Of Special Interest to Aviators and WW II History Buffs:

---See All the Great Sights of China in the company of fellow aviators and possibly with some of those who flew and fought there in World War II - hear their stories of being shot down and rescued or captured (Please see note at the bottom of this page).
---Hear the stories of the local Chinese who helped to build the airfields and helped to rescue our downed fliers.
---Experience a sepcial VIP banquet with local dignitaries and TV and newspaper coverage along with Police Car Escort in Guilin (expedites our ground travel through the traffic) if group size qualifies
---Tour Gen. "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell's Museum at his WW II headquarters in Chongqing ("Chunking" in WW II) and visit the new and growing Flying Tiger Museum and Gallery across the street.
---Explore the Headquarters cave at the airfield used by Gen. Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers of both the AVG and the 14th Army Air Force near Guilin ("Kweilin" in WW II) and meet some of those who helped to create that field out of a rice paddy, stone by stone.
---Be present for the dedication of the NEW Flying Tigers Museum along with the official flag raising ceremony.
---Enjoy a special tour of the largest aviation museum in all of Asia, near Beijing - much of it built inside a mountain, and with acres more on display outside.

Highlights of the Tour include the following:

Shanghai: A unique city, once a European concession, blending western architecture & oriental culture with bustling economic life - visit old town Shanghai, YuYuan Gardens, famous Bund, Acrobatic Show, ETC.
Suzhou: Known as the "Venice of China" you will cruise on the ancient hand-dug Grand Canal, visit the Masters of the Nets Garden, tour a Silk Factory to see the progression from the silkworm to cocoon to silk fabric, and visit Suzhou's famous Silk Embroidery Institute if time permits, ETC.
Wuhan/Yichang: Jet to Wuhan, then bus to Yichang though picturesque countryside before boarding our ship in time for dinner.
Yangtze River Cruise: Aboard the NEW 5-STAR cruise ship "Yangtze No. 2" - newest & largest on the Yangtze River with 2 elevators & all cabins with private balconies - cruise through the Three Gorges (China's Grand Canyon) & visit the world’s largest dam site - then experience proceeding through the -5-stage locks of this great feat (final stage was completed in 2009). Other shore excursions included with the tour: a special Shennong Stream experience (pulled upstream by "Trackers") or the gorgeous Three Lesser Gorges AND Fengdu or Wanxian to visit a local kindergarden, a street market, and the home of a family relocated by the Three Gorges Dam project - all along the third largest & most beautiful river in the world, ETC.
or Three Lesser Gorges and Fengdu or Wanxian - all along the 3rd largest & most beautiful river in the world, ETC.
Chongqing: Tour both the Gen. "Vinegar Joe” Stilwell and Flying Tigers Museums featuring stories & photos of the Flying Tigers; then enjoy a city tour before heading for our hotel. The next morning we board a modern high-speed rail for a 2-hour ride NW to Chengdu.



Chengdu: Tour both the world-famous Giant Panda Breeding Center where you will observe the antics of many baby Pandas [http://www.panda.org.cn/english/] & stroll ancient Jingli Street. ETC.
Guilin: Jet to exotic Guilin where we will visit the site of the old Yang Tang airfield & explore the command cave used by Gen. Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers at the site of the Flying Tigers Heritage Park being built there. Attend as VIP guests the GRAND OPENING of the huge NEW Flying Tigers Exhibition Hall & Museum now nearing completion. Enjoy a special VIP banquet with local dignitaries to commemorate the Grand Opening of the new museum - with heavy TV & news media coverage. Cruise the scenic Li River & pass through picturesque farms and fishing villages with its thousands of limestone outcroppings. Visit the amazing Reed Flute Caves, a tea plantation, a pearl factory and Elephant Trunk Hill, ETC.
Xi’an: Jet to Xi'an, ancient capital of China & terminus of the old Silk Road, with the only city wall still intact which you will visit. See one of the Wonders of the World - the 8000 terra-cotta warriors and enjoy the fantastic Tang Dynasty Show & Dumpling Banquet, ETC.
Beijing: Jet to Beijing and see Summer Palace, tour Forbidden City and nearby Tiananmen Square, get a special photo op of the 2008 Summer Olympics stadium ("Bird's Nest"), experience the Great Wall before it is crowded with vendors and other tourists - all among many other sights - plus a special tour of the largest aviation museum in all of Asia, ETC.

Our 2009 tour group was surprised by a fabulous ground-breaking ceremony in Guilin at the site of the future "Flying Tigers Heritage Park" (a joint Chinese/American project which has evolved as a direct result of our annual visits to the old airfield site).