China History Tour & Yangtze River Cruise

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Trip Summary

Travel Company: 
SAMPLE COMPANY # 2: Quality Asia Tours
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Traveler: 
Rico (rico)
Trip Duration: 
14 days
Departure Date: 
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Total Price for Entire Group: 
$9,550.00 USD
Tour Type: 
Private guided tour

An educational tour for the entire family, combining an in-depth exploration of China’s rich history as well as spectacular scenery and nature–including a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home of the Giant Panda, Yangtze River Cruise and the Three Gorges, and more…

Pictures

Detailed Itinerary

This tour will take our guests to major cities with historical significance and show our guests the greatness of Yangtze River. This tour is suitable for family with young kids to explore the heart of China.

DAY 1• Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival, you are escorted to check in to the hotel.

JW Marriott Hotel Beijing

DAY 2• Beijing
Begin the day with a visit to The Tian'anmen Square. Then we proceed to The Forbidden City: The Imperial Palace, home to 24 Emperors between 1420 and 1911. Great squares, halls and gates contrast with the intricate networks of side halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters for those who lived in this 'city within a city'.
This afternoon we visit the Beijing Opera School. Starting as young as age 7, students are recruited from all over China to train in dancing, acrobatics, music and art as well as Kung Fu. This evening, the tour will see a performance of the energetic “Legend of Kung Fu.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3• Beijing
This morning tour the Great Wall, and walk its ancient ramparts. This afternoon is free to explore on your own. Perhaps shop at Silk Alley, Hong Qiao Market and the Street of Antiquities. This evening, enjoy a cruise through the lake and canals of Beijing's old Hutong area. The Hutongs are the fast-disappearing residential areas of old Beijing. Tonight, you will have a home-style dinner with a local family.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Local Family

DAY 4• Beijing/Xi'an
Board a flight for Xi'an, ancient capital for over eleven dynasties. At the recently discovered tomb site of Han Jing Di (156-140 BC), ritual activities were originally performed in aboveground palaces, which are currently being excavated. At the Restoration Room of the Han Yang Ling tomb, you will see archeologists at work restoring objects excavated from the tomb. Check in to your hotel, where you may relax and enjoy your own pursuits this evening.
Hotel Royal Garden

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5• Xi'an

Today, you will enjoy a full-day excursion to the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors and Horses. After lunch, visit the Ancient City Walls and the Bell Tower. This evening, enjoy a delicious traditional dinner and the Tang Dynasty Show at Shaanxi Grand Opera Theater.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6• Xi'an/Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. First you will visit the Bird and Flower Market; continue on to Qingyang Palace, the oldest and largest Daoist temple in Chengdu, then Qintai Road. This evening, you will attend a Sichuan Opera. Full of local color and flavor, Sichuan Opera is a combination of music and acrobatic performances, including Changing Face, Spitting Fire and Bowl-lamp Rolling.

Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7• Chengdu
The morning starts with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the best place to visit Chengdu's most adorable residents. Included in this visit are the museum and a movie where you may learn about the Giant Pandas' habitat and evolution. Depending on the pandas' activities at the time of your visit, you may have the opportunity to take your picture with a cute baby panda! In the afternoon, we will spend time at the Sanxingdui Museum with its remarkable collection of archeological artifacts spanning 5,000 years of culture in the Chengdu area.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8• Chengdu/Chongqing
Depart Chengdu for your flight to Chongqing. Dinner at the hotel.
Harbour Plaza Chongqing

MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Buffet Dinner

DAY 9• Chongqing
Our day will start with a visit to Chongqing’s well known covered outdoor marketplace. Followed by a visit to the Stilwell Museum, with its collection of World War II memorabilia of the Flying Tigers. Later, we will have an opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of Chongqing from E Ling Park, and visit Ci Qi Kou Old Town with its Qing dynasty homes, teahouses, shops and old docks. After dinner, board the Victoria Empress to begin your memorable cruise downstream.

Board Victoria Cruises' Victoria Empress
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 Yangtze Cruise to Fengdu
At Fengdu, visit its unique temples, with statues of ghosts and devils. Fengdu is where the devil lives, according to Chinese legend. They say that spirits go to heaven, and evil goes to Fengdu. Overlooking this town is Ming Shan Hill, home of Tianzi, the King of the Dead. The entire place has an eerie feel to it: deserted streets, tower blocks, empty shops and banks. The only residents are those who make a living from cruise boat tourists.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11• Yangtze Cruise: Qutang Gorge/Small Gorges Excursion/ Wu Gorge/Xiling Gorge
Cruise through the first of the fabled Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge with its mossy cliffs. At Wushan, we cruise up the Daning River to view the breathtaking Small Gorges. Continue by sampan to the picturesque Ma Du River with its clear waters, fascinating rock formations, and monkeys along the banks. Alternatively, your excursion may be on Shennong Stream - another tributary of the Yangtze River, and its fast-flowing, crystal clear water runs southwards through deep gorges. The stream races past large and small karst caves, flocks of swallows, sheer cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls, three-colored springs, rapids, a suspended coffin in the cliff, groups of ancient tombs and marvelous karst formations.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12• Yangtze Cruise Xiling Gorge/San Dou Ping/Yichang to Shanghai
This morning visit the impressive Three Gorges Dam site. Continue on to Yichang where you board your flight bound for Shanghai. Dinner at the hotel.

Holiday Inn Shanghai -Downtown

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13• Shanghai
This morning, tour the major attractions of Shanghai. Wander the classical Yuyuan Gardens, built during the Ming Dynasty by a high-ranking government official. The Gardens occupy 20,000 square meters (about five acres), and features pavilions, ponds, rockeries, cloisters, and streams all within six scenic zones. Next, experience the old world charm of the Bund, the former "Wall Street" of the foreign powers. Walk along its park-like waterfront promenade between the Wusong River and Old Town. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
After dinner, you will attend Shanghai's world-renowned acrobatic show.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14• Depart Shanghai
Transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight.
MEALS: Breakfast

Payment Details

Total Price for Entire Group: 
$9,550.00 USD
Price Per Adult (Double Occupancy): 
$2,450.00 USD
Additional Notes On Price: 

$2,450 per adult, 10% off for children under 12 (Private tour)
Note: For 4-star hotels on average. Can also be customized to different level of hotels.

Average Lodging Star Rating: 
4.5 stars

Terms and Conditions

Cancellation Policy: 
If you cancel your contract at any time up to 45 days before your departure you will lose your deposit. If you cancel your contract at any time after 45 days before your date of departure, all monies that you have transferred will be returned less 40% of the total price of your holiday and the transfer fees levied by our bank.
Payment Options: 

You can pay us via: bank transfer and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express)
Please note that all credit card payments are subject to a surcharge, currently 3% for Visa and MasterCard, and 3.9% for American Express.

Payment Terms: 

As we develop the itinerary for your holiday, we will check the availability of hotels and, if possible, make provisional bookings. To do this, we will need early notification of your flight details. Once we have agreed the itinerary and the price, and received your instruction to proceed, we will ask you to transfer a minimum 15% deposit to our bank to cover our costs if you cancel thereafter. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will make firm bookings and confirm them to you.
Full payment of the balance must be made by electronic transfer in time to arrive in our account no later than 45 days before your tour begins.
In the event of the full payment not reaching our account by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel all bookings and the contract between us.