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Jiuzhaigou & Yangtze River Cruise 15 Days |
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Visit: Shanghai - Chengdu - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou - Mt. Emei - Dazu - Chongqing - Yangtze River
Tour Code: GTCJY15 |
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| Detailed Itinerary |
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Day
01 |
USA - Shanghai, China |
| Depart from one of the West Coast gateway cities where your
tour representative will help your board the flight to Shanghai. |
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| Day 02 |
Shanghai
(D) |
| Arrive in Shanghai. The tour guide will greet you in Shanghai
Intˇ¦l Airport and then take you to your hotel. |
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Hotel: Jinjiang Tower Hotel or similar |
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| Day 03 |
Shanghai - Chengdu
(B,L,D) |
| Board your flight to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.
Surrounded by lofty mountains and meandering valleys, this city
is blessed with a mild climate and abundant natural resources.
Your first stop is the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research
Base. Known as a "living fossil", the giant panda is a rare animal
native to China. It is one of the most primitive species in the world. There are now no more than 1,000 giant pandas in
existence, scattering mostly in the areas around Chengdu. To
create a habitat conducive to its survival and multiplication,
Chengdu has set up several natural reserves adjoining one another
to form the "Hometown of Giant Pandas in China". A panda
research and breeding base has been built up there with some
initial success in artificial breeding. As recognition, the UNEP
put the base on the Honor Roll as one of the Global 500 in animal
preservation in 1989. To visit the base is to see with your own
eyes the lovely giant panda. This evening you will enjoy some
deluxe courses at dinner. |
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Hotel: Kempinski Hotel or similar |
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| Day 04 |
Chengdu - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou
(B,L,D) |
| Today you'll fly to the Huanglong Scenic Area which features
travertine, limestone pools, and springs. Then you'll take bus to
Jiuzhaigou, another natural wonder. The name Jiuzhaigou came
from the fact that nine Tibetan villages are scattered in the valley.
Its attraction lies in its simple natural beauty, idyllic and
primitive, and still in its pristine state. Emerald lakes, layered
waterfalls, colorful forests as well as distant snow peaks and
nearby Tibetan villages ˇV all blend in harmony to make a "jewel"
set in the mountains. Spend your night in Jiuzhaigou. |
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Hotel: Sheraton International Hotel or similar |
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| Day 05 |
Jiuzhaigou
(B,L,D) |
| Jiuzhaigou lies in a geographically transitional area where
northern and southern flora and fauna meet. A natural botanical
as well as a zoological garden, it is the home of densely growing
conifers and broadleaf trees, and of rare and endangered animal
species such as the giant panda, golden monkey, and white-lip
deer. The lakes here are unblemished, and the forest is
luxuriously lush. Crystal-clear green waters reflect the blue
clouds floating above. Places like this inspire poets to create
beautiful verse. You'll visit Changhai Lake, Five-Color Lake,
etc. In the evening you will be entertained by local artists at a
folk dance show. |
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Hotel: Sheraton International Hotel or similar |
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| Day 06 |
Jiuzhaigou
(B,L,D) |
| Here's another full-day exploration of the fantastic Jiuzhaigou. Scenic spots include Panda Lake, Swan Lake, etc. |
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Hotel: Sheraton International Hotel or similar |
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| Day 07 |
Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu - Le Shan - Mt. Emei
(B,L,D) |
| Fly to Chengdu from Jiuhaigou,, and then take coach to Mt.
Emei. On the way you'll stop by Le Shan, which highlights an
UNESCO-designated world heritage site, namely, the Giant
Buddha. Standing by a river but carved into the rock-face, the
86-meter-high Buddha statue is the tallest in the world. You'll
board a boat to take a close look at the Buddha. Then travel to
Mt. Emei and spend the night at a local hotel. |
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Hotel: Hongzhushan Hotel or similar |
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| Day 08 |
Mt. Emei ˇV Chengdu
(B,L,D) |
| Ascending the Golden Summit of Mt. Emei by cable car, you
can feast your eyes on the amazing beauty of the surrounding
scenery. You'll also visit the Puguang Temple, a famous Buddhist
monastery in China. When you return to Chengdu in the evening,
you'll be treated to a dinner featuring dishes made of medicinal
herbs, followed by a local Chuan opera known as "Changing
Face". |
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Hotel: Kempinski Hotel or similar |
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| Day 09 |
Chengdu - Dazu - Chongqing - Cruising along the Yangtze River
(B,L,D) |
| This morning you'll take coach to Dazu and visit the Rock
Carvings in Baoding Grotto. While most carvings reflect religious
doctrines, some teach Confucianism. Take a drive later in the
afternoon to Chongqing. Dinner will feature local taste and flavor.
you'll board a deluxe cruise to start your Yangtze River journey.
Stay on board overnight. |
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Victoria Cruises or similar |
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| Day 10 |
Cruising along the Yangtze
(B,L,D) |
| Start out on a spectacular three-day cruise down the mighty
Yangtze River, the third longest in the world. Relax on the deck
or in the lounge while you enjoy the beautiful scenery of China's
hinterland. Disembark at Fengdu, the City of Ghosts. When
strolling around the magnificent temples, don't feel uneasy with
those lifelike statues of ghosts. Legend has it that the dead come
to Fengdu while the devils go to hell. |
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| Day 11 |
Cruising along the Yangtze
(B,L,D) |
| Today the cruise will sail through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge.
These misty canyons, with magnificent pagodas atop, have long
been a favorite motif of traditional Chinese paintings. The gorges
are different in many ways, and each bend of the river reveals a
new view, more perilous than the previous. When arriving at
Wushan, you will transfer to a motorboat to see the Three Minor
Gorges, returning to the cruise after the trip. The highlight of
the evening is the Captain's dinner party. |
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| Day 12 |
Wuhan
(B,L,D) |
| This morning you will first visit the Three Gorges Dam and then continue the cruising trip to Yichang, a thriving city. Travel by
bus to Wuhan. On your way, you will pass Jingzhou, a historic
city in central China about which the tour guide will surely regale
you with numerous stories. |
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Hotel: Shangri-La Hotel or similar |
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| Day 13 |
Wuhan - Shanghai
(B,L,D) |
| Ascend to Wuhan's Yellow Crane Tower for a commanding view
of the mighty Yangtze River. Then fly to Shanghai, the largest
metropolis of China with a population of 16 million. |
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Hotel: Jinjiang Tower Hotel or similar |
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| Day 14 |
Shanghai
(B,L,D) |
| Visit Old Town, Huangpu River, and the Eastern Pearl TV
Tower, Asia's highest. Dinner features the best local dishes. |
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Hotel: Jinjiang Tower Hotel or similar |
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| Day 15 |
Shanghai - USA
(B) |
| The Maglev (short for magnetic levitation) train is to take you
on an exciting ride to the airport. Youˇ¦ll then board your
homeward flight to USA or your next destination. |
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