China and The Far East:
Yangzi Passage - 19 Day Tour

"Lets get away, far away..."

Yangzi Passage combines land arrangements in China's greatest cities with a four-night cruise on one of the world's great rivers: the Yangzi. Though construction of the new Yangzi dam is currently underway, it does not affect the operation of this cruise nor the atmosphere of the locations visited, now or upon completion. So take this opportunity to enjoy the stunning vistas of the Yangzi on a tour that begins in vibrant Hong Kong, travels on to scenic Guilin and continues to Shanghai, known in colonial days as the "Paris of the East" and still one of China's most cosmopolitan cities. Then, board your cruise ship in Yichang to sail into the center of the country, gliding past friendly riverside villages and through the scenic Three Gorges.

Your cruise ends in Chongqing, where you board a flight for Xian, site of the famed Tomb of Qin Shihuangdi, still guarded by terra-cotta effigies of his imperial bodyguard. Your final stop is China's capital, Beijing, for an opportunity to explore the sights that have drawn visitors to China for decades: the Forbidden City, Great Wall and more.

Day 1: USA or Canada - Hong Kong, China

We begin our journey on board a flight to Hong Kong.

Day 2: Hong Kong, China

At Hong Kong's Inter-national Airport, we are met and transferred to our world-famous hotel

Mandarin Oriental

Day 3: Hong Kong

Our tour of Hong Kong includes city sights as well as a visit to the Western District, then continues with a drive to the south side of the island, a sampan ride through Aberdeen Harbour and a dim sum lunch. This evening we enjoy a welcome cocktail party and dinner hosted by A & K.

Mandarin Oriental: B.L.D

Day 4: Hong Kong

After a morning at leisure in Hong Kong, we fly to Guilin, transferring on arrival to our hotel on the banks of the Li River.

Sheraton Guilin: B.L.D

Day 5: Guilin

We drive to the pier at Zhujiang to board our riverboat for a relaxing half-day cruise to the rural village of Yangshuo, travelling through verdant landscapes straight out of a Chinese scroll painting and returning overland to Guilin. Our sightseeing also includes a visit to scenic Fubo Hill and a look at traditional cormorant fishing by night.

Sheraton Guilin: B.L.D

Day 6: Guilin - Shanghai

After a morning at leisure, we board a flight for Shanghai, China's manufacturing and commercial center. This afternoon we visit the Shanghai Museum, one of the best in the world. Today or tomorrow we attend an astonishing performance of acrobatic prowess.

Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel: B.L.D

Day 7: Shanghai

A full day of sight-seeing includes the Bund, a waterfront promenade along the Huang Pu River; the Yu Yuan Garden; and the adjacent Chinese quarter where a warren of alleys leads us into an enchanting world of shops, teahouses and traditionally-styled homes.

Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel: B.L.D

Day 8: Shanghai - Suzhou - Shanghai

This morning we travel to the tranquil garden city of Suzhou, founded over 2,500 years ago. Suzhou's charms are embodied in its formal gardens, each exquisitely designed and constructed by great artists of late Imperial China. Today we wander among several of these living treasures, as we explore the city before returning to Shanghai late in the day.

Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel: B.L.D

Day 9: Shanghai - Yichang - Yangzi River

Today we fly to Yichang, where our cruise ship awaits. We board the ship and settle into our comfortable cabins, with our cruise director and staff members on hand to assist with information about shipboard facilities. This evening, after dinner, our ship passes through the Gezhouba Dam lock.

'M/S East Queen': B.L.D

Day 10: Yangzi River

Early this morning we visit the site of the future Three Gorges Dam. We continue into the shoals and rapids of Xiling Gorge, longest of the Three Gorges and our first taste of the legendary beauties of one of China's natural wonders. After breakfast, we disembark at Badong for an excursion to seldom-visited Shennong Xi, where we are poled along the Shennong River by local boatmen who communicate with their fellows in song. We then return to the ship to cruise through the unusual mountain landscapes of Wu ("Witches") Gorge, followed by a passage through the 3,900-foot walls of dramatic Qutang Gorge, six miles long and the narrowest stretch of the river on our itinerary.

'M/S East Queen': B.L.D

Days 11-12: Yangzi River

The ship continues its upstream course, with a shore excursion to Shibaozhai.

'M/S East Queen': B.L.D

Day 13: Chongqing - Xian

This morning we dock in Chongqing, disembarking for a sightseeing tour before our transfer to the airport. On arrival in Xian, capital of Shaanxi Province and one of China's most historic cities, we transfer to our hotel.

Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel: B.L.D

Day 14: Xian

One of the great archaeological discoveries of the century was made near Xian. Today, we visit the Tomb of Qin Shihuangdi, First Emperor of the Qin (220-207 BC) Dynasty, and its attendant army of terra-cotta soldiers. Our tour also includes other Xian highlights: the Drum and Bell Towers and the city wall.

Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel: B.L.D

Day 15: Xian - Beijing

After a visit to the New Shaanxi Museum, we fly to Beijing, capital of modern China and our final destination.

Palace Hotel: B.L.D

Days 16-18: Beijing

Spend three days in China's most exciting city, where our tours include the Forbidden City; the Temple of Heaven; and the Ming Tombs. We may also enjoy a performance of Chinese opera or ballet. On our final day in Beijing we travel outside the city to visit the astonishing Great Wall, ending the day at a special farewell dinner at the exclusive China Club.

Palace Hotel: B.L.D

Day 19: Beijing - USA or Canada

Today we board our homebound flight to USA or Canada, or fly to another destination in the Orient. B

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

**Departures Limited to 24 Passengers**

Your Yangzi Passage land/cruise arrangements include:

  • Hotel and cruise accommodations as indicated in the itinerary or similar
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary, à la carte wherever possible
  • Domestic bottled water with all meals
  • Arrival and departuretransfers
  • All sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees
  • Services of a professional escort (tour will be locally hosted for groups of less than 6 persons)
  • All gratuities except to your escort
  • All baggage handling

It does not include:

  • personal expenses such as laundry, beauty salon, massage
  • travel insurance
  • excess baggage fees
  • communication charges
  • cost of obtaining passports or visas
  • meals, beverages or sightseeing not included in the itinerary
  • any airfares

PRICING:

Please contact Quality Travel Services for updated prices.
Or use our online Travel Request Form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hong Kong Skyline

 

 

 

The Li River

 

 

 

The Qutang Gorge on the Yangzi River

 

 

 

Hong Kong

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