To open and print a ".pdf" version of our 2012 American Aviators VIP tour, CLICK HERE.

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9th Annual VIP Exclusive by

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $3098* - almost all 5-star

[*per person, double occupancy]

CST # 2070111 - 40

Visiting Cities: Shanghai, Wuhan, Yichang, Chongqing, Chengdu, Guilin, Xi’an,& Beijing - with Yangtze River Cruise on brand new 5-star ship with all private balconies thru the Three Gorges (with shore excursions to World’s Largest Dam, Shennong Stream or Three Lesser Gorges, & Fengdu or Wanxian).

Departure City: San Francisco ($160 R/T Add-on from LAX; $180 from SEA, SAN, PHX, PDX - all plus $28 tax) ---- Call for other cities.

*priced per person, double occupancy
** Tour price & all taxes/fees are subject to change until final payment **

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MAR 22 [THU] - San Francisco / SHANGHAI

Board Air China wide-body B 747-400 jumbo jet for China. Cross the International Date Line and lose a day.

MAR 23 [FRI] - ARRIVE SHANGHAI

Upon arrival, meet your national guides at the airport and transfer to the Four Points by Sheraton - Shanghai, Daning or similar - www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1986

MAR 24 [SAT] - SHANGHAI (AB, D)

Big Buffet breakfast for all, but lunch on your own - hotel located in great area of shops & restaurants - departure at 1 PM (because of late arrival previous evening). Major sightseeing of city includes Old Town Shanghai and YuYuan Garden, the famous Bund and The Silk Factory among many points of interest. Enjoy fantastic evening Acrobatic Show.

MAR 25 [SUN] - SHANGHAI / WUHAN / YICHANG / CRUISE (AB, L, D)

Take morning flight to Wuhan (at junction of Yangtze and Han Rivers). Upon arrival, lunch will be served at the airport before driving to Yichang by bus at 12:30 PM. After dinner, board the BRAND NEW 5-star Yangtze No: 2 cruiser or similar which is approved by National Tourism Administration of China. For ship information, please visit: http://www.ccotc.com/cruise.do?method=queryCruiseById&id=27&menu=0

MAR 26 [MON] - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)

Our ship departs at 7 AM. Onboard activities include all kinds of lectures presented by your river guide. We will sail through the first of the Three Gorges - Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges before passing through all 5 locks of the world's largest, newly completed Three Gorges Dam. Then take a shore excursion to the world famous Yangtze River Dam construction exhibition site before sailing through the second of the Three Gorges - Wu Gorge.  Ship will dock for the night when we arrive at the town of Wushan. Enjoy a Welcome cocktail party hosted by the captain in evening.

MAR 27 [TUE] - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)

This morning we will board a smaller ship to transport us to small "peapod" boats for a trip up the Shennong Stream (pulled by "Trackers") OR up the Daning River through the Three Lesser Gorges, a stunning area of dramatic hillsides, caves and lush bamboo groves. Our cruiser will then continue on through the last of the Three Gorges - Qutang Gorge.

MAR 28 [WED] - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)

Today we continue to cruise upstream to visit the ancient city of Fengdu (“Ghost City”) where a new residential area for immigrants is located ; and we also explore the local farmer’s market and a kindergarten, or visit Wanxian for a shore excursion to the local town before returning to the ship for a farewell banquet.

MAR 29 [THU] - CHONGQING / CHENGDU (B, L, D)

Our cruise concludes as we arrive in Chongqing for a City tour to visit the Gen.“Vinegar Joe” Stilwell  Museum and the nearby Flying Tigers Museum. Then take afternoon high-speed express train to Chengdu and check into the beautiful 4* Chengdu Tianfu Sunshine Hotel or similar - the only 4* hotel on the tour and only for one night due to a large convention in the city - www.tfsunshinehotel.com/index.php. Enjoy evening VIP Banquet in the hotel hosted by the Municipal Government of Chengdu, City Tourism Administration, and other local officials from the Municipal Government in honor of our VIP delegation with TV & News media interviews.

MAR 30 [FRI] - CHENGDU / GUILIN (B, L, D)

Begin with rare opportunity to visit the Giant Panda (babies) Breeding Research Center, largest panda reserve in the world, where conservation efforts are being made to save this endangered species. Then visit Xinjin Airfield (Hsinching in WW II), constructed in 1928 (& upgraded during WW II (1940 & 1943). This facility was first used by the US AAF Bomber Command in March 1944 as the forward staging base for the 40th Bombardment Group which carried out B-29 Superfortress raids on the Japanese Home Islands and was also one of four B-29 bases established by the USA in China. Also, the 14th AAF 1st Combat Cargo Squadron performed special operation cargo drops from there during the spring of 1945 with C47s. Take an evening flight to Guilin and check into the best  5* Lijiang Waterfall Hotel or similar: www.waterfallguilin.com/EN/.  During your stay in Guilin, you will be fully escorted by police car as VIPs of the city if the group reaches to 100 Pax.

MAR 31 [SAT] - GUILIN (B, L, D)

Depart after breakfast at 9:30 AM - Take coach to visit Yangtang Old Airport in the south of Guilin with government special permit where the Flying Tiger Heritage Park will be located. The Flag Raising Ceremony will be held there (Amer. flag which once flew over the US Capitol on Dec. 7th, China flag, and the AVG Flying Tiger flag will be flying together). We plan to dedicate the NEW Flying Tiger Exhibition Hall by that time. This old airport was used by Flying Tigers during the World War II (1941-1942 + 1943-1945). View the stone tablet set-up by Mrs. Claire Chennault with her inscription engraved on it (from which rubbings will be made and presented to each of you as a gift).  After lunch visit a pearl factory; then visit the Reed Flute Caves and Elephant Trunk Hill.  In the evening attend the VIP banquet in our hotel held by the Municipal Government of Guilin and the City Tourism Administration with other local officials from the Municipal Government in honor of our VIP delegation - with TV and News media interviews.

APR 1 [SUN] - GUILIN / YANGSHUO / GUILIN (B, L, D)

Spend a day aboard a scenic Li River cruise passing picturesque farms and fishing villages with its thousands of limestone outcroppings. Guilin, with its unique conical mountains, has been the inspiration for generations of silk scroll painters.  Visit a Tea Factory before returning to the hotel around 4 PM for rest or additional local exploration – other options will be offered.

APR 2 [MON] - GUILIN / XIAN (AB, L, D)

After breakfast, fly to the ancient city of Xi'an, site of the only city wall remaining fully intact in all of China. Transfer to the 5-star Grand New World Hotel or similar: www.gdhxian.com/eng/home/main.htm. During your stay in Xi’an, you will be fully escorted by police car as VIPs of the city if the group reaches 100 pax.

APR 3 [TUE] - XI’AN (AB, L, D)

After breakfast, visit the famous Eighth Wonder of the World, the Qin Terra-cotta Warriors Museum, which is the burial site of an incredible army of 8,000 lifelike clay soldiers. Visit the Art and Handicraft Factory and the Ancient City Wall. A fabulous Dumpling Banquet will be hosted by the Director of the City Tourism Administration and other local officials from the Municipal Government of Xi’an followed by the famous Tang Dynasty Culture show.

APR 4 [WED] - XI'AN (AB)

Enjoy your leisure day and wander around the ancient city in Xi’an. Lunch and dinner are on your own.

APR 5 [THU] - XI'AN / BEIJING (AB, L)

After early breakfast, take early morning flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, visit Summer Palace and a Cloisonné factory. After lunch, check into 5* Pullman Beijing West Wanda Hotel or similar and enjoy free time and dinner on your own (large shopping center with MANY restaurants across street), and an early rest - www.pullmanhotels.com/gb/hotel-7160-pullman-beijing-west-wanda/index.shtml.

APR 6 [FRI] - BEIJING (AB, L, D)

After breakfast, visit Forbidden City, the residence of emperors for more than 500 years and the largest imperial palace ever built in the world.  It features more than 800 buildings with over 9,000 rooms, with resplendent golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermilion walls - continue to nearby Tiananmen Square - then drive by the Beijing Olympic National Stadium “Bird’s Nest” for a special photo op. Early rest in preparation for early morning the next day.

APR 7 [SAT]- BEIJING (AB, L, D)

Depart at 6:30 AM after breakfast. The highlights for today start with a crowd-free early visit to the Great Wall, a symbol of Chinese ancient civilization. Then visit the Aviation Museum, largest one in Asia, where you will wander around various types of old airplanes and fighters. The Director of Beijing Aviation Association will host your tour around this special museum along with a ceremony of exchanging presents. After lunch, you can enjoy shopping (jade, etc. - maximum two hours) before returning to the hotel for some rest. Enjoy our final banquet, the famous Beijing Duck Dinner that evening.

APR 8 [SUN] - BEIJING (AB, L, D)

Enjoy your leisure day in Beijing for shopping and/or more touring. Optional tours will be available and will be presented to you by our local operator the day before your free day. Lunch and dinner are on your own on this free day of many choices.

APR 9 [MON] - BEIJING (AB)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport around noon and take Air China non-stop international flight back to San Francisco, CA, arriving also on April 9^th (gain back the day lost on the flight to China as you cross back over the International Dateline).

** Price: $3,198 per person (based on double occupancy)

Single Supplement: $998 per person (call for details)

** Price Includes:

1. Roundtrip International PLUS 4 China domestic air tickets (all jet airliner flights);
2. Hotel and Ship accommodations, meals, transfers & sightseeing listed above;
3. English-speaking guides;
4. Special VIP dinners plus shows listed above

** Price Excludes:

1. U.S.& China Int’l departure airport taxes & China domestic airport (all with fuel surcharges added) + San Francisco P.F.C. fee (current estimate totals $512.50 for all);
2. China visa fee (current estimate $155 - handled for you by us and our tour opertaor);
3. CSA Group Go! Travel Insurance (mandatory for all in order to get group discount - now varies by age grouping from $124 to $404 pp for most folks on the basic tour);
4. Tips and personal expenses (guidance will be given for tipping and for shopping, etc.)

NOTE: All prices and estimates are subject to change without prior notice until final billing/payment.

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This page last updated December 7, 2011
Webmaster - Tori Armstrong