Jasmine's China Adventure Tours - Dragon River Odyssey

Chinese pizza ? Chengdu street scene
(Photo by Paul Behrens)

Dragon River Odyssey

Beijing--Xi'an--Chengdu--Panda Breeding and Research Center--Chongqing--
Dazu Grottoes--Yangtze River Three Gorges Cruise--Shanghai
17 days
Monthly departure on the 2nd Saturday, all year around, 2010-2011
$3,450 USD per person, double occupancy
Land cost only; does not include international airfare
Guaranteed departure with minimum of 2 people
(Special note: Travelers joining this trip between May 1--October 31, 2010, can use the free day in Shanghai to visit the Shanghai Expo! Please contact me for more details.)

Book Now!
Terms and Conditions | Reservation Form

Voyage through the heart of China for an introduction to the iconic attractions of the fabled “Middle Kingdom”, including the Great Wall, an up-close visit with pandas, and a multi-day cruise through the magnificent Three Gorges of the Yangtze River.

Start in Beijing with the major monuments of the Chinese Empire: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and, above all, the Great Wall. But China’s capital is also a city of hidden residential alleyways where families live quietly in ancient courtyard homes, city parks where elderly people gather to do morning exercises, crowded street markets bursting with unusual produce, and night food streets offering unsuspected culinary treasures. You’ll see the real life of China’s capital as it goes on in the shadow of the great monuments, and also taste its culinary specialties, from night market snacks to Beijing Roast Duck served in a neighborhood restaurant, where the local people enjoy it.

Xi'an City Gate

Xi'an City Gate (Photo courtesy of Herb & Ruth Lauritzen.)

Xi'an, of course, offers the world-renowned terra cotta army. But the city also holds an intriguing Moslem Quarter, where the traveler can find traces of the city’s Silk Road past in the colorful and aromatic spice markets and the Central Asian faces of their vendors. You’ll also have a chance to experience an unusual style of life by visiting Jasmine’s local friends in their village of traditional "cave houses" that are a unique feature of the Shaanxi plains.

Centuries ago, the famed poet Du Fu wrote that “the road to Sichuan is harder than the road to heaven”. Then, Sichuan was a distant land isolated from the rest of China by rugged mountains and the difficult passage through the Three Gorges. Now, Chengdu, its administrative capital, is a bustling modern city with a metropolitan area population of over 10 million people. Nevertheless, it still preserves remnants of a more gracious style of life. Some say it has more tea houses than Shanghai; many are located in parks and gardens and present performances of traditional opera and classical poetry. One of the highlights of a visit to Chengdu is the unique “changing faces” performance, where actors change their masks, and their characters, in the blink of an eye. Chengdu is also famous for its hyper-spicy food. Even if you think you know Sichuan-style food from back home, be careful – local specialties such as Sichuan hot pot challenge the most adventurous palates.

Chengdu is also the home of China’s premier giant panda research and breeding center. On your visit, you’ll be able to observe these well-loved icons of China close up, and perhaps even participate in feeding them, as well as learn how scientists are working to preserve and replenish their endangered wild population in the forested mountains of western Sichuan.

From Chengdu, the tour travels by train to Chongqing, the great inland port of the Yangtze River and the starting point for the Three Gorges cruise. Before departure, you’ll take a day trip to the nearby countryside to visit one of the great artistic treasures of China, the Dazu Buddhist Grottoes. Here, 75 protected sites in caves, overhangs and niches on the side of two hills shelter an estimated 50,000 religious carvings, ranging from tiny guardian spirits to large sitting and reclining Buddhas. The first sculptures in the complex date back to the T’ang Dynasty (8th century A.D.), but the majority of the carvings were created during a 400-year period beginning in the 9th century A.D. The isolation of the site protected it from the ravages of the Cultural Revolution, and it remains one of the four greatest collections of religious art in China.

Yuyuan Garden scene

Yuyuan Garden scene, Shanghai (Photo courtesy of John Stamper.)

The multi-day cruise downstream from Chongqing through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River long has been one of the top attractions of China. The completion of the Three Gorges Dam, and the slow filling of the reservoir to its projected maximum level of 175 meters above sea level, undeniably has transformed the landscape of the river. Already, the once-fearsome rapids of the gorges have disappeared beneath the surface of the lake, and most of the relocation of people living beneath the eventual high-water mark has been completed. Great efforts have been made to preserve many of the historical and cultural monuments along the river, in some cases by moving them to higher ground. Travelers will have the chance to see the impact of this tremendous project for themselves as they sail through the fabled gorges, and should get an intimate look at the dam itself when their cruise ship passes through the locks near the end of their voyage.

The tour concludes with three days in Shanghai, the commercial and financial center of modern China. Shanghai is a dynamic metropolis in which narrow residential alleyways connect with bustling modern shopping streets and ultramodern skyscrapers overshadow ancient gardens. Experience the life of Shanghai along the famous riverfront Bund, marvel at the futuristic architecture of the Pudong New Development Area (which holds some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world), learn about the art and history of China in the magnificent new Shanghai Museum, and explore some of the once-infamous foreign concessions with their surprising European-style houses. Travelers taking this tour between May 1 and October 31, 2010 will also have the option of visiting the Shanghai International Expo, with its motto “Better City, Better World”. From Shanghai, return home with memories of your voyage through the heart of the Middle Kingdom.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday): Depart from the United States or Canada.

Day 2 (Sunday): Arrive in Beijing. Transfer to hotel.

Days 3-5 (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday): Sightseeing in and around Beijing, including: an all-day excursion to the Great Wall, a visit to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the beautiful Summer Palace; wander around in some old neighborhoods of "Hutong" alleyway homes; walk through the lively Wangfujing area with its interesting night food street. In the morning, get up early to take part in local people's morning exercises at the park--you will be surprised how many people there are! In the evenings, enjoy a performance of Chinese acrobats and taste the famous Beijing Roast Duck in a neighborhood restaurant--where the local people enjoy it.

Day 6 (Thursday):
Fly from Beijing to Xi’an in the morning. After arrival, take a walk to get to know the lively Moslem Quarter of this ancient city, including the Great Mosque, the Drum Tower and a visit to the 600-year –old city walls. Overnight in Xi’an.

Day 7 (Friday): Sightseeing in and around Xi'an, including a full-day excursion to the terra cotta army, and a visit to a family living in a village of unusual Shaanxi-style "cave homes". In the evening, enjoy a wonderful dumpling banquet in a 100-year-old restaurant.

Day 8 (Saturday): Fly from Xi’an to Chengdu (Sichuan Province) in the morning. After arrival, city tour of Chengdu, including: a visit to the beautiful "Thatched Cottage of Du Fu " (the poet of the T'ang Dynasty period); enjoy a cup of tea in one of the local teahouses--drinking tea is a very important part of Chengdu people's daily life; walk through the Jinli Old Street-- a great place to fully appreciate Sichuan's traditional folk arts and customs. In the evening, experience a special dinner featuring Chinese herbal flavors, and enjoy the local "Bian Lian Show" --the traditional Sichuan-style "changing faces" performance. Overnight in Chengdu.

Day 9 (Sunday): Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center in the morning. In the afternoon, take a train from Chengdu to Chongqing (about 2 hours.) Enjoy the famous Sichuan hot pot for dinner. Overnight in Chongqing.

Day 10 (Monday): Full day excursion to the Dazu grottoes, which are filled with magnificent religious sculptures, dating from the ancient T'ang and Song Dynasties (9th to 13th centuries), and rated among China’s finest art treasures. In the evening, board the Yangtze River cruise ship and spend the night onboard.

Days 11-12 (Tuesday-Wednesday):
On board the Yangtze River cruise, sailing downstream from Chongqing. Shore excursions include a visit to Fengdu “Ghost City”, located on the north bank of the Yangtze River. A series of temples represent different aspects of hell according to Taoist belief. The temples are dominated by statues, frescoes and carvings of the ghosts and devils who are believed to govern the Taoist hell. Locals gather here to pray for a good afterlife and reincarnation in their next life.

Farther downstream, another excursion takes travelers off the main river on small boats to visit the narrower gorges of the Shennongxi Stream. Proceeding down the Yangtze, the cruiser passes Badong and Zigui, and sails into the Xiling Gorge, which was renowned for its perilous rapids and is the longest of the Three Gorges. The cruiser will pass the ship-lock of the Three Gorges Dam; travelers will disembark at the dam to visit the museum and display about its construction.

Day 13 (Thursday): Arrive at the port of Yichang in early afternoon of the Day 13. Your guide will meet you and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Overnight in Shanghai.

Days 14-15
(Friday -Saturday): Sightseeing in and around Shanghai, including: A visit to the old foreign concession areas, one of which was the Jewish Ghetto during World War II, and the Yuyuan Gardens, a classical-style Chinese garden; wander through the former French concession area at Huaihai Road; take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront Bund and visit the Pudong new development area with its towering skyscrapers; visit the world famous Shanghai Museum; and walk around the antique and bird market. On one of the evenings, take a cruise on
the Huangpu River (about one hour) to see the illuminated skylines of the Bund and the fantastic Pudong area.

Day 16 (Sunday): This day is set aside for you to have a free day to relax or to discover the city or shop on your own, or (as an option for visits between May 1 and October 31, 2010) visit the Shanghai International Expo.
(** Lunch and dinner are not included for this day.)

Day 17 (Monday): Depart from Shanghai and fly to Canada or the United States, arriving home the same day.

C.S.T. Number 2034611-40

Web Design by Brian H. Day

Day 1 (Saturday):	Depart from the United States or Canada.
Day 2 (Sunday):	Arrive in Beijing. Transfer to hotel.
Days 3-5 (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday):	Sightseeing in and around Beijing, including: an all-day excursion to the Great Wall, a visit to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the beautiful Summer Palace; wander around in some old neighborhoods of "Hutong" alleyway homes; walk through the lively Wangfujing area with its interesting night food street. In the morning, get up early to take part in local people's morning exercises at the park--you will be surprised how many people there are! In the evenings, enjoy a performance of Chinese acrobats and taste the famous Beijing Roast Duck in a neighborhood restaurant--where the local people enjoy it.
Day 6 (Thursday):	Fly from Beijing to Xi’an in the morning. After arrival, take a walk to get to know the lively Moslem Quarter of this ancient city, including the Great Mosque, the Drum Tower and a visit to the 600-year –old city walls. Overnight in Xi’an.
Day 7 (Friday):	Sightseeing in and around Xi'an, including a full-day excursion to the terra cotta army, and a visit to a family living in a village of unusual Shaanxi-style "cave homes". In the evening, enjoy a wonderful dumpling banquet in a 100-year-old restaurant.
Day 8 (Saturday):	Fly from Xi’an to Chengdu (Sichuan Province) in the morning. After arrival, city tour of Chengdu, including: a visit to the beautiful "Thatched Cottage of Du Fu " (the poet of the T'ang Dynasty period); enjoy a cup of tea in one of the local teahouses--drinking tea is a very important part of Chengdu people's daily life; walk through the Jinli Old Street-- a great place to fully appreciate Sichuan's traditional folk arts and customs. In the evening, experience a special dinner featuring Chinese herbal flavors, and enjoy the local "Bian Lian Show" --the traditional Sichuan-style "changing faces" performance. Overnight in Chengdu.
Day 9 (Sunday):	Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center in the morning. In the afternoon, take a train from Chengdu to Chongqing (about 2 hours.) Enjoy the famous Sichuan hot pot for dinner. Overnight in Chongqing.
Day 10 (Monday):	Full day excursion to the Dazu grottoes, which are filled with magnificent religious sculptures, dating from the ancient T'ang and Song Dynasties (9th to 13th centuries), and rated among China’s finest art treasures. In the evening, board the Yangtze River cruise ship and spend the night onboard.
Days 11-12 (Tuesday-Wednesday):	On board the Yangtze River cruise, sailing downstream from Chongqing. Shore excursions include a visit to Fengdu “Ghost City”, located on the north bank of the Yangtze River. A series of temples represent different aspects of hell according to Taoist belief. The temples are dominated by statues, frescoes and carvings of the ghosts and devils who are believed to govern the Taoist hell. Locals gather here to pray for a good afterlife and reincarnation in their next life. Farther downstream, another excursion takes travelers off the main river on small boats to visit the narrower gorges of the Shennongxi Stream. Proceeding down the Yangtze, the cruiser passes Badong and Zigui, and sails into the Xiling Gorge, which was renowned for its perilous rapids and is the longest of the Three Gorges. The cruiser will pass the ship-lock of the Three Gorges Dam; travelers will disembark at the dam to visit the museum and display about its construction.
Day 13 (Thursday):	Arrive at the port of Yichang in early afternoon of the Day 13. Your guide will meet you and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Overnight in Shanghai.
Days 14-15 (Friday -Saturday):	Sightseeing in and around Shanghai, including: A visit to the old foreign concession areas, one of which was the Jewish Ghetto during World War II, and the Yuyuan Gardens, a classical-style Chinese garden; wander through the former French concession area at Huaihai Road; take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront Bund and visit the Pudong new development area with its towering skyscrapers; visit the world famous Shanghai Museum; and walk around the antique and bird market. On one of the evenings, take a cruise on the Huangpu River (about one hour) to see the illuminated skylines of the Bund and the fantastic Pudong area.
Day 16 (Sunday):	This day is set aside for you to have a free day to relax or to discover the city or shop on your own, or (as an option for visits between May 1 and October 31, 2010) visit the Shanghai International Expo. (** Lunch and dinner are not included for this day.)
Day 17 (Monday):	Depart from Shanghai and fly to Canada or the United States, arriving home the same day.