To open and print a ".pdf" version of our 2011 American Aviators VIP tour, click here.

---

---

8th Annual VIP Exclusive by

Early Bird Special - $2999* - all 5-star

[*per person, double occupancy]

CST # 2070111- 40

Visiting Cities: Shanghai, Suzhou, Grand Canal Cruise, Wuhan, Jingzhou, 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 (5-star Cruiser with all Private Balcony)

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

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

---

MAR 13 - San Francisco/SHANGHAI

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

MAR 14 - 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 15 - 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. For those who will take earlier flight from Chongqing to Guilin, you will also visit the Panda Zoo.  Enjoy fantastic evening Acrobatic Show.

MAR 16 - SHANGHAI / SUZHOU/ SHANGHAI (AB, L)

After breakfast, take deluxe coach to Suzhou. Upon arrival, visit the Master of the Nets Garden, and Silk Factory or 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 to bed.

MAR 17 - SHANGHAI / WUHAN / JINGZHOU / 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 Hubei Provincial Museum. Then you will be transferred to Jingzhou by bus at 3 PM, and board the newly renovated 5-star all-balconied "Yangtze Angel" cruiser (once served the Chinese President for his inspection tours) or similar. Dinner on board. (visit www.ccotc.com/cruise_en/ship.jsp?ship_id=2004000099 for ship information).

MAR 18 - JINGZHOU / YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)

In the morning, visit Jingzhou ancient city wall or the historical museum where you can see 2000 year old mummies there. Our boat departs at 2:00 PM. Onboard activities include all kinds of lectures presented by your river guide. Enjoy a Welcome cocktail party hosted by the captain in the evening.

MAR 19 - 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 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 20 - 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 21 - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)

Today we continue to cruise upstream to explore the local farmers' markets and a kindergarten in either the ancient city of Fengdu or Wanxian, both sites of new relocation areas, before returning to our ship for a farewell banquet.

MAR 22 - 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. Then, only for those who take the evening flight to Guilin, visit the famous  Panda Zoo.  Take flight to Guilin where you will be fully escorted by police car as VIPs of the city during your stay there. Check into the 5-star Lijiang Waterfall Hotel or similar - www.waterfallguilin.com/english/index.asp. 

MAR 23 - GUILIN (AB, L, D)

Depart at 9:30 AM. After breakfast, with special government permit, take deluxe coach to Kweilin's Yangtang Old Airport which is located south of Guilin and was used by Flying Tigers during the World War II). View progress on the wonderful new 300-acre Flying Tigers Heritage Park being built there and explore the old command cave used by Gen. Chennault during WW II. You can see the stone tablet set up by Mrs. Anna Chennault with her inscription engraved on it from which rubbings will be made and presented later to each of you as a gift.  After lunch, we will visit the pearl factory, Reed Flute Caves and Elephant Trunk Hill. In the evening a VIP banquet will be hosted at our hotel by the Mayor of Guilin and other local officials from the Municipal Government of Guilin and feature a donation of artifacts from America to be added to the museum being built at the old airfield.  Gifts will be exchanged and  TV & newspaper interviews will focus on this event.

MAR 24 - 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. Visit a Tea Factory before returning to the hotel around 4 PM for rest or additional local exploration. Additional options will be suggested.

MAR 25 - GUILIN / XIAN (AB, L, D)

After breakfast, fly to the ancient city of Xi'an, site of the only city wall remaining 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.

MAR 26 - 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. This will be followed by the famous Tang Dynasty Culture show and then 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.

MAR 27 - 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

MAR 28 - 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 - then tour Beijing Olympic National Stadium "Bird's Nest" if it is open to the public.

MAR 29 - 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 show you around this special museum and the ceremony of exchanging presents will be held there. 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.

MAR 30 - BEIJING (AB, L, D)

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 31 - BEIJING (AB)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and take Air China non-stop international flight back to San Francisco, CA.

---

** Price: EARLY BIRD price of $2,999 per person (based on double occupancy)

Single Supplement: $958 per person (call for details)

** Price Includes:

1. Roundtrip International plus 4 China domestic air tickets (all jet airliner flights);
2. 5-star 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. San Francisco P.F.C. fee3. China domestic airport taxes;
4. China visa fee;
5. CSA Group Go! Travel Insurance (mandatory);
6. Tips and personal expenses

NOTE: All prices and estimates are subject to change until final billing

---

---

Toll-free (866) 669-2288
www.TravelAireTours.com

RETURN to the TOP

This page last updated August 25, 2010
Webmaster - Tori Armstrong