Day 1     Sat 04 Sep     (D)
BEIJING
On Arrival in Beijing you will be met and transferred to the CROWN PLAZA HOTEL, situated on Wangfujing Avenue, in the heart of the historic, cultural and shopping heart of the city. Spend three nights here. www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/pegwfa>

Special welcome dinner this evening to meet your fellow travellers at the renowned Quanjude Restaurant, where you will be introduced to their famous roasted Peking Duck

Day 2     Sun 05 Sep     (B, L)
BEIJING – Hutongs, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
Morning visit to discover a disappearing world in the Hutongs, the city’s ancient courtyard houses, where we take a trishaw ride to look at daily Chinese life and to enjoy tea at a private family home.

After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, flanked by an assortment of historical buildings, including Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Great Hall of the People.

From Tiananmen Square we take a walk through the Gate of Heavenly Peace to visit the symbolic centre of the Chinese universe. Completed in 1420, The Forbidden City, where 24 emperors ruled for 500 years, is the world’s largest palace and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can marvel at the marble bridges, winding lanes, stately courtyards and magnificent halls containing rare treasures.

Day 3     Mon 06 Sep     (B, L)
BEIJING - Cloisonne Factory, Great Wall, Kung Fu Show
We start our day with a visit to the cloisonné factory to see how this famous traditional enamelware is made. Known as the “Blue of Jingtai” in China, with a history of over 500 years, the “blue” was the typical colour used for enamelling and “Jingtai” was the title of the 7th Ming Emperor. A great variety of products are produced today; vases, jars, bowls, plates and boxes.

Take a scenic drive through the countryside to visit the Great Wall, the world’s largest man made structure, symbol of China and one of the seven wonders of the world. This incredible structure meanders through China’s northern mountain ranges for a distance of approximately 6,400 km (4,000 miles). We visit the Mutianyu section of the wall, which lies in a dramatic hilly setting and is visited by fewer tourists. A cable car ride is followed by a short climb onto the wall, where you will be able to walk along the wall with its series of watch towers. Later this afternoon, you will witness the remarkable Kung Fu show with its dazzling display of martial arts dance and acrobatics. You are free for dinner tonight.

2009 R I Friendship Tour Group on Great Wall

Day 4     Tue 07 Sep     (B, D)
BEIJING Temple of Heaven, Rotary Meeting with Beijing Club, Flight to CHONGQING
After breakfast we visit the intricately decorated 15th century Temple of Heaven, one of China’s best examples of traditional architecture, in a huge complex of ancient buildings and parkland, where you may see local people doing their morning exercises, practicing Tai Chi, dancing and singing.

Lunch time meeting with the Rotary Club of Beijing, so don’t forget to bring your Rotary club’s banner for exchange.

Afternoon transfer to the airport for our flight to Chongqing. After dinner at a local restaurant, we will board the 5 Star cruise ship MV PRESIDENT No.1 for the start of the three night Yangtze River cruise.

At 90 meters long, with a maximum capacity of 188 passengers, the 5 star MV President No1 is one of the largest cruise ships on the Yangtze. Comfortable air conditioned cabins all have en suite facilities and balcony, the public areas include a large lounge offering panoramic views, wide walking decks and a beautiful sun deck, offering unlimited photo opportunities of the magnificent passing scenery. There are bars, a coffee shop, observation areas, gymnasium, sauna and massage rooms as well as a beauty parlour, clinic and shopping centre. The restaurant offers a variety of Chinese and international foods. On board entertainment includes the teaching of calligraphy, martial arts (tai chi) and folk dance. There will be presentations on Chinese painting and lectures on China’s culture and history, as well as entertainment by the crew. www.President_Cruises1.asp.

Day 5     Wed 08 Sep     (B,L,D)
YANGTZE CRUISE - Shore excursions to Shibaozhai Pagoda or Fengdu
The Yangtze River originates on the Tibetan Plateau and traverses a distance of 6270 km (3900 miles) before flowing into the East China Sea near Shanghai. It is the third longest river in the world, after the Amazon and the Nile and has been the lifeline and major commercial thoroughfare in China for millennia.

We stop at Shibaozhai, a rural river town, for a shore excursion to see the 400 year old 12 storey wooden pagoda, built entirely without nails. Depending on water levels, the excursion may instead dock at Fengdu – China’s City of Ghosts, to visit temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld.

Day 6     Thu 09 Sep     (B, L, D)
YANGTZE CRUISE - Shore Excursion to Shennong Stream
A day of incredible views awaits you as you pass though the stunning gorges, where you can see centuries old pagodas perched on steep cliffs, in mist shrouded mountains. Today’s highlight will be an exciting trip up the Shennon Stream to do an excursion in small pea pod boats. Finally, pass the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project, being built in the Xilling Gorge, the longest of the three gorges on the Yangtze River.

Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Banquet and show on board. Cruise itinerary subject to change due to weather conditions, captain’s decision or other factors beyond our control.

Day 7     Fri 10 Sep     (B, L)
YANGTZE CRUISE – Shore Excursion to Three Gorges Dam Project – YICHANG - Flight to XIAN
Your remarkable Yangtze cruise finishes in Yichang where we disembark. Visit the amazing Three Gorges Dam project, before taking a flight to Xian, capital of the Middle Kingdom for 11 dynasties and historic gateway to the Silk Road.

On arrival, transfer to the GRAND MERCURE HOTEL, where we spend the next three nights. Free for dinner this evening.
www.mercure.com/mercure/fichehotel/gb/mer/5974/fiche_hotel.shtml

Day 8     Sat 11 Sep     (B, L)
XIAN - Morning at leisure, Wild Goose Pagoda Morning at leisure.
In the afternoon, we visit the impressively tall Wild Goose Pagoda in the grounds of the still active Temple of Thanksgiving, built in the 7th century to store the scriptures brought back from India by Monk Xuan Zang. The pagoda is surrounded by a park and huge plaza with fountains, gardens and groups of sculptures. This will give you a taste of real Chinese culture and traditions, as locals gather here after work to stroll in the huge park, fly kites and practice tai-chi. Free for dinner this evening.  

Day 9     Sun 12 Sep     (B, L)
XIAN - Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses
Today’s excursion will be to the greatest archaeological discovery of modern China – the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, which silently guarded the tomb of China’s first Emperor for over 2,200 years. In 1974 a local farmer discovered the first of three massive earth and timber vaults, while digging a well. The extensive excavation, still in progress, has yielded over 6,000 life-sized terra cotta warriors, each individually sculpted with the physical characteristics of the human models. Archers, infantrymen, horses and bronze chariots have also been unearthed.

Free for dinner this evening. 

Day 10     Mon 13 Sep     (B, L)
XIAN - Hanyang Tomb, flight to GUILIN - Waterways Night Cruise
After a leisurely breakfast, visit the Hanyang Tomb, mausoleum of Liu Qi, the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty and his queen. Built in 153 BC, the huge tomb covers an area of 20 sq kilometres. The Outside Pits Exhibition Hall, China’s first underground museum, opened in 2006.

After lunch, transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin, regarded as the country’s most picturesque city. Two crystal clear rivers meander through the city, encircled by towering karst limestone peaks that have inspired artists and poets for centuries. Afternoon arrival and check in at the GUILIN SHERATON HOTEL   www.sheraton.com/guilin for two nights

A waterways network around the city to link the two rivers and four lakes was completed in 2002 and we take a night cruise to explore this waterway with its colourful lights. There will be some free time to browse the extensive street markets of Guilin before returning to the hotel.  

Day 11    Tue 14 Sep     (B, L)
GUILIN – Yangshuo – Li River cruise
We take a coach ride to Yangshuo to explore the beautiful Li River and its surroundings, aboard a bamboo raft. The breathtaking scenery will give us a taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis. We could see water buffalo in the fields, peasants reaping rice, school children and fishermen on rafts, with surprises around each bend. We visit a local farmer’s home and have lunch at a riverside restaurant.

Free for dinner this evening.  

Day 12     Wed 15 Sep     (B)
GUILIN - Flight to Shanghai – SUZHOU - Garden Night Show
After breakfast, we visit the Pearl Museum, before taking a flight to Shanghai. Transfer to the town of ou, famous for silk production and classical Chinese gardens. Check in at the GARDEN VIEW HOTEL with its charming courtyard gardens for two nights. www.szrj-h.com

This evening attend an unusual Garden Night Show in the Wangshiyuan Garden, depicting Chinese drama performances and folk instruments. Free for dinner.

Day 13    Thu 16 Sep     (B, L)
SUZHOU – Tongli Watertown, Cruise, Embroidery Research Centre
Pay a visit to the fascinating Tongli Watertown, with its 1000 years of history, criss crossed with canals and bridges dividing the town into seven islands and 40 bridges.

After lunch at a local restaurant, take a cruise and visit the Embroidery Research Centre, located in the Villa of Secluded Beauty, one of Suzhou’s famous gardens. Suzhou embroidery, one of the best types in China, is renowned for its unique workmanship, perfected over a period of 2600 years. Over 100 specialists, Chinese master craftsmen and highly qualified artists work at the Institute. Free for dinner this evening.

Day 14     Fri 17 Sep     (B, L)
SUZHOU – Silk Factory – SHANGHAI – Rotary Fellowship Evening
Morning Visit to a silk factory, to learn about the processing of silk, from the pulling of the threads from the cocoon, to the finished article of clothing.

After lunch, take the high speed train for the 45 minute journey to the dynamic cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. Check in at LE ROYAL MERIDIÉN, one of the cities most impressive contemporary landmarks, superbly situated on Nanjing East Rd and adjacent to People’s Square. The Bund is just a short walk from the hotel. www.starwoodhotels.com Spend three nights here in a deluxe room.

Evening meeting with members of the Shanghai Rotary Club for fellowship and exchanging of banners.

Day 15     Sat 18 Sep    (B)
SHANGHAI – Jade Buddha Temple, Tea Ceremony, Xintiandi, The Bund, Acrobatic Show
This morning we visit the Jade Buddha Temple, dominated by a 2mt seated Buddha, made of a single piece of white jade, wearing a robe of precious gems from Burma.

Attend a tea ceremony, practice your bargaining skills in the Yuyuan Market and visit Xintiandi, the fashionable pedestrian street, with its last remaining “stone gatehouses”. Free time for lunch.

This evening we attend a spellbinding performance by the renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Group.

Day 16     Sun 19 Sep     (B, D)
SHANGHAI – Shanghai Urban Planning Centre, The Bund, Former French Concession
This morning we see the amazing scale model of Shanghai when we visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Centre, which illustrates the true scale of Shanghai and its ongoing building boom. Visit the Bund on the Shanghai Waterfront, a cashmere factory and the former French Concession, with its tree lined streets, old villas, shops and cafes, with free time for lunch.

Our farewell dinner this evening will be held at the beautifully decorated Old Shanghai Moon Restaurant.

Day 17     Mon 20 Sep     (B)
SHANGHAI – Individual transfers to airport
At leisure until time for your airport transfer for your flight home.

OR

You may wish to extend your stay in Shanghai by a couple of nights to visit Expo 2010, a scheduled World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions. The theme will be “Better City, Better Life”. Over 100 countries and international organisations will be participating and 70 million people (the highest number in the history of world fairs) are expected to visit the more than 200 stands during the Expo, which takes place from 1 May to 31 October 2010. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity of visiting an exhibition of this magnitude.    http://en.expo2010.cn/    www.expo2010china.hu/

PRICE OF 17 DAY TOUR STARTING IN BEIJING & ENDING IN SHANGHAI
USD 3,995.00 per person in sharing accommodation
USD 1,390.00 single supplement

Prices based on the Chinese Yuan & subject to currency fluctuations, possible increases in airfares and fuel levies. This tour has been costed on a minimum of 20 passengers. A surcharge will have to be levied for lower numbers.

• Tour exceeded all expectations. Thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and friendship of all members. Rosanne Greaves, UK
• Fantastic value for money. Good fellowship. Alastair Shaw, UK
• Enjoyed every day. Guides excellent. Great group of people to tour with. All your research and planning showed in an excellent tour. Patti Hougen, Canada
• Like your other tours, an experience to be remembered for many years. Perfect planning, day-by-day management and handling of all situations resulted in great enjoyment and great team spirit. Hugo & Nancy Vidal, Brazil
• Very educational and entertaining. Your leadership and problem solving were superb. T & R Rathonyi Reusz, Canada
• Absolutely fabulous – better than I was told it would be. Exceeded expectations. Malcolm Darroch, UK
• The first time we joined one of your tours. Excellent. Made good friends. Culture, sightseeing – a bit of everything. It was great. Marie-Therese Murray, South Africa
• Another memorable tour, difficult to plan and execute, but manicured to the usual high standard. John Campbell, UK

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