Tour Code: CA-OAT

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 01 : USA - Beijing
  We set out on an exciting adventure to China aboard a transpacific flight. Our destination is Beijing, the capital city of China.

• Day 02 : Arrive Beijing
  Our flight lands at Beijing in the evening and we are transferred to our luxuriously appointed hotel for some well-deserved rest.

• Day 03 : Beijing (AB, L, DP)
  After enjoying breakfast we visit Tiananmen Square (：Gate of Heavenly Peace；), the largest public square in the world. Later, we proceed to the palatial Forbidden City and then to the Summer Palace at Kunming Lake. Afterwards, we proceed to the solemn Temple of Heaven. For dinner we enjoy famous Peking Duck.

• Day 04 : Beijing (AB, L, DH)
  Guests marvel at the incredible magnitude of the Great Wall and walk along side, being inspired by the commanding view and beauty of the timeless frontier. Our next stop is the Ming Tomb Museum. Tonight we are entertained by a Chinese Acrobatics Show.

• Day 05 : Beijing - Chengdu (AB, L, D)
  Today, we board a flight to Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan province and home to China・s spiciest foods. We visit the Zoo which features the giant Pandas indigenous to the region. Later, we continue on to the Marquis Wu Shrine, built to enshrine the 47 heroic figures of the Shu Kingdom.

• Day 06 : Chengdu - Lhasa (AB, L, DH)
  We continue to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. This city・s elevation is 12,000 feet above sea level. To acclimate our bodies to the thin air, we check into the hotel upon arrival.

• Day 07 : Lhasa (AB, L, D)
  A full-day tour takes us to Potala Palace, Johkang Lamasery and Norbu Lingka. A walk along Barkhor Street affords a window into Tibetan culture and allows us to buy colorful ethnic handicrafts rarely seen outside of Tibet.

• Day 08 : Lhasa (AB, L, D)
  We travel away from the city center to Derprung Lamasery and Sera Lamasery. In addition, we have an excursion to Yamdrok Ymtso Lake,one of Tibet's three holy lakes.

• Day 09 : Lhasa - Chengdu (AB, L, DH)
  We return to Chengdu where we continue our sightseeing of this ancient city.

• Day 10 : Chengdu - Xian (AB, L, DP)
  In the morning, we tour Du Fu Thatched Cottage, residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet. Later, travelers board a flight to Xian, China's ancient capital and the famed starting point of the Silk Road. As evening falls, we enjoy a magnificent Imperial Dumpling Banquet.

• Day 11 : Xian (AB, L, DS)
  The highlight of our sightseeing today is the world-famous life-sized Terra Cotta Army, one of the greatest archeological discoveries, unearthed 2,200 years after being buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Afterwards, we visit the massive City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Tonight, we embrace a captivating Tang Dynasty Stage Show.

• Day 12 : Xian - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise (AB, L, D)
  We depart Xian for Chongqing by air. Located in Sichuan province, Chongqing is China・s largest municipality and famous for its scorching spicy cuisine. After a brief city tour, including lunch of local Sichuan fare, we board our Victoria Cruise Ship.

• Day 13 : Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)
  The first shore excursion of our Yangtze adventure occurs at the legendary ghost city of Fengdu or at Wanxian, or at Shibaozhai, largely depending on river conditions. Later, we return to the vessel and continue to sail down the river.

• Day 14 : Yangtze River Cruise ( B, L, D )
  Today, travelers enter the portion of the Yangtze that contains the Three Gorges. We gingerly navigate the narrow waterway of Qutang Gorge to arrive at Wushan, where we board smaller vessels to access the Lesser Three Gorges. As we ply through the shallow waters of either Daning River or Shennong Stream, enjoying the spectacular scenary afforded by this small tributary of the mighty Yangtze. Upon returning to our ship we sail through Wu Gorge, noticing the surrounding lush mountains and occasional pagoda.

• Day 15 : Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai (B, L, DH)
  In the early hours of the morning we pass through Xiling Gorge and arrive at Yang Jia Wang. This morning we visit the Three Gorges Dam site, the largest of its type in the world. Even now, the water level of the Yangtze is being slowly raised in a massive effort to subdue the annual floodwater that devastate the river valley. We fly from Yichang to Shanghai, China's largest metropolis.

• Day 16 : Shanghai (AB, L)
  Take a tour of China・s largest and most vibrant city, its cosmopolitan center of commerce. Experience the modern sophistication and historical charm of Shanghai as we visit Yu Garden, Nanjing Road

• Day 17 : (AB)
  The morning is free until we board our homebound international flight, bidding a fond farewell to China.

• Hotels:
  
  • Beijing - New Century Hotel (5 Stars)
  • Lhasa - Lhasa Hotel (Local Best)
  • Chengdu - Crowne Plaza Hotel (5 Stars)
  • Xian - Sheraton (5 Stars)
  • Yangtze River - Victoria Cruises
  • Shanghai - J C Mandarin (5 Stars)
• Tour Package Includes:
  • Fine Dining: 3 meals a day for the entire trip except free days Full American or buffet breakfast daily Chinese or western dinners in hotels or at local restaurants
  • Local Specialties: Beijing - Peking Duck Banquet Xian - Imperial Dumpling Banquet Chongqing - Spicy Sichuan Cuisine
  • Special Entertainments: Beijing - Chinese Acrobatics Show Xian - Tang Dynasty Stage Opera Wolong - Panda Preserve
  • Round trip trans-Pacific air ticket
  • China domestic air tickets
  • Comprehensive sightseeing tours and shore excursions as specified
  • Experienced and knowledgeable tour guides throughout your trip in China
  • Travel Protection Insurance is provided at no additional cost, if final payment is received at least 45 days prior to departure date
  • "USTOA" $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program
  • Tax for this package is $88

• 7/8/2005 - 7/24/2005 / $ 3549.00
• 7/22/2005 - 8/7/2005 / $ 3549.00
• 8/5/2005 - 8/21/2005 / $ 3549.00
• 8/19/2005 - 9/4/2005 / $ 3549.00
• 9/2/2005 - 9/18/2005 / $ 3649.00
• 9/9/2005 - 9/25/2005 / $ 3649.00
• 9/16/2005 - 10/2/2005 / $ 3649.00
• 9/23/2005 - 10/9/2005 / $ 3649.00
• 9/30/2005 - 10/16/2005 / $ 3649.00
• 10/7/2005 - 10/23/2005 / $ 3649.00
• 10/14/2005 - 10/30/2005 / $ 3649.00
• 10/21/2005 - 11/6/2005 / $ 3649.00

• Single Supplement $ 1100.00
• International Air Taxes $ 88.00