PACING
You'll visit 6 cities in 19 nights with at least a two-night stay in each city, plus a 4-night cruise on the Yangtze River. Included are 5 flights in China, each of one to two hours long, with late morning or afternoon departures. 1 train trip (2 hours).

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Most sightseeing is on air-conditioned coaches with guides. Moderate to heavy walking is required throughout the tour. (E.g., the Forbidden City tour requires more than an hour of walking.) Many sites involve climbing stairs. Ability to maneuver on and off a ship gangway is also required for embarking/disembarking your Yangtze cruise ship. Expect a good amount of walking to/from train and at airports. Transfer times can be long due to heavy traffic, especially in the larger cities.

CULTURAL FOCUS
As can be expected, a visit to China involves some cultural adjustment. Traveling in China can be challenging, even with today’s modern conditions. During national holidays in May and October, heavy crowds are expected in parks and museums. Large crowds in the cities, and heavy traffic can be distressing for some travelers–but are part of the changing environment in the People’s Republic. The different culture, historical sites and crowds of people, in the cities are a major part of this trip and make China a unique destination. Most of the meals are Chinese, and Chinese food, while similar to dishes you may have enjoyed in North America, do not always taste the same as you would expect. We do feature a few Western-style meals during the trip. Ask your Program Manager for advice on specialty dishes that may be interesting to try. There are many instances of Cultural Connections on this trip to meet the local Chinese people.

SPECIAL FACTORS
Temperatures are at their highest in July and August. A Chinese visa is required for this program at an additional cost. Please refer to Vantage’s wheelchair and handicapped traveller policy for this program as there are many physical limitations for guests on this tour. Tap water is not drinkable in China.