Grand China and the Yangtze

Beijing to Hong Kong - 20 days

CRUISE HIGHLISTS INCLUDE:

• All domestic flights within China
• 4-night Yangtze River cruise in a riverview stateroom with a private balcony onboard the Victoria Anna
• 14 nights in deluxe hotels with buffet breakfast
• Captain’s Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner onboard the ship
• 18 buffet breakfasts, 16 lunches and 15 dinners
• Captivating, fully escorted tours with English-speaking local guides
• Exciting evening entertainment
• Services of an experienced Uniworld Tour Manager
• 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 Dining Out
  Featured Excursion: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Temple of Heaven
  Beijing is home to many of the sights that make China a must-see destination—the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven—all of which you will see. Be treated to a relaxing foot massage and, in the evening, savor a succulent Peking Duck feast. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 4: Beijing Motorcoach
  Featured Excursion: The Great Wall, Ming Tombs, and the Beijing Opera
  You’ll walk along the Great Wall—a not-to-be-missed experience. Afterward, visit the lavish and historic Ming Tombs and, in the evening, enjoy a historic Beijing Opera performance. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 5: Beijing
  Featured Excursion: Summer Palace, Hutongs tour, and Shichahai Lake
  Your tour takes you to one of China’s best-preserved imperial gardens at the Summer Palace. Later, take a rickshaw tour of the Hutongs in the old residential area of Beijing. In the evening, enjoy a cruise tour on Shichahai Lake. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 6: Beijing, fly to Xi'an
  Featured Excursion: Welcome ceremony and dumpling dinner
  This morning, you’ll fly to the ancient city of Xi’an, where upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a Royal Welcome Ceremony held just for you at the city gate. After the ceremony, transfer to the hotel, and then be treated to a spectacular dumpling dinner. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 7: Xi'an
  Featured Excursion: Terra Cotta Warriors and Tang Dynasty dinner performance
  Visit the iconic, life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. In the evening, join us for a Tang Dynasty dinner and cultural show. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 8: Xi’an, fly to Shanghai, Tongli, Suzhou
  Featured Excursion: Tongli tour and evening performance
  Fly to Shanghai, and then continue on to charming Tongli with its narrow streets, elegant homes, and teahouses. Next visit Suzhou, known for its delicate gardens. You’ll check into your hotel before attending an evening performance of music and dance. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 9: Suzhou to Shanghai
  Featured Excursion: Garden tour and Embroidery Institute visit
  Tour the Humble Administrator Gardens, a splendid example of Suzhou’s famous gardens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Embroidery Institute before returning to bustling Shanghai, where you will transfer to the hotel. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 10: Shanghai
  Featured Excursion: Shanghai city tour and Shanghai Acrobats performance
  Enjoy the many splendors of Shanghai including Old Town, the Bund, and an evening performance by the world-famous Shanghai Acrobats. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 11: Shanghai, fly to Yichang
  Featured Excursion: Oriental Pearl TV Tower
  Tour the Oriental Pearl TV Tower with its distinctive artistic spheres before your flight to Yichang, where you’ll board your luxurious Victoria Cruises ship. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 12: Cruising the Yangtze River
  Featured Excursion: Three Gorges Dam
  Visit the Three Gorges Dam, and then sail the dramatic shoals and verdant cliffs of Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 13: 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. After returning to the cruise ship, sail through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 14: Cruising the Yangtze River
  Featured Excursion: Fengdu or Wanzhou
  Visit the “Ghost City” of Fengdu or the port city of Wanzhou, depending on water levels. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)
• DAY 15: Cruising the Yangtze River, Chongqing, Dazu
  Featured Excursion: Dazu Rock Carvings
  Disembark in Chongqing and travel to Dazu to enjoy the Dazu Rock Carvings from the Tang, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Marvel at the more than 50,000 Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian rock carvings. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 16: Chongqing, fly to Guilin
  Featured Excursion: Chongqing city tour and Chongqing Zoo
  Enjoy a city tour and panda visit at the zoo before flying to Guilin. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 17: Guilin
  Featured Excursion: Yangshuo tour and Li River cruise
  Enjoy a half-day cruise down the Li River. Visit Yangshuo, a leading economic and cultural center since the Tang Dynasty. (BB, L, D)
• DAY 18: Guilin, fly to Hong Kong
  Featured Excursion: Reed Flute Cave and Chinese tea farm
  Marvel at the distinctly colored stalactites and stalagmites in the Reed Flute Cave, and then visit a Chinese tea farm before flying to Hong Kong. (BB, L)
• DAY 19: Hong Kong Motorcoach
  Featured Excursion: Half-day city tour
  Enjoy the best of the island—Victoria Peak, the Aberdeen Fishing Village, and Stanley Market. (BB)
• DAY 20: Depart Hong Kong Return Flight Featured Excursion: Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (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.