Wander Tour of Yunnan Minority with Solar Eclipse Viewing: 16 days
Itinerary
Day 1 Wed 08-Jul-09 Meal(s)
Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to China. Upon arrival, our local guide will take you to your downtown hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city.
Day 2 Thu 09-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L+D) Beijing
Sightseeing: Tiananmen Square/ Forbidden City/ Temple of Heaven/ Peking Duck Dinner
Today you will visit Tiananmen Square which is considered the largest square in the world. Subsequently, you will visit the Forbidden City, the most complete imperial palace in China. Later you will also visit the Temple of Heaven. The Temple of Heaven was built in the year 1420 and symbolized the emperor’s ability to contact the sky through it.
In the evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner in a famous restaurant.
Day 3 Fri 10-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Beijing
Sightseeing: Badaling Great Wall / Spirit Way / Ming Tombs
After breakfast, you will visit the Badaling Great Wall where you will experience at first hand the wonder of the Great Wall. For lunch you'll sample some delicious fare in a local restaurant. Afterwards, take a short drive to visit the Spirit Way and one of Ming Tombs. The Spirit Way is an impressive marble archway as well as the entrance to the Ming Tombs. It is flanked with many animal and human statues to the left and on the right.
The Ming Tombs represent the royal tombs of the Ming Dynasty. Thirteen emperors of the Ming dynasty from 1368 to 1644 are buried there.
Day 4 Sat 11-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Beijing – Xian
Sightseeing: Summer Palace / Lama Temple
Transfer via: FM flight
Today you will start the day with a trip to the Summer Palace, which has a history of over 800 years. All the man-made hills, halls, pavilions and temples, including Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, blend together harmoniously in spite of their individual styles. After lunch, you will also pay a visit to the Lama Temple. It is a typical Tibetan Monastery in Beijing and reveals various architectural styles from Han, Mongolia, Manchuria and Tibet, and features the impressive 60-foot Maitreya Buddha, carved form a single sandalwood tree.
After visiting the Lama Temple, you will go directly to the airport to take a flight to Xian and transfer to your downtown hotel.
Day 5 Sun 12-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Xian
Sightseeing: the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum/ Big Wild Goose Pagoda/ Bell Tower
Today you will visit what has been called the 8th Wonder of the World, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. It is one of the most important archaeological excavations and cultural findings of the 20th century. After lunch, you will to the city to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is one of symbols of Xian and a remarkable milestone of Chinese architecture. Afterward, you will visit the Bell Tower. Originally built in 1348, the Bell Tower in Xian is situated in the very heart of the city and is the best-preserved and best-known example in China.
Day 6 Mon 13-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Xian – Lhasa
Transfer via: AM flight
In the morning, you will depart for a flight to Lhasa and transfer to your hotel. We strongly recommend that you then take a rest in order to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude in preparation for the next few days’ touring.
Day 7 Tue 14-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Lhasa
Sightseeing: the Potala Palace/ Norbulingka/ Sera Monastery
In the morning, you will visit the most well-known landmark of Tibet, the Potala Palace, which is famous for its grand buildings, complicated construction, devotional atmosphere and splendid artworks. Afterwards, you will visit Norbulingka, meaning 'Treasure Park' in Tibetan. Then you will also pay a visit to Sera Monastery. It is one of three famous monasteries in Lhasa along with the Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery.
Day 8 Wed 15-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Lhasa
Sightseeing: Jokhang Temple/ Barkhor Street/ Drepung Monastery
Today you'll start from the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism - Jokhang Temple. With an area of 25,100 square meters (about six acres), it is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims. Afterwards, you will visit Barkhor Street, which is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple. As a symbol of Lhasa, this street is also a must-see for tourists. After visiting Barkhor Street, you will proceed to Drepung Monastery. Drepung Monastery is known as the most important monastery of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism.
Day 9 Thu 16-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Lhasa – Kunming
Transfer via: AM flight
In the morning, you will depart for a flight to Kunming and transfer to your hotel.
Day 10 Fri 17-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Kunming
Sightseeing: Stone Forest/ Golden Temple
You will get up early in the morning and drive about 120km to visit the Stone Forest. Magnificent stone masterpieces, various strange and steep intricate formations, and countless labyrinthine vistas can be found here. After lunch, transfer back to Kunming city. On the way, visit Golden Temple, the largest copper temple in China.
Day 11 Sat 18-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Kunming – Dali
Transfer via: AM flight
Sightseeing: Erhai Lake Park/ Three Pagodas/Dali Ancient City
In the morning, you will take a morning flight to Dali and transfer to the downtown hotel.
You will begin the day with a visit to Erhai Lake Park, renowned as 'a pearl on the plateau'. Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. Afterwards, you will visit the Three Pagodas. This is a symbol of the history of Dali City, and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area. After visiting the Three Pagodas, you will also pay a visit to Dali Ancient City. Its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and marvelous scenery attract many visitors from home and aboard.
Day 12 Sun 19-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Dali – Lijiang
Transfer via: Private van
Sightseeing: Black Dragon Pool/ Dongba Cultural Museum/ Old Town of Lijiang
In the morning, you spend 3.5 hours in a private van driving to Lijiang and check in at the hotel. Then you will visit Black Dragon Pool. With an area of 40 hectares (over 430,000 sq ft), it provides a haven for bird and water-life, with spectacular plants. Afterwards, you will pay a visit to Dongba Cultural Museum, the best place to get a close look at Dongba culture. In the mid-afternoon, visit the Old Town of Lijiang, a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture.
Day 13 Mon 20-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Lijiang
Sightseeing: Yuhu Village/ Dr. Joseph Rock/ Baisha Mural
You spend today on the site of the Yuhu Village, a simple village of the Naxi minority with the former residence of Dr. Joseph Rock, an Austro-American botanist and explorer who lived here off and on from 1922-1949. Your next stop is Baisha Village to visit the Baisha Mural. The Baisha Mural displays the different religious cultures and arts forms from Buddhism, Lamaism, Daoism and the Naxi Dongba religion. Afterwards, you will visit the Yufeng Temple, one of the Scarlet Sect lamaseries of Lijiang.
Day 14 Tue 21-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B) Lijiang – Shanghai
Transfer via: FM flight
The morning is free for you to explore the ancient city. Then take your flight to Shanghai and transfer to your downtown hotel.
Day 15 Wed 22-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B+L) Shanghai
Sightseeing: Viewing solar eclipse/ Yu Yuan garden/ Jade Buddha Temple/ Shanghai Xin Tian Di
Following an early breakfast we will depart for the eclipse viewing site which will be announced in the morning. Depending on the weather we will travel to the east or west of Jiaxing and this decision will be made in real time. We will locate our site in this zone where up to 5m 52s of totality can be seen. Afterwards you will visit the Yu Yuan garden, a former private garden, called a work of art, consisting of designs with different styles of traditional Chinese horticultural art. After lunch continue by visiting the Jade Buddha Temple, which is renowned for its 2m-tall Buddha carved from a single piece of white jade, brought to China by a Burmese monk in 1822. Then you will stroll along Shanghai Xin Tian Di, which has become an urban tourist attraction that holds the historical and cultural legacies of the city.
Day 16 Thu 23-Jul-09 Meal(s) (B)
Leave for home
The morning is at your leisure before boarding your flight back home.
Price
| Person | 1 | 2-5 | 6-9 | |
| Price per person( USD $ ) | 5 Star | 5759 | 3733 | 3384 |
| 4 Star | 5015 | 3361 | 3012 | |
| 3 Star | 4497 | 3102 | 2753 | |
Price list
Price Includes:
a. Entrance fees to all the scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary
b. Hotel accommodations with breakfast as specified (If there is no Western breakfast available, we have to arrange Chinese one instead)
c. All meals as specified in the itinerary. B=Western or Chinese breakfast, L=Chinese lunch in a local restaurant, D=Chinese dinner in a local restaurant
d. Internal flights including taxes and fuel fee or train/bus tickets as listed in the itinerary
e. Professional local guides and drivers in each destination city
f. Private Transfers between airports, docks, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each destination city by the private air conditioned car or van
g. Luggage Transfers between airports/docks and hotels
h. Arrangements for the planning, handling, operational and communication charges
i. Government taxes.
Price excludes:
a. International air and train tickets for coming to and leaving from mainland China
b. Visa fees
c. Excess Baggage Charges
d. Meals which are not specified with "B", "L" or "D".
e. Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, tips to guides or drivers, FAX, telephone, excess baggage charges
f. Gratuities, tips to guides and drivers
g. Personal loss, illness or damages incurred during your trip
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