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Overview
Dates Jun 20 — Jul 05, 2008
Activity Level Moderately active
Family is at the core of China's culture...so what better way to explore this fascinating country than with your family? Experience China's scenic landscapes, intriguing history, vibrant arts, and dynamic cities on this sixteen-day journey. Begin with three full days in Beijing, visiting the capital's extraordinary monuments as well as the charming hutong neighborhoods, and viewing the city's preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Then fly to Xi'an to see the legendary army of Terracotta Warriors and the recent imperial tomb excavation at Yangling. Continue to Chengdu to see giant pandas and dinosaur fossils. Admire the spectacular cliff art at the World Heritage site of Dazu before embarking the East King for a two-night journey on the Yangtze River. Marvel at the Three Gorges Dam, and learn about the controversy surrounding its construction. In Shanghai, visit the Yu Garden, admire masterpieces at the Shanghai Museum of Art, enjoy a stroll along the Bund, and ride aboard the high-speed Maglev train. Young travelers will particularly enjoy opportunities to fly kites, ride bicycles, visit a local school, and see the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobats.
To download a full brochure for this program, click the PDF button at the top right side of this page.
Map
Itinerary
- Days 1 & 2 – U.S. / Beijing, China
- Days 3-5 – Beijing
- Day 6 – Beijing / Xi'an
- Day 7 – Xi'an
- Day 8 – Xi'an / Chengdu
- Day 9 – Chengdu / Dazu
- Day 10 – Dazu / Embark ship
- Day 11 – Yangtze River
- Day 12 – Disembark / Yichang / Shanghai
- Days 13-14 – Shanghai
- Day 15 – Shanghai /U.S.
Highlights
- See Beijing's extraordinary monuments, including the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.
- Stand atop the legendary Great Wall of China, and show your family the panoramic views across the hills.
- View Xi'an's legendary Army of Terracotta Warriors, with its thousands of life-sized statues of soldiers and horses, no two alike.
- Learn about China's efforts to save giant pandas, and see the extraordinary dinosaur fossils unearthed near Chengdu.
- Board the East King for a cruise on the Yangtze River, past the Three Gorges Dam.
- Marvel at masterpieces of jade, celadon and bronze in the world-class Shanghai museum.
Program Leaders
Virginia Bower
An expert on Chinese art and archaeology, Virginia Bower teaches courses on East Asian art at Rutgers University and at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia. She has contributed to numerous museum catalogs and exhibitions, most recently for the Princeton University Art Museum, the Harvard University Art Museums, and the Asia Society, New York. During a two-year residence in Taiwan, she worked at the National Palace Museum. Bower first visited China in the 1980s and has returned many times as a lecturer or tour manager for tours sponsored by the AMNH and other institutions. She speaks fluent Mandarin.
Youth Coordinator
During the journey, an AMNH youth coordinator will lead young travelers in an engaging and fun series of educational, artistic, and recreational activities designed to enhance their experience of Chinese culture and history.
Sponsors
American Museum of Natural History Expeditions
Accommodations
Cruise Ship
The East King
East King provides international standards of comfort and service unmatched on the Yangtze River. The choice of many Western VIPs, East King and her sister ship, East Queen, offer the largest passenger cabins on the Yangtze. Large picture windows in each beautifully-appointed stateroom offer breathtaking views of the scenery along the river. The ship has 96 cabins, all ‘outside’ cabins with windows and en suite bathrooms, and can accommodate up to 192 passengers. Public areas on the East King include a spacious dining room, café, lounge, nightclub, conference and meeting rooms, gym, beauty salon, sundeck, swimming pool, library and business center. Elegant, modern architecture, excellent service, and the latest in shipboard technology ensure a luxurious and memorable cruise experience along Asia’s longest river.
Program Rates
Airfare
Airfare is not included in the program rates. Please call for assistance with your travel arrangements for this program.
Program Rates
From $6,995 per person, double occupancy. Children under 12 years old receive a discount of $500 off the adult price.