Comprehensive in scope yet briefer in duration than many China tours, this relaxed, well-paced journey combines monumental Beijing, a cruise on the fabled Yangtze River, fascinating Xian, and cosmopolitan Shanghai. Traveling in your prized small group of no more than 24 guests, you will have the good fortune to meet local people and to experience a host of China’s highlights, both ancient and of the moment. View the trip brochure.
This trip is being hosted by the Wagner College Alumni Association in partnership with Odyssey's Unlimited, Inc. For specific questions about this trip, please contact the tour operator Odysseys Unlimited at (888) 370-6765 (Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. EST). General questions, and requests for a printed trip brochure can be directed to the Wagner College Office of Alumni Relations at (718) 390-3224.
Your 14-day tour begins in 2000-year-old Beijing, China’s modern-day capital. Experience its legendary sites: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and, of course, the Great Wall. Enjoy a traditional Peking Duck dinner at a local restaurant. A tour highlight is a special rickshaw ride for an inside look at life along Beijing’s ancient alleyways or hutongs, and a visit to the home of a local family for a rare glimpse of the traditional communal lifestyle that is fast disappearing. Continue to Xian and visit the museum housing the recently excavated terra-cotta army of nearly 8,000 life-size warriors, called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Fly to Chongqing and visit the zoo housing the beloved pandas. Board a premier ship of Victoria Cruises for a three-night cruise on the Yangtze, one of the world’s longest and busiest rivers. Witness daily life along its shores on included shore excursions and see the spectacular Three Gorges, Smaller Gorges, and the much-heralded dam. Our tour concludes in Shanghai, a dazzling city that epitomizes 21st-century China. Discover the European-influenced Bund, the renowned Shanghai Museum, with its priceless collections, and the 16th-century Yu Yuan Gardens. Spend additional time exploring dynamic Shanghai, China’s most prosperous, vibrant, and cosmopolitan city, with an optional 3-day/2-night “On Your Own” post-tour extension. View the full trip brochure.
View the full trip brochure.
Days 1-5: September 2-6, 2014
Depart U.S./Beijing
Tour Beijing including Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall. Ride a rickshaw through Beijing’s ancient alleyways (hutongs), and experience a traditional Peking Duck Dinner.
Days 6-8: September 7-9, 2014
Xian/Chongqing
Tour the Terra Cotta Warriors archaeological site, called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” and enjoy a special dinner of traditional Chinese dumplings. After a flight to Chongqing, visit the zoo housing pandas.
Days 9-11: September 10-12, 2014
Yangtze Cruising
Enjoy a three-night cruise on the Yangtze River—one of the world’s busiest and longest rivers – including Three Gorges and Smaller Gorges. Take a small boat excursion down the Daning River to explore the stunning Lesser Gorges. Take a morning tour of the immense Three Gorges Dam project.
Days 12-13: September 13-14, 2014
Shanghai
In Shanghai visit the magnificent Bund and the 16th century Yu Yuan Gardens. Attend a lively Chinese acrobatics show. Tour the acclaimed Shanghai Museum before some leisure time to explore this city nicknamed “Paris of the East”. Toast our China adventure at a farewell dinner.
Day 14: September 15, 2014
Depart Shanghai for the U.S.
“SHANGHAI – ON YOUR OWN” - OPTIONAL POST-TOUR EXTENSION
Days 14-15: Shanghai
No need to transfer anywhere: you are right at home for the next two nights, free to further explore Shanghai as you wish. Options include returning to the Bund; enjoying a scenic boat ride along the Huangpu River that bisects Shanghai; embarking on an excursion to the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao; or visiting the Oriental Pearl TV Tower for a bird’s-eye view of this dynamic city. Should you visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, you also may wish to explore the Shanghai Municipal History Museum (located in the basement of the tower) that commemorates Shanghai’s colonial period from 1860 to 1949. Or you may choose to stroll through People’s Square, a vast area of gardens located in the heart of the city and home to the Shanghai Museum that we visited earlier on our tour; take in a music or theater performance at Shanghai Grand Theater; or do some shopping on Nanjing Road, one of the world’s most popular shopping districts where you can find some of the world’s most renowned department stores as well as independent vendors selling traditional items such as silks, jade, embroidery, wool, and clocks.
Day 16: Shanghai/Depart for U.S.
After breakfast you’ll take an included transfer to the airport for your return flights to the United States.
Renaissance Beijing
36 Xiao Yun Road • Chaoyang District • 100027 Beijing, China
Phone: 011-86-10-646-89999 • Fax: 011-86-10-646-89913
Ideally located in the heart of the city, the Renaissance Beijing is just a few minutes away from the Embassy District. Hotel amenities include a restaurant, café, lounge, fitness center, sauna, Internet access, laundry and dry cleaning services, beauty salon, and indoor pool. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Sofitel Wanda Beijing
93 Jianguo Road • Tower C Wanda Plaza • 100022 Beijing, China
Phone: 011-86-1085-996-666 • Fax: 011-86-1085-996-686
Close to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the 417-room Sofitel Wanda Beijing was designed to display the strong cultural links between France and China. Hotel amenities include four restaurants, bar and lounge, internet access, laundry and dry-cleaning services, fitness center with massage and spa, and indoor pool. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV and phone. (Note: The Sofitel Wanda Beijing replaces the Sheraton Xian North City Hotel, which was previously published as the hotel of stay for Days 2-5)
Victoria Cruises Premier Ships
With the largest fleet to ply the Yangtze, multilingual cruise directors, and informative river guides, Victoria Cruises offers a comprehensive Yangtze experience as the leader in Yangtze River cruising. Air-conditioned and carrying 198–308 passengers, the ships feature breakfast and lunch buffets and classic Chinese dinner banquets, reading room, fitness area, gift shop, and beauty salon. On-board activities include lectures on Chinese history and culture, Tai Chi lessons, calligraphy demonstrations, and traditional entertainment in the evening. Cabins all are outside, non-smoking, and 155 square feet with private bathroom with bathtub and shower, balcony, and satellite TV. Hair dryers are available upon request.
Hilton Shanghai (also used for Optional Post-Tour Extension)
No. 250 Hua Shan Road • 200040 Shanghai, China
Phone: 011-86-21-6248-0000 • Fax: 011-86-21-6248-3868
The Hilton Shanghai is situated in the center of Shanghai’s commercial district within close walking distance of the city’s main attractions and shopping. This 43-story hotel offers a variety of amenities, including laundry/valet service, barbershop and beauty salon, gift shop, elevators, Internet access, several restaurants and lounges, and safety deposit boxes. The hotel also has a health club with fitness center, indoor pool, spa, sauna, steam bath, and massage service. Furnished with contemporary décor, air-conditioned guest rooms offer private bath with hair dryer, sitting area, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Deposit:
$500, check or credit card payable to Odyssey's Unlimited, Inc.
Pricing
Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees.
- Los Angeles, San Francisco-$4,469
- Portland (OR), Seattle-$4,669
- New York, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland,Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix-$4,869
- Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte,Cincinnati, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, DC-$4,969
- Land Only (transfers not included)-$3,595
Single travelers please add $995.
All tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, fuel surcharges and departure fees) are guaranteed.
Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Pacific flight: $3,495 per person in addition to the above costs (upgrade is subject to availability and pricing is subject to change).
Due to Chinese visa restrictions, no new registrations can be accepted within 45 days of the tour.
3-day/2-night post-tour extension to Shanghai – “On Your Own”
$245 total price (single supplement for $195).
***NOTE: This trip involves full days of sightseeing and significant amounts of walking. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour.***
Your Tour Price Includes:
- Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary
- 12 nights accommodations: 3 nights aboard Superior First Class ship of Victoria Cruises,
- 9 nights in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels
- 29 meals: 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners
- Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
- Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
- Private motorcoach transportation throughout the trip, including shore excursions
- Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers