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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Board our international flight to Beijing, China s capital city and political center.
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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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The international jetliner touches down in Beijing where we meet our Ritz Tours guide in the arrivals hall (look for the red Ritz Tours flag).
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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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With a population of over 13 million residents, Beijing is home to some of the most famed cultural and historic attractions in China. Our full day exploration begins with a visit to the historic Tiananmen Square, or "Gate of Heavenly Peace," located in the heart of the city. Walk across the square to the Forbidden City and tour the Palace Museum located on the grounds. After a tour of the emperors Summer Palace, end the day with picture stops at the 2008 Olympic Bird s Nest and Water Cube. In the evening, enjoy a fabulous local delicacy - a Peking Duck feast.
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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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Today we travel to the majestic Great Wall, one of the seven great man-made wonders of the world. Take some time to trek across its ancient steps and continue on to the Sacred Way. Lined with intricately carved stone statues, it was believed that the emperor would return to Heaven through this divine road. We follow this ancient pathway which leads us to explore the 13 imperial Ming mausoleums.
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Day
5
| Beijing
(AB,L)
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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 rickshaw tour of Old Beijing s hutongs (narrow alleyways) offers a glimpse into a world far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. Discover the untainted charm of old town Beijing and enjoy lunch in the traditional courtyard home of a local family. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.
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Day
6
| 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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Today we visit the Temple of Heaven, frequented by Ming and Qing emperors for annual pilgrimages of prayer for good harvests. Take a short flight to the "Eternal City" of Xian, considered one of the four ancient capitals of the world.
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Day
7
| 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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The serendipitous discovery of the Emperor Qin s Terra Cotta Army in 1974 has catapulted Xian into the international limelight. Walk through the underground pits and witness the life-sized army of Terra Cotta Warriors, which is standing in fighting formation for the first Emperor. During lunch, enjoy an authentic noodle-making demonstration, followed by a trip to Xian s massive City Wall and the Wild Goose Pagoda. Complete the evening with an exciting Tang Dynasty dinner performance.
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Day
8
| Xian-Guilin
(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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After a decadent Imperial Dumpling Banquet lunch, we board a short flight to the charming city of Guilin. Our sightseeing begins with a tour of Reed Flute Cave, where natural rock formations and colored lighting create an almost supernatural atmosphere. Continue on to visit Elephant Trunk Hill, a long-standing symbol of Guilin that once appeared on Chinese currency bills.
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Day
9
| 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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A cruise down the poetic Li River gives us ample time to admire tranquil scenery, dotted with rice paddies, limestone karst formations, and the occasional water buffalo or fisherman. Disembark at Yangshuo and stroll along the famed Xi Street, lined with traditional handicraft stores as well as modern cafes and bars. Head back to Guilin via motorcoach.
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Day
10
| Guilin-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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Fly to Chongqing, a picturesque mountain city with a population of over 33 million. After a brief city tour, we head to the docks and board the luxurious Century Diamond. Set sail in the evening for a majestic Yangtze River adventure.
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Day
11
| Yangtze River Cruise
(B,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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Arrive at Fengdu, the "Ghost City" for our first shore excursion. Located on the northern bank of the Yangtze, the city contains numerous statues of ghosts and devils.
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Day
12
| Yangtze River Cruise
(B,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 highlight of our cruise is undoubtedly the famous Three Gorges. Pass by Qutang Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most dramatic of the three. Next up is the 25-mile long Wu Gorge, renowned for its tranquil beauty, sheer rock cliffs and verdant mountains. Disembark at Wushan and board a smaller vessel for an excursion to the beautiful Lesser Gorges via the Daning River or Shennong Stream (depending on weather conditions). Reboard our ship and sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest, with cliff walls towering up to 4000-feet high. In the evening, pass by the Three Gorges Dam ship locks.
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Day
13
| Yangtze River Cruise-Shanghai
(B,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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On our last day of the cruise, we disembark at Sandouping Village and visit the Three Gorges Dam site. As the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man, its completion will forever change the landscape of the Yangtze. Reboard and sail on to our final destination, Yichang, where we board a flight to cosmopolitan Shanghai.
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Day
14
| Shanghai
(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 bustling and international city, Shanghai is China s largest economic center. Our sightseeing today takes us first to Yu Garden, a stunning classical garden with over 400 years of history, followed by a stroll along the Bund, a mile-long boulevard along the Huangpu River, followed by a drive through the shopping district, Nanjing Road. During the evening, attend a thrilling Chinese Acrobatics Show.
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Day
15
| Shanghai
(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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The last stop on our city tour is the Shanghai Museum, where we have plenty of time to peruse some of the 120,000 exhibits of ancient Chinese art. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
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Day
16
| Shanghai-Hong Kong
(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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The day is free at leisure until we board a flight to Hong Kong, a dynamic metropolis immersed in a unique blend of East and West.
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Day
17
| Hong Kong
(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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Our half day sightseeing begins with an exciting tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak, where we can enjoy the sweeping panoramic vistas of Hong Kong s skyline and the Harbor. Drive by Repulse Bay and visit Stanley Market and Aberdeen Floating community, where we can catch a glimpse into the traditional way of life of fishermen living on their junks. The rest of the day is free.
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Day
18
| Hong Kong -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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Fly back to the US or top off your China experience with an exciting side trip to the vibrant city of Bangkok.
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