CULTURAL CHINA and TIBET with YANGZE RIVER CRUISE (WXY2010)

City Highlights


Cruise:
Deluxe 3-night cruise from Chongqing to Yichang in an outside stateroom with two lower beds, private facilities, and balconySightseeing including a personal headset in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai.

Beijing:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian’anmen Square, Summer Palace, Great Wall, cloisonné workshop, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs; Peking Opera performance; Hutong tour by rickshaw; Peking Duck welcome dinner

Xi’an:
Enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” dinner show; sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit Dayan Pagoda and the Terracotta Warriors; calligraphy class, lacquer workshop, and noodle-making demonstration

Lhasa:
Sightseeing with a local guide, visit the Summer Palace, a Tibetan’s home, a Tibetan Monastery, a Tibetan Hospital, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and a local bazaar.

Chongqing:
Visit a local zoo; begin your Yangtze cruise aboard the Victoria Anna

Wanxian/Shibaozhai/Fengdu:
View a wooden pagoda, an acrobatic show, or visit Snow Jade Cave

Shennong Stream or Daning River:
Boat excursion down one of the Yangtze’s lesser gorges

Three Gorges Dam Site:
Sightseeing of the impressive dam site with a Local Guide

Shanghai:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, a silk factory, the Children’s Palace, and the Shanghai Museum; attend an acrobatic showNotes:Wine with dinner on cruise.Intra-tour flights included in both land-only and air-inclusive prices.This trip is for travelers who are fit. You will visit regions reaching almost 14,000 ft. in elevation.

Ship
Victoria Anna

 

Meals
American breakfast daily (B), 10 lunches (L), 11 dinners (D), including a Peking Duck welcome dinner in Beijing and a farewell dinner in Shanghai

Hotels


Beijing
Westin Beijing (D),

Xi’an
Golden Flower (SF),

Lhasa
Four Points by Sheraton (F),

Victoria Cruises
Victoria Anna,

Shanghai
Westin Shanghai (D)

Day 1:
(Sun.) Board your transpacific flight.

Day 2:
Arrive in Beijing, China. (Mon.) Welcome to China’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 3:
Beijing. (Tue.) Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds. This evening, meet your traveling companions at a special PEKING DUCK WELCOME DINNER in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 4:
Beijing. (Wed.) The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNÉ WORKSHOP, where you will see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful makeup being applied to the performers. (B,L,D)

Day 5:
Beijing–Xi’an. (Thu.) This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing’s HUTONGS, the city’s ancient alleys. Experience life in this historic neighborhood as you are invited into a daycare center and into the courtyard of a family’s home for tea. Fly to Xi’an, where you spend the next two nights. This evening, enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,L,D)

Day 6:
Xi’an. (Fri.) One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. Sightseeing begins with the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD, followed by a LACQUER WORKSHOP. Next, visit the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Then, visit the Xi’an City Wall South Gate and learn to write like a local during a traditional Chinese CALLIGRAPHY CLASS. (B,L,D)

Day 7:
Xi’an–Lhasa. (Sat.) Today, fly to the holy city of Lhasa, the capital of the mystical Buddhist kingdom of Tibet. The balance of the day is free to rest and adjust to the 14,000-foot altitude. (B,D)

Day 8:
Lhasa. (Sun.) morning, take a brief city tour then visit the SUMMER PALACE of the Dalai Lama, featuring the largest man-made garden in Tibet. Next, take a special trip to a TIBETAN’S HOME before lunch at your hotel. Then visit a TYPICAL TIBETAN MONASTERY followed by a TIBETAN HOSPITAL where you will learn about traditional Tibetan medicine and therapy. (B,L,D)

Day 9:
Lhasa. (Mon.) Today, visit the imposing POTALA PALACE, once the center of the Tibetan government and the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Also, visit one of Tibet’s oldest shrines, JOKHANG TEMPLE, then spend time in the local BAZAAR. The rest of the day is at your leisure. (B,L,D)

Day 10:
Lhasa–Chongqing, China (Embarkation)–Yangtze River Cruise. (Tue.) Fly to Chongqing, China’s capital during World War II. The city is high on a hill overlooking the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Visit a local ZOO to see pandas before boarding the Victoria Anna for a 3-night CRUISE through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze. (B,D)

Day 11:
Cruising: Wanxian or Shibaozhai or Fengdu. (Wed.) Depending on river conditions, one of the following shore excursions will be offered: Wanxian, “Gateway to Eastern Szechuan Province,” where you will see an acrobatic show, market, and possibly a school; Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, 12-story red wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff; or Fengdu, where you’ll visit Snow Jade Cave. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
Cruising: Shennong Stream or Daning River. (Thu.) Head downstream through the first and second of the three gorges—Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can almost touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch, disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. Continue sailing through Xiling Gorge and the Three Gorges ship locks. (B,L,D)

Day 13:
Cruising: Three Gorges Dam Site–Yichang (Disembarkation)–Shanghai. (Fri.) View tiny villages clinging to hillsides as you proceed toward Yang Jia Wang. This morning, visit the THREE GORGES DAM SITE, where the Chinese progress toward building the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch, say farewell to your ship’s crew in Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry. (B,L)

Day 14:
Shanghai. (Sat.) Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. You’ll visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, then visit a SILK FACTORY and the CHILDREN’S PALACE, one of China’s famous kindergartens. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner followed by a spectacular ACROBATIC SHOW. (B,L,D)

Day 15:
Shanghai. (Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Don't miss our current specials: Save up to $2,000 on select 2010 Europe River Cruises Save up to $2,000 per couple on these select 2010 Avalon Waterways River Cruises.* $2,000 off per couple Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches 8 days from Paris to Paris or 9 days incl. travel Aug 30, 2010 Burgundy & Provence 11 days from Côte d’Azur to Paris or 12 days incl. travel Aug 30, 2010 Central European Experience 12 days from Prague to Paris or 11 days incl. travel Aug 19, 2010 Sept 30, 2010 The Blue Danube Discovery 13 days from Budapest to Prague or 14 days incl. travel Oct 21, 2010 Oct 24, 2010 European Splendor 13 days from Vienna to Amsterdam or 14 days incl. travel Oct 18, 2010 Windmills, Vineyards & Paris 13 days from Paris to Amsterdam or 14 days incl. travel October 4, 2010 Blue Danube to the Black Sea 13 days Vienna to Bucharest or 12 days incl. travel Aug 17, 2010 The Rhine & Moselle 14 days from Amsterdam to Basel or 15 days incl. travel Oct 16, 2010 Magnificent Europe 15 days from Amsterdam to Budapest 16 days incl. travel Aug 21, 2010 Oct 9, 2010 Oct 16, 2010 Magnificent Europe 15 days from Budapest to Amsterdam 16 days incl. travel August 28, 2010 September 4, 2010 September 25, 2010 October 2, 2010 The Upper Rhine to the City of Music 13 days from Zürich to Vienna or 14 days incl. travel Oct 29, 2010 North Sea—Black Sea Cruise 23 days from Bucharest to Amsterdam or 24 days incl. travel August 27, 2010 *Book a select 2010 Europe Avalon Waterways River Cruise vacation to receive $1,000 off per person. Book a select Taste of Danube river cruise vacation to receive the $500 off per person. Offer available on select dates of select cruises listed above. Suites excluded. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied anytime after May 18, 2010 for travel at select times in 2010. Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer other than Journeys Club member benefit. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. Avalon Waterways Will Not Be Undersold! Avalon will match competitor pricing on 2010 European river cruises!* Call today and gives us the name and departure date of a competitor's river cruise you are considering.  If Avalon has a comparable 2010 cruise available, they'll match the per diem price - with the newest fleet on the market, why not? *Book a Europe Avalon River cruise vacation to receive the match offer.  Must provide the name and departure date of the competitor cruise in order to qualify.  Must be made, under deposit, and discount applied prior to March 2, 2010 for travel through December 31st, 2010. Offer good in conjunction with other qualifying offers including Journeys Club.  Offer is subject to change and could be withdrawn at any time.  Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings.  Offer reliant on space availability.  Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/12/2010 - 9/26/2010	$4,029
9/19/2010 - 10/3/2010	$4,029
9/26/2010 - 10/10/2010	$4,029
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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Price Details US
Intra-tour air value: $830Single Room Supplement: $1410Triples are not available.Extra nights per person in Beijing:Mon. - Thu. in single room $228; in twin room $125.Fri. - Sun. in single room $181; in twin room $101.Extra nights per person in Shanghai:Mon. - Thu. in single room $244; in twin room $133.Fri. - Sun. in single room $181; in twin room $101.Suites are available on board the Victoria Anna upon request. Please call for prices.

Save up to $2,000 on select 2010 Europe River Cruises

Avalon Waterways Will Not Be Undersold!

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