Globus > CLASSIC CHINA

CLASSIC CHINA
11 Days starting from $1,689

Countries Visited:
China

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Length: 11 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: REGIONAL DISCOVERY ASIA
Operator: Globus
Tour Code: OL-2008
   
 
About This Tour


Delve into the unique world of ancient China during this 11-day Regional Discovery. Your journey begins in China’s capital city, Beijing. Here you will marvel at historic wonders such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, and sample cultural delights, including a special Peking Duck dinner and a performance of the Peking Opera. Fly to Xi’an, where you will visit the Dayan Pagoda and see the army of Terracotta Warriors that guarded the first emperor’s tomb for 2,000 years. Next, explore the Pagoda of Six Harmonies and Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, and enjoy a leisurely cruise on West Lake before setting off for Suzhou, renowned for its silk production and elegant embroidery. The museum and Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai provide the perfect backdrop as you end your amazing China vacation.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • SPECIALS

City Highlights
BEIJING:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian’anmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, cloisonne workshop, Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, and Peking Opera; Hutongs tour by richshaw; enjoy a Peking Duck Welcome Dinner

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

HANGZHOU:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the Pagoda of Six Harmonies and Lingyin Temple; cruise on West Lake

SUZHOU:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the Institute of Embroidery, the Garden of the Master’s Fishing Net, and a silk reeling factory; boat ride on the Old Canal

SHANGHAI:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Shanghai Museum, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children’s Palace, and the Bund

Meals
American breakfast daily (B); 7 lunches (L); 5 dinners (D), including a Peking Duck Welcome Dinner in Beijing and a Farewell Dinner in Shanghai; on tour OLE: breakfast daily (B)

Hotels:
BEIJING Traders Hotel (F), XI’AN Grand Mercure on Renmin Square (F), HANGZHOU Ramada Hangzhou Haihua (F), SUZHOU Aster Hotel (F), SHANGHAI Sofitel Hyland Shanghai (F)
Day 1:
(Thu.) Board your transpacific flight.

Day 2:
Arrive in Beijing, China. (Fri.) Welcome to China’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in.

Day 3:
Beijing. (Sat.) Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world spanning 100 acres. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening’s special Chinese WELCOME DINNER features delectable Peking Duck. (B,L,D)

Day 4:
Beijing. (Sun.) The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNE WORKSHOP where you will see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful make-up being applied to the performers. (B,L)

Day 5:
Beijing–Xi’an. (Mon.) This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing’s HUTONGS, the city’s ancient alleys. During this visit you’re welcomed into the courtyard of a family’s home and a daycare center to experience life in this historic neighborhood. A short flight brings you to the city of Xi’an in central China. Look forward to this evening’s highlight, “The Tang Dynasty” DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances.

Day 6:
Xi’an. (Tue.) One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. Sightseeing begins with a visit to the DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 A.D. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. In 1974 the TOMB of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of terracotta warriors that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. (B,L)

Day 7:
Xi’an–Hangzhou. (Wed.) Fly to Hangzhou with its beautiful gardens and picturesque surroundings. Sightseeing includes visits to the PAGODA OF SIX HARMONIES and LINGYIN TEMPLE. (B,L,D)

Day 8:
Hangzhou–Wuzhen–Suzhou. (Thu.) Enjoy a leisurely morning CRUISE on the West Lake; sights include a collection of ancient bridges, causeways, temples, and palaces with well-manicured gardens and rock sculptures. View Three Moon Reflection Island prior to traveling by motorcoach to Wuzhen, a 1,000-year-old water town with ancient homes, workshops, and stores still standing on the banks of the rivers. Continue on to Suzhou, renowned for its silk factories. Here you’ll visit the INSTITUTE OF EMBROIDERY to witness local artists making vibrant and elegant Chinese silk embroidery and marvel at the display of stunning Ming Dynasty Imperial Robes. (B,L,D)

Day 9:
Suzhou–Shanghai. (Fri.) This morning’s sightseeing includes a visit to the tranquil GARDEN OF THE MASTER’S FISHING NET, designed during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 A.D.). The garden is an architectural achievement for its illusionary use of space, making it seem much larger than its actual size. Then, enjoy a boat ride on the OLD CANAL and visit a SILK REELING FACTORY. Continue by motorcoach to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry. Tonight there will be plenty of time to enjoy the city, shop some of the 400 stores on Nanjing Road and the famous Friendship Store on the Bund, or be amazed at the fabulous acrobatic show optional tour. (B,L)

Day 10:
Shanghai. (Sat.) Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. You’ll visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN’S PALACE, one of China’s famous kindergartens. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special FAREWELL DINNER. (B,L,D)

Day 11:
(Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)


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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
7/17/2008 - 7/27/2008
$1,689
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7/24/2008 - 8/3/2008
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9/4/2008 - 9/14/2008
$1,799
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9/11/2008 - 9/21/2008
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9/18/2008 - 9/28/2008
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9/25/2008 - 10/5/2008
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10/2/2008 - 10/12/2008
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10/9/2008 - 10/19/2008
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10/16/2008 - 10/26/2008
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10/23/2008 - 11/2/2008
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BEIJING:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian’anmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, cloisonne workshop, Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs, and Peking Opera; Hutongs tour by richshaw; enjoy a Peking Duck Welcome Dinner

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

HANGZHOU:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the Pagoda of Six Harmonies and Lingyin Temple; cruise on West Lake

SUZHOU:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the Institute of Embroidery, the Garden of the Master’s Fishing Net, and a silk reeling factory; boat ride on the Old Canal

SHANGHAI:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Shanghai Museum, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children’s Palace, and the Bund

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Book now and take $200 off per couple on any air-inclusive European Low Season Vacations.*

* Book a 2008/2009 Globus Europe Winter air-inclusive vacation on select carriers to receive the $100 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between June 4 and August 31, 2008 for travel commencing between October 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one another or any offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Save up to $600 per stateroom on 2009 Globus River and Small Ship Cruises

Discover an entirely new way to uncover the wonders of the world with river and small ship cruises. From a wine tasting adventure through the vineyards of France to island hopping in the Galapagos Islands, you’re sure to find a Globus river or small ship cruise that speaks to your heart. There’s simply no more peaceful way to sample the charming cities and awe-inspiring sights of Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos Islands.

*Book a 2009 Globus River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $300 off per person offer. Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $125 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between May 14 and August 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus

Discount for young travelers

Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.

Pay less for your second vacation

We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.

Triple room reduction

On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.

Avoid the single room supplement

We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!


Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel?

Right now when you book between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!

*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


   
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