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Join our impassioned, well-travelled staff as they lead our most popular China tour! Explore China’s best cities and cruise up the legendary Yangtze through the spectacular Three Gorges. Enjoy in-depth sightseeing every day and discover China’s ancient spirit and 21st century vitality.

You won’t find a better price for a tour of this quality, from our 5-star hotels handpicked for the best locations to the special features we’ve added exclusively for these six departures. And with one of our key managers leading the way, every detail will be well attended to… Leaving you free to explore, engage, have fun, and make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Our Concierge Service

For special assistance, additional travel planning, or even help finding a travel mate,
Melanie is pleased to help. Call her anytime at 800-678-7942.

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Join Joan Walsh our Marketing Director on the May 12 departure!

A graphic designer by trade, Joan has been creating, designing and traveling with General Tours since 1996. She’s been all over the world, including China, and most recently escorted a cruise down Germany’s Elbe River with New York radio personality John Gambling and his listeners. Joan’s outgoing spirit and attention for detail promise a carefree and rewarding journey. As an avid photographer with a keen eye for color and composition, she’ll be a great inspiration for those of you looking to capture the places, people and details of China.

Join Tresa Reed our Regional Sales Manager on the May 26 departure!

Tresa’s travel credentials are impressive indeed, starting with a Travel and Tourism degree from Ohio University, then running her own travel agency, and now with General Tours as our sales manager in the Midwest. She’s been all over the world from China to East Africa, and her career success reflects a tenacious spirit and meticulous attention to detail. Add in her generous nature, sense of humor, and spirit of adventure – and you’ve got a great Tour Escort. Tresa will attend to the many details involved with your travels through China – leaving you with the heavy responsibility of enjoying yourself!

Join Melanie Delworth our Concierge Services Manager on the June 9 departure!

Melanie has one of the most challenging positions in our company! Whenever a client needs special personalized services, guess where we turn? That’s right! Melanie can plan a 25th Anniversary dinner in Kathmandu or help a first-time traveler to prepare for a 2 month trip around the world! She’s escorted travel agents to Japan and celebrity clients down the Rhône. Her unique blend of hands-on expertise, knowledge and can-do spirit make her the perfect Tour Escort. With Melanie leading the way and at your side, your journey to China will be one of the best vacations you’ve ever had!

Join Kelly Dias our Call Center Director on the June 23 departure!

Kelly is the consummate travel professional from her early days as a flight attendant and later managing a travel agency to her current position overseeing our busy, state-of-the-art call center. She’s traveled to China and 43 other countries and is an accredited travel specialist in several worldwide regions. Kelly’s engaging personality, dedication to our clients, and breadth of experience make her an ideal Tour Escort. She’s a foodie, a wine enthusiast, a skilled shopper, and a spa fanatic… In short, a trip with Kelly promises enriching experiences and carefree good times.

Join Michael Owens our Regional Sales Manager on the July 21 departure!

An avid traveler before he joined the travel industry 12 years ago, Michael delights in seeing the world. And while Michael has led our clients to places like India, Southeast Asia and Latin America he considers China and the Yangtze one of his favorite destinations. Having traveled there many times Michael is excited to share with you his knowledge of the local culture, history and cuisine. Michael’s friendly attitude and congenial manner will certainly enhance your trip as you visit some the most amazing places in the world.

Join Judy Ruffini our Regional Sales Manager on the September 1 departure!

Judy is a true travel professional with more than 30 years of management, operations and sales experience. Her career and passion for travel have taken her all over the world from the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids to Mt. Fuji and the Great Wall. She’s energetic, well-informed and always attuned to providing our clients with nothing but the best customer service; she’ll make sure this is one of your best vacations ever. And by the way, Judy is a truly gifted shopper. So stick close, pay attention and follow her lead… You’re sure to return with some wonderful gifts and mementos of your travels!

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The Finest Accommodations * An All-Balcony Ship
* In-Depth Sightseeing Every Day

• Each departure is led by a key General Tours manager with professional English-speaking Tour Guides.

• A specially-arranged Peking Duck banquet in Beijing is a traditional feast, long-enjoyed by the Chinese

• Handpicked 4 and 5-star hotels offer air-conditioned comfort in superb locations, like the city-center Traders Hotel on Beijing’s main avenue.

• We include the most comprehensive sightseeing you’ll find, including the amazing venues of the summer Olympic Games.

• Our unique Touch Antiquity experience at the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum in Xian. Join curatorial staff to examine and handle priceless ancient artifacts, thousands of years old, excavated from archaeological sites throughout the region.

• The best price in the market for a tour of this caliber… Carefully selected first class and deluxe hotels, 23 meals, sightseeing and shore excursions every day, luggage handling, port charges, and all on-tour transportation & internal flights.

• 5 World Heritage Sites

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Day 1 - Beijing

Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the beautiful Shangri-La Traders Hotel, perfectly located in the central business district on one of Beijing’s most popular commercial streets bustling with shops and eateries.

[Please note that airport transfers are complimentary for air-inclusive passengers arriving with our group]

Day 2 - Discover Beijing

Our day begins with an informative briefing and Q & A session with our tour guide, an opportunity to bring perspective to the many sights we’ll explore in the coming days. Then we set out for an in-depth tour of this captivating capital. Stand in Tiananmen Square, the largest public plaza in the world, and explore through the splendid courtyards, pavilions, and palaces of the imposing Forbidden City. Step aboard rickshaws to ride through a Hutong, one of Beijing’s old settlements, where you’ll meet with a resident family to learn about life in this rapidly evolving, yet ancient, city.

For lunch we’ve made special arrangements for a Peking Duck Banquet. Savor this traditional feast, a specialty of the northern region. It’s the perfect way to take a break during your first enriching day of sightseeing. Meals B,L

Day 3 - Beijing – Great Wall & Ming Tombs Excursion

A thrilling day unfolds as we travel into the rugged mountain landscapes north of Beijing, where the Great Wall stretches onward for thousands of miles. We’ll walk atop this ancient fortification and then visit the Ming Tombs, burial site of 13 Chinese Emperors. Stroll along the statue-lined Sacred Way and explore Changling Tomb, the largest and most architecturally grand of these ancient burial sites. Meals B,L

Day 4 - Beijing / Yichang – Embark your luxury ship

This morning we visit the resplendent Summer Palace, the seasonal retreat of Chinese emperors. A tranquil boat ride on Kunming Lake offers picture-perfect views of the palace’s colorful pavilions and landscaped park-like grounds. Back in the city, we’ll see the futuristic 2008 Olympic venues including the Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, and the National Stadium, site of the eye-popping Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

In the afternoon, we fly to Yichang and enjoy a dinner of regional cuisine. Then we step aboard our luxury ship, the all-balcony Victoria Anna, to begin our voyage up this legendary river. Meals B,D

Day 5 - Cruising / Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Dam has altered the landscapes and life of vast stretches of central China. Our visit to the Dam this morning reveals the far-reaching impact of this amazing engineering feat. Later, the Anna enters the 5-stage ship locks of the dam itself. Meals B,L,D

Day 6 - Cruising / Shennong Stream / Three Gorges

We step off ship today and board smaller, more nimble vessels for a dramatic journey up Shennong Stream, one of the most scenic of the Yangtze’s tributaries. This excursion transports us into an enchanting landscape of forested peaks and sheer cliffs that rise from the waters, crystal clear and swift-flowing. Back on board, our ship continues through the lovely Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge, the narrowest and some say most spectacular of the Three Gorges. Meals B,L,D

Day 7 - Cruising / Fengdu

Today’s excursion explores the famous “Ghost City” of Fengdu. Numerous temples here, some dating to the 14th century, feature fantastic carvings and depictions of spirits and beings from Chinese mythologies. It’s an eye-opening excursion that offers fascinating insight into ancient Chinese beliefs and superstitions. Meals B,L,D

Day 8 - Arrive Chongqing / Fly to Xian

We disembark the Anna this morning and fly to Xian, the ancient capital for 13 dynasties. Upon arrival, we’ll be met and escorted to the beautifully-renovated New World Hotel. Meals B,L

Day 9 – Xian – The Terra Cotta Warriors

What began in 1974 as an accidental discovery of a few clay-sculpted soldiers has become, in fact, China’s most significant archaeological discovery. Excavations are still ongoing at several different sites, and to date nearly 8,000 of these life-size soldiers have been unearthed – along with horses, chariots and weapons – all crafted and buried more than 2,000 years ago. Our guided visit to the museum and excavation site this morning is a truly unforgettable experience, allowing us to personally discover the distinctive details and astounding realism of each and every soldier.

At lunch today, we’ve arranged for a lively demonstration in the art of noodle-making. The local noodle-preparation technique, as perfected here in central China, is somewhat physical – not unlike the tossing of Italian pizza dough - and the speed and dexterity of these chefs are nothing short of remarkable!

Before returning to our hotel, we also visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, this impressive 7-tiered square tower stands more than 200 feet high. It’s a masterwork of Buddhist construction and is one of Xian’s most beloved symbols. Meals B,L

We’ve also made private arrangements at the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum for our exclusive Touch Antiquity experience. In the company of museum staff, we’ll examine and handle priceless ancient artifacts excavated from archaeological sites across the region. It’s a fascinating and hands-on way to learn more about China’s long history.

Day 10 - Xian / Shanghai

Today we fly to Shanghai where we’ll be met and escorted to the deluxe Hilton Hotel, ideally located in the heart of the city close to the Bund and world-famous Nanjing Road. Meals B

Day 11 - Explore Shanghai

Following the 1842 Treaty of Nanjing, China opened several ports to international trade; Shanghai’s location on the Yangtze River Delta was ideal and by the turn of the century, many international companies had a significant mercantile presence in the city. The handsome office buildings constructed for these European and Japanese companies still grace The Bund. This is where we begin our tour, driving along the city’s grand waterfront boulevard. In sharp contrast to the history here, we’ll also admire the towering futuristic skyscrapers of the Pudong District that have literally transformed the city’s skyline.

Then we’ll stroll through the lovely Yu Yuan Garden, first established in 1577 by a government official of the Ming Dynasty as a tranquil retreat for his aging parents. Spread across five acres, the garden includes lovely vistas of ponds and rock gardens graced with pavilions, bridges, and carefully tended willow trees. At the Shanghai Museum, we’ll tour an impressive collection that showcases China’s art and culture over the past several thousand years, from ancient bronzes to precious jade and exquisite Ming Dynasty furniture. At lunch, we’ll sample Shanghai-style cuisine. Meals B,L

Day 12 - Shanghai

We’ll be escorted to the airport for our homeward flights. Or, you can extend your journey with our carefully-planned extension to exciting Hong Kong! Meals B

[Please note that airport transfers are complimentary for air-inclusive passengers departing with our group]

Our Concierge Service

For special assistance, additional travel planning, or even help finding a travel mate,
Melanie is pleased to help. Call her anytime at 800-678-7942.

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Shangri-La Traders Hotel - Beijing

Conveniently located in the heart of Beijing’s Central Business District, this outstanding 4-star hotel connects directly to the China World Trade Centre and the luxury China World Shopping Mall. It’s a tranquil oasis of comfort in one of the city’s most vibrant areas.

Inviting guestrooms are beautifully decorated and well-appointed with complimentary broadband Internet access, direct dial telephones, a fully stocked mini-bar, Coffee and tea making facilities, electronic safe, satellite TV, and hairdryer.

Onsite, guests can take advantage of a well-equipped fitness center, sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi. Guests also enjoy access to the recreational facilities and indoor pool of the Shangri-La China World Hotel, which is conveniently linked to the China World Shopping Mall.

The Traders Hotel is renowned for its skilled chefs. In addition to 24-hour room service, guests can enjoy early morning to late night dining at the Traders Café, featuring international dishes and especially famous for its signature Singaporean, Malaysian, and Indonesian dishes. The Oriental is an elegant restaurant serving home-style Cantonese and regional Chinese dishes for lunch and dinner.

The Victoria Anna – Our Yangtze Cruise Ship

The 5-star Anna, flagship of the premier Victoria fleet, is the Yangtze’s most luxurious all-balcony ship. Spacious light-filled staterooms feature a well-appointed bathroom and shower, private balcony, and TV with CNN and HBO broadcasts. Guests enjoy two inviting restaurants serving Chinese and international cuisine, two spacious lounges, two bars, a library, beauty salon, gym, massage room, health clinic with doctor, and internet access. A dramatic 3-story atrium lobby greets passengers when they step aboard. There are two elevators serving four passenger decks.

New World Hotel – Xian

Newly renovated, this handsome superior first class hotel enjoys a fantastic location within the old city walls of the ancient capital. Near West Gate, guests enjoy convenient access to sites, shopping, and dining.

Spacious rooms are comfortably appointed with individual climate control, international direct dial telephone, satellite TV, electronic safe, mini-bar, and hairdryer. For onsite dining, guests can enjoy fine Cantonese dishes at the Dynasty Chinese Restaurant. The Verandah Café offers a casual ambience with the best in contemporary international and South Asian cuisine.

Hilton Shanghai Hotel – Shanghai

The 5-star Hilton Shanghai enjoys a prestigious city-center location in the historic French Concession, with some of the city’s best dining and shopping virtually at your doorstep.

Spacious guestrooms are luxuriously appointed with individual climate control, cable TV with premium channels like HBO, CNN and ESPN, a writing desk, mini-bar, two direct dial telephones with voice mail, trouser press, high speed Internet access, electronic safe, and hairdryer.

After a day of enriching sightseeing, guests can invigorate or unwind with a well-equipped fitness room, jogging track, swimming pool, hot tub, solarium, and sauna. The hotel offers a wide range of dining options including light Mediterranean fare in Leonardo’s, fresh seafood prepared Ningbo-style in the uniquely aquatic-themed People on the Water, a classic Shanghai and Cantonese menu at Sui Yuan, and flavorful Sichuan cuisine with a view at the 39th floor Sichuan Court.

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>Hong Kong

Complement your journey with a delightful stay
in sophisticated, exciting Hong Kong!

It’s been more than a decade since Hong Kong was returned to China, but 150 years of British Colonial influence remains forever woven into 4,000 years of Chinese culture, creating a metropolitan ambience unlike anyplace else in the world!

Enjoy 3 nights at the Regal Kowloon Hotel, chosen for its beautiful guestrooms and unbeatable location on bustling Mody Road in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong’s renowned shopping, dining and entertainment district. With our expert city guide leading the way, you’ll enjoy a memorable morning exploring Hong Kong Island. Ascend to the top of Victoria Peak for breathtaking views of the city and harbor and then continue on to scenic Repulse Bay and historic Aberdeen, home to the city’s famed floating restaurants. Enjoy roundtrip airport transfers, a sumptuous buffet breakfast each morning, and a full day free to explore and shop at your own pace

Double: From $1,159
Single: From $1,599

Prices above per person and include airfare from Shanghai to Hong Kong.

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>Deposit, Payment & Visa Information

Deposit
A deposit of $400 per person is due within 7 calendar days of booking.

Full Payment
Full payment is due 90 days before travel

If The Traveler Cancels

• Up to 121 days prior to departure: $100 fee per person

• 120 to 91 days prior to departure: 15% of the program price plus airline cancellation penalties

• 90 to 61 days prior to departure:  35% of the program price plus airline cancellation penalties

• 60 to 31 days prior to departure: 50% of the program price plus airline cancellation penalties

• Within 30 days of departure: 100% of the program price

Contact for Deposits & Final Payments
General Tours World Traveler
53 Summer Street, Keene, New Hampshire 03431
Email: info@generaltours.com

Transfers
Airport transfers on Days 1 and 12 are included for passengers who purchase their air from General Tours World Traveler and travel with the group on our designated flights. These transfers are available for separate purchase at $50 per person, each way.

Passport & Visa
All US Citizens are required to have a United States passport valid for at least six months after their return to the USA. A single entry visa for China is required.

Click here for complete terms & conditions

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