DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

INCLUDED FEATURES

EXCLUSIVE AHI  EXTRAS

OPTIONAL INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY

 

See legendary wonders not easily accessible independently on a comprehensive program with included excursions priced at an exceptional value.

Marvel at Beijing's Imperial Palaces and Great Wall, Xi'an's Terra Cotta Warriors, and the Bund in Shanghai.

Experience Chinese culture with a Hutong Pedicab Tour and traditional Peking Opera performance in Beijing and a show by The Shanghai Acrobatic Theater.

Cruise the scenic Yangtze River aboard the MV President I and marvel at the Three Gorges. All shore excursions are included.

China's best, new Western-style hotels ensure your comfort. 

Travel at ease! Your experienced AHI Travel Director is always present to offer assistance and regional insight.

 

Cost  Special Tulane pricing is from approximately $2695 per person, plus airfare and V.A.T., based on double occupancy.

Booking  For booking information please contact Alumni Holidays International at 800-323-7373, or  Tulane Alumni Travel at 877-488-5263.

Specific trip details (itinerary, meals, sightseeing & accommodations) will be published in the brochure.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
Depart your gateway city for Beijing, China, aboard scheduled jet service (Provided for Air Package participants only.)

DAY 2 - BEIJING
Upon a midday arrival in Beijing, transfer by deluxe motorcoach to the Hilton Beijing. (Transfer provided for Air Package participants only.) The rest of the day is at leisure. This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at the hotel.

DAY 3 - BEIJING
Included Excursion: Triple Happiness in Beijing. Your exploration begins ins Tiananmen Square. Next, enter the Forbidden City, a former palace that houses an extensive collection of artwork. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace, a lakeside retreat set in beautiful gardens. Local Flavor: This evening, wield your chopsticks at a dinner of Peking Duck.

DAY 4 - GREAT WALL
Included Excursion: The Great Wall. Travel to Dadaling to walk along the ramparts of the Great Wall and admire stunning panoramic views. Local Culture: This evening, attend a performance of Peking Opera.

DAY 5 - BEIJING / XI'AN
Included Excursion: Ancient Peking. Visit the old section of Beijing and explore the narrow streets of the Hutongs by pedicab. Included Excursion: Temple of Heaven. Tour a vast complex used by the emperors to pray for bountiful harvests. Board a flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, transfer to the Sofitel on Renmin Square.

DAY 6 - XI'AN
Included Excursion: An Army in Stone. Marvel at one of China's most exciting archeological finds, the Terra Cotta Warriors. Then, travel to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Optional Excursion: The Tang Dynasty. Attend a Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show.

DAY 7 - XI'AN / CHONGQING
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Xi'an. Then, board a flight to Chongqing a the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Upon arrival, transfer to the MV Yangtze Presidnet.

DAY 8 - FENGDU
Sail from Chongqing to Wuhan through the spectacular Three Gorges region. Included Excursion: Fengdu. Discover the many temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld. This evening, join the captain at a Welcome Reception.

DAY 9 - GORGES
Enter the Qutang Gorge, see the high peaks and narrow "gates" that shape the river. Next, the ship reached Wu Gorge, considered the most beautiful of the Three Gorges. Included Excursion: Shennong Lesser Gorges. Disembark in Badong and board small local boats for a closer experience of the magnificent gorges on the Shennong Xi.

DAY 10 - NEW DAM
Included Excursion: New Dam. A fascinating tour provides insight into the world's largest construction project. Included Excursion: Sanyou Cave. Visit the best caverns in the region. Board a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to the Hilton Shanghai.

DAY 11 - SHANGHAI
Included Excursion: Highlights of Shanghai. Drive along the Bund, Shanghai's "Wall Street," and stroll through beautiful Yu Garden. After lunch, visit the exhibits at the Shanghai Musuem. Included Excursion: The Shanghai Acrobatic Theater. Attend a performance of this famous acrobatic theater, where highly skilled acrobatics perform amazing impossible feats of balance and strength. 

DAY 12 - SHANGHAI
Independent Exploration: Today is at leisure to explore Shanghai on your own. Optoinal Excursion: Suzhou. Journey to Suzhou, a town of charming stone bridges, lovely pagodas and meticulously designed gardens. This evening, attend a Farewell Reception at the hotel.

DAY 13 - RETURN
Transfer to the Shanghai airport for the return flight to North America. (Provided for Air Package participants only.)

Note: Itinerary schedule may change dues to local conditions. Many excursions in this program involve walking as some of the finest attractions are not closely accessible by motorcoach.

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EXCLUSIVE AHI EXTRAS

RIVER CRUISE EXTRAS

• Deluxe river cruise ships providing all outward-facing accommodations; friendly, personalized service; limited capacity; and exclusively designed sailing itineraries.
  
• Pleasant dining aboard ship featuring special extras such as morning coffee, afternoon tea and expertly prepared culinary specialties of the region.
• Expert local guides leading thoughtfully designed excursions to enrich your experience of the area.
• Demonstrations and lectures on Chinese painting, calligraphy, dance and song.
  

MANY INCLUDED EXTRAS

• Consultation services of dedicated Passenger Service Representative prior to departure.
• Services of an experienced AHI Travel Director throughout your trip.
• Attentive services provided by local experts at an AHI hospitality desk at your hotels.
  
• Detailed travel and destination information to assist in your planning.
• Deluxe travel wallet.

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INCLUDED FEATURES

First, Three Nights in Beijing

• Accommodations at the Hilton Beijing.
• See Tiananmen Square, the Imperial Palaces and the Summer Palace.
• Travel to the Great Wall.
• Indulge in a Peking Duck Dinner.
• Attend a Peking Opera performance.

Next, Two Nights in Xi'an.

• Accommodations at the Sofitel on Renmin Square.
• Discover the famous Terra Cotta Warriors and see the impressive Xi'an City Walls.

Then, Your Yangtze River Cruise

• Accommodations for three nights aboard the MV President I.
• Embark on exciting included excursions in Fengdu, Badong and Yichang.
• Admire the beauty of the Three Gorges and Lesser Gorges. Tour the Three Gorges Dam.

Finally, Three Nights in Shanghai

• Accommodations at the Hilton Shanghai.
• Tour the bustling Bund, peaceful Yu Gardens and the Shanghai Museum.
• Attend a performance of the Shanghai Acrobatic Theater.

Meals and Receptions

• Buffet breakfast served daily in the hotels.
• Three excursion lunches served at local restaurants that feature authentic regional cuisine.
• Three full meals served daily on board the ship. Enjoy tea with all meals.
  
• Welcome and Farewell receptions.

Transfers and Porterage

• Flights from Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Chongqing, Yichang to Shanghai.
• Deluxe motorcoach transfers from the Beijing hotel to the airport, round-trip between the airport and the hotel in Xi'an, from the Chongqing airport to the ship, from the ship to the Yichang airport, and from the Shanghai airport to the hotel, plus baggage handling.
  

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