everydaytaichi in China
Air and Sea Travel
17 Day China Highlight and Yangtze River (Upstream) Odyssey
Departure (2010): Apr 7, 2010
Touring Cities: Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Suzhou, Yichang, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong
AB: American Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner | SD: Special Dinner
Day 1 (Wed) Honolulu – Beijing
We start our vacation by boarding an international flight bound for Beijing, the capital of China, an ancient city of great splendor. Meals and snacks will be served on the plane.
Day 2 (Thu) Beijing
Arrive at Beijing Capital Int’l Airport. A Grande Holiday representative will greet and escort us to our hotel.
Day 3 (Fri) Beijing (AB, L, SD)
In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven; widely regarded as the noblest example of religious architectures in all of China, it was the site where emperors came to worship heaven for a bountiful harvest. Then we will visit a jade workshop, where we will learn about Chinese jade culture. In the afternoon, go to the fabled Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a massive defensive structure built to keep off intrusion. Tonight’s dinner features China’s famous Peking duck.
Day 4 (Sat) Beijing (AB, L, D)
In the morning, visit the Summer Palace, former summer retreat for the imperial family during the late Qing Dynasty and now China's largest and best-preserved royal garden. Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the fresh-water pearl shop. In the afternoon, we’ll walk around Tiananmen Square, probably the largest and most magnificent public square in the world. Explore The Forbidden City, the largest and most well-preserved imperial palace whose vast and exotic grandeur was brilliantly captured in the movie The Last Emperor. Proceed for an entry to Tongrentang, China’s most famous traditional pharmacy, where you could learn the mystifying Chinese theory of Yin& Yang balance.
Day 5 (Sun) Beijing – Xi’an (AB, SD)
Before transfer to the airport, we will visit the Olympic Park, where the 2008 Summer Olympic was held and now it is the new tourist attraction in Beijing. Board a flight to Xi’an later in the day. Upon arrival, visit Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which beholds a treasure of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi; and the City Wall - one of the few ancient city walls still standing in China. Enjoy a good night of Dumpling Banquet Dinner and the Tang Dynasty Show.
Day 6 (Mon) Xi’an (AB, L, SD)
In the morning, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist pagoda in China. Then we go to one of the most exciting archaeological finds of the 20th Century - the more than 6,000 of excavated Terracotta Warriors and the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses reproduction factory. Lastly, indulge in a hot- pot dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7 (Tue) Xi’an – Suzhou (AB, D)
In the morning, transfer to airport and board a short flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, we will explore the Special Economic Zone of Pudong and walk along the east side of Huangpu River with memorable views of the Bund and the Huangpu River. Then we will visit the famous waterfront Bund. We also make a stop at the Chinese tea house. After dinner, we will drive straight to Suzhou, which is known as ‘Venice of the East’ with its network of canal streets that are criss-crossed by 300 bridges.
Day 8 (Wed) Suzhou – Shanghai (AB, L)
In the morning, we will visit the Garden for Lingering In and take a boat ride to explore the Grand Canal; second only to the Great Wall as a Chinese ancient engineer feat. As Suzhou is famous for its delicate and smooth silk and embroidery, we’ve arranged for a visit to a silk factory as well. In the afternoon we drive back to Shanghai. In the evening, attend the most famous Chinese Acrobatic Show.
Day 9 (Thu) Shanghai (AB, L)
In the morning, we will visit the City God Temple Open Market. Free at leisure in the afternoon. (Optional tour to World Expo Shanghai 2010 will be provided for all tours departing from May – October, 2010. Details will be followed.)
Day 10 (Fri) Shanghai – Wuhan / Yichang – Yangtze River (AB, L, D)
Transfer to airport and fly to Wuhan where we will drive to Yichang, known as "Gateway to the Three Gorges". In the evening, we will start our Yangtze River Adventure with 5-Star Cruise President No. 1.
Day 11 (Sat) Yangtze River (AB, L, D)
In the morning, we will sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest gorge within the three gorges known for its swift currents and dangerous shoal. We will take a shore excursion to the worksite of the Three Gorges Project, the biggest dam in the world and a large water conservation project for flood control, generation, cultivation and flood discharge. Then we will pass through the 5-Step Ship Lock. In the evening we will have Captain’s Welcoming Banquet.
Day 12 (Sun) Yangtze River (AB, L, D)
Today, we will take an excursion in a small boat exploring the Shennong Streams. In the afternoon, the ship will enter Wu Gorge, which is famous for its meandering waterways. Additionally, the fog bestows a distinct beauty. Then the ship enters Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest but most striking section of the three gorges, with sky-soaring majestic mountains on both its sides.
Day 13 (Mon) Yangtze River (AB, L, D)
Today, we will take a shore excursion to Fengdu. Fengdu is an ancient city with a long history, located on the north bank of the Yangtze River, also known as the "Abode of Ghosts." Captain Farewell Banquet is arranged tonight.
Day 14 (Tue) Yangtze River – Chongqing –Shenzhen (AB, L)
The Yangtze River Adventure concludes in the city of Chongqing. It presents a unique magnificent picture with miles of roads and streets winding up and down the hills and along the riverbanks. Then fly to Shenzhen. Upon arrival, we transfer to hotel and check. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Day 15 (Wed) Shenzhen – Hong Kong (AB)
In the morning, we transfer to Hong Kong, the Harbor of Fragrance. After check-in at your hotel, explore the charm and dynamic beauty of Hong Kong at your leisure.
Day 16 (Thu) Hong Kong
Free at leisure.
Day 17 (Fri) Hong Kong – Honolulu
Transfer to airport and fly back Honolulu, taking home lasting memories of a magnificent trip.
Price: $3,288 + Tax + Fuel Surcharge Single Supp: $ 700 (Land Only)
Tour Fee Includes:
1. International and China domestic airfare; Deluxe hotel accommodation (double occupancy); Admission and meals as stated
2. For single cabin on the cruise ship, please add $400 to the single supplement
3. Escorted tour with a minimum of 20 passengers; Refer to “General Condition of Grande Holiday”
4. We reserve the right to modify the itinerary for smooth operation.
5. Tour fare is subject to change without notice. This is due to any airfare increase, increase in government taxes, additional fuel charges and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between U.S. and foreign currency.
17 Day China Highlight and Yangtze River (Upstream) Odyssey
Departure (2010): Apr 7, 2010
Touring Cities: Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Suzhou, Yichang, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong
AB: American Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner | SD: Special Dinner
Day 1 (Wed) Honolulu – Beijing
We start our vacation by boarding an international flight bound for Beijing, the capital of China, an ancient city of great splendor. Meals and snacks will be served on the plane.
Day 2 (Thu) Beijing
Arrive at Beijing Capital Int’l Airport. A Grande Holiday representative will greet and escort us to our hotel.
Day 3 (Fri) Beijing (AB, L, SD)
In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven; widely regarded as the noblest example of religious architectures in all of China, it was the site where emperors came to worship heaven for a bountiful harvest. Then we will visit a jade workshop, where we will learn about Chinese jade culture. In the afternoon, go to the fabled Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a massive defensive structure built to keep off intrusion. Tonight’s dinner features China’s famous Peking duck.
Day 4 (Sat) Beijing (AB, L, D)
In the morning, visit the Summer Palace, former summer retreat for the imperial family during the late Qing Dynasty and now China's largest and best-preserved royal garden. Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the fresh-water pearl shop. In the afternoon, we’ll walk around Tiananmen Square, probably the largest and most magnificent public square in the world. Explore The Forbidden City, the largest and most well-preserved imperial palace whose vast and exotic grandeur was brilliantly captured in the movie The Last Emperor. Proceed for an entry to Tongrentang, China’s most famous traditional pharmacy, where you could learn the mystifying Chinese theory of Yin& Yang balance.
Day 5 (Sun) Beijing – Xi’an (AB, SD)
Before transfer to the airport, we will visit the Olympic Park, where the 2008 Summer Olympic was held and now it is the new tourist attraction in Beijing. Board a flight to Xi’an later in the day. Upon arrival, visit Shaanxi Provincial Museum, which beholds a treasure of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi; and the City Wall - one of the few ancient city walls still standing in China. Enjoy a good night of Dumpling Banquet Dinner and the Tang Dynasty Show.
Day 6 (Mon) Xi’an (AB, L, SD)
In the morning, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a famous Buddhist pagoda in China. Then we go to one of the most exciting archaeological finds of the 20th Century - the more than 6,000 of excavated Terracotta Warriors and the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses reproduction factory. Lastly, indulge in a hot- pot dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7 (Tue) Xi’an – Suzhou (AB, D)
In the morning, transfer to airport and board a short flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, we will explore the Special Economic Zone of Pudong and walk along the east side of Huangpu River with memorable views of the Bund and the Huangpu River. Then we will visit the famous waterfront Bund. We also make a stop at the Chinese tea house. After dinner, we will drive straight to Suzhou, which is known as ‘Venice of the East’ with its network of canal streets that are criss-crossed by 300 bridges.
Day 8 (Wed) Suzhou – Shanghai (AB, L)
In the morning, we will visit the Garden for Lingering In and take a boat ride to explore the Grand Canal; second only to the Great Wall as a Chinese ancient engineer feat. As Suzhou is famous for its delicate and smooth silk and embroidery, we’ve arranged for a visit to a silk factory as well. In the afternoon we drive back to Shanghai. In the evening, attend the most famous Chinese Acrobatic Show.
Day 9 (Thu) Shanghai (AB, L)
In the morning, we will visit the City God Temple Open Market. Free at leisure in the afternoon. (Optional tour to World Expo Shanghai 2010 will be provided for all tours departing from May – October, 2010. Details will be followed.)
Day 10 (Fri) Shanghai – Wuhan / Yichang – Yangtze River (AB, L, D)
Transfer to airport and fly to Wuhan where we will drive to Yichang, known as "Gateway to the Three Gorges". In the evening, we will start our Yangtze River Adventure with 5-Star Cruise President No. 1.
Day 11 (Sat) Yangtze River (AB, L, D)
In the morning, we will sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest gorge within the three gorges known for its swift currents and dangerous shoal. We will take a shore excursion to the worksite of the Three Gorges Project, the biggest dam in the world and a large water conservation project for flood control, generation, cultivation and flood discharge. Then we will pass through the 5-Step Ship Lock. In the evening we will have Captain’s Welcoming Banquet.
Day 12 (Sun) Yangtze River (AB, L, D)
Today, we will take an excursion in a small boat exploring the Shennong Streams. In the afternoon, the ship will enter Wu Gorge, which is famous for its meandering waterways. Additionally, the fog bestows a distinct beauty. Then the ship enters Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest but most striking section of the three gorges, with sky-soaring majestic mountains on both its sides.
Day 13 (Mon) Yangtze River (AB, L, D)
Today, we will take a shore excursion to Fengdu. Fengdu is an ancient city with a long history, located on the north bank of the Yangtze River, also known as the "Abode of Ghosts." Captain Farewell Banquet is arranged tonight.
Day 14 (Tue) Yangtze River – Chongqing –Shenzhen (AB, L)
The Yangtze River Adventure concludes in the city of Chongqing. It presents a unique magnificent picture with miles of roads and streets winding up and down the hills and along the riverbanks. Then fly to Shenzhen. Upon arrival, we transfer to hotel and check. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Day 15 (Wed) Shenzhen – Hong Kong (AB)
In the morning, we transfer to Hong Kong, the Harbor of Fragrance. After check-in at your hotel, explore the charm and dynamic beauty of Hong Kong at your leisure.
Day 16 (Thu) Hong Kong
Free at leisure.
Day 17 (Fri) Hong Kong – Honolulu
Transfer to airport and fly back Honolulu, taking home lasting memories of a magnificent trip.
Price: $3,288 + Tax + Fuel Surcharge Single Supp: $ 700 (Land Only)
Tour Fee Includes:
1. International and China domestic airfare; Deluxe hotel accommodation (double occupancy); Admission and meals as stated
2. For single cabin on the cruise ship, please add $400 to the single supplement
3. Escorted tour with a minimum of 20 passengers; Refer to “General Condition of Grande Holiday”
4. We reserve the right to modify the itinerary for smooth operation.
5. Tour fare is subject to change without notice. This is due to any airfare increase, increase in government taxes, additional fuel charges and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between U.S. and foreign currency.