CHINA - HONG KONG HISTORICAL SITES AND TEXTILES TOUR

Wednesday October 27 - November 16, 2004
Hong Kong Optional Tour, November 16 - 19

Below is the day-by-day itinerary for those interested in taking this exciting tour. For overviews and pictures of the sites, click here.

Read an "end-of-tour" poem written by one of the travelers.

Oct 27 Depart USA for Beijing, China.

Oct 28 Arrive in Beijing (after crossing International Dateline) transfer to hotel. Crown Plaza Hotel (5 star).

Oct 29 Touring begins after lunch, giving you time to catch up on jetlag and get some rest in the morning. Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, cloisonne factory. Beijing Duck Dinner. B/L/D.

Oct 30 Mitianyu Great Wall with cable car ride, Ming Tombs and Museum, and Sacred Way. B/L/D.

Oct 31 Forbidden City (Jewelry Rooms), Hutong Tour, Summer Palace with cruise on Lake Kunming, Special Mongolian Hot Pot dinner. B/L/D.

Nov 1 Late morning or early afternoon flight to Xian. Mosque and Muslim quarter. Special buffet dinner at hotel. Hyatt Hotel (5 star). B/L/D.

Nov 2 Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, City Wall and Gate, Jade Carving Factory, Shaanxi Provincial Historic Museum, special dumpling dinner. B/L/D.

Nov 3 Visit countryside farmer-painting workshop, afternoon flight to Wuhan or Yichang (depends on flight schedules). Board Victoria Katerina. B/L/D.

Nov 4 Morning shore excursion to site of new Three Gorges Dam. Sail through the Three Gorges shiplocks and Xiling Gorge, a long and twisting passage through rushing rapids, weathered peaks, landmark caves and temples. B/L/D.

Nov 5 Excursion to Danning River or Shennong Stream (depends of water conditions). Pass through Wu Gorge, a breathtaking narrow passage through misty peaks and sheer cliffs. Sail through Qutang Gorge, known for its magnificence and scenic spots. B/L/D.

Nov 6 Shore excursion to Wanxian or Fengdu (depends on water conditions). Captain's farewell banquet. B/L/D.

Nov 7 Arrive Chongqing, disembark. City tour including pandas at Zoo if time allows. Afternoon flight to Kunming. Special buffet dinner at hotel. Harbour Plaza Hotel (4-star). B/L/D.

Nov 8 Morning flight to Lijiang, Museum of Dongba Culture, special visit to orphanage sponsored by Americans, tie-dyeing with indigo workshop. Evening musical performance. Grand Hotel (3-star). B/L/D.

Nov 9 Old Town, afternoon bus to Dali, along the way visiting Heqing for silver-making workshop, visit typical home of Bai ethnic group, visit Xizhou village, and Xinjua village. Asia Star Hotel (4-star). B/L/D.

Nov 10 Three Pagodas, cruise on Erhai Lake, ancient city wall, Catholic Church and walk through old town Dali, evening visit with Mr. He LiYi at his Cultural Cafe. B/L/D.

Nov 11 Flight to Kunming. Flight to Nanjing. Special buffet dinner at hotel. Sheraton Hotel, (5-star). B/L/D.

Nov 12 Yun Brocade Weaving Research Center, Examination Hall, Nanjing bridge if time allows, Nanjing Museum, late afternoon train to Suzhou. Special buffet dinner at hotel. New City Garden Hotel (4 star) B/L/D.

Nov 13 National Embroidery Research Institute and Museum, Silk Museum, Silk Reeling Mill. Evening show at Master of Nets Garden. B/L/D.

Nov 14 Lingering Garden, cruise on Grand Canal, special dim-sum lunch at local teahouse, local shopping. Late train to Shanghai. Evening drive by the Bund. Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel (4 star) B/L/D.

Nov 15 Jin Mao Tower, Bound Foot Shoe Museum, Shanghai Museum, Friendship Store, if time allows. Mongolian Barbecue lunch, special buffet dinner at hotel. B/L/D.

Nov 16 Early morning flight for those departing from Shanghai. They arrive LAX same day after crossing international dateline. Those on optional Hong Kong tour enjoy mid-day flight to Hong Kong. B/L.

OPTIONAL HONG KONG TOUR

Nov 16 Arrive Hong Kong, transfer to Langham Hotel (formerly known as Great Eagle Hotel). B/L.

Nov 17 Morning visit to Valery Garrett home for lecture or Teresa Coleman Textile Gallery and tour Victoria Peak. B.

Nov 18 Free day for shopping, visiting galleries and museums, Hollywood Road for antiques. B.

Nov 19 Morning flight Hong Kong to USA. Arrive same day after crossing international dateline.