 THE HEART OF CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER - 2010: Victoria Jenna
17 days incl. air, or 16 days from Beijing to Hong Kong (WCY)
Experience China in depth on this mesmerizing river cruise vacation. Visit world-famous historical sites in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai, including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the legendary Terracotta Warriors, and the Yu Yuan Gardens. Marvel at the Three Gorges Dam site on your magical 3-night Yangtze River cruise, and enjoy a relaxing day cruise on the Li River in Guilin. The one-of-a-kind port city of Hong Kong rounds out your fascinating journey through China. INCLUDED FEATURESCruise:
Deluxe 3-night cruise from Chongqing to Yichang in an outside stateroom with two lower beds, private facilities, and balcony
Sightseeing including a personal headset in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai.
Beijing:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian'anmen Square, Summer Palace, Great Wall, cloisonne workshop, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs; Peking Duck welcome dinner; Peking Opera performance; Hutong tour by rickshaw
Xi'an:
Enjoy "The Tang Dynasty" dinner show; sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Terracotta Warriors; noodle-making demonstration
Chongqing:
Begin your Yangtze cruise aboard the Victoria Jenna
Wanxian/Shibaozhai/Fengdu:
View a wooden pagoda, an acrobatic show, or visit Snow Jade Cave
Shennong Stream or Daning River:
Boat excursion down one of the Yangtze's lesser gorges
Three Gorges Dam Site:
Sightseeing of the impressive dam site with a Local Guide
Shanghai:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Bund, a silk factory, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children's Palace, and the Shanghai Museum; attend an acrobatic show
Guilin:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; Li River cruise; visit a local zoo, Reed Flute Cave, and a tea farm
Hong Kong:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; cable car ride up Victoria Peak; sampan ride on harbor; visit Stanley Market
Notes: Wine with dinner on cruise.Intra-tour flights included in both land-only and air-inclusive prices.
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) DinnerAmerican breakfast daily (B), 10 lunches (L), 8 dinners (D), including a Peking Duck welcome dinner in Beijing and a farewell dinner in Hong Kong SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-ClassBeijing Westin Beijing (D), Xi'an Golden Flower (SF), Victoria Cruises Victoria Jenna, Shanghai Westin Shanghai (D), Guilin Sheraton Guilin Hotel (F), Hong Kong Harbour Plaza (harbor-view rooms) (D) ItineraryDay 1(Tue.) Board your transpacific flight. Day 2 Arrive in Beijing, China(Wed.) Welcome to China's capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 3 Beijing(Thu.) Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China's great emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening, meet your traveling companions at a special PEKING DUCK WELCOME DINNER in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Beijing(Fri.) The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China's barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNE WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful makeup being applied to the performers. (B,L,D) Day 5 Beijing - Xi'an(Sat.) This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing's HUTONGS, the city's ancient alleys. Experience life in this historic neighborhood as you are invited into a daycare center and into the courtyard of a family's home for tea. Later, fly to Xi'an. This evening, enjoy "The Tang Dynasty" DINNER SHOW featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,D) Day 6 Xi'an - Chongqing (Embarkation) - Yangtze River Cruise(Sun.) One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi'an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. In 1974, the enormous tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Next, fly to Chongqing, China's capital during World War II, and board the Victoria Jenna for a 3-night cruise through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze. (B,L,D) Day 7 Cruising: Wanxian or Shibaozhai or Fengdu(Mon.) Depending on river conditions, one of the following shore excursions will be offered: Wanxian, "Gateway to Eastern Szechuan Province," where you will see an acrobatic show, market, and possibly a school; Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, 12-story red wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff side; or Fengdu, where you'll visit Snow Jade Cave. (B,L,D) Day 8 Cruising: Shennong Stream or Daning River(Tue.) Head downstream through the first and second of the three gorges-Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch, disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. Continue sailing through Xiling Gorge and the Three Gorges ship locks. (B,L,D) Day 9 Cruising: Three Gorges Dam Site - Yichang (Disembarkation) - Shanghai(Wed.) View tiny villages clinging to hillsides as you proceed toward Yang Jia Wang. This morning, visit the THREE GORGES DAM SITE, where the Chinese progress toward building the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch, say farewell to your ship's crew in Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China's most populous city and center of trade and industry. (B,L) Day 10 Shanghai(Thu.) Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city's riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings housing banks and trade houses. You'll visit a SILK FACTORY and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN'S PALACE, one of China's famous kindergartens. This evening, be amazed at a fabulous ACROBATIC SHOW. (B,L,D) Day 11 Shanghai(Fri.) Enjoy a full day at leisure to pursue your own discoveries. Perhaps join an optional trip to a nearby ancient watertown or shop some of the 400 stores on Nanjing Road. (B)
Day 12 Shanghai - Guilin(Sat.) After a morning at leisure, enjoy lunch and visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin, one of China's most beautiful areas. (B,L) Day 13Guilin(Sun.) Limestone mountains, their needle peaks hidden in mist, rise from the green plain surrounding Guilin. The scene conveys a sense of mystery that artists have tried to capture for centuries. Savor unique vistas during a leisurely CRUISE on the Li River and enjoy a light lunch. Tonight, you may choose to join our optional trip to see trained cormorants dive for fish, the traditional Lijiang fishing method. (B,L) Day 14 Guilin - Hong Kong(Mon.) Start your day with a visit to a local zoo to see pandas, followed by the famous REED FLUTE CAVE with its unusual stalactite and stalagmite formations. Then, visit a local TEA FARM for a hands-on demonstration of the tea-making process followed by a tea ceremony. Later, fly to Hong Kong. (B,L) Day 15 Hong Kong(Tue.) This morning's sightseeing begins with a cable car ride up to VICTORIA PEAK for panoramic vistas of this one-of-a-kind port city. Drive by Repulse Bay, a popular beach area, then to the Aberdeen fishing village for a SAMPAN RIDE on the harbor. Next stop is STANLEY MARKET, a narrow street jammed with stalls offering clothing, arts, and crafts. Tonight, consider an optional sunset cruise on Hong Kong's magnificent harbor. (B) Day 16 Hong Kong
(Wed.) A full free day to explore this exciting city. You may wish to join one of our optional excursions to view the giant Buddha on the island of Lantau or to learn about Hong Kong's history before the British colonized the area. Shopping is a highlight of Hong Kong with markets, malls, and shops to fit any taste and budget. This evening is the perfect finale to a great adventure as you're hosted at a special farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 17 Hong Kong(Thu.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) |
| Call (800) 365-1445 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8587207 | | Avalon Waterways | | Offer valid through 11/30/2009 | | | | | US$ Price DetailsApplicable air fare taxes and fees
Intra-tour air value:
$800
Single Room Supplement:
$2000
Triples are not available.
Extra nights per person in Beijing:
Mon. - Thu. in single room $228; in twin room $125.
Fri. - Sun. in single room $181; in twin room $101.
Extra nights per person in Hong Kong:
May - Jun. in single room $244; in twin room $133.
Sep. - Oct. in single room $422; in twin room $222.
Suites are available on board the Victoria Jenna upon request. Please call for prices.
Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your vacation may be available at our low prices.
Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices:
Air is only available to passengers traveling from the United Statesand only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. Anadditional $250 non-refundable deposit is required for air booked inconjunction with any land vacation (i.e., air-inclusive vacation.)However, once your airfare is confirmed for departures Jan 1, 2009-Dec.31, 2009 (or published 2010 departures) and Avalon Waterways hasreceived your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacationprice is guaranteed. Departure is based on the land start date aslisted in the vacation itinerary.
We also accept your reservation on a land-only basis:
While booking your vacation air-inclusive gives you various advantages,you can also choose the land-only option. But remember, airlines'special fares generally apply to very brief periods. (Our lowair-inclusive fares apply throughout the year.) Plus, to get these"deals" you often are required to pay full fare at the time of booking.
Taxes & fees
Taxes and fees are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full land and air deposit are received.
Applicable airfare taxes & fees:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th Security Fee of upto $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domesticflight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment, and U.S. andInternational arrival and departure and other government imposed feesof up to $300, depending on your itinerary. Your final air-inclusivevacation price for departures Jan 1, 2009-Dec. 31, 2009 is notguaranteed until your air schedule has been confirmed and your full airand land deposit have been received by Avalon Waterways. Departure isbased on the land start date as listed in the vacation itinerary.
Not included in the vacation price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations;International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other perperson taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and feesincluding the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person,Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domesticflight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and Internationalarrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 perperson; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to yourTour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/orships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry;telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of thecontracted Avalon Waterways menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant(these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel,ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers onnon-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations;Travel Protection premiums; excess baggage fees; and all other items ofa personal nature. |
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