AVALON 2008: MAGICAL CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER WITH HONG KONG EXT (WYCE)

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Tour Operator

Globus

Duration

16 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Board your flight	(Tue.) Board your transpacific flight.
Day 2	Shanghai	(Wed.) Welcome to China's most populous city and center of trade and industry. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in.
Day 3	Shanghai	(Thu.) 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 a SILK FACTORY and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN'S PALACE, one of China's famous kindergartens. Your Tour Director will host a WELCOME DINNER tonight as you meet your traveling companions. This evening, you'll be amazed at the fabulous ACROBATIC SHOW. (B,L,D)
Day 4	Shanghai-Yichang (Embarkation)-Yangtze River Cruise	(Fri.) Visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM before flying to Yichang. Board the Victoria Anna for a 4-night cruise through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze. (B,D)
Day 5	The Three Gorges Dam Site	(Sat.) 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, sail through the Three Gorges ship locks and the Xiling Gorge. (B,L,D)
Day 6	Shennong Stream or Daning River	(Sun.) This morning, disembark for a boat excursion down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. After lunch, head upstream through the Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and the Wu Gorge, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. (B,L,D)
Day 7	Wanxian or Shibaozhai or Fengdu	(Mon.) 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 side; or Fengdu, where you'll visit Snow Jade Cave. (B,L,D)
Day 8	Chongqing (Disembarkation)-Xi'an	(Tue.) Bid farewell to your ship's crew upon arrival in 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 your flight to the city of Xi'an in central China. (B,L,D)
Day 9	Xi'an	(Wed.) 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 a visit to the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 A.D. Then learn to write like a local during a traditional Chinese CALLIGRAPHY CLASS. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. In 1974, the enormous tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. This evening, enjoy "The Tang Dynasty" dinner show , featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,L,D)
Day 10	Xi'an-Beijing	(Thu.) This morning, visit Xi'an's South Gate; you may even see some locals practicing their morning Tai Chi. Visit a LACQUER WORKSHOP before flying to Beijing, China's capital city. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing's HUTONGS, the city's ancient alleys. During this visit, you're welcomed into the courtyard of a family's home and a daycare center to experience life in this historic neighborhood.
Day 11	Beijing	(Fri.) 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 and situated on Kunming Lake. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful make-up being applied to the performers. (B,L,D)
Day 12	Beijing	(Sat.) 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 CLOISONNE 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. This evening is the perfect finale to a great touring adventure as you're hosted to a special Peking Duck FAREWELL DINNER. (B,L,D)
Day 13	Beijing-Hong Kong	(Sun.) Today, fly to exciting Hong Kong. (B)
Day 14	Hong Kong	(Mon.) This morning's sightseeing begins with a cable car ride up Victoria Peak for panoramic vistas of this one-of-a-kind port city. Continue to Repulse Bay, a popular beach area, and then to the Aberdeen fishing village where you will enjoy a SAMPAN RIDE on the harbor. Next stop is STANLEY MARKET, a narrow street jammed with stalls offering clothing, arts, and crafts. The afternoon and evening are free for independent exploration. Tonight, consider an optional sunset cruise on Hong Kong's magnificent harbor. (B)
Day 15	Hong Kong	(Tue.) Take advantage of a full free day to explore this exciting city. You may wish to join one of our optional excursions to view the giant Buddha on the island of Lantau or an excursion to learn about Hong Kong's history before the British colonized the area. Shopping is a highlight of Hong Kong with markets, malls, and shops to fit any taste and budget. Your Local Host will be happy to suggest ways to make the most of your day. (B)
Day 16	Return Home	(Wed.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

US$ Price Details

Single Room Supplement: $1850
Triples are not available

Extra nights per person in Shanghai
Mon.-Thu.: in single room $258; in twin room $140
Fri.-Sun.: in single room $206; in twin room $115

Extra nights per person in Beijing:
Mon.-Thu.: in single room $244; in twin room $134
Fri.-Sun.: in single room $199; in twin room $111

Extra nights per person in Hong Kong
Apr.: in single room $391; in twin room $207
May-Jun.: in single room $242; in twin room $132
Sep. 14-20 & Oct. 1-7: in single room $291; in twin room $157
Sep. 21-30 & Oct. 8-31: in single room $436; in twin room $229

Suites are available on board the Victoria Anna upon request. Please call for pricing.

Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.

Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-2008, 2009 & 2010 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.

Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2008, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.

Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature.