Cultural China & Tibet with Yangtze River Cruise and Hong Kong 2011

18 days from Hong Kong to Beijing or 19 days incl. travel (WXYQ)

Cruise Overview


Cruise Overview


This exciting river cruise vacation introduces you to the rich history and cultural treasures of China and Tibet. Begin your journey with three overnights in vibrant Hong Kong, including a cable car ride up Victoria Peak for panoramic views, a drive to Repulse Bay, and time in the Aberdeen fishing village for a sampan ride on the harbor. On to mainland China, where you’ll marvel at the Three Gorges Dam site on your delightful 4-night Yangtze River cruise, and experience world-famous sites in Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing, including the Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children’s Palace, Dayan Pagoda, Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs. High in the Himalayas, explore Lhasa, Tibet’s mystical capital, with visits to the Summer Palace, a local home and monastery, Potala Palace, and Jokhang Temple—a remarkable vacation!

Notes:

  • This trip is for travelers who are fit. You will visit regions reaching almost 14,000 ft. in elevation.
  • Accommodations in the Gobi Desert are in traditional Mongolian gers with private bathroom and shared shower facilities.

CRUISE:
Deluxe 4-night cruise from Yichang to Chongqing in an Executive Suite with two lower beds, private facilities, and balcony

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

YICHANG:
Begin your Yangtze cruise aboard the Victoria Jenna

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

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

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

CHONGQING:
Visit a local zoo to see pandas

LHASA:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide, visit the Summer Palace, a Tibetan’s home, a Tibetan monastery, a Tibetan hospital, Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and a local bazaar

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

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

HONG KONG:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; cable car ride up Victoria Peak; sampan ride on harbor; visit Stanley Market; Host service during your stay

ALL INTRA-TOUR FLIGHTS

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

American breakfast daily (B), 11 lunches (L), 12 dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Shanghai and a Peking Duck farewell dinner in Beijing. Hong Kong Extension: breakfast daily (B).

Hotels

SHANGHAI Westin Shanghai (D), YANGTZE CRUISE Victoria Jenna, LHASA Four Points by Sheraton (F), XI’AN Golden Flower (SF), BEIJING Westin Beijing (D); 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