Beijing,  Xi’an, Guilin, Li River, Yangtze River Cruise , Chongqing, Yichang, Shanghai

   ►The Great Wall◄            ►Terra-Cotta Warriors◄                  ►Forbidden City◄
►Three Gorges◄             ►Tian an Men Square◄                    ►Panda Zoo◄

Come join us on this fabulous trip to China!  We have included so much so that your vacation will show you more of what China has to offer, including its history and culture, to make this grand trip worth your time!
Our professional local guides will introduce you to the treasures of China from Beijing and the famous Tian an Men Square and Great Wall; to Xian’s terra cotta warriors; to beautiful Guilin (a lot of tours don’t include this very picturesque area) where you’ll cruise the Li River- see one of the most mystical  landscapes in the world.
There’s still more….visit the Panda Zoo and cruise for 3 nights on the Yangtze River through the magnificent Three Gorges and see the world’s largest hydroelectric dam project! Enjoy Shanghai before our transfer to the airport on the Maglev-a magnetic train that floats on a magnetic field and is propelled by a linear motor and hits speeds of over 300kms per hour.
All the above plus our trip includes 33 meals, professional guides throughout, lots of special dinners and entertainment, all excursions on the 3 night cruise and all the flights within China!

Our China vacations are wonderful…come join us on this fabulous experience!

Price Includes all of the following and more…..            

• Airport Transfers if on main group flight
• All domestic flights (4) within China               
• Beijing to Xian
• Xian to Guilin
• Guilin to Chongqing
• Yichang to Shanghai
• All fuel surcharges on domestic flights within China   
• All roundtrip airport transfers for domestic flights in China
• Private Deluxe Motor coach with driver/guide
• Professional Bilingual National Guide Throughout
• Local English Speaking Tour Guides                                                                                              
• First Class Hotel Accommodations in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai 
• 4* MV President Cruise Ship-includes all shore excursions!
• Total 33 Meals
• 12 Breakfasts (B)
•  10 lunches (L)
•  11 dinners (D))
• Singles Travel Company representative (restrictions apply)
• Free roommate matching to save on single supplement fee      
• Tours, Sightseeing and Special Highlights: Beijing: Tian an Men Square, Forbidden City, Palace Museum and Temple of Heaven, Hutong Tour (with pedicab ride), Great Wall of China, tour the famous 2008 Olympic sites-National Stadium & National Aquatic Centre, practice your Tai Chi with a Tai Chi master, Summer Palace, Xian: Terra-Cotta Warriors, local cave home, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, explore the City Wall in Xian, Guilin: see this beautiful area, Li River Cruise, explore Yangshou, Chongqing: Panda Zoo, 3 night Yangtze River Cruise-includes all shore excursions, Fengdu, The Three Gorges, world’s largest hydroelectric dam  completed in 2009, Shanghai: Nanjing Road and legendary Bun, Museum, Maglev-Magnetic train to the airport.
• Plus many special dinners and evening entertainment throughout the tour such as Peking Duck Banquet, Traditional Chinese dinner, Xian’s famous noodle dinner, Tang Dynasty Dinner Song and Dance Show, Hot Pot Dinner, Shanghainese style dinner, Farewell Dinner.    

 China & Yangtze River Itinerary 
         Click here to download (pdf)

The third-largest country in the world, China is bounded to the north by the deserts of Mongolia, to the west by the Tibetan plateau and the Himalayas, and to the east by the East and South China Seas. China's 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions are governed from Beijing, along with some 5000 islands. China isn't just a country – it's a different world. From shop-till-you-drop metropolises to the epic grasslands of Inner Mongolia – with deserts, sacred peaks, astounding caves and imperious ruins – it's a land of cultural and geographical wonders. It is not that China has done away with its Maoist past – it is more that the yin of revolutionary zeal is being balanced with the yang of economic pragmatism. The old guard communists are giving way to the new wave entrepreneurs.
 
Day 1  Oct. 10                  Hometown to Beijing
                   Depart your home city to start your flight to Beijing, China!

Day 2  Oct.11                   Arrive Beijing
                   Welcome to China! If on the group flight you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your flight arrival time the rest of your day is at leisure. Relax at the hotel, take a stroll through the bustling capital city of China or take in Beijing’s best market-Silk Alley. Your hotel is surrounded by shops, restaurants, etc and it is just 2 stops away from Tian an Men Square. Our Hotel: Marriott Courtyard Beijing (3 nights)

Day 3  Oct. 12                  Beijing Sightseeing
                We start our sightseeing in Beijing by visiting Tian an Men Square, the largest plaza in the world. Later, we visit the Forbidden City with it acres of splendid 15th century halls and pavilions graced with imperial treasures which now comprises of the Palace Museum and the Temple of Heaven. Enjoy a Chinese lunch at Zen Restaurant which is right beside Tian an Men Square and also where the old U.S. Embassy was before 1949. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to experience the back streets of Beijing - known as the Hutong - with a Pedi cab ride. Tonight we feast on a traditional Chinese Dinner.  (BLD)

Day 4  Oct.13                      Visit the Great Wall
                A day you will never forget! Walk on The Great Wall of China at Badaling, the only man-made object visible to the naked eye from outer space. We’ll have extended time here at the Great Wall to savor the memory forever. After lunch, proceed back to Beijing and enjoy a tour of the famous 2008 Olympic sites - The National Stadium (The Bird's Nest) and The National Aquatic Centre (The Water Cube). Arrive back at the hotel in the late afternoon for a rest - or dash off and do some shopping at Wan Fu Jing - Beijing's famous walking street. Tonight enjoy a genuine Peking duck banquet! (BLD)

Day 5  Oct 14                   Fly Beijing to Xian
                This morning we visit the Temple of Heaven and then practice your Tai Chi with a Tai Chi master from Beijing. After lunch, enjoy the prestigious Summer Palace where the emperors and empresses spent their time enjoying the vast gardens and man-made lake. This afternoon fly to the ancient capital of Xian, a veritable treasure trove of Chinese culture. Spend two nights at the Titan Times Hotel. This is a 4-star hotel and all rooms are suite size and located by the City Wall of Xi'an. Tonight you will enjoy Xian's famous noodle dinner.  (BLD) Our Hotel: Titan Times Hotel (2 nights)

Day 6  Oct 15                   Xian Sightseeing
                   Today we visit thousands of life-sized terra cotta warriors which have been on guard for 2,000 years. The individually sculpted warriors have been touted as the archaeological find of the century. This afternoon you will have the amazing opportunity to visit a Local Cave Home and also the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Tonight enjoy a traditional song and dance performance at the Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show. (BLD)

Day 7  Oct 16                   Fly Xian to Guilin
                This morning, explore the City Wall in Xian. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. Later we fly to Guilin, one of China's most picturesque cities, where the landscape has been the subject of Chinese painters for centuries with its breathtaking limestone mountains, tree-lined streets, rice paddies and the meandering Li River. (BLD)  Our Hotel: Bravo Hotel (2 nights)

Day 8  Oct 17                   Li River Cruise
              Today we cruise the Li River, one of the most mystical landscapes in the world. The river meanders through steep hills and green fields offering spectacular views. Lunch is served on board. We’ll feast on a western-catered lunch with all the trimmings. After the Li River, you will have several hours to shop, stroll, bicycle or people watch in the many cafes in Yangshou. We return to Guilin by coach and after a rest; enjoy a local Chinese-style dinner. (BLD)

Day 9  Oct 18                   Guilin to Chongqing, Start Yangtze Cruise
Our morning is at leisure to catch up on any missed shopping in Guilin before our flight to Chongqing. On arrival we visit the famous Panda Zoo- see Giant pandas, Lesser pandas, Golden hair monkeys, South China Tigers and other national protected animals.  Later enjoy a fabulous Hot Pot dinner before boarding our President Cruise on the Yangtze River. (BLD)
Our Accommodation: MV President Cruise No. 2 (3 nights)

The Yangtze River runs nearly 4,000 miles West to East through the heart of China. Known in Chinese as "Chang Jiang" –   the Long River-the Yangtze has long been an important landmark and nearly 400 million people live near it. Known for its towering peaks, sailing the Yangtze River has been compared to sailing the Nile River through the Grand Canyon. The majesty of the famed Three Gorges is a unique and special part of world heritage, and a must see for every traveler to China. With the completion of the second phase of the Yangtze River Dam Project, the water level is rising and the reservoir is being filled. However, the increase in water level is insignificant compared to the height of the mountain peaks that make up the Three Gorges area. The scenery is still majestic, the experience still memorable. You will be amazed as you pass through the 5-stage ship lock of the dam, an incredible engineering feat.
                                                                                                                                                                          
Day 10   Oct 19                 Chongqing & Fengdu 
                This morning begin your cruise downstream. Relax on deck and observe both Chinese farm and village life. Our first port of call is Fengdu, known as "City of Ghosts" where a shore excursion visits one of the many temples housing silent ghost devils. Also during our cruise experience a boat trip on the Shennong Stream. (BLD)

Day 11  Oct 20                The Three Gorges and Gezhou Dam
                Visit the Three Gorges, one of the most spectacular sights in China including the Wu Gorge with its "Twelve Peaks", the Qutang Gorge known for its magnificent scenery and the western section of the longest gorge, the Xiling Gorge. (BLD)

Day 12  Oct 21                 Cruise Ends, Fly Yichang to Shanghai
            This morning, we visit the world's largest hydroelectric dam project before we disembark the ship and fly to Shanghai, the largest city in China. After arrival to our hotel, the rest of the day is free to explore or shop in Shanghai. Tonight, enjoy a Shanghainese style dinner. (BLD) Our Hotel: Salvo Hotel (2 nights)

Day 13  Oct 22               Shanghai Sightseeing            
Today's sightseeing includes teeming Nanjing Road and the legendary Bund, or riverfront esplanade, (heart of the European settlement of the old Shanghai of novels and movies), as well as the Shanghai Museum. Tonight, enjoy a sumptuous Farewell Dinner. (BD)

Day 14  Oct 23               Shanghai To North America               
After breakfast, our morning is at leisure before your transfer to the terminal of the Magnetic Line in Pudong to take the Maglev to the airport. The principal of a Magnetic train is that floats on a magnetic field and is propelled by a linear induction motor hitting speeds of over 300kms per hour – it’s a great experience! Depart Shanghai for North America. (B)

Comments from our last Singles Travel Company China trip
“Fabulous trip!” -“One of the best trips I’ve ever been on!”  -“I’ll definitely travel again with Singles Travel Company. 
Great Group of travel companions!”

Price
$ 2299.00        Land/cruise, per person, based on double occupancy (Remember we can match you with a    roommate to avoid paying the single fee).
$ 799.00          For a room and cabin to yourself –add to above price. Limited availability. 

Airfare: International airfare is additional into Beijing (PEK), China and out of Shanghai (PVG), China.  We can check air prices for you or you may purchase your own. We will try and coordinate flights through San Francisco (you fly from your home town to meet the connecting flight out of San Francisco) so you can fly together-please call for details.
Transfers: included if you are on the main group coordinated flights in and out of San Francisco. If not on the main group flight transfers are additional at $35 in Beijing and $45 in Shangahi.
Travel Insurance is highly recommended for many reasons and especially because this is an adventure trip, so please consider the purchase of it carefully.  Information will be made available to you upon request and with your deposit.  Please inquire.
Vaccinations/Immunizations:  No shots or pills are required for travel, however, you must consult with your health care provider before traveling to make sure that your vaccinations are up-to-date and/or to see if you’re medical provider recommends other medication/immunizations for travel. You may also want to consult the Center for Disease Control’s website, www.cdc.gov/travel. A list of travel clinics is also provided by the International Society of Travel Medicine at their website: www.istm.org.
Passport: For U.S. citizens a current passport is required and must still be valid for up to 6 months after the trip date.   Make sure your passport name matches exactly with the name you give us including your middle name if it’s included on your passport.  Non U.S. Citizens must check with their consulate for required documents to enter China.  It is the travelers’ responsibility to make sure they have the correct documentation to enter China.
China Visa: is required for entry for U.S. citizens. Approximate fee is $130 + service fee and $15.00 FedEx mailing fee for China Visa. (Both a passport and a China Visa are required for entry into China).  Call for details on how to get your visa for this trip or you may get your own China visa also.  Non U.S. Citizens must check with their consulate for required documents to enter China.  It is completely the travelers’ responsibility to make sure they have the correct documentation to enter China.
Price does not include: China Visa fee, gratuities to drivers, guides, shipboard personnel (approximately $8-$10 per day), and items of a personal nature.  Note: almost all of your meals are included (33).
Activity Level: this trip is active with lots of walking and activities.
Final Documents with more information will be coming approximately 10 days prior to your trip with packing information, hotel contact information, list of your fellow travelers, etc. with final documents.
                    
Fine Print– China and Yangtze River Cruise, October 10-23, 2010
Your payment of the required deposit or full payment for a reservation on this trip constitutes consent and acknowledgement of all the provisions in this Fine Print listed below and in the Singles Travel Company General Terms and Conditions.  Please make sure you read both of these important pieces of information and call us with any questions. Per our tour operator hotels are subject to change.
Deposit: $250- preferred by check (payable to Travel Advisors) or credit card is accepted. Also we need your reservation form with all your passport info for the tour operator. Early sign-ups are encouraged for better air fares.
Final payments are due 75 days prior to departure date, checks preferred or credit cards accepted.
Cancellation Fees and Refunds:  All cancellations must be in writing. The deposit is refundable up to 91 days prior to the trip minus a $50 processing fee. Cancellations 90 days or less prior to the trip departure date - no refund of monies paid will be provided.  No show, no refund.  No refunds on unused portions of the tour package. Airline tickets cancellation policies are per the airlines and are usually non-refundable and changeable with a fee.