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| Detailed Day by Day Itinerary |
| Tibet, Shangri-La & China’s Yangtze River |
| Beijing to Shanghai |
| View Days: [1-5] [6-10] [11-15] [16-20] |
print friendly version |
| Day |
Schedules and Accommodations |
1-2
[top] |
Depart Home / Fly Overnight / Beijing, China
When you arrive in Beijing, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your Superior First-Class downtown hotel, where you’ll enjoy three nights.
Presidential Beijing Hotel  |
3-4
[top] |
Beijing
You’ll begin with a full-day tour to the Great Wall. A visit to the Mu
Tian Yu section and a ride in a cable car make this excursion unique.
Lunch is included.
On Day 4, you’ll tour the newly renovated Temple of Heaven and vast
Tian’anmen Square. After lunch, you’ll visit the Forbidden City.
Cultural Connection: In the evening, savor a Welcome Beijing Duck
Banquet at a renowned local restaurant.
Presidential Beijing Hotel (2B,2L,1D) |
5-6
[top] |
Beijing / Xi'an, China
Your morning is at leisure or join the optional Hutong tour through the
Xuanwu District, with lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll fly from Beijing
to ancient Xi’an. The evening is at leisure.
On Day 6, you’ll tour the Shaanxi History Museum. Cultural Connection: Learn to make noodles and dumplings with a
cooking class at a local restaurant. Lunch is included. Afterwards,
behold the amazing collection of over 8,000 life-size terra cotta
warriors and horses known as “Qin’s Army.”
Grand Castle Hotel  (2B,1L) |
7-10
[top] |
Xi'an / Lhasa, Tibet
The morning of Day 7 you’ll visit the Great Mosque. In the afternoon,
you’ll fly to Lhasa — the mysterious Tibetan capital, closed to
Westerners for much of the 20th century. Tonight, dinner is at your
hotel.
The next day you’ll enjoy a walking tour to Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street markets. Cultural Connection: Next, you’ll visit a Tibetan hospital, with
commentary on traditional medical practices. Lunch is included at a
local restaurant.
Day 9 includes a tour to Potala Palace, once the Winter Palace of
the Dalai Lama. Then, visit Sera Monastery, a “monk’s university” to
see monks debating; and Norbulingka Park, the Dalai Lama’s summer
palace. Cultural Connection: Sample everyday life over lunch at a local restaurant and dinner with a Tibetan family.
Your last day here is at leisure. Or, join the optional tour to
Yamdrok Lake, with lunch and a visit to a local Tibetan home. Cultural
Connection: Enjoy dinner and a Tibetan dance performance at a local
restaurant tonight.
Xin Ding Hotel (4B,2L,3D) |
11-12
[top] |
Lhasa / Zhongdian (Shangri-La), China
A short flight brings you to Zhongdian, gateway to the breathtaking
Himalayas, which inspired the mythical Shangri-La of James Hilton’s
Lost Horizon. Enjoy a tour of the old town and a Western dinner at a
local restaurant.
Begin Day 12 with a visit to nearby farmland to view wildflowers.
Cultural Connection: Then you’re off to Granden Songzangling
Monastery for a glimpse of a monk’s daily life. After a special Tibetan
lunch, you’ll visit a Tibetan village, where you’ll enjoy a rare
opportunity to join a local family for tea and see a pottery
demonstration.
Gyalthang Dzong Hotel (2B,1L,1D) |
13-14
[top] |
Zhongdian (Shangri-La) / Lijiang, China
Cultural Connection: The morning of Day 13, you’ll drive to Lijiang,
stopping at Tiger Leaping Gorge, and old town Shigu, where you’ll visit
a local primary school to chat with the teacher and students. Lunch is
included at a local restaurant. You’ll arrive at Lijiang in the evening
and enjoy free time.
Cultural Connection: On Day 14, you’ll explore flower, bird, and
food stalls at area markets. Later, hear a lecture on Dongba culture
and tour Lijiang’s old town. The afternoon is free, or join the
optional Black Dragon Pond and Baisha village tour. Cultural
Connection: After dinner at the hotel, you’ll attend a Naxi acoustic music performance.
Jian Nan Chun Hotel (2B,1L,1D) |
15-17
[top] |
Lijiang / Chongqing, China / Embark East King
On Day 15, visit Yuhu, where you’ll see the house of American explorer
and botanist Joseph Rock, who lived here in the 1920s to 1930s. Then,
you’ll fly to Chongqing and board your Yangtze cruise ship, the East
King.
On Day 16, savor a day of sailing, then visit a river town to see
the results of the Three Gorges Dam project. Cultural Connection:
As you cruise, you can participate in activities such as tai chi,
calligraphy, and more.
On Day 17, you’ll cruise the dramatic Wu Gorge and the Qutang
Gorge. Then, an excursion to the Shennong Stream lets you take in the
forests and cliffs. Continue downstream through the five locks of the
dam itself, with a stop to tour this “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
East King (3B,3L,2D) |
18-20
[top] |
Disembark / Yichang, China / Shanghai, China / Return Home
On Day 18, disembark ship and enjoy a visit to the Three Gorges Dam
project before driving to Yichang. After an included lunch, you’ll fly
to Shanghai. That evening you’ll enjoy free time or join an optional
performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. On Day 19 enjoy a morning
tour of Shanghai, where you’ll explore the Bund, a river front
promenade; the Yu Yuan Garden; and Old Shanghai. Lunch is included at a
local restaurant. Then enjoy a Farewell dinner at the hotel. On Day 20,
return home or begin optional 2-night Shanghai extension.
Longemont Hotel Shanghai  (3B,2L,1D) |
This travel program involves extensive walking, often on
uneven ground, and stair climbing. The riverboat portion of the trip
involves extensive stair climbing aboard ship, as well as when
disembarking for shore excursions. You will also encounter stairs and
rough ground on the land portion, particularly at the Great Wall and in
Lhasa, Zhongdian, and Lijiang. You will encounter high altitudes in Lhasa, Lijiang, and Zhongdian (Shangri-La).
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The above day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change. If any major changes occur in advance of your departure, you will be notified in writing by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. If changes occur while on tour, you will be notified by your Vantage Program Manager.
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