Yangtze and Tibet Fantasy Tour
– – – 21 days tour to Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Lhasa, Chongqing, Yangtze River, Yichang, Hangzhou, Suzhou & Shanghai
ITINERARY:
*ABF – American Buffet Breakfast; B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D –Dinner; SD –Banquet;
** Time – All times listed in the itinerary are LOCAL TIME;
Day 1 Canada / North Pole
You will depart from the international gateway of CANADA by your preferred airlines today and fly across the North Pole.
Day 2 Beijing
You will arrive in Beijing today. Beijing is a world-class capital with an incredible mix of historic and modern landmarks. Upon arrival you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will be on your own for rest of the day.
The Regent Hotel Beijing (5 star)
99 Jinbao Street. Dongcheng District, Beijing
T: (86 10) 8522 1888
www.regenthotels.com;
New Otani Chang Fu Gong Hotel (4 star)
26 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing
T: (86 10) 6512 555;
www.cfgbj.com;
Day 3 Beijing (ABF, L, SD)
IN the morning, you will start your tour from the largest public square in the world – the Tiananmen Square, and then enter the intriguing Forbidden City, home of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years. In the afternoon, you will visit the harmonious Temple of Heaven, one of the best examples of Ming Dynasty architecture in China, also an ornate sanctuary where Chinese Emperors worshiped the Gods. Tonight, feast on the emperor’s cuisine – The Beijing Roast Duck Banquet will be arranged at a leading city restaurant.
Day 4 Beijing (ABF, L)
An unforgettable outing includes a walking to the wondrous Great Wall, Mu-Tian-Yu portion, where you will have the chance to climb a portion of this 3,700-mile vista and marvel. Its dramatic descends steep ridges and narrow valleys scatter a good landscape for your camera. In the afternoon, visit the Ming Tomb and walk through the Sacrificed Way features the giant animal sculptures group.
Day 5 Beijing (ABF, L)
After the breakfast time, enjoy a Pedi cab tour of the Hutongs, the “old city” neighborhood of narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens hidden behind Beijing’s modern facade. Visit Prince Gong’s Palace, the Drum Tower, and old-style courtyard houses still inhabited by Beijing residents. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, where the Empress Dowager Ci Xi would go to escape the heat of the city.
Day 6 Beijing / Xi’an (ABF, L)
A morning flight will bring your to Xi’an – the Ancient Chinese Capital thousands years ago. You will be greeted by local tour guide & transferred to hotel. Xi’an is a city of unsurpassed importance in China’s history; it is filled with archeological wonders and served as the capital for eleven dynasties. You will tour the Great Mosque, a haven of tranquility tucked into the bustling market areas of Xi’an. Also in your today’s itinerary will cover the Ancient City Wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Shangri-La Hotel (5 star)
38B Keji Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province;
T: (86 29) 8875 8888;
www.shangri-la.com;
Grand Noble Hotel Xi’an (4 star)
334 East Street, Xi’an
T: (86 29) 8769-0000;
www.gnhotel.com;
High-speed train G655 Beijing West / Xi’an North 10:05AM / 15:25PM (5h25m – 1ST or 2ND class);
Day 7 Xi’an (ABF, L)
Today’s highlight is a visit to the Archaeological Museum, home to more than 6,000 life-size terra-cotta warriors and horses excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. After lunch, visit the Shanxi Provincial Museum which contains relics from the earliest known inhabitants of China.
Day 8 Xi’an / Chengdu (ABF, L)
This morning, you will fly to Chengdu – the capital city of SICHUAN. Upon arrival, you will meet your local tour guide for your transfer to visit the Du Jiang Irrigation Project – the project was begun by Li Bing, king of west Sichuan, in 256 B.C. and completed by his son, Er Lang. The project has been maintained and expanded ever since, and it is perhaps one of the world’s oldest irrigation schemes in continuous use today. Then, return to Chengdu and visit the Jinli Old Street.
St. Regis Chengdu Hotel (5 star)
88 Taisheng Road, South, Qingyang Dist. Chengdu
T: (86 28) 6287-6666;
www.starwoodhotels.com;
Sheraton Lido Hotel (4 star)
15 Section-I, Ren Min Zhong Road, Chengdu;
T: (86 28) 8676-8999;
www.starwoodhotels.com;
Day 9 Chengdu (ABF, L)
Today’s highlight will be a one day tour to the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu. In 1980, a massive effort to study and assist the Giant Panda took place in Sichuan Province and initially lasted for 5 years. The effort was a joint effort by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Chinese Government. After lunch, you will visit the Du Fu Cottage. The Thatched Cottage of Du Fu is located at the side of the Flower Washing Brook in the western suburbs of Chengdu. The cottage is the former residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet, Du Fu. During his stay of nearly four years, he composed more than 240 poems reflecting upon the misery of the people. Followed program will be the Marshall Shrine – where recorded the details of General Zhu Ge Liang & the Three Kingdoms Period (A.D. 220 – 265).
Day 10 Chengdu – Lhasa (ABF, D)
Fly to Lhasa, the Holy Land in Tibetan language. Sitting 3,700 meters above sea level, Lhasa is a cultural city with a history of more than 1,300 years. It is also known as the solar city because it has longer time of sunshine. You need to spend a few hours in hotel to acclimatize to the 12,000-foot altitude. You will begin your tour from Norbu Lingka, which lies in the western suburbs of Lhasa. Built in the 1840s, it served as summer residence of the 7th Dalai Lama. Expansion since then has made it the present scale. The New Palace reflects the architectural style of palace, monastery and villa. On holidays, locals clad in the best costume sing and dance day and night here.
St. Regis Lhasa Resort Hotel (4 star);
22 Jiangsu Road, Lhasa
T: (86 891) 680-8888;
www.starwoodhotels.com;
Lhasa Hotel (3 star);
1 Minzu Middle Road, Chengguan, Lhasa;
T: (86 891) 683-2221;
www.lhasahotel.com.cn;
Day 11 Lhasa (ABF, L) Potala Palace, Jokhang Monastery, Barkhor Street
Today’s highlights will include the Potala Palace, which was built in the early 7th century, the palace stands on the Red Mountain in the west of old Lhasa City. The 13-story structure is 117.19 m high and consists of the Red Palace a stupa hall for Dalai Lamas of dynasties and White Palace for the living quarters of the Dalai Lamas and offices of the local government. It has become Tibet’s largest museum of cultural relics under key protection of the state, followed with the golden-roofed Jokhang Monastery, which was first constructed in 647 in the old section of Lhasa. Your whole day will ended with a stop at Barkhor Street, essentially a pilgrim circuit round the periphery of the Jokhang Monastery and a hive of market activity.
Day 12 Lhasa (ABF, L, D)
Visit the Zhaibung Monastery will be the first program after breakfast. Built in 1416, Zhaibung Monastery is the largest monastery of Yellow Sect, and holds many Buddhist classics and cultural relics. The monastery was the residence of 5th Dalai Lama before his moving to Potala Palace, and had about 10,000 monks in its heyday. It is here to have trained a great number of personnel on Buddhist philosophy. A visit to the Tibetan’s home will be arranged in the afternoon. Enjoy a Tibetan Singing & Dancing party in the evening.
Day 13 Lhasa / Chongqing (ABF, L, D)
An early morning flight will bring you to Chongqing. Upon arrival in Chongqing, you will take a brief city tour which includes the Farmer Painters’ Village, WWII Museum, and the People’s Grand Square & enjoy the local flavor dinner – Szechwan Cuisine. By late evening, the tour guide will help you check-in one of the luxury / comfortable Cruise Fleet. The Yangtze River Odyssey Tour will start right from there.
Century Cruise Ship (5 star)
www.centuryrivercruises.com/en;
Chang Jiang Cruise Ship (4 star)
www.ccotc.com;
Day 14 Yangtze River Cruise (AB, L, D)
Start your spectacular cruise down the mighty Yangtze River. Relax on deck or in the lounge, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the magnificent Three Gorges. Today you’ll enjoy a shore excursion to Fengdu, the “Ghost City”.
Day 15 Yangtze River Cruise (AB, L, D)
This morning you’ll sail through Qutang and Wu Gorges. Enjoy a mid-day excursion to either Shennong Stream or the Lesser Three Gorges, depending on river conditions. This afternoon you’ll enter Xiling Gorge, and then navigate the 5 stages of the new Three Gorges Dam Ship-Lock.
Day 16 Yichang / Hangzhou (AB, L)
This morning, you will enjoy a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam site, where you’ll have a birds-eye view of this awe-inspiring engineering feat. You will disembark from the cruise ship at noon time, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, immediately be transferred to Hangzhou upon arrival.
Hyatt Regency Hotel (5 star);
28 Hu Bin (Lakeshore) Road, Hangzhou
T: (86 571) 8779-1234;
www.hangzhou.regency.hyatt.com;
Victoria Regal Hotel (4 star);
89 Yan-An Road, Hangzhou;
T: (86 571) 5678-9999;
www.victoriaregal.com;
Day 17 Hangzhou (ABF, L)
Hangzhou, one of the seven ancient capitals in China, was called “the Paradise on Earth” 1300 years ago. The Venetian traveler Marco Polo, after visiting Hangzhou, called it “the most beautiful and splendid city in the world”. You will visit the nation’s famous West Lake Garden, lingering along the zigzag path; you may find the same sceneries that can be found in traditional Chinese painting. After a short boat tour on the West Lake, you will also climb the Flying Peak, a typical Chinese pagoda on top of the hill where enable you to have a magnificent bird view of the city. Your last stop in the Dragon Well Tea Plantation will let the farmers demonstrate you how they prepare the world- famous “Dragon Well Tea”. After sunset, you may dwell along the lakeshore where you will behold the spectacular night view of the West Lake.
Day 18 Hangzhou / Suzhou (ABF, L)
A 2 hours’ drive to Suzhou will provide you a good opportunity to view the Delta area. The city of Suzhou is referred to as the “Venice of the East”. Take a relaxing stroll through one of Suzhou beautiful gardens, like the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of the largest classical gardens in Suzhou as well as one the four best gardens in China. Enjoy a boat cruise along the Grand Canal, which is over 1,500 years old and connects Beijing to the rich coastal areas around Shanghai. Your tour programs will also include the Garden of Master Fishing Net.
Marriott Hotel Suzhou (5 star)
1296 Ganjiang Road, West, Suzhou;
T: (86 512) 8225-8888;
www.marriott.com;
Garden Hotel Suzhou (4 star)
99 Daichengqiao Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu Prov.
T: (86 512) 6778-6778;
www.gardenhotelsuzhou.com;
High-speed train G7356 Hangzhou / Suzhou 10:12AM / 12:00NOON;
Day 19 Suzhou / Shanghai (ABF, L, D)
A short ride (about 1 hour) with private vehicle will bring to Shanghai, the economic heart of China. Your first day of sightseeing in Shanghai will start from the Bund. Along the waterfront you will see the European-Style architecture of the buildings that once housed the institutions of the colonial powers in the 19th century. Followed program will be a visit to the Old Town and walk down its narrow lanes past traditional buildings to the once private Yu Yuan Gardens. You end your full-day sightseeing tour with a stop at the Jade Buddha Temple.
The Westin Bund Center Hotel (5 star)
88 Henan Central Road, Shanghai
T: (86 21) 6335 1888
www.starwoodhotels.com;
The Ocean Hotel (4 star)
1171 Dong Da Ming Road, Shanghai
T: (86 21) 6545 8888;
www.oceanhotel.sh.cn/en;
Day 20 Shanghai (ABF, L)
In the morning, you will make a visit the Shanghai National Museum. There you will find artifacts that span the length of China’s history, and enliven its cultural traditions.
Day 21 Shanghai / Canada (ABF)
Be free in the morning. At around noon time, you will be transferred to the airport for your back home flight.
The whole trip is finished!
PRICES – “Land Portion Only” *International Transpacific Airfare is quoted separately:
| Group Number | April, May, June, July, Aug. Sept., Oct. & Nov. | January, February, March, December | Single Supplement |
| 2-5 people |
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| 6-9 people |
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The above tour arrangement is INCLUSIVE of:
- All transportation in China (Beijing–Xi’an–Chengdu-Lhasa-Chongqing-Yangtze River-Shanghai–Hangzhou–Suzhou-Shanghai);
- Hotel accommodations throughout (based on double occupancy);
- 5 star Yangtze River Cruise ship (based on double occupancy cabin);
- All on-shore excursions along the Yangtze River;
- All related taxes, hotel 12.5% service charge and airport security fees within China;
- Daily American Buffet Breakfast throughout and lunch & dinner as indicated in the itinerary;
- All airport / hotel / airport transfers;
- Private comprehensive sightseeing with an English speaking guide and all transfers in a private vehicle;
- All admission fees for the programs listed in the itinerary;
The above tour arrangement is EXCLUSIVE of:
- Travel Insurance – we may arrange this for you;
- International round-trip transpacific air ticket (Canada / Beijing / TOUR / Shanghai / Canada)*;
- China visa * visa application is available upon requests;
- Gratuities to tour guides, private tour car drivers (suggest CND$12 / per tourist, per day);
- Any personal expenses like laundry, long distance phone call, hotel mini-bar beverage and postages.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Terms & Conditions prepared by China Travel Service (Canada) Inc. is attached and it will apply for the whole trip to China.