China, the Yangtze River and Hong Kong

3-Night Yangtze River Cruise ~ Beijing ~ Xi’an ~ Shanghai ~ Kowloon

 

•   3-night Yangtze River cruise aboard the Yangzi Explorer, featuring balconied staterooms

Day 1: Welcome to Beijing
A transfer is included upon your arrival from Beijing Capital International Airport to The Peninsula Beijing in the heart of the city, where a taste of Peking Duck awaits at tonight's Welcome Reception followed by dinner.
Overnight: The Peninsula Beijing, China
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Past meets present meets future in Beijing
To Tauck, travel means more than simply seeing each destination -- and today on your China tour, you'll explore the delicate balance between Beijing's past, present and future at some of the capital's must-see sites. Visit Tiananmen Square, a witness to much of modern Chinese history and home to Mao's mausoleum; view his portrait hanging above the "Gate of Heavenly Peace." Beyond it, in the legendary Forbidden City, where Imperial China's emperors dwelt for centuries, tour the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Imperial Garden and more. After lunch, the director of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center shares insights on the city's centuries-old hutongs with a multi-media presentation, and leads you on a private tour of one of these unique traditional neighborhoods threatened by ongoing urban development.
Overnight: The Peninsula Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: From Great Wall to "Bird's Nest" & "Bubble"
Besides being the only man-made structure visible from space, the Great Wall of China tops most travelers' lists of the earth's must-visit places. And today, you'll not only visit it, but experience it in more ways than one – riding a gondola up to the highest point of its Badaling section, walking down to the bottom along an ancient stone path, and having lunch with views of this architectural wonder spread out all around you at the Commune by the Great Wall. Then recapture the welcoming spirit of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on visits to two of its most iconic venues – the "Bird's Nest" (Beijing National Stadium), where the track and field events and opening and closing ceremonies were held; and the "Bubble" or "Water Cube" (National Aquatics Center), where U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps set a new Olympic record by winning 8 gold medals in 2008.
Overnight: The Peninsula Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: In and around old Imperial Beijing
As Tauck's China tour continues, you'll visit a grand example of traditional Chinese architecture, Beijing's Temple of Heaven, a round, three-tiered wood structure intricately decorated with gold leaf and colorful designs; try to imagine a long-ago time when the emperor and his entourage would travel here in secret processions from the Forbidden City to hold solemn ceremonies asking the gods for a bountiful harvest. Take part in a Tai Chi racquet exercise in one of the Temple's beautiful parks, learning the moves from the locals. Check out the pavilions, halls, bridges and gardens of the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take a dragon boat cruise on adjacent, man-made Kunming Lake. Tonight, have dinner à la carte at one of several fine restaurants housed in restored, historic western-style diplomatic buildings in Beijing's Legation Quarter.
Overnight: The Peninsula Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5: On to Xi'an, former capital of ancient China
After a free morning to explore more of Beijing on your own or simply relax, today's China tour includes a flight to the ancient city of Xi'an; set at the eastern end of the Silk Road, it's one of the country's oldest cities and served as the capital during the Han, Qin, Tang and other early dynasties. You'll spend the next two nights at the Golden Flower Hotel by Shangri-La, Xian, in Horizon Club-level rooms.
Overnight: Golden Flower Hotel by Shangri-La, Xian, Xi'an, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Tea training & the scoop on the Terra Cotta Warriors
Go behind-the-scenes with Tauck today at the site of Xi'an's amazing Terra Cotta Warriors – 8,000 individualized, life-size terra cotta statues of soldiers who stood guard at the underground tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, China’s first emperor, for more than 2,000 years. They were discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974, and are now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site! Tour the site's museum to learn the secrets of tea at a demonstration and tasting, view the incredible statues, and get the scoop on future plans for their preservation during a talk with the museum's conservation director. Explore Xi'an's city walls and the 1,300-year-old, 15-tiered Little Wild Goose Pagoda before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Golden Flower Hotel by Shangri-La, Xian, Xi'an, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Inside the Shaanxi Museum and a flight to Guilin
The Shaanxi History Museum's splendid collection of more than 350,000 artifacts illustrates the story of ancient China's feudal dynasties, many of which had their capitals here in Xi'an; our special visit includes insights from a Tang Dynasty expert. Your China tour continues as you fly to Guilin, among China's most picturesque places, whose landscapes have inspired poets and artists for centuries; you'll overnight at the Sheraton Guilin Hotel. 
Overnight: Sheraton Guilin Hotel, Guilin, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: • From the Li River to a Yangtze River cruise
Today begins with a chance to observe fishermen on bamboo rafts and view traditional village life on a private cruise along the Li River that seems lifted from a Chinese scroll painting! Fly to Yichang and board the Yangzi Explorer to continue your China travel with a memorable three-night cruise through the Three Gorges of the mighty Yangtze River. Dine à la carte aboard ship this evening before setting sail on your cruise, bound upstream (westbound) to Chongqing.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: • The Three Gorges Dam
Visions of knobby, mist-shrouded mountains steeped in the mystique of old China travel with you as you experience the Yangtze from dawn to dusk aboard the recently renovated Yangzi Explorer, one of the finest and roomiest ships on the river. Continue your China tour with a cruise through Xiling Gorge, largest of the Three Gorges, en route to a private visit to the largest hydroelectric project on earth, the Three Gorges Dam. Enjoy a tea demonstration aboard Yangzi Explorer, and meet the Captain and crew at the Captain's reception.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: • Pavilions and pagodas along the Yangtze
While cruising the Yangtze, view centuries-old pagodas and temples built against steep-sided cliffs, ancient roads and terraced fields along the river’s edge. Today you'll disembark for a Shennong Stream excursion aboard a traditional sampan, and explore both Wu and Qutang gorges. Shipboard activities aboard Yangzi Explorer range from a dumpling-making lesson to a documentary film screening after dinner à la carte tonight.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Fengdu, Chongqing and on to Shanghai
Cruise to Fengdu for a look at China's ancient "Ghost City," and visit a "relocation village" newly built for local farmers and villagers whose traditional homes and land were affected by the Three Gorges Dam project (schedule permitting). Disembark and drive to Chongqing for your flight to Shanghai, one of the country’s most cosmopolitan cities, where you'll spend the next three nights of your China tour at a brand-new, five star hotel on the famous Bund, The Peninsula Shanghai.
Overnight: The Peninsula Shanghai, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: A VIP view of Shanghai and ERA acrobats
Your China tour continues with a private introduction to Shanghai from the VIP viewing terrace of the Shanghai Urban Planning Center overlooking the city. Explore the center's exhibits on this historic port city's past, present and future, including a mock-up of 1930s Shanghai; a huge model of what the city might look like in 2020;  a 360-degree, 3-D film and more. Then walk across People's Square to tour the Shanghai Museum, displaying 120,000 works of art and artifacts. After lunch on your own in the Xiantiandi neighborhood, you'll have time to explore the area and its vanishing traditional stone-gated shikumen homes. The daring acrobatic performers of Shanghai's acclaimed ERA show entertain you tonight.
Overnight: The Peninsula Shanghai, China
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13: Shanghai sights and the world's fastest train
Today you'll explore Shanghai's famous Bund, adjacent to your hotel, and walk through its sightseeing tunnel before visiting historic and harmonious Yu Gardens, whose original grounds and temple date back to the 1550s; the word yu translates to "peace and health." Enjoy lunch at M on the Bund, then take a ride on the world's fastest passenger train – the Maglev – which can reach a top speed of 268 mph! At Shanghai's Children's Palace, local youngsters entertain you with song, dance and musical performances. This evening, bid Shanghai adieu with a farewell cocktail reception in the Peninsula Shanghai's glass-enclosed rooftop lounge, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: The Peninsula Shanghai, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14: On to Hong Kong and Aberdeen Harbour
A morning flight takes you to continue your China tour in legendary Hong Kong, arriving in time for lunch at a local dim sum restaurant. You'll experience this fascinating city from different perspectives today – first on a funicular tram ride up Victoria Peak, then aboard a traditional sampan on a cruise through one of the city's oldest floating villages, Aberdeen. 14-Day China Tour ends in Shanghai. Guests choosing a shorter, 14-day experience have the option to depart the tour after breakfast in Shanghai; a transfer is provided from The Peninsula Shanghai to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for these guests.
Overnight: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 15: Old meets new in Hong Kong
Take a crash course in Hong Kong's cultural, archaeological, and natural history with a visit to the renowned Hong Kong Museum of History this morning. Have lunch on your own and spend the rest of the day exploring the city as you please. Hong Kong abounds with street stalls selling everything from sneakers to silk, tropical birds to exotic fish; your hotel is in the Kowloon section, right in the heart of this shopper's paradise. This evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel at your leisure.
Overnight: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 16: Bound for home
Tauck's China tour ends in Hong Kong. Your extraordinary China tour ends in Hong Kong, where you'll catch your return flight home. A transfer is included from the Kowloon Shangri-La to Hong Kong International Airport; you should allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey. Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE. Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost. Tauck Single Specials in North America Best of the Canadian Rockies Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Charleston/Savannah Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys Tauck Single Specials in Europe A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America Panama Canal & Costa Rica
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/29/2010 - 9/14/2010	$6,290
9/12/2010 - 9/28/2010	$6,290
9/19/2010 - 10/5/2010	$7,290
10/3/2010 - 10/19/2010	$6,290
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.

Tauck Tour Deals

Tauck Single Specials

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