Yellow Mountain & Shangri-La
Visit: Yellow Mountain – Kunming – Dali – Lijiang – Chengdu – Shanghai – Beijing
ITINERARY*
DAY 1 (Your date of departure)
For those on the Land and Air package originating at Vancouver International Airport on your departure date, be at the Airline’s ticket counter in the International Departure Terminal three hours prior to departure for your seat assignment. Your great circle route usually takes you north from Vancouver, over western Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. After you leave western Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, you either enter Russian airspace or fly over the Pacific Ocean until you cross Japan. Sometimes on a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji. The jet stream determines both your route and the flight time, which usually averages 11 hours.
DAY 2 – Shanghai
Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a day and arrive in Shanghai at approximately 2:30 PM. You are joined by your English speaking Chinese national guide (who is with you for the entire tour), as well as your English speaking local guide. On the way to your hotel you will stroll on Shanghai famous waterfront, “the Bund” and Nanjing road. After supper, you will be brought to your hotel for check-in. You will be ready for a good night’s sleep. Ocean Hotel D
DAY 3 – Shanghai
Today you visit the Yu Yuan Garden Market area of Old Shanghai. This busy day also includes a visit to the Shanghai Museum and a stroll through Xintiandi (the French Concessions). BLD
DAY 4 – Shanghai
You have a free day to explore. With a population around 18 million, Shanghai (Queen of the Orient) has been forcefully “helped” by almost every major nation at some period in history. The areas known as the “concessions” reflect the architecture and period of the country of occupation. The Bund area reflects all of the countries and their business interests before the revolution. You have lots of opportunities to watch people and take pictures. This is your “SHOP TILL YOU DROP” day. Take a pack of matches or a card from your hotel to show a taxi driver in case you get lost. B
DAY 5 – Tun Xi
Today you fly to Tun Xi and you will visit the old town. Garden Phoenix Hotel BLD
DAY 6 – Yellow Mountain
Today you will visit the Yellow Mountain and take a cable car to the top. The mountain peak is approximately 1,800 meters / 5400 ft above sea level. Yellow Mountain (Mt. Huangshan) found in the south of Anhui province, is probably the most famous in China.
DAY 7 – Kunming
You will fly to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in the southwest of China. Kunming is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” due to its year-round temperate climate. Your stay here includes a visit to the Golden Temple. Located on top of Mingfeng (Singing Phoenix) Hill, this is the most famous Taoist shrine in Yunnan province. Wenhui Hotel. BLD
DAY 8 – Dali
Today you travel by coach to visit the truly amazing Stone Forest. This is almost 100,000 acres of stunning rock formations – labyrinths and caves, human and animal figures, lakes and waterfalls.. You will also travel by coach to visit the Dali Old Town. Regent Hotel BLD
DAY 9 – Lijiang
Today you will visit the three pagodas, you will cruise on Erhai Lake and then take a coach to visit the Old town Of Lijiang. Wangfu Hotel BLD
DAY 10 – Lijiang
In the morning you go by coach to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and take a cable car to Yak Meadow, which is 3,800 meters above sea level (11,400 feet), to see the main snow-capped peak of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. After lunch, you will be free to explore the old town for the rest of the afternoon and have dinner on your own. BL
DAY 11 – Chengdu
Today you fly to Chengdu, the Capital of Sichuan province. Chengdu is famous for its wonderful spicy cuisine, breathtaking scenery, unique wildlife, and local culture. Here you will visit the Panda Breeding and Research Center. This 92 acres park was created to simulate their natural habitat and is home to giant pandas, the endearing red, or lesser panda, and other endangered species. You will visit the nursery to see the successful breeding program, and the many enclosures among lakes, bamboo groves and shady walkways, to view the pandas at rest and play. Later you will tour the “old street” of Kuan Zhai Jie and experience a wonderful peek at the very well preserved old China. Shichuan Hotel BLD
DAY 12 – Beijing
After breakfast, you will fly to Beijing. Here you will visit Tien An Men Square. On the four sides of the square, you will find Mao’s Tomb, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and the front entrance to the former Imperial Palace (the Forbidden City). Most of the afternoon will be taken up by your visit to the Forbidden City. Guangxi Hotel BLD
DAY 13 – Beijing
This morning after an early breakfast, you will make the two-hour drive to visit the greatest man-made barrier in the world, “THE GREAT WALL”. You will travel north of Beijing to the Mutianyu section of the Wall. This will be one of the high points of your China experience! This evening you will experience a dinner which includes Peking duck. BLD
DAY 14 – Beijing
After breakfast today you have your last free day. Your guide will assist you in your search for the ultimate shopping experience with directions to Wangfujing Street and Silk Alley (taxi rides). Or you might ask about optional day tours or performances (at additional expense). Don’t forget the address card from your hotel so you don’t get lost! B
DAY 15
This morning after breakfast, you say goodbye to China as you are transferred to the airport for your flights home. B