The Heart of China & the Yangtze River 2011 / 2010

16 days from Beijing to Hong Kong or 17 days incl. travel (WCY)

Cruise Overview


Cruise Overview


Experience China in depth on this mesmerizing river cruise vacation. Visit world-famous historical sites in Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin, and Hong Kong, including the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, Terracotta Warriors, Yu Yuan Gardens, Reed Flute Cave, and Stanley Market. Attend special cloisonné and lacquer workshops, a noodle-making demonstration, a calligraphy class, and tour a silk factory and a tea farm. Enjoy a Peking Duck welcome dinner, as well as “The Tang Dynasty” dinner show and Peking Opera performances. Marvel at the Three Gorges Dam site on your magical 3-night Yangtze River cruise, and at the fascinating scenery on a Li River day cruise in Guilin. The one-of-a-kind port city of Hong Kong rounds out your journey with a cable car ride up Victoria Peak and a sampan ride on the harbor.

CRUISE:
Deluxe 3-night cruise from Chongqing to Yichang in an Executive Suite with two lower beds, private facilities, and balcony

BEIJING:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian’anmen Square, Summer Palace, Great Wall, cloisonné workshop, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs; Peking Duck welcome dinner; Peking Opera performance; Hutong tour by rickshaw

XI’AN:
Enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” dinner show; sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Terracotta Warriors, a lacquer workshop, and Dayan Pagoda; noodle-making demonstration; calligraphy class

CHONGQING:
Visit a local zoo to see pandas; begin your Yangtze cruise aboard the Victoria Anna

WANXIAN/SHIBAOZHAI/FENGDU:
View a wooden pagoda, an acrobatic show, or visit Ghost City Temple

SHENNONG STREAM OR DANING RIVER:
Boat excursion down one of the Yangtze’s lesser gorges

THREE GORGES DAM SITE:
Sightseeing of the impressive dam site with a Local Guide

SHANGHAI:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, a silk factory, the Children’s Palace, and the Shanghai Museum; attend an acrobatic show; visit Jade Buddha Temple

GUILIN:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; Li River cruise; visit Reed Flute Cave, and a tea farm

HONG KONG:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; cable car ride up Victoria Peak; sampan ride on harbor; visit Stanley Market; farewell dinner

ALL INTRA-TOUR FLIGHTS

Meals - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

American breakfast daily (B), 11 lunches (L), 9 dinners (D), including a Peking Duck welcome dinner in Beijing and a farewell dinner in Hong Kong.

Hotels

BEIJING Westin Beijing (D), XI’AN Golden Flower (SF), YANGTZE CRUISE Victoria Anna, SHANGHAI Westin Shanghai (D), GUILIN Sheraton Guilin Hotel (F), HONG KONG Harbour Grand Kowloon (harbor-view room) (D)

Please note that some amenities, features and enhancements are only available on 2011 river and small-ship cruise departures.
Always Included
It’s about you. You are the reason we’ve used our 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Inspired by you, we’ve taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and amenities you’ll experience with Avalon.

  • Modern comfort and elegant Asian design.
  • Watch China from your private balcony.
  • Executive Business Center.
  • Concierge service.
  • Complimentary coffee and tea all day.
  • Reserved seating for evening entertainment.
  • Internet access to stay in touch with family.
  • Both Western & Chinese cuisine at buffets.
  • Maintain your routine in the fitness center.
  • Modern bathrooms with bathtub & shower.
  • Enjoy your own color satellite TV.
  • Remarkable service.
  • English-speaking crew.
  • Included shore excursions with Local Guide.
  • Dinner in exclusive restaurant.
  • Dinner features á la carte menu.
  • Complimentary regional wines at dinner.
  • Beer or soft drinks free with dinner.
  • And, much more.

Cruise Highlights