China, Tibet and the Yangtze

Beijing to Shanghai - 15 days

CRUISE HIGHLISTS INCLUDE:

• All domestic flights within China
• 3-night Yangtze River cruise in a riverview stateroom with a private balcony onboard the Victoria Katarina
• 10 nights in superior to deluxe hotels with breakfast
• 13 buffet breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 12 dinners
• Captain’s Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner onboard the ship
• Captivating, fully escorted tours with English-speaking local guides
• Services of an experienced Uniworld Tour Manager
• Exciting evening entertainment
• All transportation on tours
• All transfers on arrival and departure days

ITINERARY

• DAY 1: Depart home gateway city to Beijing
• DAY 2: Beijing
  Featured Excursion: Arrive in Beijing and be greeted by a Uniworld representative who will escort you to the hotel.
• DAY 3: Beijing
  Featured Excursion: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, and Peking Duck feast
  Your first full day in Beijing takes in many of the major sites, such as the Forbidden City—a 250-acre complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards, and gardens—and historic Tiananmen Square. Visit the Summer Palace, one of China’s largest and best-preserved imperial gardens. In the evening, indulge in a traditional Peking Duck dinner. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 4: Beijing
  Featured Excursion: The Great Wall, Ming Tombs, and Beijing Opera
  You’ll have the opportunity to walk along the Great Wall. Since the 3rd century BC, the wall has been built, rebuilt, and maintained over thousands of years. After this memorable experience, visit the lavish and historic Ming Tombs. In the evening, enjoy a performance at the Beijing Opera. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 5: Beijing, fly to Xi'an
  Featured Excursion: Hutongs tour and dumpling dinner
  Ride in a rickshaw for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hutongs, ancient alleyways located in the old residential area of Beijing. In the afternoon, fly to Xi’an and transfer to the hotel. Tonight, you will enjoy a sumptuous traditional dumpling dinner. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 6: Xi'an
  Featured Excursion: Terra Cotta Warriors, City Wall, and Tang Dynasty dinner and show
  Xi’an is the site of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. After your exploration of these awe-inspiring sculptures, visit the City Wall. In the evening, be treated to a Tang Dynasty dinner and cultural show. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 7: Xi'an, fly to Lhasa
  Featured Excursion: Fly to Lhasa, the heart, soul, and capital of Tibet, with a fascinating history dating back more than 1,300 years. As the former seat of the Dalai Lama, Lhasa, which translates to “place of the gods,” embodies the culture of Tibetan Buddhism. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 8: Lhasa Motorcoach
  Featured Excursion: Da Zhao Temple and Tibet Museum
  See the early Buddhist Da Zhao Temple, which is embellished with Nepalese and Indian touches and capped by a golden canopy. Visit the Tibet Museum, which houses a rich collection of prehistoric cultural relics. Catch a glimpse into the life of the local people with a visit to a Lhasa family’s home. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 9: Lhasa
  Featured Excursion: Potala Palace and Sera Monastery
  Marvel at Lhasa’s Potala Palace, perched atop Red Mountain. Gaze at its jewel collections and wander the chapels as pilgrims make offerings at the altars. Visit the Sera Monastery with its amazing collection of perfectly preserved murals and Maitreya, Bodhisattva, and Arhat statuary. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 10: Lhasa, fly to Chongqing, cruising the Yangtze River
  Featured Excursion: Chongqing city tour
  Take a morning flight to Chongqing, where you’ll take a tour of the city zoo for a panda visit. Then board your Victoria Cruises ship and enjoy a special onboard dinner created just for Uniworld guests. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 11: Cruising the Yangtze River
  Featured Excursion: Fengdu or Wanzhou
  Sail along the Yangtze to visit the “Ghost City,” Fengdu, or the port city of Wanzhou, depending on water levels. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 12: Cruising the Yangtze River
  Featured Excursion: Lesser Gorges
  Sail through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge with its majestic 12 mountain peaks. Embark on a voyage down the Lesser Gorges of either the Daning River or Shennong Stream. Later, sail through the Three Gorges Dam ship locks. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
• DAY 13: Yichang, fly to Shanghai
  Featured Excursion: Three Gorges Dam
  Visit the construction site of the world’s largest hydroelectric plant, the Three Gorges Dam. Disembark in Yichang and fly to Shanghai. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 14: Shanghai
  Featured Excursion: Shanghai city tour, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and Shanghai Acrobats performance
  Enjoy the many splendors of Shanghai including Old Town, the Bund, and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Tonight, prepare to be dazzled by the amazing Shanghai Acrobats. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 15: Depart Shanghai
  Featured Excursion: Transfer to the airport for your return flight home, or continue your tour with one of our popular optional extensions. (BB)

2009 Cruises

Prices: Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a stateroom or hotel room. Cruise/tour prices are based on costs, charges, tariffs, rates, taxes, levies, and exchange rates as of June 15, 2008. Should the total cruise/tour price increase by more than 10%, passengers will have the right to cancel their cruise within 7 days of notification of the surcharge without penalty. No surcharges in respect of cost or currency fluctuations will be made once payment for the deposit of your cruise/tour is received. This does not apply to fuel surcharges and any taxes, charges, or levies imposed by any government or their agencies. Air-inclusive pricing is provided from NYC, CHI, and LAX only. Other gateway cities are available at additional costs. Please ask your Reservations Consultant at the time of booking for details. A limited number of singles are available for an additional supplement. Reservations and Payments: A deposit of at least $200 per person is required at the time of reservation. Final payment is due at least 90 days prior to departure. Reservations will be cancelled if final payment is not received in a timely manner.