you ride a gondola up to the highest point of the wall’s Badaling section, then walk down an ancient stone path to the bottom. Tour the Summer Palace and cruise Kunming Lake. Meals BL
3. HISTORY AND THE HUTONGS IN BEIJING The past lives and breathes inside the Forbidden City, once home to China’s emperors. Beyond it lies Tiananmen Square and the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, whose huge portrait overshadows the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Observe life in the disappearing hutongs firsthand on a private tour of the Houhai hutong; ride a rickshaw and meet a local family! Dine at your choice of the hotel’s four fine restaurants this evening. Meals BLD
4. THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN & OLYMPIC PARK Back in China’s Imperial days, the emperor traveled secretly to the Temple of Heaven; tour this amazing example of traditional Chinese architecture and join local residents in a Tai Chi racquet lesson. Recapture the glory of the 2008 Olympics at Olympic Park’s “Bird’s Nest” stadium; the rest of your day is free. Meals BL
5. EXPLORING ANCIENT OX CULTURE IN XI’AN Board a flight to 3,000-year-old Xi’an, one of China’s great ancient capitals, where you’ll have lunch on your own. Gain surprising insights about the role of the ox in Chinese culture at Xi’an’s new Ox Culture and Ceramics Museum – and meet the museum’s curator, who shares his passion for collecting with you. Meals BD
6. TERRA COTTA WARRIORS & SHAANXIMUSEUM The idea of 8,000 life-like soldiers guarding an emperor’s tomb for 2,000 years is incredible, but getting an insider’s view of the Terra Cotta Warriors from a leading museum staffer is amazing! Explore ancient China further with a special visit to the Shaanxi History Museum, interpreting the feudal dynasties that kept their capitals here, with insights from a Tang Dynasty expert. Meals BLD
7. ON TO GUILIN & CRUISE THE LI RIVER Following a morning flight to Guilin, feast your eyes... as well as your soul... on Tauck’s private cruise along the Li River, past tranquil bamboo groves and mist-shrouded limestone peaks. Have dinner à la carte tonight at your Guilin hotel. Meals BLD
8. CHONGQING / EMBARK A YANGTZE CRUISE After touching down in Chongqing, enjoy lunch and a visit to the Chongqing Zoo before boarding the Yangzi Explorer this afternoon for the start of your three-night Yangtze River cruise. Meals BLD
9. YANGZI EXPLORER & A RELOCATION VILLAGE Learn the secrets of tea preparation and dumpling-making; after lunch, visit Fengdu or Wanzhou (depending on river conditions) to meet families in a dam project “relocation village.” Join us for the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner tonight. Meals BLD
Behind the scenes of Rio’s Carnaval...
Greetings in Tauck’s China, from the Terra Cotta Warriors and a conservation expert in Xi’an, and pandas in the Chongqing Zoo
Call your travel agent or Tauck at 800-468-2825
www.tauck.com 25
Tauck Value Includes:
3-night Eastbound Yangtze River cruise aboard the Yangzi Explorer – Westbound includes 4-night cruise; see page 27
Insider experience in Beijing’s disappearing hutongs including a rickshaw ride and a visit with a local hutong family
Private talk with a conservation expert at the Terra Cotta Warriors museum in Xi’an
Special visit to the Shaanxi History Museum with insights from an expert on the Tang Dynasty
Private introduction to Shanghai on the VIP viewing platform of the Shanghai Urban Planning Center
A ride on the world’s fastest Maglev train in Shanghai Performance of Shanghai’s daring, hi-tech ERA acrobatic show Sampan ride on Shennong Stream during your Yangtze cruise Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
37 meals (15 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners) with gratuities to ship staff, local guides, taxes, service charges, admission fees and porterage
10. CRUISING THE THREE GORGES Otherworldly vistas greet you as the Yangzi Explorer takes you into the Yangtze River’s Qutang and Wu gorges. Following a Shennong Stream excursion via sampan, cruise Xiling Gorge. Tonight offers a calligraphy lesson and a crew show. Meals BLD
11. THREE GORGES DAM & ON TO SHANGHAI Tour the site of the Three Gorges Dam, one of the largest engineering projects ever attempted, this morning; disembark Yangzi Explorer in Yichang for your flight to Shanghai. Meals BLD
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