Yangtze Sampler

Day 1 - Welcome to Beijing!
Check in to the stylish, city-center Sofitel Wanda Hotel where a Luxury Room awaits!

Day 2 - Explore Imperial Beijing
Join your Trip Leader today to discover all of Beijing’s Imperial treasures. Stand in Tiananmen Square, one of the largest and grandest public plazas in the world. Then enter within the imposing walls of the Forbidden City#WHS# for an extensive tour through this vast complex – once the exclusive domain of Ming Dynasty Emperors! Continue on to the lovely Summer Palace#WHS#, erstwhile retreat of China’s royalty, and tour its landscaped grounds and pavilions.

At a bustling local market, you’ll help your guide to select produce which you’ll present later to your hosts, a Beijing family. This special home visit offers enriching insight into the daily lives of city residents. It’s just one highlight of your rickshaw tour through one of Beijing’s rapidly vanishing hutongs – old city districts filled with narrow alleys and traditional courtyard homes which date back for generations. Meals B,L

Day 3 - Great Wall #WHS# and Ming Tombs #WHS# excursion
Travel into the rugged mountain landscapes north of the capital to the magnificent Great Wall. If you wish, we’ve arranged for you to ascend to the site by cable car so you can conserve your energy to explore along the wall. Those who prefer to make the invigorating ascent on foot will have time to do so. Once on top of this ancient structure, you’ll find that some sections can be quite steep, but the views are truly magnificent and the experience of actually walking atop the Great Wall is truly unforgettable. Continue with your Trip Leader and stroll along the statue-lined Sacred Way to visit Changling, greatest of the Ming Tombs. Return to the city where you’ll have time to refresh at your hotel before this evening’s banquet featuring world-famous Peking Duck. Meals B,L,D

Day 4 - From Beijing to your 5-star ship!
Transfer to the airport and fly to Yichang where you’ll be met and escorted to the riverbank to board the luxurious MS Yangzi Explorer. Settle in to your spacious, balcony stateroom before dinner is served in the elegant Dynasty Palace restaurant. Later this evening, a documentary film about the enormous Three Gorges Dam will be shown in the Tang Theater. Meals B,D

Day 5 - The immense Three Gorges Dam
Enjoy a leisurely morning onboard as your luxurious ship charts an upstream course along the mighty Yangtze! Early risers can start the day with invigorating Tai Chi exercise before an expansive buffet breakfast. Throughout the morning, you can admire the scenery from your private balcony, relax with fellow guests in the lounge or participate in shipboard cultural activities, lectures and demonstrations. After lunch, step off ship to visit the Three Gorges Dam, the largest in the world, and learn about its far reaching impact upon the geography and residents of the region. Return to ship for Afternoon Tea as the Explorer navigates through picturesque Xiling Gorge. Tonight’s Captain’s Welcome Reception is followed by dinner and then entertainment in the Tang Theater. Meals B,L,D

Day 6 - Up Shennong Stream and through the Yangtze Gorges
If you wish, you can join fellow passengers on deck for early morning Tai Chi before breakfast is served. Then step off ship for an unforgettable journey up Shennong Stream. You’ll explore this spectacular region in traditional sampans poled by Tujia boatmen. The scenery here is unrivalled, encompassing crystalline rushing waters, dense forests and towering rock formations. Keep your eyes peeled for indigenous species including the elusive Golden Hair monkey. Back onboard, the Explorer navigates Wu Gorge, renowned for massive cliffs that rise sharply from the river. Learn about Chinese arts and crafts and then enjoy Afternoon Tea as your ship enters Qutang Gorge, the narrowest of the river’s Three Gorges. Meals B,L,D

Day 7 - Ashore in Fengdu
Alight in Fengdu this morning to explore the ancient temples of the famed “Ghost City.” Back onboard, you can try your hand at traditional brush painting and calligraphy, learn Mah Jong, watch as the ship’s chef prepares traditional Chinese dumplings – or just enjoy the captivating scenery from your private balcony or one of the ship’s inviting public areas. At this evening’s festive Farewell Dinner, your crew will be colorfully garbed in traditional Chinese dress. Meals B,L,D

Day 8 - Disembark in Chongqing and Fly to Xian
You’ll disembark the MS Yangzi Explorer this morning after breakfast. Visit the Panda Hall to see these elusive creatures before transferring to the airport for your included flight to Xian, the ancient capital of China for 13 dynasties. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and escorted to the Hilton Hotel, a new 5-star property with a privileged location within the old city walls! At the bustling Muslim Market, we’ve arranged for a local shopkeeper to accompany your walking tour. He’ll share his experiences, knowledge and insight as he guides your discovery. You’ll have of opportunity to browse - and maybe even sample – the exotic fare and spices being offered at the many colorful stalls. Tonight’s dinner features savory dumplings, a regional specialty. Meals B,D

Day 9 - The Terra Cotta Warriors#WHS# and ancient City Wall
Farmers stumbled upon the site while digging a well in 1974; now the Terra Cotta Army is China’s greatest archaeological discovery. Set out this morning to visit the excavation site and marvel at the exquisite details of these clay warriors buried 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor. It has been estimated that more than half a million laborers and craftsmen worked for nearly 40 years to complete the tomb - and the thousands of terra cotta soldiers, horses and chariots that were to serve him in the afterlife. At lunch today, a lively demonstration will show you how delicious Chinese noodles are made from scratch. Later this afternoon, you’ll visit the ancient defensive walls of the city before returning to your hotel for a free evening. Meals B,L

Day 10 - Fly to Shanghai
You’ll be transferred to the airport today for your included flight to Shanghai, considered by many to be one of China’s most vibrant and sophisticated cities. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and escorted to the Hilton Hotel. We’ve arranged for your upgrade to a Deluxe Room here at this stylish property, wonderfully situated in the historic French Concession. Step out with your guide to explore this delightful part of town… In 1849 and continuing for nearly 100 years, this prime city-center district was designated for the French. Today the picturesque tree-line avenues and European-style mansions still evoke an air of Paris in the East! Meals B

Day 11 - Small Group sightseeing in Shanghai
A full day of unforgettable sightseeing begins this morning at the highly-regarded Shanghai Museum, renowned for its carefully curated collection which spans centuries of Chinese arts and culture – from ancient bronzes and celadon pottery to exquisite jade pieces and Ming Dynasty furniture. After lunch, continue to Yu Yuan Garden, which was first established in the 16th century by a Ming Dynasty official. Restored in the 1950’s to its original splendor, this beautiful classic Chinese garden is spread across five acres and offers stunning vistas of ponds and rock gardens graced with pavilions, bridges and carefully tended willow trees accented with bamboo and other exotic plantings.

Your day of touring winds down with an afternoon drive along the historic Bund; this elegant waterfront boulevard is renowned for impressive turn-of-the-century landmarks which were constructed by Japanese and European trading companies. We’ve also arranged for a guided walking tour along the narrow atmospheric lanes of Tianzifang, where traditional old homes have been splendidly restored to accommodate many of the city’s most stylish boutiques and galleries. Tonight’s Farewell Dinner is followed by a thrilling performance by Shanghai’s world-famous acrobats. Meals B,L,D

Day 12 - Farewell to Shanghai
Our tour program ends this morning after breakfast. Meals B

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
6/21/2012 - 7/3/2012	$3,179
6/21/2012 - 7/3/2012	$3,279
6/21/2012 - 7/3/2012	$4,479
6/21/2012 - 7/3/2012	$3,099
6/21/2012 - 7/3/2012	$4,599
8/23/2012 - 9/4/2012	$3,179
8/23/2012 - 9/4/2012	$3,279
8/23/2012 - 9/4/2012	$4,479
8/23/2012 - 9/4/2012	$3,099
8/23/2012 - 9/4/2012	$4,599
9/13/2012 - 9/25/2012	$3,779
9/13/2012 - 9/25/2012	$3,879
9/13/2012 - 9/25/2012	$5,079
9/13/2012 - 9/25/2012	$3,699
9/13/2012 - 9/25/2012	$5,199
9/20/2012 - 10/2/2012	$3,879
9/20/2012 - 10/2/2012	$3,779
9/20/2012 - 10/2/2012	$5,079
9/20/2012 - 10/2/2012	$3,699
9/20/2012 - 10/2/2012	$5,199
9/27/2012 - 10/9/2012	$3,879
9/27/2012 - 10/9/2012	$3,779
9/27/2012 - 10/9/2012	$5,079
9/27/2012 - 10/9/2012	$3,699
9/27/2012 - 10/9/2012	$5,199
10/4/2012 - 10/16/2012	$3,879
10/4/2012 - 10/16/2012	$3,779
10/4/2012 - 10/16/2012	$3,699
10/4/2012 - 10/16/2012	$5,079
10/4/2012 - 10/16/2012	$5,199
10/11/2012 - 10/23/2012	$3,779
10/11/2012 - 10/23/2012	$3,879
10/11/2012 - 10/23/2012	$3,699
10/11/2012 - 10/23/2012	$5,079
10/11/2012 - 10/23/2012	$5,199
10/18/2012 - 10/30/2012	$3,779
10/18/2012 - 10/30/2012	$3,879
10/18/2012 - 10/30/2012	$3,699
10/18/2012 - 10/30/2012	$5,079
10/18/2012 - 10/30/2012	$5,199
10/25/2012 - 11/6/2012	$3,679
10/25/2012 - 11/6/2012	$3,779
10/25/2012 - 11/6/2012	$3,599
10/25/2012 - 11/6/2012	$4,979
10/25/2012 - 11/6/2012	$5,099
11/1/2012 - 11/13/2012	$3,679
11/1/2012 - 11/13/2012	$3,779
11/1/2012 - 11/13/2012	$3,599
11/1/2012 - 11/13/2012	$4,979
11/1/2012 - 11/13/2012	$5,099
4/11/2013 - 4/23/2013	$3,779
4/11/2013 - 4/23/2013	$3,879
4/11/2013 - 4/23/2013	$3,699
4/11/2013 - 4/23/2013	$5,079
4/11/2013 - 4/23/2013	$5,199
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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