Visiting Cities: Shanghai, Suzhou, Grand Canal Cruise, Wuhan, Three Gorges (and World’s Largest Dam), Shennong Stream or Three Lesser Gorges, Wanxian or Fengdu, Chongqing, Guilin, Xi’an, Beijing - with Yangtze River Cruise (new 5-star Cruiser with all Window-View) --- *priced per person, double occupancy ** Tour price & tax are subject to change ** Departure City: San Francisco ( $160 R/T Add-on from LAX, $180 from SEA, SAN, PHX, PDX to SFO) Call for other cities.
MAR 12 - San Francisco/SHANGHAI
Board Air China or United Airlines wide-body 747-400 jumbo jet for China. Cross the International Date Line and lose a day.
MAR 13 - 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 14 - SHANGHAI (AB, D)
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 silk carpet factory among many points of interest. Enjoy fantastic evening Acrobatic Show.
MAR 15 - SHANGHAI / SUZHOU/ SHANGHAI (AB, L)
After breakfast, take deluxe coach to Suzhou. For those who will take the earlier flight from Chongqing to Guilin, visit Panda Zoo on the way. Upon arrival, visit the Silk Factory & the Embroidery Institute before lunch. Then cruise on Suzhou’s famous 4000-year-old Grand Canal. Coach back to Shanghai - dinner on your own / early bed.
MAR 16 - SHANGHAI / WUHAN / CRUISE (AB, L, D)
Take morning flight to Wuhan at the junction of the Yangtze and Han Rivers. Upon arrival, tour Wuhan and have lunch before visiting the famous Yellow Crane Pavilion and the Hubei Provincial Museum. Dinner before boarding the new 5-star all-window-view “YANGTZE No. 1” cruiser, which is approved by the National Tourism Administration of China (or similar class cruiser). (for ship information, visit: www.ccotc.com/cruise_en/all_ships.jsp?shipTypeId=2004000049)
MAR 17 - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)
Sail through the beautiful countryside for the day. Onboard activities include all kinds of lectures presented by your river guides. Enjoy a welcome cocktail party hosted by the captain in the evening.
MAR 18 - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)
Cruise to upper Yangtze and pass through the 230-foot high Gezhouba Dam at Yichang. Here the ship will pass through one of the three massive locks. Continue to sail through the first of the Three Gorges - Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges. Our cruiser will then pass through the world’s largest, recently completed five-stage Three Gorges Dam Locks. Then take a shore excursion to the world famous Yangtze River Dam construction site. Next, sail through the second of the Three Gorges - Wu Gorge. Ship will dock for the night upon arrival at the town of Wushan.
MAR 19 - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)
This morning we will board a smaller ship to transport us to small boats for a trip up the Shennong Stream (pulled by “Trackers”) or up the Daning River to the Three Small Gorges. Both are stunning areas of dramatic hillsides, caves, and lush bamboo groves. Our cruiser will then continue on to the last of the Three Gorges - Qutang Gorge.
MAR 20 - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)
Today we continue to cruise upstream to explore the local markets and a kindergarten in either the ancient city of Wanxian, site of a new residential area for immigrants, or in ancient Fengdu before returning to our ship for a farewell banquet.
MAR 21 - CHONGQING/GUILIN (B, L, D)
Our cruise concludes as we arrive in Chongqing. City tour includes the museums of Gen.”Vinegar Joe” Stilwell and the Flying Tigers. For those who take the later flight to Guilin, the city tour also includes the Panda Zoo. Those on the early flight will be able to explore more of Guilin and check in early to the 5-star Lijiang Waterfall Hotel or similar - www.waterfallguilin.com . You will be fully escorted by police car as VIPs of the city while in Guilin.
MAR 22 - GUILIN (AB, L, D)
Depart at 10:00 AM. After breakfast, with special government permit, take deluxe coach to the Yangtang Old Airport which is located south of Guilin and was used by Flying Tigers during the World War II (1943-1945). You can see the stone tablet set up by Mrs. Chennault with her inscription engraved on it from which rubbings will be made and presented later to every one of you as a gift. After lunch, we will visit the Reed Flute Caves and Elephant Trunk Hill. In the evening a VIP banquet will be hosted by the Director of the City Tourism Administration along with other local officials from the Municipal Gov’t of Guilin. Presents will be exchanged at this occasion. TV and Newspaper Interviews will focus on this event.
MAR 23 - GUILIN (AB, L, D)
Spend the 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. Return to the hotel around 4PM for rest or additional local exploration. Additional options will be suggested.
MAR 24 - GUILIN / XIAN (AB, L, D)
Enjoy your leisure time in the morning if the flight schedule permits. For those who are interested in a shopping tour, guides and coaches will provide service for you - but you must have your luggage packed before leaving the hotel. After lunch, fly to the ancient city of Xi'an, site of the only city wall remaining intact in all of China. You will be fully escorted by police car as VIPs of the city in Xi’an, also. Transfer and check into the 5-star Grand New World Hotel or similar: www.gnwhxian.com
MAR 25 - 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. After lunch, visit the big Wild Goose Pagoda and/or the Ancient City Wall. In the evening a fabulous Dumpling Banquet will be hosted by the director of the City Tourism Administration and other local officials from the Municipal Government of Xian. Newspaper Journalists and TV reporters will focus on this occasion tonight which will conclude with a presentation of the famous Tang Dynasty show.
MAR 26 - XI’AN / BEIJING (AB, L)
After breakfast, take early morning flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, visit Summer Palace. After lunch, check into 5-star Jade Palace Hotel or similar - www.jadepalace.com.cn/index.htm and enjoy free time, dinner on your own, and an early rest.
MAR 27 - BEIJING (AB, L, D)
After breakfast, visit Forbidden City, the residence of emperors for more than 500 years. It is the largest imperial palace ever built in the world, features more than 800 buildings with over 9,000 rooms, resplendent golden-glazed roofs, red lacquered pillars and vermilion walls. Continue to nearby Tiananmen Square and then tour Temple of Heaven.
MAR 28 - BEIJING (AB, L, D)
Depart at 6:30 AM. After breakfast, the highlights for today start with a crowd-free 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. A ceremony with the exchange of gifts will be held at the entrance. The Director of the Beijing Aviation Association will show you around this special museum. You can enjoy shopping after lunch (maximum time two hours) before returning to the hotel for some rest. Enjoy our final banquet, the famous Beijing Duck Dinner that evening.
MAR 29 - BEIJING (AB)
Enjoy your leisure day in Beijing for shopping 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.
MAR 30 - BEIJING /SFO (AB)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and take Air China or United Airlines non-stop international flight back to U.S.
** Price: $3,249 per person (based on double occupancy)
** Single Supplement: $1149 per person
** Price Includes: (call for details)
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 International departure & airport taxes with fuel surcharges added
2. China domestic airport taxes;
3. China visa fee
4. CSA Group Go! Travel Insurance (mandatory)
5. Tips and personal expenses
NOTE: All prices and estimates are subject to change till final billing
Yangtang Old Airport in Exotic Guilin (“Kweilin” in WW II) used by the Flying Tigers
Yangtang is located a more than 20km southwest of Guilin). During World War II, one of the major airports of the Flying Tigers was built here. Because Yangtang is a flat area in mostly hilly Guilin, it was a logical choice for building the airfield here. Yangtang Airport was established in 1942 & was used by both the Flying Tigers AVG and the 23rd FG that replaced them as well as by the 14th AAF based here from 1943. They withdrew from here in late 1944 as the Japanese approached Guilin. During the period of two years, Flying Tigers attacked the Japanese Air Force effectively and strongly supported Chinese troops fighting the Japanese in the main battle. Gen. Chennault’s Field Headquarters Control Office was built in a large cave halfway up the mountain on the south side of the airfield (which you will visit).
Since the1980’s, some veterans of the Flying Tigers have visited Yangtang with their families. The old airfield hasn’t changed too much in six decades and you can see some remains of old facilities. In the early 1990’s Mrs. Chennault came to Guilin to visit Yangtang and established a stone tablet for her late husband which says “The Rock on which Gen. Chennault stood to watch air combats.” Carved on the top of the cave entrance is “The site of the command post of the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force US Army.” There is also a stone tablet built by the local government with a brief history of the Flying Tiger’s participation in China’s Anti-Japanese War. See www.FlyingTigerHeritagePark.com for more.
