Day 1:
(Thu.) Board your transpacific flight.

Day 2:
Arrive in Beijing, China. (Fri.) Welcome to China. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 3:
Beijing. (Sat.) Today your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the Forbidden City’s IMPERIAL PALACE, once the sacred home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world, where the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949. Then, proceed to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries situated around Kunming Lake. This evening, enjoy a special PEKING DUCK WELCOME DINNER. (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. Walk along the wall and enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNÉ WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. Before returning to Beijing, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight you may decide on the optional tour of the Peking Opera with its various forms of drama and music tracing back to the the late 13th century. (B,L)

Day 5:
Beijing–Xi’an. (Mon.) This morning is free. Time permitting, you may wish to take our optional tour to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of 15th-century architecture, or you may decide to take the optional Hutong tour of the city’s ancient alleys. 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. (B,D)

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 starts with a visit to the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. In 1974, the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the impressive legion of terracotta warriors that has been guarding the emperor’s burial site for 2,000 years. Also visit the Xi’an City Wall South Gate. (B,L,D)

Day 7:
Xi’an–Chengdu. (Wed.) This morning, fly to Chengdu, the capital of the province of Sichuan and a city known for its flavorful food. Visit the GIANT PANDA BREEDING RESEARCH BASE and marvel at these beautiful animals. Time permitting, enjoy a brief city tour. (B,L)

Day 8:
Chengdu–Lhasa, Tibet. (Thu.) Early this morning, fly to the holy city of Lhasa, capital of the mystical Buddhist kingdom of Tibet and locked away in the mountains of the Himalayas. The balance of the day is free for you to rest and adjust to the 14,000-foot altitude. (B,L,D)

Day 9:
Lhasa. (Fri.) This morning after a city tour, visit the imposing POTALA PALACE, once the center of the Tibetan government and the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Also visit one of Tibet’s oldest shrines, JOKHANG TEMPLE, then spend time in the local BAZAAR. This afternoon, visit the SUMMER PALACE and a typical Tibetan monastery. (B,L,D)

Day 10:
Lhasa. (Sat.) Today is free to relax or to take a special optional trip to a Tibetan’s home including lunch, a visit to the Drepung Monastery (the largest in Tibet), and the Tibetan Hospital to learn of traditional medicine and therapy. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (B,D)

Day 11:
Lhasa–Kunming. (Sun.) Via Chengdu, fly to Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province and often called “The City of Eternal Spring.” Enjoy a Western-style dinner tonight at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
Kunming. (Mon.) Today, visit the Western Hills and the magnificent Dragon Gate before traveling to the remarkable STONE FOREST, an area of limestone pillars, some almost 100 feet high, dotted with small lakes and waterfalls. Returning to Kunming you have free time to walk the city’s wide boulevards. (B,L,D)

Day 13:
Kunming–Lijiang. (Tue.) A short flight to Lijiang at an elevation of 8,530 feet. This afternoon, visit 18,464-foot-high Snow Mountain prior to enjoying dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 14:
Lijiang. (Wed.) This morning, tour BLACK DRAGON POOL followed by a late-afternoon stroll through the medieval town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by 16,000-foot-plus mountains. Dinner tonight is a fascinating experience at a local restaurant in the medieval town. (B,L,D)

Day 15:
Lijiang–Chongqing (Embarkation)–Yangtze River Cruise. (Thu.) Today, fly via Kunming to Chongqing, China’s capital during World War II. The city is set high up on a hill overlooking the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Time permitting, take a stroll through one of its many attractive parks or through the historic Old Town before you board the Victoria Katarina to prepare for your 3-night cruise down the mighty Yangtze River. During the next few days, when not on deck, attend lectures on Chinese medicine, calligraphy, history, or the Three Gorges Dam project. (B,D)

Day 16:
Cruising: Shibaozhai or Wanxian or Fengdu. (Fri.) Depending on river conditions, one of the following shore excursions will be offered: Wanxian, “Gateway to Eastern Szechuan Province,” where you will see an acrobatic show, market, and possibly a school; Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, 12-story wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff; or Fengdu, known as “Ghost City,” where you’ll visit several temples. (B,L,D)

Day 17:
Cruising: Shennong Stream or Daning River. (Sat.) Head downstream through the first and second of the three gorges—Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch, disembark for your BOAT EXCURSION down the Daning River or the Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. Continue through the passage, sailing through the Three Gorges ship locks. (B,L,D)

Day 18:
Cruising: Three Gorges Dam Site–Yichang (Disembarkation)–Shanghai. (Sun.) View tiny villages clinging precariously to hillsides as you proceed to Yang Jia Wang. This morning, visit the THREE GORGES DAM SITE, the largest of its kind in the world. Upon arrival in Yichang, say farewell to your crew as you disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China’s most populous city. (B,L)

Day 19:
Shanghai. (Mon.) Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard; visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM, and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Later, visit the CHILDREN’S PALACE, one of China’s famous kindergartens. This evening your Tour Director hosts a lavish farewell dinner, a fitting finale to your exploration of Asia’s most fascinating destinations. (B,L,D)

Day 20:
(Tue.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301. 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)
4/23/2009 - 5/12/2009	$4,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/7/2009 - 5/26/2009	$4,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/14/2009 - 6/2/2009	$4,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/21/2009 - 6/9/2009	$4,589	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/28/2009 - 6/16/2009	$4,569	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/4/2009 - 6/23/2009	$4,569	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/11/2009 - 6/30/2009	$4,569	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
8/20/2009 - 9/8/2009	$4,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/3/2009 - 9/22/2009	$4,759	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/10/2009 - 9/29/2009	$4,759	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/17/2009 - 10/6/2009	$4,759	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/24/2009 - 10/13/2009	$4,759	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/1/2009 - 10/20/2009	$4,759	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/8/2009 - 10/27/2009	$4,759	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/15/2009 - 11/3/2009	$4,759	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
Price Details US Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation. Single Room Supplement: $1478. Triple rooms are not available. Extra Nights per person in Beijing: Mon.-Thu. in single room $182; in twin room $102. Fri.-Sat.. in single room $137; in twin room $79. Extra Nights per person in Shanghai: May-Jun., Sep.-Nov. in single room $214; in twin room $119. Jul.-Aug. in single room $161; in twin room $92. Related Tours OCE|Add Hong Kong to Your Vacation

CURRENT SPECIALS:

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!

Right now when you book a 2009 vacation between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75

Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel? Right now when you book a 2009 vacation 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.