 |
Home
-
Asia Cruises
-
Along the
Yangtze River
|
 |
|
April 15, 2008
May 06, 2008
May 13, 2008
September 23, 2008
October 07, 2008
October 14, 2008 |
 |
Victoria
Anna Cruise Ship
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Days 2-5 Beijing, St. Regis Hotel
Days 6 & 7 Xian, Shangri-La Hotel or
Sofitel Xian
Day 8-10 Victoria Ann Cruise Ship
Day 11-13 Shanghai, Pudong Shangri-La
Hotel
Days 14 & 15 Hong Kong, Island Shangri-la
Hotel
*Travcoa Select provides deluxe rooms. Travcoa
Grand enjoys suite accommodations, including a
junior suite on the Victoria Anna (3-night
cruise portion of the journey). See hotel
descriptions below for more information on the
specific room types. |
 |
|
1-888-942-3301 |
 |
SITE SEARCH
Certain restrictions apply. All rates in U.S. dollars. Prices, savings offers, and other terms subject to change without notice. Images, logos, photographs etc. on this page is copyrighted by
Travcoa. It is presumed to be accurate and is subject to change without notice. |
|
 |
 |
Discover the secrets of china’s Yangtze River
aboard the newest and most luxurious ship on
this great waterway. You’ll cruise through
bustling port towns, stunning gorges and
spectacular dams. As you contrast the pace of
life along the Yangtze with China’s dynamic
cities, this journey will open your eyes. The
amazing blend of ancient tradition,
awe-inspiring natural wonder and modern dynamism
reaches its apex as we conclude our journey in
the “Crown Jewel” of port cities: Hong Kong.
Prepare to be delighted and inspired
- Cruise the Yangtze River on a new deluxe
ship featuring private balconies & a la
carte dining
- Ascend in a gondola to the Great Wall
and walk its majestic heights
- Visit a private home in the hutongs
- Indulge in your luxurious harbor view
room in Hong Kong
- View the life-size terra cotta army of
China's First Emperor in Xian
|
 |
- Deluxe rooms in the best available
hotels*
- Three meals per day, including our
unique Dine-Around program that lets you
enjoy any restaurant you choose with a la
carte dining, or relax with room service
when available*
- A professional Travel Director as your
personal concierge
- Local sightseeing with professional
English-speaking guides with unparalleled
knowledge, including entrance fees for
places visited
- Active participating and up-close
encounters to experience the cultures of
your journey
- Bottled water, soft drinks, coffee and
tea included with meals; bottled water
during sightseeing excursions
- All gratuities to hotel and restaurant
staff and local guides and drivers
- Group or individual airport transfers on
arrival and departure flights
- Travel Protection Plan, including
emergency medical evacuation insurance
coverage for injury or illness, and 24-hour
Worldwide Live Travel Assistance through
Travel Guard Assistance
*Due to remote or undeveloped locations
on some journeys, accommodations may not
always meet Western standards. Dine-Around
opportunities will be limited in remote or
unsecured locations.
Journey Does Not Include:
- Air transportation; airport taxes;
passport expenses
- Inoculations and medications
- Visas if required
- Alcoholic beverages (except as noted
in itinerary) and caviar
- Expenses or guides, buses or cars
for sightseeing not included in the
itinerary
- Laundry, expenses of a personal
nature and gratuity for any personal
services
- Health, accident, baggage and trip
cancellation insurance
- Excessive baggage charges imposed by
airlines
- TravcoAssist GOLD Protection
(optional additional coverage)
- Customary end-of-the-trip gratuity
to the Travel Director (Depending on
your satisfaction with their services,
$12-$15 per person, per day in
customary.)
|
|
|
|
2008
DEPARTURE DATES & ROOM CATEGORIES |
| Date |
Select |
Grand |
Intra
Tour Air |
Select
Single
Supplement |
Grand
Single
Supplement |
| Apr 15 - Apr 30 |
$7995 |
$10,995 |
$890 |
$2345 |
$4745 |
| May 06 - May 21 |
$7995 |
$10,995 |
$890 |
$2345 |
$4745 |
| May 13 - May 28 |
$7995 |
$10,995 |
$890 |
$2345 |
$4745 |
| Sep 23 - Oct 08 |
$7995 |
$10,995 |
$890 |
$2345 |
$4745 |
| Oct 07 - Oct 22 |
$7995 |
$10,995 |
$890 |
$2345 |
$4745 |
| Oct 14 - Oct 29 |
$7995 |
$10,995 |
$890 |
$2345 |
$4745 |
Intra-Tour Airfare:
$890
Beijing / Xian / Chongquing ... Yichang /
Shanghai / Hong Kong
These flight tickets will be issued by the tour
company; airfare prices are subject to change
and are only guaranteed |
|
 |
 DAYS
1 & 2, Tuesday & Wednesday Depart for
Beijing, CHINA
Depart the USA on Tuesday and arrive in Beijing
on Wednesday. One day will be lost crossing the
International Date Line. You will be greeted at
the airport and transfer to your luxury hotel,
the St. Regis. It is the hallmark of luxurious
accommodations in China, located on the grounds
of the historic Beijing International Club in
the center of the city's Diplomatic District.
Chinese history has strewn Beijing with sites of
cultural and historical interest. Many of them,
such as the Great Wall, Imperial Palace and
Summer Palace are UNESCO-endorsed World Cultural
Heritage Sites.
The remainder of today is open for independent
exploration or relaxation after your long
flight. In the evening, gather with your travel
director and fellow travelers for a special
Peking duck dinner.
St. Regis Hotel
DAY 3, Thursday
Beijing
Stand in the middle of Tiananmen (Gate of
Heavenly Peace) Square, and you are in the
largest city square in the world, and the
spiritual heart of China. Here the national flag
is raised exactly at sunrise everyday.
Explore the Forbidden City, located in the
center of Beijing, and the grandest palace
complex still remaining in China. Twenty-four
emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties lived
within the red walls, only rarely emerging from
their 250-acre home. Walk through the halls,
pavilions, palaces and courtyards built between
1406 and 1420, once restricted to the members of
the royal family and their households. More than
200,000 laborers were involved in building this
immense complex over the course of many years.
Savor a visual feast at the Summer Palace,
located on the northwestern outskirts of the
city. The Summer Palace, an imperial summer
resort of the Qing Dynasty, provides a
spectacular view of glittering golden roofs of
the buildings below. With its perfect layout,
magnificent buildings and enchanting landscapes,
the garden of the Summer Palace is often called
the most splendid classical garden in China. The
palace grounds also occupy a vast park of 692
acres, with Longevity Hill to the north and
Kunming Lake to the south.
St. Regis Hotel
DAY 4, Friday
Beijing
Today’s excursion travels outside Beijing to the
Great Wall, known to the Chinese as the “Long
Wall of Ten Thousand Li.” It stretches 4,163
miles from the Shanhaiguan Pass on the East
Coast to the Jiayuguan Pass in the Gobi Desert.
Originally built in small sections by individual
feudal states during the 5th century BC, the
Great Wall was connected at the end of the 3rd
century BC on the orders of the Emperor Qin Shi
Huang when he unified all o China. The Great
Wall was built as a defense against invaders
from the north, and became a conduit of
communication, with news and orders carried by
the armies that traveled it. Today, the Great
Wall, the only man-made structure visible from
space, is as impressive and inspiring as it was
centuries ago. The scenery is breathtaking, and
you will have leisure time for a walk on the
Great Wall and to photograph it.
Next, stroll the famous, “Avenue of Animals,”
also known as the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs.
The Sacred Way stretches from south to north
through the center of the tombs area. The main
road was originally built to lead to the tomb of
Emperor Yongle, the most powerful emperor in the
Ming dynasty, but as later tombs were built to
the right and left, the road encompassed them
all.
St. Regis Hotel
DAY 5, Saturday
Beijing
Get a look at ordinary Chinese life, as we take
a morning excursion to see the old back lanes —
or hutongs — by pedicab rickshaw. Peek into
bustling courtyards and watch vendors and
shoppers do their daily business. Visit a local
family, who invite you into their home.
The rest of the day is available for further
exploration of this fascinating city, or just
relax and enjoy the St. Regis spa facilities.
St. Regis Hotel
DAY 6, Sunday
Xian
Today continue on to Xian, the capital of the
Shaanxi Province and the largest city in
northeast China. A principal center of Chinese
culture, Xian has been inhabited since 6000 BC.
Home to eleven great Chinese dynasties and the
ancient capital of China for over 1,000 years,
it became the most important center in Asia and
vied with Rome and later Constantinople for the
title of greatest city in the orld.
DAY 4, Friday
Beijing
Today’s excursion travels outside Beijing to the
Great Wall, known to the Chinese as the “Long
Wall of Ten Thousand Li.” It stretches 4,163
miles from the Shanhaiguan Pass on the East
Coast to the Jiayuguan Pass in the Gobi Desert.
Originally built in small sections by individual
feudal states during the 5th century BC, the
Great Wall was connected at the end of the 3rd
century BC on the orders of the Emperor Qin Shi
Huang when he unified all o China. The Great
Wall was built as a defense against invaders
from the north, and became a conduit of
communication, with news and orders carried by
the armies that traveled it. Today, the Great
Wall, the only man-made structure visible from
space, is as impressive and inspiring as it was
centuries ago. The scenery is breathtaking, and
you will have leisure time for a walk on the
Great Wall and to photograph it.
Next, stroll the famous, “Avenue of Animals,”
also known as the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs.
The Sacred Way stretches from south to north
through the center of the tombs area. The main
road was originally built to lead to the tomb of
Emperor Yongle, the most powerful emperor in the
Ming dynasty, but as later tombs were built to
the right and left, the road encompassed them
all.
St. Regis Hotel
DAY 5, Saturday
Beijing
Get a look at ordinary Chinese life, as we take
a morning excursion to see the old back lanes —
or hutongs — by pedicab rickshaw. Peek into
bustling courtyards and watch vendors and
shoppers do their daily business. Visit a local
family, who invite you into their home.
The rest of the day is available for further
exploration of this fascinating city, or just
relax and enjoy the St. Regis spa facilities.
St. Regis Hotel
DAY 6, Sunday
Xian
Today continue on to Xian, the capital of the
Shaanxi Province and the largest city in
northeast China. A principal center of Chinese
culture, Xian has been inhabited since 6000 BC.
Home to eleven great Chinese dynasties and the
ancient capital of China for over 1,000 years,
it became the most important center in Asia and
vied with Rome and later Constantinople for the
title of greatest city in the world. Visit the
Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a historical legacy
left by the Tang Dynasty, which dates back to
707 A.D. It is one of several fine Buddhist
monuments in the city center. Its well-known
'Morning Bell Chimes' are regarded as one of the
eight famous scenic features in Shaanxi
Province. Behind the pagoda, find a small bell
tower standing in the courtyard. The bell it
houses was cast in 1192 with 16 lucky words
engraved on it. Legend has it that if someone
misses his faraway family, he only needs to
write down his family's name and address on a
label and the bell will ring, sending his
regards to his family. Shangri-La Hotel /
Sofitel Hotel
DAY 7, Monday
Xian
In 1974 the world was astounded when farmers
accidentally discovered a terra cotta army of
thousands of life-sized soldiers guarding the
tomb of the First Emperor Qinshihuang (246 BC -
209 BC). Over 7,000 life-size figures have been
uncovered - warriors, chariots and horses, each
with their own individual characteristics, lined
up just as they were 2,000 years ago, ready to
march off on a military campaign. The Museum of
Emperor Qinshihuang's Tomb Figures of Soldiers
and Horses is one of the most famous places in
China and is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage
Site. The highlight of your visit is an
excursion to the site where these figures have
been excavated. The actual tomb is still to be
unearthed and is reputed to contain extravagant
palaces and pavilions filled with rare gems.
Visit the remarkable Shaanxi Historical Museum,
which houses one of the most extraordinary
collections of ancient Chinese artifacts in the
world, with over 113,000 fine cultural relics.
The museum is divided into seven parts with
exhibitions of the prehistoric age, the Zhou
Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, the
Wei Jin Nanbei Dynasties, the Sui and Tang
Dynasties and the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing
Dynasties. It shows the history of Shaanxi
Province from 1,150,000 years ago to 1840.
Shangri-La Hotel / Sofitel Hotel
DAY 8, Tuesday
Chongqing & Yangtze Cruise
Today, fly to Chongqing, located at the
confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.
Chongqing (or Chunking), was the Nationalist
Headquarters during the Japanese occupation of
China. It has grown in the 20th century from a
small town to China's largest urban area. In
late afternoon, embark on the Victoria Anna, one
of the newest ships on the Yangtze, and begin
sailing downstream. The Yangtze River, waterway
for large foreign and Chinese vessels, and
throngs of junks and sampans, conjures images of
romance and adventure. For the Chinese, the
Yangtze (or Long River) is the site of
spectacular, inspiring scenery, important
history and
birthplace of ancient culture. Your cruise
combines sightseeing with scientific, artistic
and cultural exploration.
Victoria Anna Cruise
DAY 9, Wednesday
Yangtze Cruise
Sailing down the Yangtze from Chongqing to
Yichang gives you a front row seat on a
spectacular display of Three Gorges scenery, and
opens the door for exploration of the region’s
splendid cultural heritage and folklore.
Depending on the river conditions and water
level, you visit one of three locations:
Shibaozhai, Wanxian, or Fengdu
Shibaozhai features a 12-story wooden pagoda
that is more than 400 years old. No nails were
used in constructing this enduring structure,
which stands on a huge, rectangular rock on the
riverside, backed by sheer cliffs. A popular
destination for people in the region, the pagoda
has been called the “pearl of the Orient.”
Wanxian, an important port and industrial
center, is the gateway to the Eastern Szechuan
Province. Watch an acrobatic show, visit a
bustling market, a regional museum, or a school
to get a taste of Eastern Szechuan life.
Known as the “city of devils,” Fengdu boasts
temples filled with innumerable statues of
ghosts and devils. During the Tang Dynasty, two
princely families, the Yin (Hell) and Wang
(King) were joined in marriage, becoming the
Yinwang (King of Hell). Since that time,
residents of Fengdu have believed that the town
is populated by ghosts. The plethora of
demon-decorated temples, buildings, and statues
seem to attest to their belief. Victoria Anna
DAY 10, Thursday
Cruise & Three Gorges
The Three Gorges, consisting of the majestic
Qutang Xia, statuesque Wu Xia and ferocious
Xiling Xia Gorges, is one of the world’s major
canyons. Along the way to the gorges, enjoy
spectacular sights, including Fengdu Mountain,
Baidi City, Shibao Village, Qu Yuan’s Temple and
the Three Gorges Dam.
The spectacular grandeur of these walls and the
river that roars through them has long been the
inspiration of China’s romantic poets and
painters. As you float through the gorges, the
landscape changes around each bend. Soaring
peaks contrast with the quiet, transparent
waters flowing beneath them.
Cruise to Qutang Xia (Qutang Gorge), the
shortest (five miles), narrowest (500 feet) and
most dramatic of the gorges. Two mountains,
Chijia Shan (Red Passage Mountain) and Baiyan
Shan (White Salt Mountain), guard the entrance
to this gorge like two massive castle doors.
Next is the 25-mile-long Wu Xia (Witches Gorge),
with cliffs so sheer and tall they virtually
block out the sun. This middle gorge is best
known for its 12 unique peaks. Often hidden in
swirls of mist, six line the north side of the
river, while six staggered peaks guard the
south. The most famous mountain, Shennu Feng
(Goddess Peak), resembles a kneeling maiden. She
is believed to be the youngest of 12 fairies who
help guide the ships along the river.
The final gorge, Xiling Xia (Xiling Gorge) is
the longest (41 miles) and deepest, with cliff
walls that rise to 4,000 feet.
Depending on the water level, you may travel on
the Daning River to Xiao San Xia (Small Gorges),
or to Shennong Stream, another tributary of the
Yangtze with a series of beautiful gorges. At
the confluence of the Yangtze and Daning Rivers,
discover the entrance to Longmen Xia (Dragon
Gate Gorge), where precipitous cliffs form a
spectacular natural entrance. Further upstream,
dramatic peaks and caves surround you as you
cruise through, Bawu Xia (Misty Gorge). Bamboo
groves line the final gorge, Dicui Xia (Emerald
Green Gorge), where the shrill cries of monkeys
announce your arrival, and a chorus of bird song
seems to welcome you.
Victoria Anna
DAY 11, Friday
Yichang & Shanghai
This morning, arrive in Yichang. The
construction of the Gezhouba (Gezhou Dam)
changed this sleepy 1st-century town into a
thriving metropolis. Situated at the entrance to
the Xiling Gorge, Yichang is the cultural center
of the western Hubei Province.
Visit the dam, first proposed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen
in his ambitious 1919 blueprint for the future
of China. The feasibility of such a project has
been studied and debated ever since. American
engineers selected the current site in 1930, and
dam completion is now scheduled for 2008.
The dam’s final statistics are impressive: 6,500
feet long, 606 feet high and an estimated US $60
billion price tag. The dam will create the
world’s largest reservoir—it will be 360 miles
long; will relocate over 1.5 million people; and
will submerge 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352
villages, 657 factories, and 570,000 acres of
cultivated land. Proponents of the project point
to its promised benefits: flood control, drought
control and increased hydroelectric power.
This afternoon, fly to Shanghai. Shanghai’s
inhabitants have been oddly juxtaposed
throughout the centuries - rich taipans and poor
peasants, intellectuals and revolutionaries,
European expatriates and Communist elite.
Pudong Shangri-la Hotel
DAY 12, Saturday
Shanghai
Survey the city’s architectural wonders and
stroll the serene paths of Yu Yuan Garden in
Shanghai’s Old Town. Built in 1577, the garden
is enclosed behind high walls, where you also
find a small lake, teahouses, ponds and more
than 30 halls and pavilions. It may be
Shanghai’s finest classical garden.
Ancient tradition and modern ambition meld in
Shanghai, and the contemporary Shanghai Museum
at People’s Square, with its extraordinary
Chinese art and stunning architecture, embodies
both. Examine its collection of more than
123,000 cultural artifacts in 21 categories,
with bronze ware, ceramics, calligraphy and
painting, its primary focus.
This evening, attend a world-class performance
of the Chinese Acrobats.
Pudong Shangri-la Hotel
DAY 13, Sunday
Shanghai
Visit the Temple of the Jade Buddha, famous for
its rare, white Burmese-jade Buddha statue. The
Yufo (Jade Buddha) Temple was built in 1882, and
is a sanctuary for Zen Buddhist study and
meditation.
You will also visit the Shanghai Children's
Palace where after school education is offered
to gifted children. Located on West Yanan Road
in central Shanghai, it was founded in 1953 by
Song Qingling (Madam Sun Yatsen). This
Children's Palace is housed in a grand building
that was once known as the "Marble House". Built
from 1918-1931, it has marble lined hallways,
wide curving staircases and a large front hall
complete with ornate fireplaces, grand
chandeliers and French windows.
Children participate in a wide range of
extracurricular activities including music,
dance, art, model making, science, technology,
and computer science. The palace hosts many art
performances and science and technology contests
which attracts thousands of youngsters.
Pudong Shngri-la Hotel
DAY 14, Monday
Shanghai & Hong Kong
Today fly from Shanghai to Hong Kong. Upon
arrival you will be taken directly to your
luxury hotel. The remainder of the day is at
leisure for you to shop or explore this exciting
and cosmopolitan city.
Hong Kong has the cosmopolitan feel of a modern
metropolis of 14 million – with busy but
efficient transportation, shopping complexes and
restaurants. Yet there are still temples and
quiet corners of parks that offer calm and
contemplative oases. Hong Kong presents a
wonderful blend of old and new, traditional Asia
and Western elements.
Island Shangri-la
DAY 15, Tuesday
Hong Kong
This morning enjoy a tour of Hong Kong Island.
Visit majestic Victoria Peak, ride in an
authentic Aberdeen Harbor Sampan and shop in the
Stanley Market.
In the afternoon enjoy free time to experience
the distinctive blend of East and West in this
dynamic city. Savor culinary delicacies. Open
your senses to Hong Kong's amazing skyline,
bustling harbor and peaceful countryside.
Tonight, enjoy a cocktail and dinner party with
your Travcoa travel director and fellow
travelers to bid a fond farewell to China and
tis amazing journey.
Island Shangri-la
DAY 16, Wednesday
Depart for Home
This morning you will be transferred to the
airport in Hong Kong for your flight home or on
to your next destination.
NOTE: The Daily Itinerary above is subject to
change dependent upon local conditions and/or
operational changes or improvements. The
specific times and order of inclusions within
each destination may also be altered to best
accommodate unscheduled closure, special events,
weather, traffic, etc. Please contact your
Vacation Planner before scheduling any
coinciding appointments. You will receive an
up-dated, itinerary approximately 30 days prior
to your journey’s scheduled departure date. |
|
Home
|
About Us
|
Site Map
|
FAQ
|
Contact Us