To
visit the Highlights of china enables you to get various
impressions of its life and history. You will explore
the historical imperial cities Beijing and Xi'an,
the Karst wonder of Guilin as well as the port metropolis
Shanghai. Both in Lhasa the capital of Tibet and in
Tsetang the cradle of the Tibetan civilization, the
splendid Tibetan culture and prevailing religious
atmosphere will impress you deeply.
So pleasant it is as you undertake the Yangtze cruise
with a comfortable tourist ship after a “long
and hard” trip on the “Roof of the world.”
On the ship you live in cabins equipped with air conditioning
and bathroom. The beauty salon, Fitness center (Sauna,
Massage), business center, restaurant, bar, etc. in
the ship affords you good recovery.
Itinerary
D01 Arrive in Beijing (L)
Arrive in Beijing, meet with guide and transfer to hotel.
In the afternoon visit Heaven Temple (Tian Tan in Chinese),
which was built in 1420 of the Ming Dynasty and expanded
in the Qing Dynasty at present covering an area of 273
hectares. The grand temple served as the sacrificial
place for the emperors of the Ming and Qing to worship
the heaven, presenting gratitude for the harvest of
this year and praying for another good harvest next
year. 3N at 3*Taiwan Hotel
D02 Beijing (B/L)
Stroll in the Tian An Men Square, which is probably
the biggest one of its kind in the world. Then go to
visit Forbidden City (Gugong) the emperor's palace,
which was built between 1406 and 1420 with 9000 halls
and rooms, containing many precious relics. Facing south
and rising from a terrace, the largest palace in the
world represents the supreme power and authority emperors
enjoyed during the feudalistic dynasties, and exemplifies
the elements of palace architecture.
D03 Beijing (B/L)
In the morning go to the Great Wall, one of the eight
ancient wonders of the world and the only man-made construction
on earth that the astronauts can see in the moon. Starting
out in the east on the banks of Yalu River in Liaoning
Province, the Wall stretches westwards for 12,700 kilometers
to Jiayuguan in the Gobi Desert. It was built as a defensive
structure and gradually become the symbol of the ancient
Chinese civilization. Then visit the Ming Tombs, which
are a group of mausoleums of13 Ming emperors and their
empresses and concubines. Two of the toms are open to
the public. The most famous is the Dingling, an underground
palace.
D04 Air Beijing – Xi’an (B/L)
In the morning transfer to airport and fly to Xian by
flight (CA1203 0730/0915). Upon arrival, transfer to
hotel. And then visit the Museum of Terra-cotta Army.
This mighty army of terracotta warriors and horses,
found in three vaults 39 km east of Xi’an and
1.5km from the Qin emperor’s mausoleum, is perhaps
the most popular tourist attraction of Shaanxi. An inside
museum has been built over these pits, covering a floor
space of 20,000 square meters and displaying 8,000 life-size
terracotta warriors, 100 or so chariots, and 30,000
weapons-an assemblage famed as the Eighth World Wonder
and a world cultural heritage site.
Besides, visit Yan Ta (Big-Wild-Goose Pagoda), which
was completed in 652, or the 3rd year of Yonghui reign
of the Tang emperor Gaozong. The 64.1-metre-high Pagoda
in Ci’en Temple is a pavilion-like brick structure
whose serene and well-proportioned form has become the
emblem of Xian. 1N at 4*Royal Nikko Hotel
D05 Air Xi’an - Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning visit Shaanxi History Museum one km from
the Greater Wild-Goose Pagoda in the south of Xi’an.
It is the first of its kind in China to be equipped
with modern facilities, covers 56,000 square meters
in floor space. A total of 2,000 exhibits, chosen from
a collection of 110,000 cultural relics, are on display.
Afterwards go sightseeing of the Stone Tablet Forest.
The Stone Sculpture Gallery was built in 1963, including
mausoleum stone sculpture and religious stone sculpture
from Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD) to Tang Dynasty.
It is prized as a great treasure in the art of world
stone sculptures. In the late afternoon transfer to
airport for Lhasa by flight (CA1216 1810/2000). Upon
arrival, meet with guide and transfer to hotel. 4N at
3*Dhood Gu Hotel
Included
17N
in hotels and in cruiser (N=overnight); meals as
stated: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=Dinner
domestic flights in China (economy class, incl.
20 kg of free luggage) and airport taxes: Beijing
- Xi'an - Lhasa - Chengdu - Guilin - Chongqing as
well as Yichang – Shanghai.
all transfers, boating and sightseeing
entry permit for Tibet
local English speaking guide (during the cruise
is public English speaking guide of the cruiser).
Excluded:
tip and all individual issues.
Some meals.
China visa.
Departure Dates
April
- Oct.
D06 Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning visit Potala, which was originally
constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king
of the united Tibet, and later expanded and served
as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas as well
as the religious-political nexus of traditional Tibet.
The crowds of pilgrims, innumerable magnificent murals,
Buddhist statues, scriptures and rare treasures altogether
create a dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses
every visitor. In the afternoon visit Jokhang monastery,
the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred
land of Buddhist followers where thousands of pilgrims
come for worship everyday. The temple, built in 647,
is the earliest wood-and-masonry structure still existing
in Tibet after a long history. Walk on the Barkhor
Street surrounding Jokhang, a big free market with
its prolific stalls for selling local specialties.
D07 Lhasa (B/L)
In the morning visit Drepung monastery the sacred
land of Gelug Sect., which was established in 1416
and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lama once resided
in. After the visit, return Lhasa and visit Potala
Palace, which was originally constructed in 637 by
Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet,
and later expanded and served as the winter residence
of the Dalai Lamas as well as the religious-political
nexus of traditional Tibet. The crowds of pilgrims,
innumerable magnificent murals, Buddhist statues,
scriptures and rare treasures altogether create a
dense religious and art atmosphere that impresses
every visitor.
D08 Lhasa (B/L)
Drive about one hour to Gandan Monastery. The first
monastery of Gelug Sect was established in 1409 by
Je Tsongkapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect (Yellow
Cap). Lots of cultural relics since the Ming Dynasty
are preserved in the temple, including 90 odd Stupas
containing the holy bodies of Tsongkapa and his successive
abbots. Afterwards visit Sera monastery, which was
created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist
seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery,
it is also called “the court of wild rose”.
Today still 200 lamas live in there.
D09 Lhasa - Tsetang (B/L)
Drive to Tsetang on the Yarlung-Tsangpo river junction.
On the way visit Mindrolin Monastery. It was built
in the late 10th century and had its current name
when it was rebuilt in 1677. It is one of the three
great monasteries of the Nyingma Sect. The monastery
has paid attention to the research of Buddhist classics,
astronomical calendar, calligraphy rhetoric and Tibetan
medicines and is famous for its achievements in these
fields. Over the years the recommendation of the "Chronology
of the Tibetan Calendar" has been formulated
by the monastery, and it is famous as the first academy
of Lamaism in Tibet. 2N at 3*Snow Pigeon Hotel
D10 Tsetang (B/L)
In the morning, drive along and then cross over the
Yarlung Tsangpo River by boat to visit the magnificent
Samye monastery built in the late 8th century. It
is the first monastery in Tibet that possessed the
three essences of Buddhist monastery: Buddha, Scripture
and Monk. The original building is no longer intact
due to destruction caused by wars and natural disasters,
but the monastery has been rebuilt each time and still
remains the symbol of Tibet's national identity. The
grand building complex was structured in the model
of the boundless universe regulated by the Buddhist
scripture. Its main building is a three-story tower
with an interior influenced by Tibetan, Han and Indian
styles. In the afternoon the aim is to visit Yungbulakang
Palace, a reconstruction of Tibet's oldest palace
originally established on this site by the founder
of the Yarlung dynasty - Nyatri Tsenpo during the
1st century BC. Afterwards back to Tsetang.
D11 Air Lhasa - Chengdu (B/L)
In the morning transfer to airport for Chengdu by
flight (CA4402 1020/1210). Upon arrival, transfer
to hotel. In the afternoon visit the Chengdu Giant
Panda Breeding Search Base located in the north suburbs
of the city proper. The base has made great advancements
in the field of assisted reproduction for the giant
panda. In the base about 35 pandas live in the semi-natural
environment. 1N at 4*Yinhe Dynasty Hotel
D12 Air Chengdu - Guilin (B)
In the morning transfer to airport for Guilin by flight
(CA4323 0810/0935). Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.
The rest of the time free. 1N at 3*Dangui Hotel
D13 Air Guilin – Chongqing (B/L)
In the morning, go sailing on the Li River to Yangshuo.
The Li River is crystal clear, and no matter how deep
the water is, the riverbed, the pebbles, sand, and
weeds can be seen. Take a walk on the West Street.
Afterwards drive back to Guilin and visit the Elephant-Trunk
Hill by the river. At night transfer to airport for
Chongqing by flight (CA4726 2240/2345). Upon arrival,
transfer to port and board the cruise ship. 3N in
4*Victoria Cruiser
D14-15 The Three Gorges (B/L/D)
D16 Air Yichang - Shanghai (B/L)
At noon arrive at Yichang and the come to the end
of the cruise tour. In the afternoon transfer to airport
for Shanghai by flight (FM366 1600/1730). Upon arrival,
transfer to hotel. 2N at 4*Ocean Hotel
D17 Shanghai (B/L)
In the morning visit Waitan (Bund). As one of the
most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai,
the Bund site shows a portion of the historic center
of the foreign presence in Shanghai and its transformation
in recent times. And then visit Yu Yuan (Yu-Garden).
Originally built in 1559, the 38th year of the Jiajing
reign of the Qing Dynasty, it served as the private
garden of high-ranking official by then. The word
“Yu” contains a meaning of “safe
and peaceful”, and the two words “Yu Yuan”
hints that the garden was built to please my parents
and make them feel safe and peaceful. With an area
of two hectares, Yu Yuan, is dotted with lofty and
steep rocks, green trees, and ancient buildings. It
is celebrated for its quietness and elegance. The
classical garden concentrated the constructional primes
of the south and north in the Ming and Qing dynasties,
small but exquisite. In the afternoon free.
D18 Depart Shanghai (B)
Free until transfer to airport.
Trip departs
from
Beijing,
China
Price:
US$ 2790
Single
Supplement: $720
(April and from June to August)
US$
2890
Single
Supplement: $820
(May and from September to October)
