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DAY 6: BEIJING (continued) money to building the site that she bankrupted the Navy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. Take in the natural landscape of hills and Kunming Lake as well as the wealth of pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges. The evening entertainment is a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic show. (B, L, D) DAY 7: BEIJING TO XIAN Begin with a visit to the Shaanxi Museum which is home to thousands of priceless relics. Enjoy a unique Shui Jiao dinner featuring multiple courses of Xian's famous dumplings, created with many different fillings and corresponding shapes. The entertainment this evening is a dazzling Tang Dynasty Dance performance. Its early folk roots began as a ritual of prayer for a good harvest, evolving over thousands of years, reaching its peak during the Tang Dynasty. Open to outside influences, the Tang combined poetry, music, singing and dancing with stunning costumes to create a distinct style. (B, L, D) DAY 8: XIAN Today you will visit the Army of the Terracotta Warriors, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The figures were created over 2,000 years ago to accompany Emperor Qin Shihuang into the afterlife. Take a leisurely walk on top of Xian's ancient city wall, one of the best preserved in China. We also walk through the lively Muslim Quarter to explore the Islamic food markets. (B, L, D) DAY 9: WUHAN Fly to Wuhan. Upon arrival, you will be transferred by coach to board your cruise for the next four nights. (B, L, D) DAYS 10-12: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE Enjoy a tour of the Three Gorges Dam before cruising upstream through some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Over the next three days, we will take a side-trip to the striking Shennong Stream in a peapod boat or visit the Lesser Three Gorges. (B, L, D) DAY 13: GUILIN Disembark from the cruise vessel and visit the Panda House at the Chongqing Zoo. Fly to the beautiful city of Guilin. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", named after the large number of fragrant trees located throughout the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery. (B, L, D) DAY 14: LI RIVER CRUISE TO YANGSHUO Cruise the stunning Li River to Yangshuo and enjoy the breathtaking landscape of beautiful limestone hills, tranquil fishing scenes and picturesque villages. (B, L, D) DAY 15: YANGSHUO TO GUILIN Return to Guilin and visit the colorful stalactites and stalagmites of the Reed Flute Caves. Inside this water-eroded cave is a wonderful world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations, illuminated by colorful lights. Evening display of traditional cormorant fishing, where fisherman use trained cormorant birds to capture fish in the river. (B, L, D) DAY 17: HONG KONG Take a tour of Hong Kong Island, including Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, and the Aberdeen Fishing Village. (B) DAY 18: HONG KONG Take a ferry ride through Victoria Harbor to Lantau Island. Visit Cheung Sha Beach, Tai O Fishing Village and the Giant Buddha before taking the Skyrail cable car down the mountain. Enjoy dinner at the top of Victoria Peak. (B, D) DAY 19: HONG KONG TO US Enjoy a tour of the New Territories, including a visit to the Yuen Yuen Institute. Take in the view from Tai Mo Shan Mountain and Luk Keng Road Lookout. Visit Sam Mun Tsai Fishing Zone. Remainder of day is at your leisure before transferring to the airport for your overnight flight home to the US. Flights should depart from Hong Kong after 3:00pm and most flight schedules will arrive in the US just before midnight on the same day or throughout the following day. (B) TOUR DATES & RATES Outbound Return To USA MAR 19, 2013 APR 9, 2013 MAY 7, 2013 MAY 21, 2013 JUN 4, 2013 SEP 3, 2013 SEP 17, 2013 OCT 8, 2013 OCT 29, 2013 NOV 5, 2013 Rates* APR 6, 2013 APR 27, 2013 MAY 25, 2013 JUN 8, 2013 JUN 22, 2013 SEP 21, 2013 OCT 5, 2013 OCT 26, 2013 NOV 16, 2013 NOV 23, 2013 $3,690 $3,890 $3,890 $3,890 $3,890 $3,790 $3,890 $3,890 $3,890 $3,790 $3,790 $3,790 $3,790 NOTE: SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT APPLIES. For your convenience, we implement a one time tipping protocol of $109 per person on this tour to be paid locally. MEALS INCLUDED: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner Consult your travel agent for more details on this and other escorted tours. *RATES ARE PER PERSON, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY AND INCLUDE: Visa services and fees for US and Canada passports only Domestic airfare and current taxes (within China) Airport transfers • Meals as indicated Sightseeing with English speaking guide • Entrance fees Evening entertainment and feature dinners 4 star hotel accommodations and taxes DAY 16: GUILIN TO HONG KONG Fly to Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient where East meets West. The evening is yours at leisure to explore this vibrant city. (B) Cities of the Orient 35