|
YANGTZE
SPECTACULAR
Country
visited: China |
 |
The Yangtze, the third
longest river in the world, offers spectacular scenery
and an experience that
lives forever. This 18 days journey is a relaxing way to
enjoy Eastern China at it’s very best. With historical
sites like the Great Wall, Tian’anmen Square and the
Forbidden City, Xian – the birthplace of the Great
Silk Road, to a fascinating 5 days on the Yangtze cruising,
to the cultural centers of Guilin and Suzhou. We culminate
with a visit to the “honeymoon capital” of Hangzhou
followed by Shanghai. This journey covers five UNESCO World
Heritage Sites.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01 |
Depart
Vancouver / Beijing |
|
02 |
Beijing |
| 03 |
Beijing |
|
04 |
Beijing |
|
05 |
Beijing
/ Xian |
|
06 |
Xian |
|
07 |
Xian
/ Yichang |
|
08 |
Yangtze
River Cruise |
|
09 |
Yangtze
River Cruise |
|
10 |
Yangtze
River Cruise |
|
11 |
Arriving
Chongqing |
|
12 |
Chongqing
/ Guilin |
|
13
|
Guilin |
| 14 |
Guilin
/ Shanghai / Suzhou |
| 15 |
Suzhou |
| 16 |
Suzhou
/ Shanghai |
| 17 |
Shanghai |
| 18 |
Depart
Shanghai / Vancouver |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
| World
Heritage Sites in China covered on this tour |
| The
Great Wall (1987) |
In
c. 220 B.C., under Qin Shi Huang, sections of earlier fortifications
were joined together to form a united defence system against
invasions from the north. Construction continued up to the
Ming dynasty (1368-1644), when the Great Wall became the
world's largest military structure. Its historic and strategic
importance is matched only by its architectural significance. |
| Imperial
Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1987) |
The
Imperial Palace of the Qing Dynasty in Shenyang consists
of 114 buildings, constructed between 1625-26 and 1783. It
contains an important library and testifies to the foundation
of the last dynasty that ruled China, before it expanded
its power to the centre of the country and moved the capital
to Beijing. This palace then became auxiliary to the Imperial
Palace in Beijing. This remarkable architectural edifice
offers important historical testimony to the history of the
Qing Dynasty and to the cultural traditions of the Manchu
and other tribes in the north of China. |
| Summer
Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing (1998) |
The
Summer Palace in Beijing - first built in 1750, largely destroyed
in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations
in 1886 - is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.
The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined
with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces,
temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding
aesthetic value. |
| Temple
of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing (1998) |
The
Temple of Heaven, founded in the first half of the 15th century,
is a dignified complex of fine cult buildings set in gardens
and surrounded by historic pine woods. In its overall layout
and that of its individual buildings, it symbolizes the relationship
between earth and heaven - the human world and God's world
- which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony, and also
the special role played by the emperors within that relationship. |
| Imperial
Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (2000) |
The
Ming and Qing imperial tombs are natural sites modified by
human influence, carefully chosen according to the principles
of geomancy (Fengshui) to house numerous buildings of traditional
architectural design and decoration. They illustrate the
continuity over five centuries of a world view and concept
of power specific to feudal China. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day 01: Depart
Vancouver / Beijing
The adventure starts off with a flight from Vancouver for Beijing.
Day 02: Arrive Beijing
Huan Ying! We are warmly welcomed in Beijing, the imperial
capital of China, and transferred to our hotel. As we drive
to our hotel we get the first introduction to this majestic
city and capital to the world’s most populous country.
Overnight: Best Western Hotel, Beijing (3 nights)
Day 03: Beijing
After breakfast, visit Tian’anmen Square, the largest
public square in the world - the square and its periphery are
home to some of China's most important monuments and government
edifices. Then, tour the adjacent Forbidden City, the largest
existing ancient architectural complex in China. After lunch,
visit the Summer Palace - an enchanting panorama of lake, landscape,
pagodas and pavilions. In the evening, we enjoy a Peking Duck
Dinner. A Beijing Night Tour will be arranged. (B, L, D)
Day 04: Beijing
Today’s visit includes a walk on the Great Wall, which
winds dragon-like across northern China. After lunch visit
Changling, the tomb of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) - one of the
Ming Tombs at the burial site of thirteen Ming Dynasty Emperors.
This evening we enjoy a Beijing Acrobatic Show. (B, L, D)
Day 05: Beijing / Xian (Fly)
This morning we will be visiting the Temple of Heaven. Then
embark on a bicycle rickshaw tour around the ancient alleyways
of a Beijing Hutong - one of Beijing's rapidly vanishing 700
year-old traditional cottage neighbourhoods. Visit a family
in one of the “Quadrangles". We are treated to a
Dumpling Lunch at the home of one of the local families! Take
the afternoon flight to Xian - one of China's ancient capitals.
Upon arrival, visit the Ming Dynasty City Wall. This evening,
you will enjoy a Xian Special Dumpling Banquet while being
entertained by a colourful Tang Dynasty Show.
Overnight: Gloria Plaza Hotel, Xian (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 06: Xian
After breakfast, we head out to visit the Museum that housed
the most exciting archaeological finds of the 20th Century – the
excavation of more than 6000 Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses.
In the afternoon we visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. This
evening a Western Dinner will be served and a Xian Night Tour
to the market in the Muslim Quarter will be arranged. (B, L,
D)
Day 07: Xian / Yichang – Yangtze River Cruise (Flight
/ Cruise)
Before catching a flight to Yichang, a stop will be made to
visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. After dinner, you will board
the deluxe European Style cruise ship (5 Star category - outside
cabin with balcony).
Overnight: M/V Century Star (4 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 08: Yangtze Cruise
This morning a shore excursion at Sandouping will take you
to view the “Three Gorges Dam”, the biggest dam
in the world. After re-boarding your ship, you will pass through
the dam's 5-Stage Ship Locks and enter the first Gorge, Xiling
Gorge, the longest and previously the most hazardous one. Today
enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party, followed
by a singing and dancing extravaganza. (B, L, D)
Day 09: Yangtze Cruise
After breakfast, enjoy a tracker boat ride along the deep,
peaceful gorges of the Shennong Stream, with its waterfalls
and magnificent peaks. We return to the ship and set sail again
entering the second gorge - Wu Gorge, known for its odd, misty
rock formations and its backdrop of soaring mountains. Later
in the afternoon, the ship will pass the third gorge - Qutang
Gorge, the shortest but the most dramatic of the Yangtze’s
Three Gorges with ancient relics scattered along its steep
cliffs. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Yangtze Cruise
This morning we will be arriving at the “ghost city” of
Fengdu. A shore excursion will take us to visit the temples
on Mingshan Hill by the riverbank, which is decorated with
moldings of ghosts and devils. Tonight, we enjoy the Captain’s
Farewell Banquet, followed by a singing and dancing performance. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Arriving Chongqing
Your cruise will terminate at Chongqing in the morning. Afternoon
tour of the city includes the Chongqing Zoo to see the lovely
Pandas, Eling Park, People’s Square and Ciqikou Old Town.
Tonight we will be treated to a Chongqing Hot Pot Dinner.
Overnight: Holiday Inn North Hotel, Chongqing (1 night) (B,
L, D)
Day 12: Chongqing / Guilin (Flight)
This morning we are transferred to the airport for a flight
to Guilin. Afternoon tour includes the Fubo Hill & Reed
Flute Cave. Tonight we enjoy a Guilin Folk Dance and Music
Show.
Overnight: Guilin Park Hotel, Guillin (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 13: Guilin
After breakfast, we take an impressive cruise on the beautiful
Li River. We disembark at Yangshuo and stroll through some
of the many colourful markets before returning by coach to
Guilin. This evening, a night tour will also be arranged. (B,
L, D)
Day 14: Guilin / Shanghai / Suzhou (Flight / Drive)
This morning in Guilin we visit Elephant Trunk Hill then transfer
to the airport for a flight to the bustling city of Shanghai,
China’s largest city and seaport. Upon arrival, we take
a scenic drive to Suzhou where we are transferred to our hotel.
Evening free to loiter on the streets of Suzhou.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Jasmine, Suzhou (2 nights)
(B, L, D)
Day 15: Suzhou
Head out to visit the Master-of-Nets Garden then enjoy a cruise
on the Grand Canal. Then visit a silk factory. Afterwards depart
for the Water Village of Tongli, which has a history of over
1000 years. Tonight a Farewell Dinner will be arranged. (B,
L, D)
Day 16: Suzhou / Shanghai (Drive)
This morning we return to Shanghai. Tour the ultra-modern Pudong
Development Zone and get a closer look at the Oriental Pearl
TV Tower. Next stop is the Yu Yuan Garden and Shanghai’s
famous People’s Square. Afterwards, take a walk on the
riverside promenade "The Bund". Tonight we enjoy
a Shanghai Farewell Dinner. A Huangpu River Night Cruise will
also be arranged.
Overnight: Best Western Longmen Hotel, Shanghai (2
nights) (B, L, D)
Day 17: Shanghai
Today we are taken to Nanjing Road, Shanghai downtown area,
for an opportunity to explore this extraordinary area on your
own. (B)
Day 18: Depart Shanghai / Vancouver
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to China we are transferred
to the airport for the flight home. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
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|
Departure Dates |
2008
Mar 14,
21 & 28, Apr 18, May 09
& 23, Jun
06, Sep 05, 09, 19, & 26, Oct 3,
14, 21 & 28 & Nov
04
|
| Prices |
| Season
- 2008 |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
from
Vancouver |
4380 |
1090 |
Land |
3325 |
1090 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
- International Airfare from Vancouver
- Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel
taxes
- Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner)
- All sightseeing and transfers
- Services of local English speaking guide
- Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
- Domestic air/cruise tickets
|
- Canada
airport taxes CAD 300.00 – to be invoiced
if taking the international air out of Vancouver or CAD
340.00 out of other Canadian’s gateways.
- China
AIF (USD/CAD 120.00) – to be
invoiced regardless.
- Insurance
- Visas
(approx $ 65)
- Beverage
- Tips
(approx CA $ 180)
|
| Estimated
International Airfare(included
in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US $ / CA $
N/A |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
N/A |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 2
and a maximum of -
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated April 04, 2008
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