DAYS 1 – 4

Arrive in Beijing on Day 2. Explore the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with special access to the Chong Hua Palace. Walk the Great Wall and celebrate China’s culinary delights with a Peking Duck dinner. Explore the hutongs — narrow streets of “Old China” — by rickshaw. Enjoy a cup of tea and a visit to the home of a local family.

St. Regis Hotel, Beijing

DAYS 5 & 6

Stand face-to-face with the Terra Cotta Warriors, a subterranean army more than 7,000 strong, discovered at the burial site of Emperor Qinshihuang. Visit the Wild Goose Pagoda, and explore Xi’an’s buried past at the Shaanxi Historical Museum.

Shangri-La Hotel, Xi’an

DAYS 7 – 9

Explore the streets and museums of Chongqing at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers to get a sense of China’s modern history. Then check into your junior suite on the M/V Victoria Jenna to relax, dine and begin your cruise on the Yangtze River. Glide through river towns, view the grandeur of the Three Gorges and survey the Gezhou Dam in Yichang, the largest public works project in China since the Great Wall. You will be treated to à la carte dining on all three nights of your cruise and a private sampan ride to sightsee and explore the breathtaking gorges up close.

M/V Victoria Jenna

DAYS 10 – 12

Ancient tradition and modern ambition meld in Shanghai. Survey the city’s architectural wonders and stroll the serene paths of Yu Garden in Shanghai’s Old Town. Witness the blending of age-old customs and contemporary architecture at the Shanghai Museum’s extraordinary collection of ancient Chinese art, which resides in a stunning building in the heart of the city. Experience a magical evening marveling at a performance by Chinese acrobats.

Pudong Shangri-La Hotel, Shanghai

DAYS 13 & 14

Guilin’s stunning landscapes have long inspired Chinese poets and painters. Explore Fubo Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill and the Reed Flute Caves, where you will see amazing stalactites and stalagmites. A cruise on the Li River reveals more natural beauty and daily river traffic — from one-man bamboo rafts to large junks. Take a tour of Daxu’s Old Town with its narrow streets paved with old tablets and well-preserved houses dating from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin

DAYS 15 & 16

Take a chairlift ride up to the scenery of the Yak Meadow, situated at an elevation of over 11,000 feet. In Baisha Village you’ll see the fascinating Buddhist frescoes on many of its buildings, and visit two fascinating temples. Explore Yuhu Village, known for the unique architecture of its “monkey head” houses. The following day, visit Black Dragon and Lijiang Old Town.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Lijiang

DAYS 17 & 18

Kunming is renowned for its Stone Forest — unusual, densely placed limestone pillars — often called “the most fantastic scenery under heaven.” See the striking landmark of the Three Pagodas. The main pagoda is one of the tallest in Chinese history.

Grand Park Hotel, Kunming

DAYS 19 – 21

Treat yourself to Hong Kong’s culinary delicacies, museums, parks and bustling harbor. View the area from Victoria Peak, float across Aberdeen Harbor in a sampan and search for treasures at Stanley Market. Enjoy a farewell dinner to seal your experience. 

On Day 21 you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home or on to your next destination.

Island Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

St. Regis Hotel
Beijing, China

The St. Regis, Beijing is the hallmark of luxurious accommodations in China, with a rich tradition of exceptional service and hospitality. It is a deluxe boutique hotel and all guests have Executive Floor benefits and 24-hour butler service. Located just a few minutes away from Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Silk Market, the hotel was named in Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List.

Services include complimentary light pressing of garments on arrival, coffee and tea facilities in your room, and complimentary evening cocktail in the Executive lounge, fresh fruit daily, unlimited bottled water and complimentary local telephone calls. All guestrooms are beautifully furnished with a warm and inviting color scheme. Rooms are equipped with large TV screen, telephone, optional internet access, mini bar, private in-room safe and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Shangri-La Hotel, Xi’an
Xi’an, China

This new 397-room hotel is located in Xian’s prestigious GaoXin hi-tech development zone, on the doorstep to the city’s finest shopping and entertainment. The hotel’s facilities include a business center and fully-equipped health club with indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam and sauna rooms. Services include laundry service, beauty salon, gift & retail shops, and complimentary shoe shine. There are a tempting array of dining options, including a lobby lounge and specialty and Chinese restaurants. In-room dining is also available around the clock.

The Shangri-La’s spacious guest rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the city or the gardens, along with internet access, 24-hour room service, coffee/tea facilities, a mini bar and electronic safe. Travcoa’s Horizon Club rooms offer an enhanced level of service and amenities including the services of a personal concierge and use of the Horizon Club lounge with soft beverage available throughout the day.

M/V Victoria Jenna
Yangtze River cruise

Your home for three lovely nights, the new Victoria Jenna will have her inaugural sailing March 2009 follows in the footsteps set by its sister ship, the M/V Victoria Anna, as setting a new standard of cruise ship design for Yangtze River cruising. This luxury ship is constructed with a blending of both modern and elegant architecture.

Victoria Cruises is the only American-managed cruise line on the Yangtze River. It has international multi-lingual cruise directors and offers an array of shipboard amenities including a lounge, panoramic observation deck, outdoor Jacuzzi, fitness center and beauty salon.

The Victoria Jenna takes luxury cruising on the Yangtze to a whole new level with its generous cabin space, floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies opening up to breathtaking views, allowing you to absorb the natural beauty of the Three Gorges from the comfort of your cabin. She also boasts elegant atriums with sparkling chandeliers and gleaming woods, with an overall décor of American and European influences with Asian accents.

All cruises feature excellent cuisine, with both Western and Chinese specialties; interesting lectures on Chinese history and culture; live entertainment featuring traditional performing arts; Tai Qi, acupuncture and Chinese medicine lectures; introductory Chinese Mandarin lessons; international TV programming including HBO and BBC; in-house daily movies; internet access and online services; and on-board health and therapeutic services.

Pudong Shangri-La Hotel
Shanghai, China

Prominently situated along the famous Huangpu River, the Pudong Shangri-La Hotel has breathtaking views of Shanghai’s legendary riverfront—the Bund—and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Its 606 rooms are the most spacious in the city and are complemented by three restaurants, an entertainment center and lobby lounge. The hotel is well-equipped with recreational facilities including an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, tennis court, gym, massage, Jacuzzi, sauna and a steam bath.

The rooms have an IDD telephone and computer/fax line, mini bar, refrigerator, work desk, electronic safe and remote controlled TV/radio.

Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin
Guilin, China

Overlooking the picturesque banks of the legendary Li River, this classic Chinese-style hotel sits on an impressive 12 acre site, from where Guilin’s leading tourist attractions - including Diecai Mountain and the city's charming pedestrian tourist area - are all easily accessible.

The hotel's 449 guest rooms and suites are the most spacious in the city, and guests are offered a diverse selection of recreational facilities and an interesting variety of dining opportunities during their stay. With exceptional levels of service and comfort, Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin is the premier choice for discerning visitors to this remarkable city.

Banyan Tree Hotel, Lijiang
Lijiang, China

The pulse radiating from Lijiang resonates a symphony full of soul, peace and ethnic harmony. To the north of this beautiful city rises the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a sacred sanctuary which has protected the ethnic minorities and their unique cultures since ancient times. Another splendor is the Old Town of Lijiang, regarded as the Venice of the Orient because of the many bridges and canals that lace through the maze of cobbled streets. This historic town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its ethnic charm, historical milieu and architectural landscape.

Banyan Tree Lijiang Resort & Spa's luxurious villas reflect the rich fabric of this locale through their design and furnishings. For souvenirs, visit the inimitable Banyan Tree Gallery and bring home exclusive handicrafts – each traditional memento has a story to tell about the misty hamlet of Lijiang.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Lijiang
Lijiang, China

Set amidst a sprawling expanse of lush greenery, the Crowne Plaza Lijiang Ancient Town is strategically located in World Cultural Heritage listed Lijiang, Yunnan Province. It is a five-minute walk to Sifangjie (Square Market), the hub of Ancient Town and a 30-minute car ride to Lijiang Airport.Situated inside Ancient Town with direct vehicular access to and from the main street, the hotel's architecture and interiors reflect strong influences from the unique Naxi/Dongba culture with a hint of contemporary t...(see more)ouches woven strategically into selected public areas. This hotel is an ideal hub for conferences and meetings and is equipped with impressive business-friendly facilities, multimedia visual systems, telecommunication systems, and a series of successful meeting products. The hotel also offers housekeeping and laundry facilities, indoor pool, business service, and concierge service.The hotel offers elegant guest rooms with Naxi/Dongba ethnic charm along with first-class recreational facilities, attentive and courteous service. The rooms offer cable TV, work desks with lamps, telephones with voicemail, bathtubs, and hairdryers.

Grand Park Hotel
Kunming, China

The Grand Park Hotel is situated alongside the Green Lake Park, one of the most popular attractions in Kunming, providing tranquil, scenic views of willows along the bank, and lotus flowers on the lake. Not far from Kunming’s central commercial area, the Grand Park enjoys both the beautiful natural scenery of the area and convenient shopping facilities. The Grand Park’s fully equipped business center provides an extensive range of business related services including secretarial services, telecommunications, equipment rental and more. There is also a fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool and a beauty salon.

All 321 rooms are decorated in elegant style, enjoy lake or city views, are air-conditioned and have a range of amenities including internet access, satellite TV, mini bar, hairdryer and in-room safe.

Island Shangri-La Hotel
Hong Kong, China

Consistently voted one of the finest hotels in the world, the Island Shangri-La Hotel is centrally located in the heart of Hong Kong. Towering 56 floors above the Victoria Harbor, it has direct access to Pacific Place—the island’s most prestigious shopping and entertainment complex.

Its eight award-winning restaurants bring an exquisite dining experience for the epicurean. The hotel also features the world’s largest Chinese silk painting, “The Great Motherland of China,” in its Atrium.

The 565 rooms and suites of this luxurious hotel are among the largest in Hong Kong and each offer breathtaking views of the city and famous harbor from wide bay windows. Amenities include broadband internet access, voice mail, satellite/cable television, DVD player, LCD TV in bathroom, international direct dial telephone, electronic safe, mini bar, coffee/tea making facilities and full-size executive writing desk.

The hotel’s recreation and fitness facilities include a 24-hour fitness center, massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, sauna and steam room, solariums and an outdoor swimming pool.

Sharon Zimmerman

Sharon’s outstanding people skills have helped her to guide travelers on fascinating journeys to Asia, Africa and South America. Her favorite memories come from tours she led to the Hindu Kingdom of Nepal. In her own words, “You simply haven’t lived until you have been on the back of a galloping elephant!”

Travel Dates: September 24, 2012

Harry Davis

With over 30 wonderful years at Travcoa, Harry can’t imagine life without discovering new places and meeting interesting people on a regular basis. His passion is to share his excitement for travel and adventure. In addition to English, Harry also speaks Spanish, German, and Arabic.

Travel Dates: October 01, 2012