iExplore China and Yangtze Experience

Tour Description

China, a mysterious land of red pagodas, cosmopolitan cities, manicured gardens, and Great Walls, is yours to explore on this 13-day tour.

Start in Beijing, where you explore Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. Fly to Xi'an, home to the terracotta army guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi. Xi'an was the largest city in the world during the Tang dynasty (618-907).

Enjoy an unforgettable three-day cruise on the Yangtze River. Pass through towering gorges and join fascinating shore excursions, including the Ghost City of Fengdu and ancient cliff coffins at Shennong Stream. Your journey through China concludes in Shanghai, with its excellent museums and elaborate temples.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Beijing, China

Today when you arrive in Beijing you are met for private transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

The capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing is a unique reflection of the many changing facets of contemporary Chinese culture, where ancient cultural sites such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven vie for space alongside high-rise buildings, modern shopping malls, and an intricate freeway system. A thriving commercial capital, continually developing, Beijing's 2,000-year-old cultural heritage is still very much in evidence, with a vast array of stunning attractions throughout the city.

Overnight Beijing

Day 02: Beijing

Full day city tour of Beijing by private vehicle. Start your tour with a visit to Tiananmen Square, a site of historic significance for the advent of communism in China. Known as "six-four" or "June 4th," the movement has become an albatross about the Chinese government's neck in regards to human rights and freedom of speech, a point of contention in Sino-American relations. Aside from the grand and tragic events here over the last 50 years, Tiananmen is truly a people's square, alive with local kite fliers and wide-eyed tourists from out of town.

Then visit the impressive Forbidden City within the Imperial Palace. Also known as the Imperial Palace Museum or Gugong, the Forbidden City was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties carried out their administration and lived.

Now it is open to the public as a palace museum where people can see the great traditional palace architecture, enjoy the treasures kept in the palace, and learn of the legends and anecdotes about the imperial family and the court.

This afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the lush gardens of the Summer Palace. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called "Yiheyuan" (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. It is up to now the best preserved and the largest imperial gardens in China.

Breakfast

Overnight Beijing

Day 03: Beijing

Enjoy a morning excursion to visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, which snakes over the green hill countryside outside of Beijing.

UNESCO enlisted the Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the world, in the World Heritage in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus stretching approximately 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the section of the great wall are now in ruins or even entirely disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world, owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

This afternoon visit the 798 Art Zone, located in the Dashanzi area, to the northeast of Beijing. It is the site of state-owned factories including Factory 798, which originally produced electronics. Beginning in 2002, artists and cultural organizations began to divide, rent out and re-make the factory spaces, gradually developing them into art galleries, artist's studios, design companies, restaurants and bars. It became a "Soho-esque" area of international character, replete with "loft living", attracting attention from all around. Bringing together contemporary art, architecture and culture with a historically interesting location and an urban lifestyle, "798" has evolved into a cultural concept, of interest to experts and normal folk alike. Please note: hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Breakfast

Overnight Beijing

Day 04: Beijing

This morning after breakfast, visit the Temple of Heaven, set in a 670-acre park. Here you will find Qinian Dian (Hall of Prayer for the Good Harvests), constructed without a single nail, and one of the finest examples of Chinese architecture.

Then, enjoy a 1-hour Tai Chi Class in the park and a lesson in Fengshui.

The Tai Chi class takes 1-1.5 hours and follows these steps:

- Full illustration of Tai Chi.

- Demonstration by Tai Chi masters in Chinese classical music.

- A tutor to learn simplified 24 forms of Yang style Tai Chi Quan.

- Competition between the students with the winner being awarded a small prize.

Fengshui is a great treasure of Chinese traditional culture. Literally translated as "wind and water" Fengshui is the ancient Chinese art of balancing, harmonizing, and enhancing the flow of natural energies in the environment.

A Chinese Fengshui Master will conduct this lecture for about 1.5-2 hours. He will talk about how the Chinese architectures are affected by Fengshui. Usually Fengshui connects with the whole process from site selection, designing, construction and interior and exterior decorating in ancient times. In the lecture, the master will also explain the wisdom of Fengshui and how to apply them to create a harmonious and prosperous home or business. Questions are welcomed and will be answered, as there is often much confusing and contradictory information in this vast, complex and exciting science.

Also, enjoy a rickshaw tour of the Hutongs, the "Old City" neighborhoods of narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens hidden behind Beijing's modern facade. Later enjoy afternoon tea with a local family.

Breakfast

Overnight: Beijing

Day 05: Beijing- Xi'an

This morning you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, you will be met by your English-speaking guide and visit the city wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda before being taken to your hotel.

Strategically set on the Silk Road trade route that once linked central Asia to Europe, Xi'an was the largest city in the world during the Tang dynasty (618-907.) Although the city is quite modernized, Xi'an has retained many of the historical remnants of its past glory.

Xi'an's City Wall was built in the Tang Dynasty when the city was the capital; this is now the only complete city wall existing in China. Visit one of the gates and take a stroll on the wall. Then visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda, built in the beginning of the Tang dynasty as a memorial to Crown Prince Lhi Zhi's mother.

Breakfast

Overnight: Xi'an

Day 06: Xi'an

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing. Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum. A terracotta army guards the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi and lures travelers from all over the world. In a quest for immortality and eternal power, China's first emperor chose to have himself buried with some 8,000 life-size, intricately carved soldiers, horses, and chariots. Discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974, the terracotta army then wore painted uniforms, but exposure to the air and sun has turned them black. Your tour includes a visit to the lower platform.

This afternoon, visit the nearby Banpo Neolithic Village, which offers 1,000-year-old artifacts, and the hot springs of Huaqing, baths that have been in use for 3,000 years.

Breakfast

Overnight: Xi'an

Day 07: Xi'an- Chongqing- Yangtze River Cruise

After breakfast this morning, meet your guide for a visit to the Muslim Market in Xi'an before heading to the airport for your flight to Chongqing.

Arrive Chongqing. You are met and taken on an introductory city tour including a visit to the zoo to see the pandas, city museum and city market. Chongqing, a picturesque mountain city that clings to steep cliffs located at the confluence or the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, serves as ether a port of destination or of departure for every Victoria Yangtze River cruise.

Transfer to the port for cruise check-in. 9:00 pm depart from Chongqing.

Along the shores of China's Yangtze River, the ancient and the modern collide. During your journey with Victoria Cruises, you will experience the thrilling ebb and flow of Chinese life in the 21st Century.

Breakfast, Dinner

Victoria Queen, Victoria Empress or Victoria Star

Day 08: Yangtze River Cruise

Shore excursion to Fengdu or Shibaozhai.

Fengdu is located on the northern bank of the Yangtze, 176 kilometers downstream from Chongqing. Known as the "Ghost City, Fengdu is a very popular shore excursion site for tourists on the Yangtze River. Fengdu received its reputation as the "Ghost City" in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Two officials from the imperial court--Wang Fang Ping and Ying Chang Sheng were bored with political life in the court and came to Mt. Minshan outside Fengdu city to practice Taoist teachings.

Both of them later became immortals by carrying out self-cultivation. When combined together, their surnames Yin and Wang sound very much like "King of Hell" in Chinese. Hence the people began to call Fengdu the "Ghost City". To Chinese people, the social structure is hell is exactly like that in the real world. In hell, a spirit goes through the whole bureaucracy to be finally judged. Those pure of spirit will be rewarded and those sinful of spirit will be subjected to severe punishments. Different punishment would be given to different kinds of sins. The temples built on Mt. Minshan display punishing instruments and wild demon images, which vividly depict the Chinese people's imagination of Hell. Landmarks on the hill bear horrible names--Ghost Torturing Pass, Tower of Last Glance to Home, No Way Out Bridge, and River of Blood.

Shibaozhai represents one of the gems of Chinese architecture along the banks of the Yangtze River. From afar, the protruding 220-meter (720 foot) hill on the north bank can appear to resemble a jade seal, and is so named. The creation of the hill is attributed to the goddess Nuwo, who caused a rockslide while she was redecorating the sky after a fierce battle between two warring dukes. A red pavilion hugs one side of this rock. Its tall yellow entrance gate is decorated with lions and dragons and etched with an inscription inviting the visitor to ascend into a 'Little Fairyland'. The temple at the top was built during the reign of the Emperor Qianlong (1736-96) and access to it was by an iron chain attached to the cliff. A nine-storied wooded pavilion was added in 1819 so that monks and visitors to the temple would not have to suffer the discomforts of the chain ascent. In 1956 three more stories were added. Each floor is dedicated to the famous generals of the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-65), local scholars and renowned Chinese poets. The rising waters of the river will eventually surround the pagoda, which will be preserved with a tiny dam of its own, but left on an island. In front of Ganyu Palace at the top of the Jade Seal Hill is the Duck Hole. It is said that as spring turns to summer, if you take a live duck and drop it through the hole, it will quickly reappear swimming in the Yangtze. In the past the monks apparently drew their drinking water from this hole by using a pipe made of bamboo. The spirit wall in the temple's main hall is constructed of excavated Han-dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) bricks. The hall behind is dedicated on the right to General Zhang Fei and Yan Yan of the Three Kingdoms, and on the left to General Qin Liangyu (1576-1648) who fought bravely against the Manchu forces. A mural shows the goddess Nuwo repairing the sky. In the rear hall are the remains of the Rice Flowering Hole. Legend has it that long ago just enough husked rice would flow up from the small hole each day for the needs of the monks and their guests. One day a greedy monk, thinking he could become rich, chiseled a bigger hole, and the rice flow ceased forever. In 2009 the water level of the Three Gorges Dam Reservoir will reach the base of the yellow entrance gate of Shibaozhai.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Victoria Queen, Victoria Empress or Victoria Star

Day 9: Yangtze River Cruise

Sail through Qutang Gorge/Wu Gorge. Excursion to Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream.

Wushan is situated at the confluence of the Yangtze and Daning rivers, just above the western entrance to the Wu (Witches) Gorge. The town has existed since the latter part of the Shang Dynasty (c.1600-1027 BC) and is now home to 30,000 residents. The name of the town originates with Wu Xi'an, a respected Tang Dynasty doctor in the imperial court who is buried on Nanling Mountain on the opposite bank of the Yangtze River. Wushan is the administrative site of Wushan County, a mountainous region rich in medical herbs that encompasses the Daning River valley and half of the Wu Gorge. Wushan is the starting point for the popular boat trips through the Lesser Gorges on the Daning River. The river winds its way 33 kilometers (20 miles) through the beautiful Lesser Gorges; birds singing and monkeys chattering can sometimes be seen from both banks. The water is strikingly clear in contrast to the muddy, turgid waters of the Yangtze. The first is Dragon Gate Gorge. In this gorge, the river ranges from only ten to thirty meters wide while the cliffs on either bank soar to an average of 800 to 1000 meters. Mysterious plants and fungus of longevity (lingzhi) are said to grow high up on the cliff face. Two rows of square holes extending the entire length of the gorges are all that remain of ancient plank walkway. The walkway allowed easier access to salt mines far up the river. The existence of the walk way was recorded in 246 BC and was finally destroyed by the Imperial Ming army during the 17th century after a peasants uprising. Each gorge is separated by lush terraced fields where a variety of crops grow during all four seasons of the year. In the Misty Gorge, a 2,000-year-old "hanging" coffin can be seen suspended on a precipice high up on the cliff-face. The coffin is a relic left over from the Ba people who inhabited the gorges region 3,500 to 1,800 years ago. At one time hundreds of these coffins could be seen throughout the Three Gorges and the Daning River, suspended from seemingly inaccessible areas on the cliff-side.

The Emerald Green Gorge, the farthest from Wushan, is covered with lush bamboo grooves and foliage. The return trip downstream to Wushan is usually made in less than half the time required for the upstream boat ride.

Board a ferryboat for a relaxing ride up this tributary of the Yangtze, which has its own attractive gorges. You will dock very close to the head of the reservoir created by the Three Gorges Dam, and switch into smaller wooden boats called "pea-pod boats". You are then poled up to the shallow, clear areas further upstream. Trackers take over where the current is strong, and pull the boats about 100 or 200 yards. Later you will sail back to the waiting ferry to return to your Victoria ship.

Sail through Three Gorges locks.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Victoria Queen, Victoria Empress or Victoria Star

Day 10: Yichang- Shanghai

Morning guided shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project.

Three Gorges Dam, the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man. The Dam is now being built in Sandouping, which is in the middle of the Xiling Gorge, the longest of the three gorges on the Yangtze River.

The Three Gorges Dam will be 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 18 meters wide on the top and 130 meters wide at the bottom. The dam will raise the river to a level of 175 meters above sea level, creating a 600 kilometers long reservoir with storage capacity of 39.9 billion cubic meters extending from the dam site all the way to Chongqing. 570,000 acres of farmland, villages in 19 counties and cities will be flooded, causing 1.5 million people to be relocated.

The estimate for construction of the project is 70 billion US dollars. The building of this huge dam is for the purpose of flood control, electricity, navigation, and irrigation.

The construction of the dam formally began in 1994. The body of the dam was completed in 2003, and the whole construction was competed in 2009.

130pm disembark in Yichang.

You are met at the cruise port for a short city tour in Yichang by private vehicle. Then transfer to the Yichang airport for your flight to Shanghai. Arrive Shanghai; you are met for private transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Breakfast

Overnight: Shanghai

Day 11: Shanghai

Enjoy a full day city tour of Shanghai by private vehicle.

First visit one of the oldest tourist sites in Shanghai, the Yuyuan Gardens. With ponds, traditional red walls with upturned tile roofs, and an excellent teahouse - the Yuyuan Gardens is a wonderful respite from city chaos.

Then transfer to the west side of the city to visit the Jade Buddha Temple, home to two famous white jade Buddha statues brought from Burma in 1882. This afternoon, you will visit the Shanghai Museum, which boasts the best bronze collection in the world, along with Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, jade, coins, paintings, and ceramics. Later, enjoy a stroll along The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Road, the famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years.

Breakfast

Overnight: Shanghai

Shanghai- Suzhou- Shanghai

Full day trip to Suzhou by train.

Dating back to 482 B.C., Suzhou is known as the town of gardens and canals. At least 150 gardens flourish in large open spaces or unexpectedly tucked away between narrow streets, all following the principle of Chinese garden construction: the representation of a tiny universe. Fishponds, zigzagging bridges connecting small islands, tiny gardens with fountains - nearly every aspect of nature is found in these gardens.

Enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal and visit two private gardens and a local silk factory.

Return by train to Shanghai, where you are met at the station and transferred to your hotel.

Breakfast

Overnight: Shanghai

Day 13: Day of Departure

Today you bid farewell to China. You'll be picked up at your hotel and taken to Pudong Airport in time for your departure flight home.

Breakfast

Departures

Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details.

Pricing Information

2011 Prices:

Including accommodations at the Courtyard by Marriott in Beijing, The Mercure on Renmin Square in Xi'an, Yangtze River Cruise aboard the Victoria Queen, Victoria Empress or Victoria Star and the Equatorial International Hotel in Shanghai:

March:

$3,249 per person double occupancy.

$3,249 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$5,049 Solo traveler.

$989 Single room supplement.

April, May, September and October:

$3,539 per person double occupancy.

$3,539 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$5,539 Solo traveler.

$1,259 Single room supplement.

June- August

$3,339 per person double occupancy.

$3,339 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$5,199 Solo traveler.

$1,079 Single room supplement.

November:

$3,379 per person double occupancy.

$3,379 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$5,389 Solo traveler.

$1,159 Single room supplement.

Including accommodations at The Peninsula Hotel in Beijing, The Sofitel on Renmin Square in Xi'an, Yangtze River Cruise aboard the Victoria Queen, Victoria Empress or Victoria Star and The Peninsula Hotel in Shanghai:

March

$4,359 per person double occupancy.

$4,359 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$7,129 Solo traveler.

$2,139 Single room supplement.

April, May, Septemner and October

$4,609 per person double occupancy.

$4,609 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$7,599 Solo traveler.

$2,239 Single room supplement.

June- August

$4,299 per person double occupancy.

$4,299 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$7,189 Solo traveler.

$2,039 Single room supplement.

November

$4,359 per person double occupancy.

$4,359 per person double occupancy, based on four persons traveling together.

$7,129 Solo traveler.

$2,139 Single room supplement.

Prices for your dates of travel may vary- please contact iExplore for an exact quote. Quoted prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of December, 2010. iExplore reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. iExplore is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any package.

Inclusions:

· Meet and assist at airports, train stations, and cruise ports

· Round trip airport to hotel transfers by private vehicles

· Hotel accommodations as indicated with breakfast daily

· Yangtze Cruise on a full board basis

· Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

· Domestic flights: Beijing-Xian-Chongqing and Yichang-Shanghai (luggage restrictions apply, upgrades to first class available)

· Sightseeing as indicated on a private basis with local English-speaking guides

· Entrance fees to sights as indicated

· Excursions on the Yangtze Cruise with on-board resident guide (non-exclusive basis)

Exclusions:

· International airfare

· Departure and airport taxes

· Meals, unless otherwise indicated

· Items of a personal nature

· Gratuities and porterage

· Travel insurance

· Visas (if required)

· Holiday surcharges

All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.

Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

Options and Extras

Tour Notes

Climate and Clothing

China lies mainly in the temperate and subtropical zones. Generally, its southern part (East China, South China and Southwest china) is warm, humid, and rainy; its northern part (North China, Northeast China, and northwest China) is dry and windy.

In spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) you will need a lined jacket or woolen sweater over light clothes. In summer (June to August) cool cotton garments are recommended. In winter (December to February) a light cotton-padded coat will keep you warm enough in the south; but in the north a heavy woolen coat or down parka is a must.

Late spring and late summer are often rainy especially in the southern part of China, so you would be wise to bring rainwear with you. And of course good walking shoes are essential at any time of year

Currency

Renminbi, the Chinese currency, is issued by the state bank, the People's Bank of China.

The standard unit of the Renminbi is yuan, with jiao and fen as the subsidiary units. Thus one yuan equals ten jiao and one jiao equals ten fen. Yuan, jiao and fen are issued both in bills of exchange and coins. Renminbi features the following denominations: one, two, five, ten, fifty and a hundred yuan; one, two, and five jiao; and one, two and five fen. The abbreviation for Renminbi is RMB.

Conversion services are available in China for all major currencies and money can be changed at hotels or banks throughout the country.

The following foreign credit cards are accepted in China:

1) MasterCard

2) Visa

3) American Express

4) JCB

5) Diners

Electricity Supply

Electricity supply in China is 220 volts, but sockets with adaptors are available in the washrooms of many luxury and medium-grade hotels.

Public Holidays

In China there are 11 days of national public holiday out of the year:

The New Year's Day-2 days;

The Spring Festival (usually falling in late January or early and mid-February)-3 days;

The May 1st Labor Day-3 days;

The October 1st National Day-3 days.

Shopping for Souvenirs

Shopping in China is getting more convenient. For those who are staying for more than just a few days, favored brands of daily necessities can be found in most large department stores and shopping malls. Western retail companies have established outlets in major cities in China which carry both domestic and imported goods.

For those who wish to shop for souvenirs, there are open markets such as the Xiushui Street and Panjiayuan Antique Market in Beijing, as well as large department stores and shopping malls. Unlike large department stores where the prices are fixed, in markets you can and must bargain. Your local tour guides or hosts are the best help when bargaining. They will prove essential in finding the best goods and bringing the prices down!

Taxis

China enjoys adequate taxi services. In most cities, taxis tend to be small local-made cars painted in either red or yellow. In large cities, there are luxurious sedans at a higher rate. Taxi fares vary from city to city but they are always clearly marked on the taxi window.

Most taxi drivers do not understand much English, although those in tourist cities are encouraged to learn and speak some simple English. Non-Chinese speaking visitors are advised to have their destination written down in Chinese to the cab driver.

Telephones and Postal Services

In towns and cities, IDD service is provided at all hotels and post offices. Phone cards are available in post offices inside hotels or in the street. Even more conveniently, most newsstands in major cities also carry phone cards. Telephone booths in the streets are mostly for local calls.

Tourist hotels provide postal services. If you want to send important items such as antiques and cultural relics that are under customs control, you will have to ask for the help from the local branch of the international post office, instead of the hotell post office.

Visas

The Chinese Government issues different types of visas according to the purpose of the visitors. Foreigners wishing to travel to China should apply to a local Chinese embassy or consulate for tourist visas.

Drinking Water

Not all the tap water in China is potable, but bottled mineral water is readily available for sale.