Wonders of China & the Grand Yangtze
Shanghai to Beijing - 18 days
Cost: From $3199 to $3499
Details below or click here for more information INQUIRY FORM

Step back in time to explore the wonders of China and the legends of the mighty Yangtze

Capture the very best of China-from its natural splendors to its vibrant cities-and cruise along the mysterious waterway that is the heart of China: the mighty Yangtze River.

Your days will be filled with opportunities to admire both world-famous historical sites and the natural beauty of the countryside: walking along the Great Wall, marveling at Suzhou's Humble Administrator Gardens, and enjoying a canal cruise through picturesque Tongli. And your evenings will be filled with masterful performances, from the amazing Shanghai Acrobats to a Tang Dynasty dinner and show to the Beijing Opera.

Who will enjoy this cruise: Those who appreciate the natural beauty of an unspoiled land with its enchanting vistas, breathtaking mountains, and amazing river. Also, those who are fascinated by China's grand cities: Shanghai, Xi'an, and Beijing.

DAY 1: Depart home gateway city to Shanghai

DAY 2: Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai and be greeted by a representative who will escort you to your hotel

DAY 3: Shanghai
Featured Excursion: Shanghai city tour and Shanghai Acrobats performance
Visit the most famous sites of Shanghai before savoring a traditional dim sum lunch at a local restaurant. During the evening, see the world renowned Shanghai Acrobats perform. (BB, L, D)

DAY 4: Shanghai, Tongli, Suzhou
Featured Excursion: Tongli canal cruise and evening cultural performance
Depart Shanghai for picturesque Tongli. Cruise through Tongli's canals on a Sampan before continuing to Suzhou for an evening performance of the Master of the Fishing Nets. (BB, L, D)

DAY 5: Suzhou, Shanghai, cruising the Yangtze River
Featured Excursion: Garden of the Humble Administrator and Embroidery Institute
Visit the Garden of the Humble Administrator and the Embroidery Institute. Return to Shanghai where you'll board your cruise ship. (BB, L, D)

DAY 6: Cruising the Yangtze River, Nanjing
Featured Excursion: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Confucian Temple
Tour the Mausoleum and Temple. (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Reception, D)

DAY 7: Cruising the Yangtze River, Huangshan or Jiuhuashan
Featured Excursion: Huangshan Mountain tour
Enjoy a full-day trip to Huangshan Mountain. Depending on river conditions, an alternate tour to Mt. Jiuhua may be substituted. (BB, L, D)

DAY 8: Cruising the Yangtze River, Wuhan
Featured Excursion: Rare Stone Museum
Explore the Rare Stone Museum in Wuhan, which features over 200,000 cultural relics, including the Sword of Goujian and extensive artifacts from the tomb of Marquise Li. (BB, L, D)

DAY 9: Cruising the Yangtze River
Enjoy a full day cruising the majestic Yangtze. (BB, L, D)

DAY 10: Cruising the Yangtze River, Yichang
Featured Excursion: Three Gorges Dam
Visit the Three Gorges Dam and then traverse the five-stage ship locks. (BB, L, D)

DAY 11: Cruising the Yangtze River
Featured Excursion: Lesser Gorges
Board a riverboat for a voyage down the enchanting Lesser Gorges of the Daning River or Shennong Stream. (BB, L, D)

DAY 12: Cruising the Yangtze River
Featured Excursion: Fengdu, Wanzhou, or Shibaozhai
Visit the "Ghost Town" of Fengdu, or the port cities of Wanzhou or Shibaozhai, depending on water levels. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)

DAY 13: Chongqing, fly to Xi'an
Featured Excursion: Chongqing city tour
Disembark in the morning in Chongqing. Enjoy a tour of this city before flying to Xi'an. Spend your first evening in Xi'an savoring a sumptuous traditional dumpling dinner. (BB, L, D)

DAY 14: Xi'an
Featured Excursion: Terra Cotta Warriors, City Wall, and Tang Dynasty dinner and show
Visit the famous Terra Cotta Warriors and the City Wall, before enjoying a Tang Dynasty dinner with cultural show. (BB, L, D)

DAY 15: Xi'an, fly to Beijing
Featured Excursion: Summer Palace
Fly from Xi'an to Beijing. Once in Beijing you will visit Beijing's UNESCO World Heritage Grand Summer Palace and the Imperial Gardens, one of the best-preserved gardens in the world. (BB, L, D)

DAY 16: Beijing
Featured Excursion: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutongs tour with home-hosted lunch, and Beijing Opera
Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Take a rickshaw ride, and in the evening attend the famous Beijing Opera. (BB, L, D)

DAY 17: Beijing
Featured Excursion: The Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, and Peking Duck dinner
Visit the 2008 Beijing Olympic sites, the Great Wall, and the Ming Tombs. Indulge in a Peking Duck farewell feast. (BB, L, D)

DAY 18: Depart Beijing
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home, or continue your tour with an extension to Hong Kong. (BB)

Cruise Highlights include:
All domestic flights within China
8-night Yangtze River cruise in a riverview stateroom with a private balcony onboard the Victoria Prince*
8 nights in deluxe hotels with buffet breakfast
16 buffet breakfasts, 15 lunches, and 15 dinners
Captain's Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner onboard the ship
Special themed dinners: Peking Duck dinner in Beijing, and traditional dumpling and Tang Dynasty dinners in Xi'an
Captivating, fully escorted tours with English-speaking local guides
Exciting evening entertainment, including the Beijing Opera, a Tang Dynasty performance, and the world-famous Shanghai Acrobats
Services of an experienced Tour Manager throughout your trip
All transportation on the tour
All transfers on arrival and departure days
*Ship is subject to change.

Note: Substitute visits to other sites along the Yangtze River may occur depending on water levels or other uncontrollable factors.

A limited number of singles may be available in certain categories on certain vessels for an additional supplement.

Flight from your home to Shanghai and your flight home are not included, we can arrange them for you!

Departure Dates:
July to October 2010

Prices:
From approx $3199 to $3499 per person based on double occupancy

To book or for more information please complete the INQUIRY FORM

Be sure to contact ACTION TRAVEL for more of these fabulous River Cruise vacations!
Phone number: 604-278-8286 Toll Free Phone number: 1-800-457-3363
Fax number: 604-608-4789

Mailing Address - 203 11951 Hammersmith Way,
Richmond, BC, V7A 5H9
BC License 1896