Southern China and Xian
May 2nd-14th
Xian (14th-17th)
Main Trip
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Day 1 (May 2) - Arrive in Guilin where we'll meet our guide and transfer to Guilin Shangri-la Hotel, the local best. We'll be staying in their Deluxe River View Rooms. For the remainder of the day we'll enjoy leisure and free time. No meals included
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Day 2 - A day to enjoy an upstream cruise on the Lijiang River, disembarking at a small village, where we will have chance to visit a local family. From there, we'll drive up to the picturesque town of Yangshuo. Friendly people, good food, scenic beauty, rice fields and clear streams all make it a real gem. While in the town, we'll visit Xi Jie, a fabulously well preserved street built in 590 during the Sui Dynasty; widely considered one of the most beautiful streets in all of China. Lunch will be included on the boat. At the end of the day we'll check into our hotel, the Banyan Tree Yangshou. Dinner own arrangements.
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Day 3 - In the morning we'll go to the ancient town of Fuli which has stone houses and cobbled lanes dating back a thousand years! There, we'll visit the local market, rice wine factory, and fan-craft workshops. In the afternoon we'll enjoy a cooking class and have what me make for lunch. After lunch we'll transfer back to our hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant, after which we have VIP seats to a Folk dancing show that will be performed outdoors with 12 mountain peaks and the Lijiang River as backdrop. All meals included.
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Day 4 - In the morning we'll drive through the beautiful countryside to Longsheng. At arrival, we'll check into our hotel – Lian Lodge with Terrace View Rooms. From there we'll have lunch at a local restaurant and then enjoy a half day tour to see Rice Terraced Fields, ethnic villages, unique buildings, costumes and customs. Evening free and dinner on your own. breakfast and lunch included.
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Day 5 - Today we'll visit The Longji Zhuang Ancient Village, only recently opened to tourists, as well a several other ethnic villages of the Zhuang people. Lunch at local Chinese restaurant. In the afternoon we'll drive back to Guilin. Late afternoon and evening free, with dinner on our own. Breakfast and lunch included. Guilin Accommodations again at the Shangri-la Hotel - Deluxe River View Rooms.
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Day 6 - In the morning we fly to Lijiang. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and transfer to our hotel, The InterContinental Lijiang. Once checked in we'll have a break in which we can have lunch on our own, reconvening in the afternoon for a stroll through Lijiang Old Town, a cultural center for the Naxi Ethnic Minority. Lijiang Autonomous County sits on the foothills of the Himalayas in Yunnan Province. Evening at leisure and dinner on our own. Breakfast included.
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Day 7 - In Lijiang, our day will focus on the area's natural beauty. In the morning we visit the Spruce Plateau, also named the 'Splendid Vale', a large meadow hiding behind a primeval forest with vast mountains towering overhead. At 10,100 feet, with jade Snow Mountain as the backdrop, we attend a performance of traditional singing and dancing of the Naxi People. These Tibetan Buddhists have retained much of their traditional culture and believe that the mountain is an entrance to the heaven. Lunch at local restaurant in Baisha village, whos old town retains it's old wood architecture, labyrinthine streets, and canal system. Evening free and dinner on our own. Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
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Day 8 - In the morning we'll take a stroll in a local Farmer's Market and see the unique fruits and vegetables of Yunnan, then we will take a Yunnan cooking class in the Lijiang Old Town. Yunnan cuisine is distinct for its sour, spicy and thick sauces, and truly is one of the best of China's regional cuisines! After lunch, we'll have leisure time for the rest of the day. Dinner will be on our own. Breakfast and Lunch included.
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Day 9 - For the first part of the day we'll enjoy more free time in the old district of Lijiang, with lunch on our own. After lunch we transfer to Lijiang Airport and fly to Chengdu, the cultural capital of Sichuan Province. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and transfer to the Shangri-la Hotel with Deluxe River View Rooms. Rest time for the remainder of the day with dinner on our own. Meal included: Breakfast.
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Day 10 - In the morning we will drive to the Dunjiangyan Panda Center, one of the real highlight of our trip. Dunjiangyan is the Chinese Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, with over 20 Pandas in residence, overlooked by Mount Qingcheng, said to be the birthplace of Taoism. We'll spend about a half day touring the site. While there, for those interested in getting closer, there is an optional volunteer program. During the programs, participants learn about giant pandas through working with skilled panda keepers and researchers in taking care of the pandas. At the end of the program, each participant is issued a panda volunteer certificate, and potentially getting your picture taken beside one of these magnificent creatures. This program requires a separate donation. After lunch, we'll transfer back to the city.
Once back in Chengdu City, we'll explore the Old Town of Kuanzhai Xiangzi, whos ancient streets are preserved from the Qing dynasty. This area of Chengdu is easily considered the most culturally rich and stylish part of the City. Evening free and dinner on our own Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
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Day 11 - In the morning we will embark on a boat tour to see the the world famous Giant Buddha of Leshan, carved into the cliff-face of Mount Emei, preserved from the 8th century. After the tour we'll explore Leshan City, the center of the Yi minority community. Lunch included at local restaurant. In the evening we'll enjoy tea and watch a Sichuan Opera, famous for it's acrobatics and facial makeup. Dinner will be on our own. Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
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Day 12 - In the morning we'll transfer to the Museum of Sichuan Cuisine. Chengdu's Sichuan Cuisine Museum is the first museum in the world to display and teach an original cooking culture. You can not only see the famous Sichuan food, but also smell it, taste it, and even cook it yourself. We'll get to take a cooking class while here, as well as see the Museum's collections of ancient Chinese Cooking utensils. After the tour we return to the hotel. As this will be our last evening together, for those not going on to Xian, we will have our Farewell Dinner. Meals included: all.
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Day 13 (May 14th - End of Main Trip) - Departures Home and transfer for the Xian Trip extension.
Xian Post Trip
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For those going on the extension, in the morning transfer to Chengdu Train Station and take high speed train to Xian, First class. Upon arrival we'll transfer to the Hyatt Regency Hotel Xian with Lake View Rooms. Xian was one of the most important cities on the Silk route connecting the great cities of central Asia with Beijing. Here we'll see the blending of traditional Chinese, Central Asian, and Islamic cultures. In the late afternoon and evening we'll stroll along Xian City's ancient Wall, as well as visit the Muslim Snack market. Lunch and dinner will be on our own. Meals included: Breakfast.
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Day 14 - After breakfast we visit the famous Terra Cotta Warriors. One of the world’s greatest archaeological finds, the Terracotta Warriors were discovered quite by chance in 1974 by a group of peasants digging a well outside of Xi’an. These sculptures of soldiers, chariots and horses were funerary statues made to accompany China’s first emperor to the afterlife over 2100 years ago. Legend has it that it took 100,000 men took 38 years to create the soldiers, which all vary in rank, posture, height, uniform and facial features. After the tour and lunch we'll transfer back to the hotel for a break.
In the late afternoon we'll go to a Shannxi traditional food demonstration. In Northern China, where Chinese Civilization began, food was based on the use of wheat instead of rice, and the Shannxi people today have a strong culinary preference for wheat based dumplings and noodles. We will learn to make 3-4 dishes, which we'll eat for dinner. After dinner we transfer back to the hotel. Meals included: all.
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Day 15 - In the morning we transfer a Farmer’s Painting Village, where we'll be treated to a visit inside a rural Farmer's home where we'll see local paintings, and be served lunch. After lunch we transfer back to Xian to visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the single most important Buddhist structure in all of China, and one of the most important in the world. In the evening, after touring the site we'll enjoy a special dinner serving a wide variety of dumplings accompanied with a Tang Dynasty performance. Recreated from historical records, artwork, relics and artefacts, the traditional instruments, hairstyles, dances and brilliant costumes of the Tang era are brought to life in this wondrous and highly entertaining display. Meals included: all.
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Day 16 (May 17th -End of Extension Trip) - Free at leisure before transfer to Xian Airport for your departure flights.
Details
Prices:
-A $1000 deposit will reserve your space on the trip
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Main Trip - $6,850 per person/shared room
- $1,500 Single Supplement (total: $8,350) -
Main Trip + Xian Extension - $7,850 per person/shared room
- $1900 Single Supplement (total: $9,750)-
Includes internal airfares and train.
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Tour price includes:
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Accommodation as per itinerary with daily breakfasts.
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Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees for included museums and other activities.
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English Speaking local Guides
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Government tax and services charge
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Gratuities and Tips
Tour price does not include:
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International and domestic airfares, except those noted above
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Visa fee (Visa should be obtained online prior to travel
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Meals other than specified as included.
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Drinks during included meals.
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Travel Insurance
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Personal expenses such as laundry and beverages, wines, liquors, or refreshments additional to meals provided; room service; meals not specified; excess baggage fees; communication charges; personal insurance coverage.
Cancellations:
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30 days or less prior to departure date, no refund is possible
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31 - 60 days prior to departure date, 25% is refundable.
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61 – 90 days prior to departure date, 50% is refundable.
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More than 90 days prior to departure date, 100% (less $1000 non-refundable deposit) is refundable.
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Final Payment due 4 months before departure. (Dec 31st 2021)
Changes of Itinerary:
The itinerary of the tour may be modified if flight schedule or any events beyond our control make such alterations necessary.
Send checks to: Ron Wixman Travels 698 Fulvue Drive, Eugene Oregon 97405
