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GLOBUS 2009: WONDERS OF CHINA & TIBET W/ YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (OC)
20 days incl. air, or 19 days from Beijing to Shanghai
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 Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of China and Tibet during this unforgettable land and river cruise vacation! Your trip begins in Beijing, where you visit the Great Wall of China, the Imperial Palace, Tian'anmen Square, and the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs. On to Xi'an to marvel at the Dayan Pagoda and the famous legion of Terracotta Warriors guarding Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi's (China's first Emperor's) tomb. Travel to Chengdu and visit the fascinating Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Then journey into the Himalayas to see the religious sites in the Buddhist city of Lhasa, Tibet. Tour the Potala Palace, once the center of the Tibetan government and the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Fly to Kunming to view the Stone Forest, an area of limestone pillars, some almost 100 feet high, dotted with small lakes and waterfalls. Then travel to Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by 16,000-foot-plus mountains. Tour the medieval town and the Black Dragon Pool. In Chongqing, embark on your 3-night river cruise on the magical Yangtze River aboard the Victoria Empress, where you witness beautiful landscapes and visit the Three Gorges Dam Site, the largest of its kind in the world. Disembark in Yichang and fly to Shanghai, China's most populous city. In Shanghai, tour the Shanghai Museum and experience the spectacular beauty of the Yu Yuan Gardens. This vacation to China and Tibet, with the wonderful Yangtze River Cruise, is a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
HOTELS
Beijing Traders Hotel (F), Xi'an Grand Mercure on Renmin Square (F), Chengdu Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel (SF), Lhasa Lhasa Hotel (MF), Kunming Bank Hotel Kunming (D), Lijiang Grand Hotel (F), Victoria Cruises Victoria Katarina, Shanghai Sofitel Hyland Shanghai (F)
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| Call (713) 436-6200 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7471683 | | Globus | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Board your transpacific flight | (Thu.) Board your transpacific flight. | | Day 2 | Beijing | (Fri.) Welcome to China. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. | | Day 3 | Beijing | (Sat.) Today your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the Forbidden City's IMPERIAL PALACE, once the sacred home of China's great emperors. Nearby is TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world, where the People's Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949. Then, proceed to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries situated around Kunming Lake. This evening, enjoy a special PEKING DUCK WELCOME DINNER. (B,L,D) | | Day 4 | Beijing | (Sun.) 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. Walk along the wall and 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. Before returning to Beijing, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight you may decide on the optional tour of the Peking Opera with its various forms of drama and music tracing back to the the late 13th century. (B,L) | | Day 5 | Beijing-Xi'An | (Mon.) This morning is free. Time permitting, you may wish to take our optional tour to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of 15th-century architecture, or you may decide to take the optional Hutong tour of the city's ancient alleys. A short flight brings you to the city of Xi'an in central China. Look forward to this evening's highlight, "The Tang Dynasty" DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,D) | | Day 6 | Xi'an | (Tue.) One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi'an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. Sightseeing starts with a visit to the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. In 1974, the enormous tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the impressive legion of terracotta warriors that has been guarding the emperor's burial site for 2,000 years. Also visit the Xi'an City Wall South Gate. (B,L,D) | | Day 7 | Xi'an-Chengdu | (Wed.) This morning, fly to Chengdu, the capital of the province of Sichuan and a city known for its flavorful food. Visit the GIANT PANDA BREEDING RESEARCH BASE and marvel at these beautiful animals. Time permitting, enjoy a brief city tour. (B,L) | | Day 8 | Chengdu-Lhasa | (Thu.) Early this morning, fly to the holy city of Lhasa, capital of the mystical Buddhist kingdom of Tibet and locked away in the mountains of the Himalayas. The balance of the day is free for you to rest and adjust to the 14,000-foot altitude. (B,L,D) | | Day 9 | Lhasa | (Fri.) This morning after a city tour, visit the imposing POTALA PALACE, once the center of the Tibetan government and the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Also visit one of Tibet's oldest shrines, JOKHANG TEMPLE, then spend time in the local BAZAAR. This afternoon, visit the SUMMER PALACE and a typical Tibetan monastery. (B,L,D) | | Day 10 | Lhasa | (Sat.) Today is free to relax or to take a special optional trip to a Tibetan's home including lunch, a visit to the Drepung Monastery (the largest in Tibet), and the Tibetan Hospital to learn of traditional medicine and therapy. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (B,D) | | Day 11 | Lhasa-Kunming | (Sun.) Via Chengdu, fly to Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province and often called "The City of Eternal Spring." Enjoy a Western-style dinner tonight at your hotel. (B,L,D) | | Day 12 | Kunming | (Mon.) Today, visit the Western Hills and the magnificent Dragon Gate before traveling to the remarkable STONE FOREST, an area of limestone pillars, some almost 100 feet high, dotted with small lakes and waterfalls. Returning to Kunming you have free time to walk the city's wide boulevards. (B,L,D) | | Day 13 | Kunming-Lijiang | (Tue.) A short flight to Lijiang at an elevation of 8,530 feet. This afternoon, visit 18,464-foot-high Snow Mountain prior to enjoying dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D) | | Day 14 | Lijiang | (Wed.) This morning, tour BLACK DRAGON POOL followed by a late-afternoon stroll through the medieval town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by 16,000-foot-plus mountains. Dinner tonight is a fascinating experience at a local restaurant in the medieval town. (B,L,D) | | Day 15 | Lijiang-Chongqing (Embarkation)-Yangtze River Cruise | (Thu.) Today, fly via Kunming to Chongqing, China's capital during World War II. The city is set high up on a hill overlooking the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Time permitting, take a stroll through one of its many attractive parks or through the historic Old Town before you board the Victoria Katarina to prepare for your 3-night cruise down the mighty Yangtze River. During the next few days, when not on deck, attend lectures on Chinese medicine, calligraphy, history, or the Three Gorges Dam project. (B,D) | | Day 16 | Cruising: Shibaozhai or Wanxian or Fengdu | (Fri.) 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 wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff; or Fengdu, known as "Ghost City," where you'll visit several temples. (B,L,D) | | Day 17 | Cruising: Shennong Stream or Daning River | (Sat.) 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 your BOAT EXCURSION down the Daning River or the Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. Continue through the passage, sailing through the Three Gorges ship locks. (B,L,D) | | Day 18 | Cruising: Three Gorges Dam Site-Yichang (Disembarkation)-Shanghai | (Sun.) View tiny villages clinging precariously to hillsides as you proceed to Yang Jia Wang. This morning, visit the THREE GORGES DAM SITE, the largest of its kind in the world. Upon arrival in Yichang, say farewell to your crew as you disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China's most populous city. (B,L) | | Day 19 | Shanghai | (Mon.) Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city's riverfront boulevard; visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM, and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Later, visit the CHILDREN'S PALACE, one of China's famous kindergartens. This evening your Tour Director hosts a lavish farewell dinner, a fitting finale to your exploration of Asia's most fascinating destinations. (B,L,D) | | Day 20 | Your homebound flight arrives the same day | (Tue.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B) |
| US$ Price Details
Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation.Single Room Supplement: $1478.Triple rooms are not available.Extra Nights per person in Beijing:Mon.-Thu. in single room $182; in twin room $102.Fri.-Sat.. in single room $137; in twin room $79.Extra Nights per person in Shanghai:May-Jun., Sep.-Nov. in single room $214; in twin room $119.Jul.-Aug. in single room $161; in twin room $92.
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 tour 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.
-2008, 2009 & 2010 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.
Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2008, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.
Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus 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 on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature. |
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