China, the Yangtze River and Hong Kong

•   3-night Eastbound Yangtze River cruise aboard the Yangzi Explorer – Westbound "China, the Yangtze River & Hong Kong" trip includes a 4-night cruise; go to www.tauck.com for Yangzi Explorer deck plans

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing
Transfers are included from Beijing Capital International Airport to The Regent Beijing. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner this evening.
Overnight: The Regent Beijing, China
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: The Great Wall and the Summer Palace
China's Great Wall is a truly astounding achievement, on the checklist of most world travelers. Ride a gondola up to the highest point of the wall’s Badaling section, then walk down an ancient stone path to the bottom. Tour the Summer Palace and cruise Kunming Lake; tonight, dine at your choice of the hotel’s four restaurants.
Overnight: The Regent Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: History and the Hutongs in Beijing
A delicate balance between Beijing's past and future surrounds you as you explore present-day Beijing. The past lives and breathes inside the Forbidden City, once home to China’s emperors. Beyond it lies Tiananmen Square and the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, whose enormous portrait overshadows the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Nowhere is the conflict between progress and preservation more evident than among Beijing's disappearing hutongs – traditional courtyard neighborhoods that are disappearing in the wake of new building projects. See them firsthand on a private tour of the Houhai hutong; ride a rickshaw and meet a local family. Dine at your choice of the hotel's four restaurants this evening.
Overnight: The Regent Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Temple of Heaven / Olympic Park
Back in China’s Imperial days, the emperor traveled secretly to the Temple of Heaven; tour this amazing example of traditional Chinese architecture and join local residents in a Tai Chi racquet lesson. Recapture the glory of the 2008 Olympics at Olympic Park’s “Bird’s Nest” stadium; the rest of your day is free.
Overnight: The Regent Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Fly to Xi'an and Explore Ancient Ox Culture
Board a flight to 3,000-year-old Xi’an, one of China’s great ancient capitals, where you’ll have lunch on your own. Gain surprising insights about the role of the ox in Chinese culture at Xi’an’s new Ox Culture and Ceramics Museum – and meet the museum’s curator, who shares his passion for collecting with you.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Xi'an, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Terra Cotta Warriors and the Shaanxi Museum
The idea of 8,000 life-like soldiers guarding an emperor’s tomb for 2,000 years is incredible, but getting an insider’s view of the Terra Cotta Warriors from a leading museum staffer is amazing! Explore ancient China further with a special visit to the Shaanxi History Museum, interpreting the feudal dynasties that kept their capitals here, with insights from a Tang Dynasty expert.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Xi'an, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Fly to Guilin and then Cruise the Li River
Following a morning flight to Guilin, feast your eyes... as well as your soul... on Tauck’s private cruise along the Li River, past tranquil bamboo groves and mist-shrouded limestone peaks. Have dinner à la carte tonight at your Guilin hotel.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Fly to Chongqing / • Embark Yangtze River Cruise
After touching down in Chongqing, enjoy lunch and a visit to the Chongqing Zoo before boarding the Yangzi Explorer this afternoon for the start of your three-night Yangtze River cruise.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Yangzi Explorer and a Relocation Village
Learn the secrets of tea preparation and dumpling-making; after lunch, visit Fengdu or Wanzhou (depending on river conditions) to meet families in a dam project “relocation village.” Join us for the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner tonight.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Cruising the Three Gorges
Otherworldly vistas greet you as the Yangzi Explorer takes you into the Yangtze River’s Qutang and Wu gorges. Following a Shennong Stream excursion via sampan, cruise Xiling Gorge. Tonight offers a calligraphy lesson and a crew show.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Three Gorges Dam and Fly to Shanghai
Tour the site of the Three Gorges Dam, one of the largest engineering projects ever attempted, this morning; disembark Yangzi Explorer in Yichang for your flight to Shanghai.
Overnight: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Shanghai, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: The Bund, the Maglev Train and an Acrobatic Performance
Ride the fastest maglev train in the world on a visit to Shanghai’s waterfront Bund and its sightseeing tunnel. Find peace amid the temples, bridges and pools of Yu Gardens; tonight, attend a stunning ERA multi-media acrobatic performance.
Overnight: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Shanghai, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 13: The Past Meets the Future in Shanghai
See Shanghai from the VIP viewing platform of its Urban Planning Center; view models of its past and future. Tour the Shanghai Museum; discover the disappearing shikumen of Xintiandi.
Overnight: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Shanghai, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 14: Welcome to Hong Kong
Fly from Shanghai to Hong Kong this morning; the remainder of the day is free to explore Hong Kong as you wish.
Overnight: Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 15: Hong Kong from Many Viewpoints
Ferry, private double-decker bus, and a funicular tram to Victoria Peak are all great ways to see the city, followed by a dim sum lunch. Immerse yourself in the city’s archaeological, cultural, and natural history at the Hong Kong Museum of History this afternoon, and join us for a farewell reception and dinner tonight.
Overnight: Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 16: Journey Home
Tour ends: Hong Kong. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from the Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong to Hong Kong International Airport. Please allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
6/7/2012 - 6/23/2012	$8,290
6/14/2012 - 6/30/2012	$8,290
6/21/2012 - 7/7/2012	$6,390
8/23/2012 - 9/8/2012	$6,390
8/30/2012 - 9/15/2012	$6,390
9/13/2012 - 9/29/2012	$6,390
9/20/2012 - 10/6/2012	$8,290
9/27/2012 - 10/13/2012	$8,290
10/4/2012 - 10/20/2012	$8,290
10/11/2012 - 10/27/2012	$8,290
10/18/2012 - 11/3/2012	$6,390
10/25/2012 - 11/10/2012	$6,390
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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