Guiyang
Stay at Hyatt Regency Guiyang. It's a fabulous property.
If you are at the hotel and have a question and need to speak with an English speaker, ask for the Hotel Duty Manager.
Sightseeing
Guiyang—Zhenyuan—Kaili—Duyun—Pingtang—Guiyang
Day01 Guiyang—Zhenyuan
Riyuan International Hotel
Day02 Zhenyuan—Kaili—Duyun
Yundong Guizhou Park Hotel
Day03 Duyun—Pingtang
Yingbin Hotel
Yangtzee River Cruise
Three-night cruise through the Three Gorges including a walking tour in Shibaozhai, a boat excursion on Goddess Stream, and a tour of the Three Gorges dam site
DAY01 XI’AN–CHONGQING (EMBARKATION)–YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
This morning, visit the Xi’an City Wall South Gate and learn to write like a local during a traditional Chinese CALLIGRAPHY CLASS; you may even see some locals practicing their morning tai chi. Next, fly to Chongqing, China’s capital during World War II. Visit a local ZOO to see pandas prior to boarding your cruise ship for a 3-night cruise through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze.
DAY02 CRUISING: SHIBAOZHAIThe morning is at your leisure to enjoy a variety of onboard activities. You may choose to start your day with a tai chi session on the Sun Deck, take a swim in the pool, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. After lunch, take a WALKING TOUR of Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, 12-story, red-wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff side. This evening, the Captain hosts a welcome party, followed by dinner and a special performance by the ship’s crew.
NOTE:
Depending on river conditions, an alternate shore excursion may be offered.
DAY03 CRUISING: QUTANG GORGE–WU GORGE–GODDESS STREAM
Again, enjoy the morning at your leisure on the ship. You may choose to take an optional shore excursion to Fengdu, known by many Chinese as the “Ghost City,” to visit the mountaintop shrines. Later in the morning, sail downstream through the first and second of the three gorges—Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your Captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch, disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down Goddess Stream. Along the way, see picturesque scenery and the mysterious hanging wooden coffins. Before returning to your ship, you will also board a wooden boat on a smaller section of the stream, where the crew will sing songs as you glide across the stunning deep emerald-green waters surrounded by densely forested hills.
NOTE:
Depending on river conditions, the boat excursion may be on the Shennong Stream.
DAY04 CRUISING: (DISEMBARKATION) THREE GORGES DAM SITE–YICHANG–SHANGHAI
This morning, visit the THREE GORGES DAM SITE, the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch in Yichang, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry.
Guangzhou
The Garden Hotel Guangzhou
Stay at Hyatt Regency Guiyang. It's a fabulous property.
If you are at the hotel and have a question and need to speak with an English speaker, ask for the Hotel Duty Manager.
Sightseeing
- Qianling Park - Wander around long enough and you'll be greeted with monkey's everywhere. Don't bring any food or drink. Keep a tight grip of your possessions or you might lose them to a monkey thief.
- Guiyang-Qingyan Ancient Town-Guiyang watching "Colorful Guizhou Show"
Guiyang—Zhenyuan—Kaili—Duyun—Pingtang—Guiyang
Day01 Guiyang—Zhenyuan
Riyuan International Hotel
- Visit Zhenyuan
- Visit Zhenyuan Ancient Town during the day at at night
- See Black Dragon Cave
Day02 Zhenyuan—Kaili—Duyun
Yundong Guizhou Park Hotel
- Visit Kaili
- Explore Kaili Minority Museum
- Drive to Langde Miao village
- Visit Duyun
Day03 Duyun—Pingtang
Yingbin Hotel
- Visit Pingtang
- Explore Pingtang Yazhou Pottery Culture Industry Zone
- Bus tour along Bawang River Scenic Circle
- See Astronomy Tower
- Walk to Tianmu Commercial Street
- Walk to Astronomy Discovery Hall
- Drive to FAST Telescope Scenic Area
- Walk to Yingbin Square
Yangtzee River Cruise
Three-night cruise through the Three Gorges including a walking tour in Shibaozhai, a boat excursion on Goddess Stream, and a tour of the Three Gorges dam site
DAY01 XI’AN–CHONGQING (EMBARKATION)–YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
This morning, visit the Xi’an City Wall South Gate and learn to write like a local during a traditional Chinese CALLIGRAPHY CLASS; you may even see some locals practicing their morning tai chi. Next, fly to Chongqing, China’s capital during World War II. Visit a local ZOO to see pandas prior to boarding your cruise ship for a 3-night cruise through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze.
DAY02 CRUISING: SHIBAOZHAIThe morning is at your leisure to enjoy a variety of onboard activities. You may choose to start your day with a tai chi session on the Sun Deck, take a swim in the pool, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. After lunch, take a WALKING TOUR of Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, 12-story, red-wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff side. This evening, the Captain hosts a welcome party, followed by dinner and a special performance by the ship’s crew.
NOTE:
Depending on river conditions, an alternate shore excursion may be offered.
DAY03 CRUISING: QUTANG GORGE–WU GORGE–GODDESS STREAM
Again, enjoy the morning at your leisure on the ship. You may choose to take an optional shore excursion to Fengdu, known by many Chinese as the “Ghost City,” to visit the mountaintop shrines. Later in the morning, sail downstream through the first and second of the three gorges—Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your Captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch, disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down Goddess Stream. Along the way, see picturesque scenery and the mysterious hanging wooden coffins. Before returning to your ship, you will also board a wooden boat on a smaller section of the stream, where the crew will sing songs as you glide across the stunning deep emerald-green waters surrounded by densely forested hills.
NOTE:
Depending on river conditions, the boat excursion may be on the Shennong Stream.
DAY04 CRUISING: (DISEMBARKATION) THREE GORGES DAM SITE–YICHANG–SHANGHAI
This morning, visit the THREE GORGES DAM SITE, the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch in Yichang, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry.
Guangzhou
The Garden Hotel Guangzhou
- Explore the city and get your last taste of the regional cuisine before departing back home.
Before we get to the tips, here are few common Chinese words and phrases.
Good day = Nee-how
Thank you = Shieh-shieh
You're welcome = Boo kuh-chi
Good morning = Zhow
Goodnight = One-un
Tips for first time visitors to China:
Good day = Nee-how
Thank you = Shieh-shieh
You're welcome = Boo kuh-chi
Good morning = Zhow
Goodnight = One-un
Tips for first time visitors to China:
- Prep your phone and computer before you leave the states.
- iPhone - Can connect to WiFi. Can't access Facebook, any Google service, as well as other sites banned in China. Download VPN service such as ExpressVPN which should provide access to banned sites.
- Android - Can't connect to local WiFi since Google is banned so be sure to have a good International data plan. Coverage maybe spotty at times and in certain locations. You'll be able to access any site or app you need.
- English speakers are few and far between. Download Google translate app (click here for Android and here for iPhone) then download the Chinese and English language to your phone. You'll be able to translate by typing in English or translate signs, menus, etc. with your camera. You'll also be able to translate what someone speaks into your microphone. No internet connection necessary. Use the app to learn some basic words. It will recite them so you can pronounce accurately.
- Download Google Maps app (click here for Android and here for iPhone) and then download the areas that you'll be traveling to your phone. This way you can get directions and have a dynamic map even when you don't have Internet.
- Bring an energy converter and plug adapter just in case. China uses a higher voltage than in the US and you don't want to fry your machine. Double check the verbiage on your phone and laptop charger to ensure it is compatible with up to 220 voltage. I never needed to use the adapter. Everywhere I stayed had a US style plug option. Typically each outlet will have multiple versions and combined plug types. I was able to fit my device plug everywhere I went.
- Money
- Your credit card and bank cards won't work in most places. Bring cash. You should be able to find an ATM that works to pull out additional cash. If the first ATM doesn't work try one from another bank. It may take a few ATM'S before you find one that works.
- Food
- Be adventurous. Food that seems funny isn't normally as bad as it looks. Watch out for bones in everything.
