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17 DAY SILK ROAD & YANGTZE CRUISE
Tour Code: OAS
Visits: Beijing - Urumqi - Turpan - Dunhuang - Xian -
Chongqing - Yangtze Cruise 3 Nights - Yichang - Shanghai
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| Day 01 :USA - Beijing
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We set out on an exciting adventure to
China aboard a trans-Pacific flight bound for Beijing, the capital
city of China.
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| Day 02 :Arrive Beijing
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The flight arrives at Beijing where we
are met by our tour guide to be transferred to our luxuriously
appointed accommodations for some well-deserved rest.
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| Day 03 :Beijing(AB,
L, DP) |
We embark on a full day tour. Visit
Tiananmen Square, whose 100 acres make it the largest public
square in the world. Next in store for us is Forbidden City. In
the past, commoners were not allowed inside its gates. Next, we
visit the emperor's SummerPalace and enjoy a walk along
LakeKunming. If time permits, continue on to the Temple of Heaven.
Dinner is served at a fabulous Peking Duck Banquet.
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| Day 04 :Beijing(AB,
L, DH) |
The Great Wall of China is one of the
seven great man-made wonders of the world and definitely the focal
point of any tour to China. Spend ample time surveying this symbol
of ancient Chinese civilization, descending later to see the Ming
Tombs Museums. Head back into the city and enjoy dinner at our
hotel this evening.
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| Day 05 :Beijing - Urumqi(AB,
L, DH) |
Leaving the comforts and city style of
Beijing, traveling by air to the far removed world of the Silk
Road. Arrive at Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uighur
Autonomous Region. Xinjiang is home to many of China's ethnic
minorities whose wonderful cultures add extra delight as we
continue on this journey.
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| Day 06 :Urumqi - Turpan(AB,
L, DS) |
We first visit HeavenlyLake (Tianchi)
situated at an elevation of over 6000 ft; it is surrounded by
green pastures and pristine conifer forests. Snowy Alp-like peaks
soar to great heights and enclose the lake. Take a boat ride on
HeavenlyLake and escape into a peaceful, dream-like world.
Continue on by motorcoach across the dry basin area to the oasis
town of Turpan. Pass by FlamingMountain to visit the ancient city
of Gaochang, once an important garrison town on the Silk Road.
Nearby are the ancient tombs of Astana, a Tang Dynasty burial
ground. At Turpan tonight we attend a local dance show.
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| Day 07 :Turpan - Urumqi(AB,
L, DP) |
Turpan is famous for its grapes and
other fruits. Today we have the opportunity to visit GrapeValley,
which is a complete contrast from yesterday's sun-drenched
landscapes. A motorcoach takes us back to Urumqi where we visit an
open-air bazaar. In the evening, we have a better appreciation for
Uighur culture as we enjoy a superb local roast lamb dinner.
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| Day 08 :Urumqi - Dunhuang(AB,
L, DS) |
Lush green fields and rolling sand
dunes of Dunhuang served as a rest stop for weary traders on the
Silk Road. It was also the gateway through which Buddhism, Islam
and Christianity entered China. At Dunhuang we visit Singing Hill
and Crescent Moon Springs. In the evening, we attend a local
Minority Show while enjoying dinner.
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| Day 09 :Dunhuang(AB,
L, DH) |
The Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang have
been praised as a "glittering pearl that adorns the Silk Road" and
is considered the great treasure house of Buddhist arts in
existence. The Mogao's 492 grottoes contain some 45,000 sq. meters
of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures which span 10
consecutive dynasties. In the afternoon, we visit the
HistoricMuseum, White Horse Pagoda and FilmCity.
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| Day 10 :Dunhuang - Xian(AB,
L, DH) |
Board a short flight to Xian. Xian
enjoys a 5000 year history which covers the span of Chinese
civilization in its entirety. It was once the capital of China for
11 dynasties and a city full of historic charm.
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| Day 11 :Xian(AB,
L, DS) |
In 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang unified all
of China and became its first emperor. When he died, an entire
Terra Cotta Army was constructed and buried with him. The
discovery in 1974 of the Terra Cotta Warriors ranks as one of the
world's greatest archaeological discoveries and attracts throngs
of visitors each year. Head back into town, driving by the City
Wall and stopping at the BellTower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. For
dinner we enjoy an Imperial Dumpling Banquet, afterwards catch a
performance of the captivating Tang Dynasty Stage Show.
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| Day 12 :Xian - Chongqing -
Yangtze Cruise(AB, L, D)
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Depart Xian for Chongqing by air.
Chongqing is China's largest municipality and lies in the
mountainous regions. After a brief city tour, we board our
Victoria Cruise ship. In the veil of the night, the ship sets sail
down the mighty Yangtze.
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| Day 13 :Yangtze River Cruise(B,
L, D) |
Our ship's first stop occurs at one of
three towns largely depending on local river conditions:
Shibaozhai, Fengdu or Wanzhou. At Shibaozhai, a visit is made to
the 12 story wooden pagoda - built completely without a single
nail. Fengdu contains over 700 temples and is known for its
statues of ghosts and devils depicting the afterlife. Wanzhou is
better known as being "Gateway to Eastern Sichuan."
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| Day 14 :Yangtze River Cruise(
B, L, D ) |
Enter the Three Gorges. Qutang Gorge
is the shortest and narrowest of the three but also reputedly the
most visually dramatic. The 25 mile long Wu Gorge is known for its
serene beauty. Xiling Gorge is the longest at 41 miles and also
the steepest (4000) feet. Disembark at Wushan and transfer to
smaller vessels which afford us access to the Lesser Gorges at
either the DaningRiver or Shennong Stream. In the evening, our
cruise ship sails through the Three Gorges ship locks.
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| Day
15 :Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai(AB,
L, DH) |
The Three Gorges Dam is being built to
control the devastating floodwaters of the Yangtze while
generating hydroelectric power. The Dam is scheduled for
completion in 2009. Take a bus ride up to the Three Gorges Dam
site, the largest undertaking of its type in the world. Our ship's
arrival at Yichang marks the end of our Yangtze cruise. Transfer
to the airport to board our flight to Shanghai, arriving later in
the day.
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| Day 16 :Shanghai(AB,
L, DS) |
With a population of over 13 million,
Shanghai stands as China's largest city and its shining center of
commerce. Nowhere is this more apparent than at the Bund, a
mile-long stretch along the HuangpuRiver adorned by architecture
of European heritage. Our city tour also includes visits to Yu
Garden and the bustling shopping district at Nanjing Road.
Finally, spend time surveying the exhibits at the famous
ShanghaiMuseum. Before turning in for the day, we attend a special
performance of Chinese Acrobatics.
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| Day 17 :Shanghai - USA(AB)
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| Our China and Yangtze River vacation
is over all too soon as we are transferred to the airport to board
the homebound flight. Features
Hotels:
Beijing - Days Hotel (5*)
Urumqi - Hong Fu Hotel (5*)
Turpan - Oasis Hotel
Dunhuang - Sunny Hotel
Xi'an - Hyatt Regency (5*)
Yangtze River - Victoria Cruises (5*)
Shanghai - Sifitel Oriental (5*)
Shanghai - Sofitel Oriental (5 )
Tour Package Includes:
Fine Dining
3 meals a day for the entire trip except free days
Full American or buffet breakfast daily
Chinese or western dinners in hotels or at local restaurants
Local specialties: Peking Duck Feast in Beijing, Imperial
Dumpling Banquet in Xian, Roast Lamb Dinner in Urumqi, Spicy
Cuisine in Chongqing
Special Entertainment
Shanghai - Chinese Acrobatics Show
Turpan - Local Minority Dance Show
Dunhuang - Local Minority Dinner Show
Xian - Tang Dynasty Stage Show
Air Fare
Round trip trans-Pacific air ticket
China domestic air tickets
Sightseeing
Comprehensive sightseeing tours and shore excursions as
specified
Experienced and knowledgeable tour guide throughout in China
Travel Protection
Travel Protection Insurance provided at no additional cost to
you, if final payment received 45 days prior to the departure date
“USTOA” $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program
Tax for this package is $171 |
ABOUT
US 
ADVENTURE TOURS
Starting
September 1, 2005 China domestic airports will no longer collect
airport taxes on the spot. Instead, domestic China airport taxes
are to be included in the airline tickets issued prior to
departure. Thus, we must charge the domestic tax amount as a
separate charge from the tour fare for all tour dates departing
after September 1, as listed below:
