Saturday, July 28, 2007

Woot!

I leave for China in 6 days! I leave August 3rd. This is my tour:

Day 1 Hometown / Beijing
Your adventure will begin with a flight to Beijing from your hometown by Japan Airlines or Air Canada (via Vancouver). Your Canadian tour guide is from Vancouver.

Day 2 Arriving Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China. You will be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Best Western Premier

Day 3 Beijing
After breakfast, you will visit the Tian'anmen Square , the largest public square in the world - the square and its surrounding areas are home to some of China's most historic monuments and government edifices. Then take a tour to the Forbidden City, the largest existing ancient architectural complex in China. After lunch, you will visit the Summer Palace - an enchanting panorama of lake, landscape, pagodas and pavilions. In the evening, you will enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner . A bus tour to experience Beijing by Night (Donghua Gate Food Fair) will also be arranged.

Day 4 Beijing
After breakfast, you will take a stroll on the world famous Great Wall (Juyong Pass) , which winds dragon-like across northern China. After lunch, you will visit The tomb of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) Changling, - one of the Ming Tombs at the burial site of thirteen Ming Dynasty Emperors; and Sacred Way -there are stone animals and statues along the Sacred Way. In the evening, you will enjoy a Beijing Acrobatic Show .

Day 5
Beijing / Xi'an
This morning, you will visit The Temple of Heaven . Then, you will take a Rickshaw Tour around the ancient alleyways of Beijing's Hutong - one of Beijing's 700-year-old traditional cottage neighbourhoods. Visit a family in one of the " Quadrangles ". And you will be treated to a Family Lunch at the home of one of the local families ! You will then t ake the afternoon flight to Xi'an - one of China's anci ent Capital City. Upon arrival, you will visit the Ming Dynasty City Wall . A Western Dinner will be served and a Xi'an Night Tour to the Muslim Quarter Market will also be arranged. (B/L/WD)
Hotel: Gloria Plaza

Day 6
Xi'an
After breakfast, you will visit the Museum that houses the most exciting archaeological discovery of the 20th Century - the excavation of more than 6,000 Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. You will also visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses reproduction factory on the way. In the afternoon, you will visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum . This evening, you will enjoy a Xi'an Special Dumpling Banquet while being entertained by the colourful Tang Dynasty Show .


Day 7
Xi'an / Yichang ~ Yangtze River Cruise
Today you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda before taking a flight to Yichang. After dinner, you will board the deluxe cruise ship MV Century Star (5 Star). (B/L/D)
Yangtze Cruise Ship: MV Century Star ( Former Name: Viking ) - 5 Star Deluxe European Style Cruise Ship (Outside Cabin with Balcony)


Day 8
Yangtze River Cruise
This morning, a brief introduction to the Cruise will be held. A shore excursion at Sandouping will take you to see the " Three Gorges Dam ", the biggest hydroelectric dam in the world. In the afternoon, you will enter the first Gorge, The Xiling Gorge , the longest and historically the most hazardous one. Tonight, you will enjoy the Captain's Welcome Party, followed by "Century Star's Night" - a Crew Cabaret Show.


Day 9
Yangtze River Cruise
after breakfast, an excursion will take you to the Lesser Three Gorges and then a sampan ride to the Mini Three Gorges . You will then return to the ship and set sail again entering the second gorge - The Wu Gorge , known for its odd, misty rock formations and its backdrop of soaring mountains. Later in the afternoon, the ship will pass thru the third gorge - Qutang Gorge , the shortest but the most dramatic of the Three Gorges with ancient relics scattered along its steep cliffs. (B/L/D)


Day 10
Yangtze River Cruise
This morning you will arrive at the "ghost city" of Fengdu . A shore excursion will take you to visit the temples on Mingshan Hill by the riverbank, which is decorated with sculptures of ghosts and devils. Tonight, you will enjoy the Captain's Farewell Banquet, followed by "Century Star's Night" - a Crew Cabaret Show. (B/L/SD)


Day 11
Arriving Chongqing
In the morning, the cruise will end at Chongqing , a famous mountain city in China . A tour will be arranged to the Chongqing Zoo to see the Panda Bears, China's national treasures. You will the visit Eling Park , to get a bird's eye view of the whole city. In the afternoon, a trip to Chongqing's old town, Ciqikou and the People's Square will be arranged . Tonight, a Sichuan Style Dinner will be served.
Hotel: Wanyou Conifer


Day 12
Chongqing / Guilin
You will take a morning flight to Guilin. After lunch you will visit the Fubo Hill and Reed Flute Cave. Tonight you will enjoy a Guilin Folk Dance and Music Show . (B/L/D)
Hotel: Guilin Park


Day 13
Guilin
After breakfast, you will enjoy the beautiful Li River Cruise . You will disembark at Yangshuo and check out the colourful and lively local market before returning by coach to Guilin. A Guilin Night Tour to the Pedestrian Market will also be arranged.


Day 14
Guilin / Shanghai ~ Suzhou
This morning, you will visit the Elephant Trunk Hill . Then you will take a flight to Shanghai, and then take a coach ride to Suzhou. (B/L/D)
Hotel: Jasmine Holiday Inn


Day 15
Suzhou ~ Tongli (Water Village)
After breakfast, you will visit the Master-of-Nets Garden and enjoy the Suzhou Canal Cruise Tour . Then you will visit a silk factory. After lunch, you will visit Water Village of Tongli, which has a history spanning over 1000 years. A China Farewell Dinner will be arranged in the hotel. (B/L/SD)


Day 16
Suzhou ~ Shanghai
After breakfast, you will take a coach ride to Shanghai, China's most populous city and seaport. You will tour the ultra-modern Pudong Development Zone and get a closer look at the famous Oriental Pearl TV Tower . Then, you will visit the Yu Yuan Garden , and Shanghai's famous People's Square . Afterwards, you will take a walk on the "Bund" . Tonight you will enjoy a Huangpu River Night Cruise .


Day 17
Shanghai (Free Day)
This morning will take you to Nanjing Road , Shanghai downtown area for you to explore on your own. Lunch and Dinner will be by your own arrangement.


Day 18
Shanghai / Hometown
After breakfast, bid farewell to China and depart for ... Malaysia!!

I'll be flying to Malaysia to visit my aunties and family from my dad's side for about a week. I can't wait!