Treasures of China & the Yangtze River
April 14-26, 2008

Overview
Features
Itinerary

Overview (Return to top)

Shanghai
China's largest city and the country's most important commercial center was once known as a "paradise for adventurers."  You will be captivated by Shanghai's Old Town, known for its classical Chinese architecture, bubbling markets, winding alleyways, teahouses and restaurants.  As a contrast, there is the powerful skyline of modern-day Shanghai, but most of all, the overwhelming friendliness of its people will enchant you. 

Beijing
The pulsing heart of today's China, capital city for over seven centuries, and well over 3,000 years old.  You will have ample time to experience the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, and the Great Wall, which winds dragon-like along the ridgelines to the north of the city.

Xi'an
Marco Polo's contemporaries believed it to be the largest city in the world.  It was only in 1974 that it came into world prominence, when Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi's incredible 2,000 year-old life-sized Terracotta Army built to guard his tomb and protect his journey to the afterlife, was excavated...one of the greatest archaeological finds of the century.  A chance of a lifetime to see one of the world's most captivating treasures. 

Yangtze River Cruise
Three full days cruising on board a comfortable Victoria Cruises river ship on the timeless Yangtze River allows for the most awe-inspiring river scenery in the world.  The magnificent Three Gorges, panoramic views of scattered villages, and green terraced fields all present a wondrous look at China through the centuries and today.  Vistas will change in front of your eyes and your imagination will be fired just like that of thousands of artists and travelers before you.  You will be transferred into a classic Chinese painting of fantastic steep mountains amidst dreamy clouds. 

Priced from $3,399
GoNext

For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Fisher-Nickell Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-1370

Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402

Features (Return to top)

• Round-trip transpacific air transportation via Northwest Airlines, or United Airlines
• All intra-China air/land transportation
• 7 nights in superior first-class hotels; 2 nights Shanghai, 2 nights Xi'an and 3 nights Beijing
• 4 nights on board Victoria Cruises (All accommodations in outside cabins with private balconies
• 31 meals:  11 American breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners including one special dinner/show and Peking Duck dinner, as indicated in the itinerary
• Round-trip transfers between airports and hotels, luggage handling, hotel taxes and service charges
• Individual visa fee for China
• Comprehensive sightseeing and cultural entertainment in each city as listed in the itinerary
• Escorted throughout by an experienced National Guide, plus English speaking local city guides
• Complete pre-flight information

Itinerary (Return to top)

Day 1 
U.S.A., Shanghai
Depart for Shanghai today.  Cross the International Date Line and lose one calendar day. 

Day 2
Shanghai
Accommodations:  Hua Ting Hotel and Towers
Arrive in the bustling city of Shanghai, China's largest and most westernized city, located at the confluence of Huangpo River and Suzhou Creek.  You will be met and transferred to your hotel. 

Day 3
Shanghai
Accommodations: Hua Ting Hotel and Towers
Spend the day exploring this vibrant city.  Visit the famous Bund, the East's most famous street.  It's a wide riverside avenue dominated by buildings in the grand European style.  Explore the graceful Yu Garden in the oldest part of Shanghai.  After an enjoyable dim sum lunch, visit Shanghai Museum where a pageant of Chinese history unfolds for you as you take in objects as old as the dawn of time.  Later this evening enjoy a captivating display of human balance and versatility in an amazing acrobatic show. [B, L, D] 

Day 4  
Shanghai, Yichang 
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to the ancient city of Yichang, located at the eastern end of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River.  Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before boarding a deluxe Victoria Cruises ship to begin an unforgettable journey on the fabled Yangtze River. [B, L, D]

Day 5
Yangtze River Cruise  
Today you visit the Three Gorges Dam site, the world's largest hydroelectric dam, a monumental set of five giant locks and a tribute to modern engineering.  Continue cruising upstream through the stunning Xiling Gorge, longest of the famed Three Gorges.  Natural rocks with fanciful profiles, waterfalls and canyons covered in jungle growth make for dramatic sights. [B, L, D]

Day 6
Yangtze River Cruise 
Early this morning, marvel at Wu Gorge's zigzagging valley.  Transfer to a motor launch for a cruise up the Daning River to view the Three Lesser Gorges.  Alternately, your excursion may be on the Shennong Stream with its equally impressive small gorges.  Life has changed little in these inner canyons over the centuries.  People of the Ba Kingdom once lived here over two thousand years ago and entombed their nobles in coffins suspended high in cliff crevices.  A  spectacular story, a spectacular sight.  Upon return to the ship you continue cruising through the dramatic Qutang Gorge, walled by steep mossy cliffs. [B, L, D]

Day 7
Yangtze River Cruise
Your cruise continues upstream with a memorable shore excursion to one of the river towns to view the local life and hear and see how the dam project has changed the lifestyle of the local people. [B, L, D]

Day 8  
Chongqing, Xi'an
Accommodations:  Grand New World Hotel
Time permitting, in the "Mountain City" of Chongqing, there will be a brief sightseeing tour, including a visit to the Joe Stillwell Museum with its collection of World War II memorabilia.  Fly to historic Xi'an, a crossroads of ancient cultures that has served as the capital of eleven dynasties.  [B, L, D]

Day 9  
Xi'an
Accommodations:  Grand New World Hotel
Visit the famed Wild Goose Pagoda and the South Gate.  After lunch take an unforgettable excursion to the tomb of the First Emperor of China and revel at the remarkable underground ruins.  Visit the archaeological site to view more than 6,000 life-sized and uniquely detailed figures of Terracotta Warriors and their horses.  This is surely one of the most stunning sights of the trip.  This exciting day culminates with dinner and a show. [B, L, D]

Day 10
Xi'an, Beijing
Accommodations:  Capital Hotel
This morning fly to Beijing, the capital city of the People's Republic of China.  In the afternoon experience an exciting rickshaw ride through ancient, narrow streets in the centuries old residential area of Beijing. [B, L, D]

Day 11
Beijing
Accommodations:  Capital Hotel
Sightseeing begins at the ornately embellished Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Ming architecture, located in a large park and housing the impressive Hall of Prayer.  After lunch, explore the extraordinary Forbidden City.  Pass through the gate of Heavenly Peace to Tiananmen Square where the chronicles of history have played from ancient times to Mao's raising of the flag of the People's Republic of China.  Surrounding the Square is the Chinese Revolution Museum, the Museum of Chinese History and the Great Hall of the People.  [B, L, D]

Day 12
Beijing
Accommodations:  Capital Hotel
Today's excursion takes you north of Beijing to experience one of the highlights of your visit - China's Great Wall, an extraordinary 4,000 mile-long fortification built over 2,000 years ago to thwart Barbarian invasions.  Then, a short drive to where a tree and statue-lined road takes you to the magnificent Ming Tombs, a series of 13 underground palaces built to hold the lavish wealth of Ming emperors.  This evening enjoy a Peking duck dinner while you discuss the day's experiences. [B, L, D] 

Day 13
Beijing, U.S.A.
Today leave Beijing, crossing the International Date Line, arriving the same day to connect with flights home. [B, L, D]

Hotels and itinerary are subject to change.