China, the Yangtze River and Hong Kong

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

Day 1: Arrive in Hong Kong
Transfers are included from Hong Kong International Airport to the Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong. Join us for tonight’s welcome reception and dinner.
Overnight: The Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong, China
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Hong Kong From Many Viewpoints
Ferry, private double-decker bus, and a funicular tram ride up to Victoria Peak are all great ways to sightsee in Hong Kong today. After a dim sum lunch, check out the city’s cultural and natural history and more at the Hong Kong Museum of History.
Overnight: Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: On to Shanghai & a Ride on the Maglev
Fly to Shanghai, China’s great seaport at the mouth of the Yangtze. Upon arrival, ride the fastest maglev train in the world to Shanghai’s famous waterfront Bund for the start of a three-night stay at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund.
Overnight: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Shanghai, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4: Yu Gardens and more in Shanghai
Find peace amid the temples, bridges and pools of Yu Gardens; tonight, enjoy a high-tech ERA acrobatic performance.
Overnight: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Shanghai, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5: 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 6: Fly to Yichang / • Embark Cruise
After touching down in Yichang, board Yangi Explorer for your 4-night cruise; the ship departs after dinner.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Three Gorges Dam and Xiling Gorge
Tour the Three Gorges Dam project site and cruise Xiling Gorge today. Join us for the Captain’s welcome reception and à la carte dinner tonight, prior to an entertaining crew show.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Cruising the Three Gorges
Following a Shennong Stream excursion via sampan, otherworldly vistas greet you in Wu and Qutang gorges. Learn the secrets of dumpling-making before dinner à la carte in the Dynasty Palace and a documentary film presentation this evening.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Aboard Yangzi Explorer and Visit to a Relocation Village
Visit Fengdu or Wanzhou (depending on river conditions) to meet families in a dam project “relocation village.” This afternoon offers lessons in Chinese brush painting and calligraphy, mahjong and the Mandarin language before a farewell dinner aboard.
Overnight: Aboard Yangzi Explorer, Yangtze River, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Traveling to Guilin & a Li River Cruise
Disembark Yangzi Explorer in Chongqing, then fly to Guilin, where you’ll feast your eyes... as well as your soul... on Tauck’s private cruise along the Li River, past tranquil bamboo groves and mist-shrouded peaks. Have dinner à la carte tonight.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: Exploring Ancient Ox Culture in Xi’an
Fly to Xi’an; gain surprising insights at the Ox Culture and Ceramics Museum and meet the museum’s curator.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Xi'an, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 12: Terra Cotta Warriors & 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 and insights from a Tang Dynasty expert.
Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Xi'an, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13: Fly to Beijing
Board a flight for China’s capital, Beijing, and a four-night stay at The Regent Beijing; dine at one of the hotel’s restaurants.
Overnight: The Regent Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14: 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 Houhai hutong; ride a rickshaw and meet a local family.
Overnight: The Regent Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 15: The Great Wall & the Summer Palace
They don’t call it “The Great Wall” for nothing... discover why as you ride a gondola up to the highest point of the wall’s Badaling section, then walk down an ancient stone path to the bottom. After lunch at The Commune by the Great Wall, tour the Summer Palace and cruise Kunming Lake; dinner is on your own.
Overnight: The Regent Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 16: Temple of Heaven & Olympic Park
Relive China’s Imperial days on a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a key example of traditional Chinese architecture; join locals in a Tai Chi racquet lesson. Recapture the glory of the 2008 Olympics at Olympic Park’s “Bird’s Nest” (Beijing National Stadium). Please join us for tonight’s farewell reception and dinner.
Overnight: The Regent Beijing, China
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

Day 17: Journey Home
Tour ends: Beijing. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from The Regent Beijing to Beijing Capital 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)
5/29/2012 - 6/15/2012	$8,390
6/5/2012 - 6/22/2012	$8,390
6/26/2012 - 7/13/2012	$6,490
9/4/2012 - 9/21/2012	$8,390
9/11/2012 - 9/28/2012	$8,390
9/18/2012 - 10/5/2012	$8,390
10/2/2012 - 10/19/2012	$7,290
10/9/2012 - 10/26/2012	$8,390
10/16/2012 - 11/2/2012	$6,490
10/23/2012 - 11/9/2012	$7,490
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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