2 0 0 7 YANGTZE VOYAGER
This program is the only one featuring a 9 day / 8 night upstream cruise from Shanghai to Chongqing aboard the deluxe M/S Victoria Prince
(see deck plan)
. This itinerary is designed for those travelers, who prize the comfort of river cruising, and is ideal for those, who preffer a less strenous way of traveling.
The cruise portion includes accommodations in all outside facing
cabins with balconies
on deck of your choice, three meals daily, welcome cocktail and farewell dinner, onboard lectures, crew performances and entertainment, and all shore excursions as outlined.
Land portion includes first class 4-star
hotel accommodations with daily buffet breakfast, sightseeing with entrance fees as outlined, special lunches and dinners as indicated, one intra-China flight, and air-conditioned tour coaches in each city.
Our special highlights are: a performance of fabulous Chinese Acrobats and a visit to the Children's Palace, a visit to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum in Nanjing, an excursion to Mount Huangshan, the Tiananmen Square; the Imperial Palace, a hutong ricksaw tour, a Peking Duck dinner, the Great Wall of China, and many many more unique and unforgettable places in China.
Information / Reservations:
1 (800) 578-7742, 1 (510) 784-8500
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2 0 0 7 YANGTZE VOYAGER - Sample Itinerary
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Shanghai (3) - 9 Day Cruise - Beijing (4):
First Class Hotels / Deluxe Victoria Prince
(see deck plan)
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Day 01
Day 02
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USA-CHINA:
Overnight flights to China. Flying West you will cross the International
Date Line and will "loose" one day! But don't worry, you will regain the
day on your home-bound flight. Service and meals aboard the aircraft as
per airline policy.
SHANGHAI:
On arrival to Shanghai our passengers with airport transfers (included
in air/cruise/land package) will be met by English speaking guides
outside the Customs area of the airport and transferred to their First
Class hotel. Due to various arrival times, meals are on your own
tonight.
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Day 03
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SHANGHAI:
Shanghai, Hu for short, is situated on the estuary of Yangtze River of
China. It is the largest industrial city in China. and has a population
of 18.7 million people. Your morning panorama tour of Sahnghai will
include new and old highlights such as the Yu Yuan Gardens, the Bund and
Nanjing Road. Return to your hotel for lunch (on your own ) and a short
rest in the afternoon. This evening depart for a special Welcome Banquet
at a local restaurant followed by a performance of the fabulous Chinese
Acrobats. (B, SD)
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Day 04
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SHANGHAI - CRUISE:
In the morning visit the Children's Palace. Children participate in a
wide range of extracurricular activities including music, dance, art,
model making, science, technology and computer science. The palace is
housed in a grand building that was once known as the "Marble House".
Retirn to the hotel for check out. Comtinue for a popular in China
Mongolian style BBQ lunch followed by a visit to a local Art Center or a
Silk Factory. Enjoy dnner at a local restaurant before transferring to
the dock to board your luxurious floating hotel. Set sail 10 pm. (B, SL,
D)
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Day 05
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CRUISE - NANJING:
Nanjing is a city with a prominent place in Chinese history and culture.
It has served as the capital of China during several historical periods,
and is listed as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. On
your included shore excursion you will visit Dr. Sun Yat Sen's, "Father
of China" Mausoleam. Sun Yat-sen was the first provisional president
when the Republic of China was founded in 1912. You will also visit a
Quing Dynasty bazaar surrounding a Confucian Temple. Return to the ship
and sail on. (B, L, D)
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Day 06
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CRUISE - HUANGSHAN:
Today, a full day excursion will take you to the legendary Mt.
Huangshan, famous for its natural beauty and as a fixture in Chinese
lore. It was renamed Mt. Huangshan in 747 AD in recognition of the
legendary Huang Di, who was the reputed ancestor of the Chinese people
and who made magic pills for immortality here. The strange pines, absurd
stones, sea of clouds and hot springs are the four wonders of Mt.
Huangshan. Continue sailing once back on board. (B, L, D)
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Day 07
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CRUISE - WUHAN:
Wuhan lies on the confluence of two great rivers: the Yangtze and the
Yellow River. Your city tour will include the Yellow Crane Tower, a
magnificent five-storied structure with yellow tiles and red pillars,
overlapping ridges and interlocking eaves You will also visit the Hubei
Provencial Museum that contains the most important collections of
artifacts in the province. More than 140,000 items, mainly from a big
tomb excavated in 1978, are well preserved here, including 16 national
treasures. (B, L, B)
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Day 08
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CRUISING:
A wonderful day to enjoy your sailing experience to the fullest! The
Yangtze River is less in length only to the Amazon and Nile. Aside from
its transit, economic and agricultural importance, the Yangzte winds
through some of China’s most scenic country. The common Chinese saying,
‘If you haven’t travelled up the mighty Yangzte, you haven’t been
anywhere’, well describes the river’s range of picturesque landscapes.
Watch the magnificent passing scenery or participate in one of the many
on board activities arranged by our crew including lactures, tea
ceremonies, cooking lessons, and similar. (B, L, D)
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Day 09
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CRUISE - YICHANG - THREE GORGES DAM:
Today is an exciting day as you first sail through the old Gezhouba Dam
and then visit the new gigantic Three Gorges Dam set into operation in
2003. One and a half miles wide and 610 feet tall, the gargantuan Three
Gorges Dam is China’s largest construction project since the Great Wall.
Return to the ship and then marvel at human engenuity as you sail
through four gigantic locks, which will lift your ship 210 feet up and
whose ennormous steel doors are 270 feet high and 6 feet thick! (B, L,
D)
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Day 10
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CRUISE - LESSER GORGES:
First sail through the peaceful and mysterious We Gorge before arriving
at the Danning River. Here you will take a smaller steamship into this
Yangtze tributary, where you will see unique wild life, wild monkeys as
well as the famous "hanging coffins" of the ancient Ba people, etched
into the cliff sides over 1,000 years ago! Then you will enjoy boarding
smaller sampan boats that will take you even further into the winding
tributaries and streams to view channels previously not accessible by
any means. Retuen to your ship via steamer (B, L, D)
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Day 11
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CRUISE - FANGDU:
Today brings you to Fangdu, China's fabled "ghost city". The Chinese
believe that when they die, their souls must first come to Fangdu and,
based on their life, are either sent to heaven or hell! A colorful
Temple reached by a ski lift sits on top of 650 foot hill, and here is
where you will have to pass the tests and see where your soul will be
headed! Return to the ship to prepare for your Captain's Farewell Gala
Dinner, followed by a crew performance! (B, L, SD)
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Day 12
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END CRUISE - BEIJING:
As all great things must end so does your magnificent journey from the
mouth of the China Sea to the heart of China's inland, Chongqing, the
world's largest municipality with over a 37,000,000 people! Disembark
and transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing, China's capital.
Light meal and snacks will be served on board the aircraft. On arrival,
dinner will be held at a local restaurant prior to reaching your First
Class hotel for check in and overnight. (B, D)
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Day 13
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BEIJING:
Records show that Beijing has been an inhabited city for more than three
thousand years and for more than 800 years it was a capital city.
Thirty-four emperors have lived and ruled the nation in Beijing. Your
tour will begin with Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden Palace. Continue
to the old Hutong part of Beijing where Chinese families live as they
have for centuries. You will take a bicycle rickshaw-ride through the
narrow streets to visit a local Chinese family whose extended members
will welcome you into their homes and share their lunch with you. The
evening is at leisure. (B, L)
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Day 14
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BEIJING:
This morning you will depart for an excursion to the 7th wonder of the
world - the Great Wall of China! Here you will have time to walk the
ramparts and wonder in amazement how a structure such size was ever
built. After the tour you will head back towards Beijing and stop at a
local Jade and Silk factory where you will have lunch and enjoy some
time shopping for those last minute gifts and souvenirs. Return to your
hotel for a short rest before heading out for your farewell dinner
featuring, what else, the famous Pekin Duck! (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 to the
airport for your trans-Pacific flights! Meals and services on board as
per airline policy. Flying East you will cross the International Date
Line and will land the same day as you have leave China. Sit back,
relax, and enjoy your flight home! (B)
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