• First class hotel accommodation
• Yangtze River Cruise (5 star MS Blue Whale)
• 3 meals daily and domestic airfare in China
• Round trip airfare from Vancouver on Air Canada direct flights
• Climb the Great Wall, one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world
• Visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and the Grand Canal
• See the Terra Cotta Soldiers and experience the ancient Chinese history.
• Witness the magnificence of the world’s largest dam
• Explore the Venice of the Orient and old village culture, art and religion
• Experience firsthand an emerging global power – modern China
• Enjoy the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show plus excellent shopping
• Extension to Hong Kong or Japan available upon request
• English speaking guides and baggage handling (1 piece per person)

Day 1: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - Hometown/Vancouver/Beijing
Depart your hometown for Vancouver where you board an Air Canada wide-bodied jet and cross the international dateline, arriving in Beijing on Wednesday.

Day 2: Wednesday, March 17, 10 - Beijing (D)
We arrive in Beijing mid afternoon. After customs and immigration, we will be met by our Beijing local guide upon arrival and be transferred to hotel.
HOTEL: Best Western Premier or similar

Day 3: Thursday, March 18, 10 - Beijing. (B/L/D)
Beijing, the nation’s seven-century-old capital and the heart of the nation’s government and economic life. We start the day by visiting the Tien’anmen square, the largest public square in the world and the site of many history-making events. Visit the Imperial Palace, also known as the Forbidden City, where 24 “sons of heaven” ruled from the Dragon throne. In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, the retreat for the former Empress, which is located by a lake in a park full of charming views. Tonight, we enjoy the famous Beijing Opera.

Day 4: Friday, March 19, 10 - Beijing (B/L/SD)
We visit the soul stirring Great Wall as it winds dragon-like across northern China. It is the only earthly evidence of man visible from the moon. To walk "the Wall" is a not to be missed experience. In the afternoon, we take a rickshaw tour around the ancient alleyways of Hutong-a 700 year old traditional cottage neighbourhoods, visit a family in one of the Quadrangles. Tonight we enjoy a Beijing Duck Dinner.

Day 5: Saturday, March 20, 10 - Beijing to Xi'an (B/L/D)
This morning we'll go sightsee the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of 15th century
architecture where the former emperors blessed for harvest every year. After a visit to the Panda Bears-China’s national treasures, we fly to China’s ancient capital –
Xi'an, once the capital of 11 dynasties. Visit the Wild Goose Pagoda, Ming Dynasty
City Wall. At night, a western dinner will be prepared for us to enjoy.
HOTEL: Tangcheng

Day 6: Sunday, March 21, 10 - Xi'an (B/L/SD)
A full day excursion takes us to one of the most exciting archeological finds in recent years where 6000 life-sized terra-cotta warriors as the mausoleum of emperor Qin Shi Huang, who unified China in 211 BC, have been unearthed. We also visit the Banpo Neolithic Village. Tonight, we will be treated to a Xian Special Dumpling Banquet and a colourful Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 7: Monday, March 22, 10 – X’ian/Chongqing (B/L/D)
Visit the Provincial Museum, and then take a flight to Chongqing, the biggest city
and commercial center of southwestern China. Lunch will be served with the local
specialty flavor. We will tour this booming city of 30 million people and visit the
Yangtze River Gorge Museum. After dinner we will board the M.S. Blue Whale.

Day 8: Tuesday, March 23, 10 – Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
Today, we will sail downstream and arrive at Fengdu known as” Ghost City”. Your shore excursion takes you to visit the temples high above the river on Mingshan Hill
with their famous and unique moulded ghosts and devils. We then enter the first
gorge – the beautiful Qutang Gorge and enjoy the captain welcome dinner tonight

Day 9: Wednesday, March 24, 10 - Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
The adventurous cruise along the Shennong stream is the main reason for making a stop at this town, Badong County. Shennong stream drifting- the stream, which raises from Shennong area, is at the north of the Yangtze river, flowing down through Badong county, meeting the Yangtze river at the east end of Wu gorge. Drifting rapidly on “pea-boats” is exciting and breathtaking. During the journey, you may see ancient roads and hanging coffins in the precipice, and even some rare animals such as golden-haired monkeys. You can also experience the natural features of Tu Nations. We will later sail through the beautiful Wu Gorge and experience passing through the five-step ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam after we enter the third gorge – Xiling Gorge.

Day 10: Thursday, March 25, 10 - Yichang to Shanghai/Suzhou (B/L/D)
This morning we disembark in Yichang and witness the magnificent view of the Three Gorges Dam, the largest and most powerful hydroelectric project in the world. Then fly to Shanghai and coach to Suzhou, the renowned garden city. Visit the Grand Canal dated to 605 A.D. which continues to be used.
HOTEL: Gloria Plaza or similar

Day 11: Friday, March 26, 10 - Suzhou/Wuxi/Suzhou (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will visit Tiger Hill and a silk factory where we can experience how silk is produced. Then take a coach ride to Wuxi , the capital of the ancient Three Warring States. We enjoy an excursion to the beautiful Lake Taihu where we may get a chance to greet school children and interact with them.

Day 12: Saturday, March 27, 10 - Suzhou/Tongli/Shanghai (B/L/D) After breakfast, take a coach ride to the ancient canal town of Tongli, the so- called Venice of the Orient,which has a history of over 900 years. We will experience a rickshaw ride and enjoy a gondola ride on the canal. Then continue our journey by coach to Shanghai – China’s largest city, major seaport and important commercial center. We will witness the rapid growth of this city and enjoy the famous acrobatic show tonight. Lots of opportunity for shopping!
HOTEL: Galaxy

Day 13: Sunday, March 28, 10 – Shanghai (B/L/D).

We visit the Yu Yuen Garden and waterfront promenade “the Bund”,a splendid vantage point to view the colourful traffic on the Huangpu River. Tour the ultra-modern district of Pudong Development Zone and get a closer look at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Enjoy shopping on the famous Nanjing Road, the busy district for shopping and entertainment.

Day 14: Monday, March 29, 10 – Shanghai/Vancouver/Hometown (B)
After breakfast, say farewell to Shanghai, we make our way to the airport for our flight back home with unforgettable memories of this fabulous China tour. We board Air Canada for a direct flight to Vancouver and return to hometown.

NOTE:
*B: American Breakfast *L: Lunch *D: Dinner *SD: Special Dinner
Minimum passenger requirement for group departure is 16
Hotel changes may be made if necessary.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Not included: Tax and security fees $178.00, Fuel surcharge $185.00, China visa
fee $75.00. Airport User Fee in China $50.00 and gratuities to guide/driver/porter $125 , to ship crew $25 (paid locally), meals not specific in itinerary and travel insurance. Airfare to Vancouver

Booking Conditions: A deposit of $500 per person is due at time of booking. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. A late booking fee of $50 per person will
be established if booking is made within 30 days from departure, due to additional arrangements with China. Passport has to be valid for at least 6 months.

Tour Prices: The prices indicated are effective when this flyer was printed. These prices are set up in accordance with airfare, exchange rates, and other factors. In the event of an increase, Marlin Travel reserves the right to increase the cost of the tour without notice.

Cancellation Penalties:
60 days or more prior to departure $500 per person
59-30 days prior to departure 50% of tour cost
29-0 days prior to departure 100% of tour cost

 

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