YANGTZE SPECTACULAR
A cultural tour of China

The Yangtze, the third longest river in the world, offers spectacular scenery and an experience that lasts forever. This 18 day journey is a relaxing way to enjoy Eastern China at its very best. We serve up historical sites like the Great Wall, Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City, Xian – the birthplace of the Great Silk Road, to a fascinating 5 days on the Yangtze cruising, and the cultural centers of Guilin and Suzhou. We culminate with a visit to the “honeymoon capital” of Hangzhou, followed by cosmopolitan Shanghai. This journey covers five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tour Summary	Map
Day Place 01 Vancouver / Beijing 02-04 Beijing 05 Beijing / Xian 06 Xian 07 Xian / Yichang – Yangtze River Cruise 08-10 Yangtze Cruise 11 Chongqing 12 Chongqing / Guilin 13 Guilin 14 Guilin / Shanghai / Suzhou 15 Suzhou 16 Suzhou / Shanghai 17 Shanghai 18 Shanghai / Vancouver

Day 02: Arrive Beijing
Huan Ying! We are warmly welcomed in Beijing, the imperial capital of China, and transferred to our hotel. As we drive to our hotel we get the first introduction to this majestic city and capital to the world’s most populous country.
Overnight: Best Western Hotel, Beijing (3 nights)

Day 03: Beijing
After breakfast, visit Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world - the square and its periphery are home to some of China's most important monuments and government edifices. Then, tour the adjacent Forbidden City, the largest existing ancient architectural complex in China. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace - an enchanting panorama of lake, landscape, pagodas and pavilions. In the evening, we enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. A Beijing Night Tour will be arranged. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Beijing
Today’s visit includes a walk on the Great Wall, which winds dragon-like across northern China. After lunch visit Changling, the tomb of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) - one of the Ming Tombs at the burial site of thirteen Ming Dynasty Emperors. This evening we enjoy a Beijing Acrobatic Show. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Beijing / Xian (Fly)
This morning we will be visiting the Temple of Heaven. Then embark on a bicycle rickshaw tour around the ancient alleyways of a Beijing Hutong - one of Beijing's rapidly vanishing 700 year-old traditional cottage neighbourhoods. Visit a family in one of the “Quadrangles". We are treated to a Dumpling Lunch at the home of one of the local families! Take the afternoon flight to Xian - one of China's ancient capitals. Upon arrival, visit the Ming Dynasty City Wall. This evening, you will enjoy a Xian Special Dumpling Banquet while being entertained by a colourful Tang Dynasty Show.
Overnight: Gloria Plaza Hotel, Xian (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Xian
After breakfast, we head out to visit the Museum that housed the most exciting archaeological finds of the 20th Century – the excavation of more than 6000 Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. In the afternoon we visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. This evening a Western Dinner will be served and a Xian Night Tour to the market in the Muslim Quarter will be arranged. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Xian / Yichang – Yangtze River Cruise (Flight / Cruise)
Before catching a flight to Yichang, a stop will be made to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. After dinner, you will board the deluxe European Style cruise ship (5 Star category - outside cabin with balcony).
Overnight: M/V Century Star (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Yangtze Cruise
This morning a shore excursion at Sandouping will take you to view the “Three Gorges Dam”, the biggest dam in the world. After re-boarding your ship, you will pass through the dam's 5-Stage Ship Locks and enter the first Gorge, Xiling Gorge, the longest and previously the most hazardous one. Today enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party, followed by a singing and dancing extravaganza. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Yangtze Cruise
After breakfast, enjoy a tracker boat ride along the deep, peaceful gorges of the Shennong Stream, with its waterfalls and magnificent peaks. We return to the ship and set sail again entering the second gorge - Wu Gorge, known for its odd, misty rock formations and its backdrop of soaring mountains. Later in the afternoon, the ship will pass the third gorge - Qutang Gorge, the shortest but the most dramatic of the Yangtze’s Three Gorges with ancient relics scattered along its steep cliffs. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Yangtze Cruise
This morning we will be arriving at the “ghost city” of Fengdu. A shore excursion will take us to visit the temples on Mingshan Hill by the riverbank, which is decorated with moldings of ghosts and devils. Tonight, we enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Banquet, followed by a singing and dancing performance. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Arriving Chongqing
Your cruise will terminate at Chongqing in the morning. Afternoon tour of the city includes the Chongqing Zoo to see the lovely Pandas, Eling Park, People’s Square and Ciqikou Old Town. Tonight we will be treated to a Chongqing Hot Pot Dinner.
Overnight: Holiday Inn North Hotel, Chongqing (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Chongqing / Guilin (Flight)
This morning we are transferred to the airport for a flight to Guilin. Afternoon tour includes the Fubo Hill & Reed Flute Cave. Tonight we enjoy a Guilin Folk Dance and Music Show.
Overnight: Guilin Park Hotel, Guillin (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 13: Guilin
After breakfast, we take an impressive cruise on the beautiful Li River. We disembark at Yangshuo and stroll through some of the many colourful markets before returning by coach to Guilin. This evening, a night tour will also be arranged. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Guilin / Shanghai / Suzhou (Flight / Drive)
This morning in Guilin we visit Elephant Trunk Hill then transfer to the airport for a flight to the bustling city of Shanghai, China’s largest city and seaport. Upon arrival, we take a scenic drive to Suzhou where we are transferred to our hotel. Evening free to loiter on the streets of Suzhou.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Jasmine, Suzhou (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 15: Suzhou
Head out to visit the Master-of-Nets Garden then enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal. Then visit a silk factory. Afterwards depart for the Water Village of Tongli, which has a history of over 1000 years. Tonight a Farewell Dinner will be arranged. (B, L, D)

Day 16: Suzhou / Shanghai (Drive)
This morning we return to Shanghai. Tour the ultra-modern Pudong Development Zone and get a closer look at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Next stop is the Yu Yuan Garden and Shanghai’s famous People’s Square. Afterwards, take a walk on the riverside promenade "The Bund". Tonight we enjoy a Shanghai Farewell Dinner. A Huangpu River Night Cruise will also be arranged.
Overnight: Best Western Longmen Hotel, Shanghai (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 17: Shanghai
Today is a free day for your own explore.(B)

Day 18: Depart Shanghai / Vancouver
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to China we are transferred to the airport for the flight home. (B)

Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Mar 14, 21 & 28, Apr 18, May 09 & 23, Jun 06, Sep 05, 09, 19, & 26, Oct 3, 14, 21 & 28 & Nov 04

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include International Airfare from Vancouver Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner) All sightseeing and transfers Services of local English speaking guide Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Domestic air/cruise tickets Canada airport taxes CAD 300.00 – to be invoiced if taking the international air out of Vancouver or CAD 340.00 out of other Canadian’s gateways. China AIF (USD/CAD 120.00) – to be invoiced regardless. Insurance Visas (approx $ 65) Beverage Tips (approx CA $ 180)

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement From Vancouver US $ 4380 • CA $ 4380 US $ 1090 • CA $ 1090 Land only US $ 3325 • CA $ 3325 US $ 1090 • CA $ 1090

Estimated International Airfare - International Airfare Included

Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast N/A Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast N/A

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.