Beijing to Shanghai | 11 Days

Highlights of China & the Yangtze

BEIJING TO SHANGHAI / 11 DAYS

CHINA

A spellbinding odyssey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture and history

Journey through a land of contrasts—skyscrapers and ancient temples, serene gardens and bustling city streets—to discover the heart of this ever-changing country From China’s staggering architectural monuments—the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Great Wall—to the natural beauty of the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, this itinerary introduces a discerning traveler to China’s highlights

The unique experience that is China fills your senses from the moment you arrive: the sound of Mandarin in Beijing’s streets, the scent of delicate Xi’an dumplings, the detailing on terra-cotta figures that have survived for millennia Simultaneously ancient and contemporary, China must be heard, seen and felt to be understood—and Uniworld’s experts will be on hand to guide you through this vast land, as you delve into China’s cultural legacy and timeless wonder

WHO WILL ENJOY THIS CRUISE/TOUR: Those who wish to experience the vast sweep of China’s culture, history and landscape in a short period

CRUISE/TOUR PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS:

TRAVEL 3-night Yangtze River cruise in a riverview Executive Suite with a private balcony onboard the Century Legend* 7 nights in luxury hotels, including buffet breakfast and all service charges, taxes and porterage* Tips for local experts and drivers All transportation throughout your trip, including flights within China All transfers on arrival and departure days

(see transfer guidelines on page 90)

TASTE 10 buffet breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners Peking Duck lunch in Beijing Dinner is served at the base of the Great Wall with complimentary wine Captain’s Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner

Complimentary house wine, local beers and soft drinks during onboard dinners Special themed meals: hutong family-hosted lunch, traditional dumpling banquet, Tang Dynasty dinner and dim sum lunch

EXPLORE 8 days of captivating, fully escorted excursions with English-speaking local experts Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise/ Tour Manager throughout your trip State-of-the-art portable audio headset system on select excursions throughout your trip

EXPERIENCE Exclusive VIP benefits onboard

Group photo at the Great Wall Exciting evening entertainment, including a Tang Dynasty show, teahouse visit and the Shanghai Acrobats

*Ship and hotels are subject to change

From $4,699 per person, cruise/tour

DAY 1 b Beijing A Uniworld representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Ritz-Carlton, a luxury oasis in the heart of Beijing

DAY 2 b BB L

Beijing FEATURED EXCURSIONS: The imperial heritage of China’s capital: Forbidden City and Peking Duck lunch Delve into the grandeur of imperial China on your first full day in Beijing Tiananmen Square, the center of modern-day civic life in the city, is your gateway to the Forbidden City, the vast complex of palaces, gardens and offices that housed China’s emperors for 500 years Here bureaucrats and concubines schemed for power and artisans created treasures of the Qing and Ming dynasties Savor a treasure of a different kind over lunch— Peking Duck, served to emperors since the 13th century—and wonder at the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO-designated site where the emperors performed the rituals that guaranteed the empire’s safety (Uniworld has arranged a surprise here that lets you experience a cherished local custom )

DAY 3 b BB L WD

Beijing FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Culture, history and intrigue: pandas, hutongs, teahouse and Welcome Dinner at the base of the Great Wall Start the day with smiles from the giant pandas at the zoo before exploring the labyrinthine alleyways of the residential neighborhoods—known as the hutongs—dating back 500 years Explore the area near the Forbidden City, first via rickshaw and then by sitting down for lunch with a local family Two towers mark the neighborhood; one, a 600-year-old bell tower, hosts a traditional tea ceremony that will remind you of tea’s central place in China’s culture Cap off your day with another unforgettable highlight: the Great Wall, the legendary ramparts that protected 4,000 miles of China’s ancient borders—followed by a Welcome

Dinner with complimentary wine at the base of the Great Wall itself

DAY 4 b d BB D Beijing, fly to Xi’an FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Grace and art—Beijing’s Summer Palace and Xi’an’s traditional dumpling banquet Emperors fled the summer heat to relax by the shores of Kunming Lake, where they created a Qing Dynasty garden that embodies the highest achievement in Chinese landscape design Stroll the inviting Long Corridor, admiring the bridges and temples that adorn the man-made lake, and drift over its peaceful waters in a boat that offers ravishing views Empress Cixi’s (the Holy Mother) marble boat, “moored” on the lake, is the only sign the lake ever had a naval function, though legend says that Emperor Qianlong observed naval maneuvers on it

From Beijing, you’ll fly to the ancient capital of Xi’an, where you’ll settle into the serene Shangri-La Xi’an hotel and enjoy a traditional dumpling banquet

DAY 5 b BB L D

Xi’an FEATURED EXCURSIONS: China’s first capital— a Terra-cotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Tang Dynasty dinner show Twenty-two centuries ago, Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified a huge swath of the country (and gave it his name)—and he intended to keep what he conquered, even in the afterlife He created an astonishing Terra-cotta Army to guard his tomb, which laid undisturbed until the 20th century Only about 8,000 of the UNESCO-designated Terracotta Warriors and Horses have been excavated, and they still stand in battle formation to face his long-dead enemies at the museum dedicated to this amazing archaeological discovery From the battlefields, seek peace and pleasure at the serene seven-story Big Wild Goose Pagoda, sacred to Buddhists since the seventh century; legend states if you throw a coin through the pagoda’s windows, it will bring you good luck—give it a try A lovely traditional dinner and a cultural performance that re-creates the music, folk dances and gorgeous silk costumes of the Tang Dynasty provide the perfect ending to a day in China’s ancient capital

DAY 6 b d e BB D Xi’an, fly to Chongqing, cruising the Yangtze River Cherished for 10,000 years, jade is valued for both its intrinsic beauty and its symbolic meaning Watch artisans carving intricate designs Transfer to the airport and fly to Chongqing, where you’ll board your ship and settle into your Executive Suite

DAY 7 BB L D

Cruising the Yangtze River, Shibaozhai FEATURED EXCURSION: The Three Gorges—the Yangtze’s fairytale landscape Limestone cliffs, sheathed in greenery, loom above the water; mountains, wreathed in mist, tower in the distance; every view of the Three Gorges is a picture straight out of China’s iconic watercolor illustrations—breathtaking, ethereal and unforgettable A stop at Shibao Pagoda, built into the side of a steep hill that is now an island as a result of rising waters from the Three Gorges Dam, offers you a colorful encounter with some unusual legends Later, enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception, with complimentary wine, giving you a chance to mingle with your fellow passengers

DAY 8 S BB L FD

Cruising the Yangtze River, Goddess Stream FEATURED EXCURSION: The magical Goddess Stream Float through one of the world’s most exquisite landscapes: The pristine turquoise waters of the Goddess Stream shimmer and bubble around your small boat and sheer cliffs rise high overhead The day offers one of China’s most amazing contrasts, for your ship will leave these peaceful waters to navigate the enormous Three Gorges Dam locks Bid adieu to the river with a Farewell Dinner

Note: Due to water conditions, we may substitute a Shennong Stream boat tour if the Goddess Stream is not available

DAY 9 e b d BB L Cruising the Yangtze River, Yichang, fly to Shanghai FEATURED EXCURSION: Powering China’s future— Three Gorges Dam It’s the world’s largest hydroelectric project: The Three Gorges Dam is designed to control flooding on the Yangtze and provide electrical power for a huge part of the country The controversial project has forever altered the landscape, but its scale is a tribute to the nation’s ambition Later, catch a flight to Shanghai, where your elegant room at the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund awaits

DAY 10 b BB L

Shanghai FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Spectacular skyscrapers, famous dim sum and acrobats Past, present and future combine on the exciting, busy streets of Shanghai Astonishing skyscrapers soar far overhead, and the Bund, Shanghai’s famed waterfront promenade, reminds you that this city, once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” was the West’s gateway to China Do a little last-minute shopping while taking in the spectacular views Could you leave China without a traditional dim sum lunch? It’s waiting for you at your hotel Cap off your journey with one last highlight experiencing spinning plates, flying knives and whirling HulaHoops as agile acrobats dance across swaying tightropes and perform death-defying leaps as the famous Shanghai acrobatic troupe performs their astonishing, gravity-defying routines

DAY 11 b CB/BB Depart Shanghai Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or continue your adventure with a memorable optional extension to Hong Kong

OPTIONAL POST-CRUISE/TOUR EXTENSION

Hong Kong, China

Included in your 4-day stay: • 3 nights in Hong Kong • Buffet breakfast daily • All service charges, taxes and porterage • Exclusive Hong Kong Island tour • Boat ride at Aberdeen Fishing Village • Flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong • Private transfers From $1,399 per person†

(Single supplement from $649) †Price depends on season of travel Note: This extension is for cruise/tours that end in Shanghai See page 45 for more details

EARLY-BOOKING SAVINGS OFFERS

Couples SAVE $800 with full payment at time of booking. Offer expires June 30, 2016.

Couples SAVE $400 with deposit at time of booking. Offer expires October 31, 2016.

OR

Book early—offers are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time.

CRUISE/TOUR PRICING PER PERSON

SHIP

START DATE Century Legend Apr 3 Apr 10, 17 May 1, 8, 15, 22 Jun 5, 19 Jul 3, 10, 24 Aug 7, 14, 28 Sep 4, 11, 18 Oct 9, 16, 23

EXECUTIVE SUITE

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE* $4,899 $6,499 $4,999 $6,599 $5,299 $6,899 $4,749 $6,349 $4,699 $6,299 $4,699 $6,299 $5,299 $6,899 $5,299 $6,899 BEIJING TO SHANGHAI

DAY PORT/CITY

1 Beijing 2 Beijing 3 Beijing 4 Beijing, fly to Xi’an 5 Xi’an 6 Xi’an, fly to Chongqing (embark), cruising the Yangtze River 7 Cruising the Yangtze River, Shibaozhai 8 Cruising the Yangtze River, Goddess Stream 9 Cruising the Yangtze River, Yichang (disembark), fly to Shanghai 10 Shanghai 11 Shanghai, transfer to the airport

Ship Deck Plan: See page 65

Prices listed are for double occupancy accommodation Single supplement applies for single accommodation

Triple accommodation is available with a rollaway bed * Presidential Suites on request International airfare is not included in the prices listed Please inquire at time of booking for best available airfare pricing Prices listed include all intra-tour flights Note: Order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary Substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to water levels or other uncontrollable factors