China and Yangtze River Cruise

China and Yangtze River Cruise
Avalon Waterways • Century Legend
October 12 - 28, 2016 • 17 Days • 38 Meals
Escorted by Ian Noseworthy
Yangshuo County - Credit K. Lee
China is indeed the giant of the East, a land of promise
and of unknowns. We are pleased to once again offer this
exceptional tour that combines the beautiful Yangtze River
cruise through the Three Gorges, including visits to some
of the most fascinating cities in China: the architecture of
Beijing, the commerce of Shanghai, the antiquities of Xi’an,
and the beautiful landscapes of Guilin.
The second phase of the massive Yangtze Dam was
completed in June 2003, raising the water levels above the
dam by 60 metres and creating a massive 1,000 kilometrelong lake. The magnificent scenery of the Three Gorges is
absolutely breathtaking, where the peaks along the river
still rise up to 1,000 metres from the water’s edge. A
special visit to the dam is included as part of the cruise.
This particular voyage fills quickly and we expect that
the demand for China will continue to grow. If China is in
your plans, we urge you to book early in order to avoid
disappointment.
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INCLUSIVE FEATURES
Return economy class airfare from Canada
All domestic flights in China
3 night deluxe cruise on the Century Legend or similar
12 nights first class hotels as indicated or similar
All sightseeing tours and transfers, including entrance
fees, as indicated in the itinerary
38 meals included as noted in the itinerary (B - 15
breakfasts, L - 12 lunches, D - 11 dinners)
Beverages included with most meals
All gratuities and taxes for included services, including
airport departure taxes and fuel surcharges
China visa fee for Canadian passport holders
Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value
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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Special meals and entertainment including:
- Peking Duck Dinner and Kung Fu show, Beijing
- Dinner and acrobatic show, Shanghai
- Captain’s Welcome Reception, Yangtze cruise
- Dumpling dinner and Tang Dynasty show, Xi’an
Visit the Great Wall of China
Visit the Summer Palace with the best preserved
imperial gardens in China
See the towering 1,000 metre cliffs of Qutang Gorge
Visit the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor with its
6,000 terra cotta warriors and horses, Xi’an
Visit to the Reed Flute Cave and the Crystal Grotto
Enjoy a scenic boat trip down the Li River
Cosmopolitan Shanghai with its modern towers and
rich history
OUR CRUISE SHIP - Century Legend
TOUR ESCORT
We are very pleased to have Ian Noseworthy escorting
this exciting adventure. A native of Newfoundland, Ian is
an inveterate traveller, having spent a good part of his life
visiting various parts of the world
including the Mediterranean, the
Middle East, North Africa, Europe,
Greece, South America, China and
Tibet, South Africa, Morocco and
most recently Ecuador and the
Galapagos
Islands.
He
has
escorted groups on our behalf to
numerous destinations and is
looking forward to sharing this
wonderful experience with you.
Cruise in style and comfort on board one of the newest
ships on the Yangtze, the Century Legend. As you
embark your contemporary, elegant ship, a friendly,
English-speaking crew and stunning 7-story atrium lobby
welcome you aboard. The Century Legend is charting a
new course for Yangtze River cruising. The ship features
a state-of-the-art propulsion system that reduces vibration
and decreases emissions to reduce environmental
impact. Other innovations include a pillar less
multifunction lounge with unobstructed views of evening
entertainment, and a large indoor swimming pool, both
firsts on the Yangtze.
Standard Stateroom (266 sq. ft.): Included
The stunning landscapes of Guilin
October 12, Wednesday
Canada / Beijing
Today we depart for Beijing, the political, economic and
cultural centre of the People’s Republic of China.
October 13,Thursday
Beijing
On arrival in Beijing, we will clear customs and transfer to
our hotel for the next four nights. Buffet Dinner this evening
will be at our hotel. Beijing Capital Hotel (4 nights)
D
October 14, Friday
Beijing
In the morning, we stroll through historic Tiananmen
Square, where Mao Tse-Tung first raised the flag of the
People's Republic. Visit the "Imperial Palace", or
"Forbidden City", where in earlier times, only members of
the Emperor's family were permitted. In the afternoon, we
visit the Summer Palace the former retreat of the Imperial
Family and the largest and best preserved imperial
Gardens in China. We will enjoy a scenic cruise on the
man made lake to enjoy the views and a performance of
Kung fu in the evening.
BL
October 15, Saturday
Beijing
Our day begins with a visit to the Temple of Heaven,
including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. After lunch
we venture out to visit the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall –
the Museum of Beijing encompassing its long history. Next
we will tour Beijing’s Hutongs by pedicabs and visit a local
family to learn more about Chinese culture. With our family
hosts we will visit a local market to purchase the
ingredients for our instructed dumplings dinner.
BLD
October 16, Sunday
Beijing
Today's highlight is a trip to "The Great Wall" which was
built over 2,000 years ago by Emperor Qin, and stretches
over 5,000 kilometres across the top of China. En route to
the Great Wall we shall visit the Sun Village which is home
to the children of Chinese convicts and fights for their
survival and development. Back in Beijing we will visit the
National Stadium (the Bird’s Nest of Olympic fame) for a
chance to take some photos. This evening we have a
special Peking Duck dinner.
BLD
October 17, Monday
Beijing / Xi’an
The mixture of mystery of an ancient capital city and a
modern city has made the city of Xi’an, the starting point of
the Silk Road, an international tourist destination well
known at home and abroad. Marco Polo visited Xi’an in the
Middle Ages when it was the capital of a vast empire and
described it as the largest city in the world. We will enjoy a
Chinese set lunch at a local restaurant before we visit “Hu
County Village”. A half day trip from Xi’an, where we will
experience real Chinese rural life and have a chance to
learn to draw the famous farmer’s paintings.
Xi’an Golden Flower Hotel (2 nights)
BL
October 18, Tuesday
Xi’an
A full day excursion takes us to the Mausoleum of the First
Qin Emperor, one of China's greatest rulers and the builder
of the Great Wall. Discovered in 1974, the tomb contains
some 6,000 life sized terra cotta warriors and horses, the
imperial body guard to the emperor on his journey after
death. This evening we are in for a special treat - following
a delicious dumpling dinner at a restaurant, we continue to
the theatre where we will enjoy a Tang Dynasty show. BLD
October 19, Wednesday
Xi’an / Guilin
This morning we will visit the massive City Wall (over 20
feet thick) which is one of the oldest military structures in
the world, followed by the visit of the Wild Goose Pagoda.
This evening we transfer to the airport for our flight to
Guilin, known as China’s most scenic region.
Guilin Bravo Hotel (2 nights)
BL
October 20, Thursday
Guilin
In the morning we will enjoy a visit to Daxu, a charming
typical old town where we will witness its long history
through the cobbled streets, ancient houses and bridges.
We will also have the opportunity to learn more about the
local culture as we spend some time with two local families.
This afternoon, we will visit the Reed Flute Cave, also
known as the “Palace of natural Art”. Here we shall find
beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations and a crystal
cave large enough to accommodate 1000 people. In the
afternoon, we will enjoy a visit at Elephant Trunk Hill and
wander through a local market.
BLD
October 21, Friday
Guilin / Yangshuo
A scenic boat trip down the Li River offers miles of
breathtaking scenery, traditional farm settings and mist
shrouded mountains rising from the river banks. Since
ancient times, this landscape has been the subject of
countless poems and paintings. Our cruise will end at the
colourful market town of Yangshuo, where we have an
opportunity to participate in a cooking class followed by
dinner. Green Lotus Hotel (1 night)
BLD
October 22, Saturday
Yangshuo / Guilin / Chongqing
Today we make our way back to Guilin before catching our
flight to Chongqing and our Yangtze River cruise. We will
enjoy a nice dinner before embarking.
Century Legend (3 nights)
BLD
October 23, Sunday
Yangtze River Cruise
Appreciate a relaxing morning onboard to enjoy the
passing scenery and discover the different amenities and
activities the ship has to offer. In the afternoon, we will visit
the unique Shibaozhai Pagoda. This evening is the
Captain’s welcome party followed by a Crew Cabaret
show.
BLD
October 24, Monday
Yangtze River Cruise
A world of magnificent scenery, lush greenery, steep cliffs,
jagged mountain peaks, sparkling waterfalls and terraced
landscapes awaits us as we cruise the three gorges of the
Yangtze River. The Qutang Gorge is the smallest at just 8
kms long, it's also the most spectacular, with cliffs rising
1,000 metres from the water’s edge. The Wu Gorge is 44
kilometres in length and known for its deep valleys, quiet
beauty and the "Twelve Peaks", lining the banks of the
gorge and admired by visitors from around the world. BLD
October 25, Tuesday
Yangtze River Cruise
This morning will feature an excursion to the Three Gorges
Dam site. This world famous dam is the largest project of
its kind in the world and created the 1000 km long lake that
we just cruised through. Continuing our cruise onto
Yichang where we will disembark and transfer to the airport
for our flight to the metropolitan city of Shanghai. This
evening we have a special acrobatic show after our dinner.
Crowne Plaza Shanghai Fudan Hotel (3 nights)
BD
October 26, Wednesday
Shanghai
This morning we tour the major attractions of Shanghai.
The classical Yuyuan Garden, built during the Ming
Dynasty by the high ranking government official Pan
Yunduan. The Gardens’ total area occupies approximately
five acres, and features pavilions, ponds, rockeries,
cloisters, and streams all within six scenic zones, including
the Sansui Hall and Wanhua Chamber. In existence for
400 years, the Gardens were specifically constructed for
Pan’s aging parents as a sanctuary in which to live out their
lives. Next we shall stroll the Bund and witness the
spectacular views of the cities skyline. After lunch at a local
restaurant, visit the Jade Buddha Temple, the most famous
and one of the most active Buddhist temples in Shanghai.
It was built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty
to enshrine the two beautiful Jade Buddha statues that
were brought from Burma.
BLD
October 27, Thursday
Shanghai
Today has been left free to enjoy this exciting city on your
own. You may wish to visit one of the many shopping areas
in the city or Shanghai Museum that contains over 120,000
relics from China’s history. There will be several optional
excursions to choose from.
B
October 28, Friday
Shanghai / Canada
This morning has been left at your leisure to rest or
finishing packing for the journey home. This afternoon we
transfer to the airport for our journey back to Canada.
B
CT RATING 3 - Moderately Challenging: This tour
includes long travel days and considerable walking over
rough surfaces with limited facilities in some areas. Most
meals will be Chinese in style and content.
Crystal Grotto, Guilin
EFF16JAN16
Tour Cost in Canadian Dollars (per person)
Land Only (Join Beijing / Leave Shanghai)* .............. $4,795
Vancouver .................................................................. $6,195
Toronto....................................................................... $6,265
Victoria ....................................................................... $6,365
Ottawa / Montreal ...................................................... $6,365
Regina / Saskatoon ................................................... $6,395
Calgary / Edmonton ................................................... $6,435
Winnipeg .................................................................... $6,475
Halifax / Fredericton / St. John’s ................................ $6,535
Single Supplement ..................................................... $1,295
* Land only rate includes all internal flights in China. Join /
Leave will be at the hotel in Beijing / Shanghai.
Airfares from other gateways are available on request.
Airfares, taxes and fees are subject to change and will be
confirmed prior to final payment. Refer to inclusive features
for details. Tour price is based on sharing a twin-bedded
room at hotels, on a minimum 20 members and on rates,
taxes and fees effective November 2015 and are subject to
change due to factors beyond our control.
The above prices DO NOT INCLUDE the cost of
comprehensive insurance which is available on an optional
basis and is strongly recommended. Insurance premiums
vary with the cost and length of the trip as well as the
traveller’s age. For passengers up to and including 74
years on departure date premiums will range from $318 $388pp. Cost supplements apply for members aged 75 85 from $205 - $402pp. This insurance is effective from the
date of confirmation and carries limitations on pre-existing
medical conditions. Please discuss your insurance
coverage prior to booking. Check our website for the most
current information. Refer to enrolment form for general
information and conditions.
Final payment will be due on August 8, 2016
Deposit payment is $600 per person
To reserve your spot on this tour, simply complete the
enclosed enrolment form, indicating your destination,
departure date and your personal information, and forward
it to:
CRAIG CANADIAN GROUP TRAVEL LTD
1092 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto ON M4P 2M6
Tel: 416-484-0926 or 1-800-387-8890 / Fax: 416-484-8143
tours@craigtravel.com / www.craigtravel.com