Vacationers longing to discover China’s vast western region and the magnificence of the country’s longest and most famed river are invited to…
Vacationers longing to discover China’s vast western region and the magnificence of the country’s longest and most famed river are invited to experience Ritz Tours’ 17-day Silk Road and Yangtze Cruise.
An exciting adventure, featuring visits to eight historical Chinese cities along the classic Silk Road combined with a spectacular Yangtze River excursion, makes this tour a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience. Before the discovery of the sea route to India, the Silk Road was the most important connection between the East and West. Ancient travelers left behind many historical records and invaluable relics – many of which are highlighted as part of the Silk Road and Yangtze Cruise program.
The tour begins in Beijing, host city for the 2008 Olympic Games, where highlights include visits to Tiananmen Square – the largest public square in the world; the ancient Forbidden City – a 9,999-room complex that was home to emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties; a visit to the solemn Temple of Heaven; and a stroll through the beautiful grounds at the Summer Palace and Kunming Lake. For added cultural flavor, guests can savor a Peking Duck Banquet showcasing 130 years of culinary traditions.
The journey continues with a must-see visit to the historic Great Wall, which spans across mountains and valleys in the northern part of the country. The group’s time in Beijing culminates with a stop at the Ming Tomb Museum. From Beijing, the group travels to the far-removed world of the Silk Road and arrives in Urumgi. A boat ride along the Heavenly Lake transports vacationers to a peaceful, dream-like world. An open-air bazaar and local roast lamb dinner present travelers with a better appreciation of the Uighur life.
A visit to the oasis town of Turpan and Grape Valley is a treat. Grape Valley runs five miles from north to south and features 988 acres covered with layer upon layer of grapes. A local dance show adds to the cultural flavor of this stop on the journey.
In Dunhuang, lush green fields and rolling sand dunes served as rest stop for weary traders on the Silk Road. It was also the gateway through which Buddhism, Islam and Christianity entered China. Visits to Singing Hill, Crescent Moon Springs, the Historic Museum, White Horse Pagoda and Film City are all on the itinerary. Rounding-out the cultural experience of the group’s visit to this historic city is a stop at the Magao Grottoes, praised as “the glittering pearl that adorns the Silk Road” and is considered the greatest treasure house of Buddhist arts in existence. Mogao’s 492 grottoes contain some 45,000 sq. meters of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures, which span 10 consecutive Chinese dynasties.
A stay in Xian provides travelers with the chance to experience the city’s 5,000-year history with visits to see Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s famous Terra Cotta Warriors, the ancient City Wall, the Bell Tower and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, an Imperial Dumpling Banquet and Tang Dynasty Stage Opera reflect the culinary creativity, rhythmic music and passionate performances of ancient times that are still alive today.
Tour guests will be treated to the sites and sounds of a sail on the Yangtze River, China’s longest, with Victoria Cruises. The cruise travels between Chongqing and Yichang and brings the magnificence and splendor of the Three Gorges and Small Gorges into view. In addition to exciting shore excursions, Victoria Cruises keep passengers engaged with informative lectures, cultural presentations and demonstrations, entertainment and more.
The Silk Road and Yangtze Cruise program concludes with several nights in bustling Shanghai. Travelers can appreciate the dramatic landscape of this port city plus the intrigue of Nanjing Road, Yu Garden and the Bund, Shanghai’s popular and picturesque waterfront area. Guests can also spend time surveying exhibits at the famous Shanghai Museum and later, enjoy a thrilling Chinese Acrobatics Show.
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