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SAMPLE ITINERARY: Shanghai (4) - Wuhan (1) - Yangtze Cruise (4) - Xi'an (2) - Beijing (3)
VICTORIA EMPRESS deck plan
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Day 01
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USA-China:
Overnight flights to China. Service and meals onboard as per airline policy.
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Day 02
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SHANGHAI:
On arrival transfer to your hotel. Due to various arrivals, meals are on your own.
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Day 03
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SHANGHAI:
Situated on the banks of the Yangtze River, Shanghai is the largest city of China and the ninth largest in the world. The city is also one of the nation's most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers. Today's sightseeing will include the Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens and Nanjing Road. Return to your hotel for some rest and relaxation in the afternoon. Tonight, early dinner at a local restaurant will be followed by a performance of the famous Chinese Acrobats. (B, D)
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Day 04
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SHANGHAI:
In the morning visit the Children's Palace where gifted kids will perform for you. Continue with a tour to the Jade Buddha Temple. The two precious statues: the Sitting Buddha and the Recumbent Buddha, are artfully carved from the whole slabs of crystal-clear white jade. After a special Mongolian BBQ lunch, visit the famous Shanghai Museum of Chinese Art, which houses a collection of cultural items including ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy. End the day with dinner at a local restaurant. (B, SL, D)
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Day 05
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SHANGHAI-WUHAN:
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your mid-day flight to Wuhan - the joining of 3 cities and 2 major rivers - the Yellow River and the Yangtze. Wuhan has long been renowned as a center for the arts (especially poetry) and for intellectual studies. On arrival, your tour of this vibrant port city will include stops at Mao's Residence and the Museum of Ancient History that houses many artifacts excavated from ancient tombs. End the day with dinner and overnight at your hotel. (B, D)
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Day 06
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WUHAN - YICHANG - CRUISE:
After breakfast, board your motorcoach for a fascinating drive through the pastoral China. During the 3 hour ride you will get a glimpse of the rice paddies and rural Chinese life as you drive along 2-lane roads past riverside villages. On arrival in Shashi, enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant prior to visiting the unique History Museum - home to Mr. Sui – the 1000 year old mummy still preserved with most of his body parts intact. After some free time in the city, continue on to Yichang where you will board your deluxe floating hotel for the start of your magical Yangtze cruise. (B, L, D)
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Day 07
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CRUISE - THREE GORGES DAM:
Relax and enjoy your first day of cruising up the Yangtze river after you begin the day with a tour of one of the modern Wonders of the World, the Three Gorges Dam. This massive structure is one of the largest man-made projects ever constructed: it is the largest hydroelectric river dam in the world, and it is more than five times the size of the Hoover Dam. The dam is made of concrete and is about 7660 ft long and 616 ft high; 463 thousand tons of steel used for the dam would be enough to build 63 Eiffel Towers! Sail on through the wide Xiling Gorge and the mysterious Wu gorge. Later tonight enjoy our onboard Fashion Show performed by your friendly crew. (B, L, B)
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Day 08
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CRUISE - SAMPAN BOAT TRIP:
In the morning, you will enjoy a unique experience as your board small motorized flat-bottommed sampan boats. The boats will take you to explore either the Shennong Stream or the Danning River, both tributaries of the mighty Yangtze; you will see such gorges as Misty, Parrot or Dragon Gates. Enjoy unique flora and fauna that includes wild birds and monkeys and marvel at the 1000 year old hanging coffins of the ancient Ba people. Your excursion will end at one of the small villages with some time for exploration and shopping on your own. In the afternoon, pass through the mythical Wu Gorge and in the evening enjoy a spectacular Crew Revue. (B, L, D)
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Day 09
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CRUISE - SHIBOSHAI / FENGDU
Depending on sailing conditions, today you will make a stop at either Shiboshai, Wanxian or Fengdu, all typical riverside town where a tour will introduce you to local crafts and attractions. The evening is reserved for our Captain's Gala dinner followed by a karaoke contest and a dance party. (B, L, D)
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Day 10
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END CRUISE - CHONGQING - XI'AN:
Disembark after breakfast and continue with your China adventure. Visit the Panda Zoo. The giant panda resembles a living teddy bear and is a favorite of the human public. It is an endangered animal: an estimated 2,000 pandas live in the wild and about 200 live in captivity in China; only 20 giant pandas live outside China. The next stop will be at the Artist Village where Chinese artists live and work with their families in a state sponsored communal style environment. After lunch at a local restaurant, tour a local Silk factory on your way to the airport for your short flight to Xi'an. On arrival, transfer to your deluxe hotel. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B, L)
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Day 11
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XI'AN:
This exciting day will begin with a visit to the magnificent Terracotta Warriors exhibit. The Terracotta Army was buried with the Emperor of Qin in 210-209 BC. Their purpose was to help him rule another empire in the afterlife. The 8,099 lifesize Terra-Cotta Warriors have remained undeterred for over 2,000 years to be discovered in March 1974 by local farmers drilling a water well. Enjoy a cooked to order lunch at the museum restaurant. On the way back to your hotel stop at a local Lacquer factory. The evening is reserved for a spectacular Tang Dynasty dinner and show. (B, L, SD)
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Day 12
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XI'AN - BEIJING:
Transfer to Xi'an's airport for a mid-day flight to China's capital. There were cities in the vicinities of Beijing by the 1st millennium BC, and the capital of the State of Yan (473-221 BC) was established in present-day Beijing. It is believed that Beijing was the largest city in the world from 1425 to 1650 and from 1710 to 1825. Upon arrival in Beijing, take a tour of the impressive Temple of Heaven. It is regarded as a Taoist temples, although the worship of Heaven, especially by the reigning monarch of the day, pre-dates Taoism. Check-in at your deluxe hotel. Tonight is reserved for a welcome Peking Duck dinner and a performance of Chinese Opera. (B, SD)
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Day 13
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BEIJING:
Your morning sightseeing tour will include Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987 as the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world. From there, continue to the old Hutong part of Beijing where you will enjoy a bicycle rickshaw ride which will take you to visit a local Chinese family. The family will cook and share their lunch with you. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure or exploration of the city. Dinner on your own. (B, SL)
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Day 14
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BEIJING:
This morning you will depart for a tour of the Great Wall of China that stretches for over 4000 miles. It is the only man-made structure that can be seen from the moon with the naked eye. The portion of the Great Wall near Beijing is 25.6 ft high and 16.4 ft wide and is made of stone and bricks from the hills. Lunch will be served at a restaurant at the Wall after the tour. On your return to Beijing , stop at a local Jade factory and the famous Silk Alley market where you will have time to bargain for those last minute gifts and souvenirs. Your final dinner will be served at the Dai Minority restaurant where waiters will entertain you with songs and dances. (B, L, SD)
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Day 15
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BEIJING - HOME:
After your final breakfast, "pack your memories" away as you head on to the airport for your flights home. (B)
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Our most popular program in China features Shanghai, Xian and Beijing with accommodations in 5-star deluxe hotels and a Yangtze River Cruise aboard the deluxe
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