Day
1
| USA-Beijing
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Embark on our China and Yangtze River vacation by boarding an international flight bound for Beijing. Due to differeing time zones, China is 15 or 16 hours ahead of West Coast time. So spend the night aboard the plane as it traverses the Pacific and crosses the international date line.
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Day
2
| Arrive-Beijing
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Arrive at Beijing, the capital city of China. Retrieve our bags and clear customs to meet our tour guide in the arrival hall. On the way into town, we note that Beijing was host city to the 2008 Summer Olympics and has undergone an amazing facelift. Check in to our five star accommodations for a good night s rest; a full day of sightseeing awaits tomorrow.
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Day
3
| Beijing
(AB,L,DP)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Ming Dynasty emperor Yongle moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing in 1621. Today 13 million inhabitants proudly call Beijing their home. Our city tour today takes us first to visit the Forbidden City, so named because commoners were not allowed through its gates. After spending the morning walking the grounds of this, the world s largest palace complex, we continue across the street to the world s largest public square, the famous Tiananmen Square. Translated to mean "gate of perpetual peace," Tiananmen Square was the site of many historic events. After lunch, we head to the emperor s Summer Palace for a leisurely walk along Lake Kunming. Retire back to the hotel to freshen up before taking part in our evening activities, attending a sumptuous Peking Duck Banquet.
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Day
4
| Beijing
(AB,L,DH)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Perhaps no other symbol more famously represents China than the Great Wall. Winding majestically across 4,000 miles of China s northern regions, the Great Wall is at once an engineering marvel and magnificent cultural treasure. Initial construction was undertaken by China s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, but was not completed until many dynasties later. The vast expanse of China s northern frontier as seen from atop the Great Wall must be seen to be appreciated. Descend the Wall later to walk along the Sacred Way and the Ming Tomb Museum before heading back into town. Dinner is served at the hotel.
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Day
5
| Beijing-Xian
(AB,L,DH)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Depart Beijing for Xian by air. On the way to the airport we stop at the solemn Temple of Heaven, a fine example of religious architecture and also where the emperor came to pay homage to the heavens. Xian lays claim to the fact that the city has experienced the full history of China in its entirety. Xian indeed boasts a full resume of achievements: A cradle of ancient Chinese civilization dating back to 4000 BC, capital of empires until the 9th century, and the starting point of the famed Silk Road. Entering the city limits on the way in from Xianyang Airport, our motorcoach drives through the massive City Wall. After check-in, dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
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Day
6
| Xian
(AB,L,DS)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of China and is known in history as the "great unifier." Passing into the afterlife in 210 BC, he was entombed with thousands of life-sized Terra Cotta soldiers and horses in formation. Since its serendipitous discovery by farmers in 1974, the Terra Cotta Warriors have been Xian s claim to fame. At present, three excavation pits have been opened to the public as a fourth pit is well underway. Return inside city limits to visit the City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Evening dining/entertainment is provided as we dine on a delicious Imperial Dumpling Banquet followed by the world famous Tang Dynasty Stage Show.
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Day
7
| Xian-Guilin
(AB,L,DH)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Board a domestic flight that flies southwest to Guilin, a city of unrivalled natural beauty. Although not large (population of 670,000), it has the reputation of being one of China s most picturesque cities. Karst limestone formations imbue Guilin s landscape with a mystical quality. We explore Elephant Trunk Hill, so name because it resembles an elephant taking a drink from the river, and the Reed Flute Cave where fantastic stalactite and stalagmite formations impress us as magical and otherworldly.
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Day
8
| Guilin
(AB,L,DS)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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A meandering river cruise down the Li River is a delightful way to savor the serene, fairy-tale scenery of Southern China as it passes by. We may even catch the fascinating sight of cormorant fishing. Lunch is served aboard. Our riverboat arrives at the town of Yangshuo. With a population of less than 300,000, Yangshuo is quaint town situated on a small plain with the Li River on one side and numerous karst peaks surrounding it. Our group will take a tour around town, then head back to Guilin by motorcoach where, in the evening, we attend a special performance of Minority Folklore Dance.
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Day
9
| Guilin-Chongqing
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Depart Guilin on a flight bound for Chongqing. Located in the mountainous regions of the Sichuan Province, Chongqing is officially China s largest municipality with a registered population of over 30 million. Chongqing enjoys special provincial treatment, one of just four cities in China that have this privilege. It is also an important center of commerce and home to famously spicy Sichuan cuisine. During WWII, Chiang Kai Shek directed the war from his operations in Chongqing. Dependant on time, we begin our sightseeing tour of this mountain city (if not, then tomorrow).
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Day
10
| Chongqing-Yangtze River Cruise
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Today we are transferred to the docks where our Victoria Cruise ship awaits to take us on our Yangtze River adventure. The Yangtze is Asia s longest river (3900 miles) and ranks #3 in the world. It is considered the dividing point between Northern and Southern China. Our cruise ship sails for most of the afternoon to arrive at Fengdu, known locally as the "Ghost City." Take an excursion up to Fengdu to observe the over 700 gardens and temples that depict what the ancients envisioned the afterlife to be. Reboard later and continue sailing down the mighty Yangtze.
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Day
11
| Yangtze River Cruise
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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The Three Gorges are one of nature s most extraordinary sculptures, and today our ship passes through all three. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles) and narrowest (500 feet) but also is the most dramatic. Wu Gorge is longer at 25 miles and is known for its serene beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates is precipices. The shore excursion today is at Wushan where we board smaller vessels to access the Lesser Gorges (either at Daning River or Shennong Stream). Reboard later as the ship passes through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the three at 41 miles and also the deepest at some 4000 ft.
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Day
12
| Yangtze River Cruise
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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In the early morning hours our ship arrives at the Three Gorges Dam Site at Sandouping Village. Take a bus ride to this massive site, the largest project of its kind in the world. Originally envisioned by Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the Three Gorges Dam will curb the devastating floodwaters of the Yangtze while also providing hydroelectric power for the people.
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Day
13
| Yangtze River Cruise
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Arrival at Wuhan marks the halfway point of our Yangtze River Cruise. Located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han Rivers, Wuhan is an important industrial, commercial and political center of China s Hubei Province. An excursion to the Hubei Provincial Museum is included in the day s sightseeing.
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Day
14
| Yangtze River Cruise
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Disembark at Guichi for a full day shore excursion to Mt. Huangshan. Located in the Anhui Province, Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is one of China s most famous mountain ranges. Travel from the banks of the Yangtze to this royal retreat through some of the country s most scenic rural areas: emerald green rice paddies, lush tea bushes, and mud-walled villages greet you at every bend. Jiuhuashan may be substituted for Huangshan depending on local conditions.
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Day
15
| Yangtze River Cruise
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Today s shore excursion begins when our ship arrives at Nanjing, the old wartime capital of China. Here we tour the Zhongshan Ling (Sun Yat Sen Memorial), a mausoleum built in 1929 for the man considered to be the "Father of Modern China." We also visit a Qing Dynasty style bazaar surrounding a Confucian Temple.
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Day
16
| Yangtze River Cruise-Shanghai
(AB,L,DH)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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The ship s morning arrival into the docks at Shanghai signals the end of our Yangtze River adventure. Disembark the ship which has been our home the past six nights and transfer into the city by motorcoach. Shanghai is China s most dynamic city and also its commercial center. Culturally diverse and full of life, Shanghai stirs the senses. Our tour of China s largest and most cosmopolitan city begins with a visit to the 400 year old Yu Garden in the old part of town; a wealthy businessman built it as an act of filial piety for his aging parents. The motorcoach continues on to the local shopping mecca Nanjing Road and The Bund, a mile-long stretch along the Huangpu River with 52 historic buildings built in various European styles. Dinner is served at our hotel this evening.
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Day
17
| Shanghai
(AB,DS)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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The entire morning has been set aside for a visit to the Shanghai Museum. Founded in 1952 and moved to its current location in 1996, it is a museum of Chinese history that houses over 120,000 cultural treasures covering China s entire 5000 year history. The afternoon is free at leisure. We may choose to either to devote more time to the museum, continue on to Nanjing Road for some shopping, or head back to the hotel to wash up before attending the farewell dinner. Afterwards, cap off the evening with a Chinese Acrobatics Show. With its origins in Chinese martial arts, the performers of Chinese acrobatics must possess strength, flexibility, and grace.
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Day
18
| Shanghai-USA
(AB)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Bid China and the Yangtze a fond farewell as we board our homebound international flight.
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