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Ha Long Bay, Vietnam 52 | Welcome to Asia
Welcome to ASIA Asia is full of intrigue, adventure, spirituality and culture. It has fascinated and mystified travelers for centuries with its diverse travel options. From glamorous, world class and sophisticated cities to rich cultural traditions, historic temples, inspiring gardens and fabulous dining – Asia provides the perfect opportunity to savor the essence of the ancient and the modern world at the same time. The countries of East and South-East Asia are a tour-de-force for the senses of any visitor. They teach, delight, surprise and create wonderful memories of the journeys taken. The warm and welcoming ways of its people and their ancient ceremonies recreate an old world charm that is unique to this region. Delectable, world-class cuisine of each country and region makes Asia truly the ultimate travel destination. From the millennia old army of Terracotta standing by in the ancient city of Xian, to the magnificent ruins of Angkor Wat or the serenity of Chiang Rai and the glitter of Tokyo, the culinary delights of Hong Kong and the colorful festivals of Taipei – Asia is a magnet for the discerning traveler. A journey of a lifetime, not to be missed! 1 CAMBODIA 2 CHINA 3 INDONESIA JAPAN 4 JAPAN SOUTH 4 KOREA 5 LAOS 9 6 MALAYSIA 7 PHILIPPINES CHINA 8 SINGAPORE 2 9 SOUTH KOREA P ACIFIC LAOS TAIWAN OCEAN 10 TAIWAN 10 11 THAILAND 5 12 VIETNAM THAILAND VIETNAM 11 PHILIPPINES 1 12 7 CAMBODIA MALAYSIA INDIAN OCEAN 6 8 3 SINGAPORE INDONESIA 0 miles 1000 0 km 1000 Welcome to Asia | 53
CHINA DISCOVERY 0 miles 400 Beijing (3N) 0 km 400 10 DAYS: Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Suzhou HHHH Xian (2N) Suzhou Ancient glory meets the dynamism of modern China in this exciting Shanghai (4N) Beijing to Shanghai itinerary. Visit the highlights of history, starting with the Great Wall and Forbidden Palace, followed by the Terra Cotta Warriors and Shanghai, and ending in the entrancing “Venice of the East,” Suzhou. Air Rail DAY 1 – ARRIVE BEIJING Arrive in Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, where you’ll be welcomed at the airport and escorted to your hotel. DAY 2 – BEIJING – TIANANMEN SQUARE, FORBIDDEN CITY & HUTONG TOUR Start your morning with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square, and the Forbidden City, a 250–acre palace with more than 9,000 rooms, only opened to the public in 1949 after centuries of secrecy. Later, take a rickshaw to Beijing’s hutongs—ancient city alleys following Zhou dynasty protocols—and a local home. (B, L) DAY 3 – BEIJING – GREAT WALL & SUMMER PALACE Visit the 3,750-mile, 2,300-year-old Great Wall, stopping en route at the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube for a picture stop. In the afternoon, explore the Summer Palace, the retreat of China’s royal families for over 2,000 years. Tonight, enjoy a Peking duck dinner. (B, L, D) DAY 4 – BEIJING – TEMPLE OF HEAVEN & LAMA TEMPLE/XIAN In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, possibly the country’s most popular symbol, and the Lama Temple, considered to be the largest and most perfectly preserved lamasery in present–day China. Then, fly to Xian, once the largest city in the world and the national capital for 11 Chinese dynasties, linking between Asia and Europe. Settle into your hotel. (B, L) DAY 5 – XIAN – TERRA COTTA WARRIORS Discovered in 1974, the 3rd century BC burial sites of the first emperor to unite China, Qin Shi Huangdi, is an archaeological site like no other, its thousands of Terra Cotta Warriors standing guard over the Imperial Tomb for centuries. A ceramics and pottery workshop are part of the stop, and the day continues with a noodle–making demonstration and a stop at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. In the evening, enjoy a dumpling dinner and a Tang Dynasty dance performance. (B, L, D) DAY 6 – XIAN/SHANGHAI In the morning, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Temple and the ancient city wall. Later, fly to Shanghai, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. (B, L) DAY 7 – SHANGHAI Your morning tour of Shanghai includes a visit to Yuyuan Garden and Old Town; your afternoon takes you to the Shanghai Museum and the tree-lined Bund, which wraps around the Huangpu River. Wander the Tianzifang Artist area, famous for small craft stores, coffee shops, trendy art studios, and narrow alleys. In the evening, renowned Chinese acrobats entertain. (B, D) Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian 54 | China Discovery
Suzhou DAY 8 – SUZHOU GUARANTEED DEPARTURE DATES & RATES Enter Suzhou via high-speed train and discover the 300 bridges—some dating back to the Ming Dynasty—and network of waterways and canals Departure Dates (Wednesdays) Rates* of the “Venice of the East.” Stop at the Master of the Nets Garden and First Class Accommodations the silk factory. Ride on the Grand Canal, China’s ancient commercial Jan, Feb & Mar 2019 $2,080 waterway, before returning to Shanghai. (B, L) Last departure: Mar 13, 2019 DAY 9 – SHANGHAI Apr 3 – May, Jun, Jul & Aug, 2019 $2,250 Relax or spend the final day of your China Discovery independently Aug 28, Sep, Oct & Nov, 2019 $2,295 “discovering” every last inch of this city before your departure. (B) Nov 27, 2019 – Mar, 2020 $2,190 Last departure: Mar 18, 2020 DAY 10 – SHANGHAI/HOME Transfer in the morning for your departure. (B) Blackout Dates: Jan 30 – Feb 15, 2019 / Apr 17 – 26, 2019 / Sep 25 – Oct 4, 2019 Note: Single room supplement applies. Prices are on sharing basis and based on minimum of 2 passengers traveling. HOTELS Beijing: Capital Hotel Xian: Holiday Inn Xian Big Goose Pagoda Shanghai: Ocean Hotel Shanghai HIGHLIGHTS Great Wall Visit to a local home Terra Cotta Warriors Dinner and Tang Dynasty Show Chinese acrobatic show Visit to a water town *RATES ARE PER PERSON, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY AND INCLUDE: First Class accommodations with private facilities 9 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), and 3 dinners (D) as specified Arrival and departure transfers All sightseeing per the itinerary Local English-speaking guides Entrance fees to monuments and cultural events Internal flights – Beijing/Xian/Shanghai Domestic airport tax and fuel surcharge Baggage handling Terra Cotta Warriors, Xian China Discovery | 55
HIGHLIGHTS OF CHINA 0 miles 400 Beijing (3N) 0 km 400 12 DAYS: Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Li River, Yangshou, Shanghai, Suzhou Xian (2N) Suzhou Shanghai (4N) HHHH With this itinerary, you won’t have to choose between shopping, dining, entertainment, and all the historical sights you’ve always wanted to see in China. Experience the highlights of Beijing and Guilin (2N) Yangshuo Shanghai with a city tour to Xian and a day to explore the Terra Cotta Warriors. Sample China at its most alluring without forgoing the extras that will make it an experience. Air Road Boat Rail DAY 1 – ARRIVE BEIJING Land in the capital of the People’s Republic of China, where a representative will be waiting to welcome you and take you to your hotel. DAY 2 – BEIJING – TIANANMEN SQUARE, FORBIDDEN CITY & HUTONG TOUR Get your trip off to a big start at the largest public square in the world, Tiananmen Square, and the 250-acre palace we know as the Forbidden City, accessible only as recently as 1949. Visit Beijing’s narrow-alleyed hutongs via rickshaw for a unique perspective of the Zhou dynasty’s residential building plan. Learn more about local life at a resident’s home. (B, L) DAY 3 – BEIJING – GREAT WALL & SUMMER PALACE Visit the whimsical Bird’s Nest and Water Cube—site of the 2008 Summer Games—for photos, then on to a much older architectural feat: the Great Wall, built 2,300 years ago, extending 3,750 miles, and visible from space! Next is the Summer Palace, the traditional retreat for China’s rulers for 2,000 years. A Peking duck dinner closes out the evening. (B, L, D) DAY 4 – BEIJING – TEMPLE OF HEAVEN & LAMA TEMPLE/XIAN The morning begins with two symbolic stops: the Temple of Heaven and the Lama Temple, considered the largest and most perfectly preserved lamasery in present-day China. Later, fly to Xian, once the largest city in the world, the capital through 11 Chinese dynasties, and a major link between Asia and Europe. Your hotel awaits. (B, L) DAY 5 – XIAN – TERRA COTTA WARRIORS See the wonder that captured the interest of the world in 1974: the astonishing 3rd century BC burial site of the first emperor to unite China, Qin Shi Huangdi, guarded by thousands of Terra Cotta Warriors. Enjoy a noodle-making demonstration, lunch, and the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. A dumpling dinner feast and Tang Dynasty show concludes an exciting day of culture. (B, L, D) DAY 6 – XIAN/GUILIN In the morning, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Temple and walk along Xian’s ancient city wall. Board your flight to Guilin in the afternoon; you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel upon arrival. (B, L) DAY 7 – GUILIN/YANGSHUO/GUILIN Relax and enjoy the natural beauty of this region from the decks of a slow- moving boat on the Li River. Disembark in Yangshuo to explore intriguing West Street, the local village, and farms. Dinner at a local restaurant is followed by the Liu San Jie “Impressions” light show. Transfer back to Guilin in the late evening. (B, L, D) Guilin 56 | Highlights of China
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