shopping opportunities (Hong Kong isfamous for bargains). Tonight is our Farewell Dinner.HOME. Air <strong>Canada</strong> takes us home.49.
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