China & Yangtze River - 14 Days Jewish Heritage Tour Program Detail
Visiting Beijing, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Chingqing, Yangtze River Cruise (3 nights), Shanghai.
 Forbidden City, Beijing |
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DAY-BY-DAY
ITINERARY |
| CHINA |
| DAY 2 • Wednesday
• Arrive Beijing Upon arrival in Beijing, China's historic capital city, you are escorted to the Renaissance Beijing Hotel. |
| DAY 3 • Thursday
• Beijing Sightsee imposing Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City's Imperial Palace. A pedicab ride takes you through the Hutong district's ancient narrow streets to enjoy a close-up look at the heritage of this exciting city including a visit with a local family. Enjoy a Beijing Duck dinner party tonight. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Party |
| DAY 4 • Friday •
Beijing Today, create memories to last a lifetime as you walk along the ancient ramparts of the awesome Great Wall at Badaling. This evening, enjoy Shabbat dinner and services. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| DAY 5 • Saturday
• Beijing to Zhengzhou/Kaifeng/Zhengzhou This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Zhengzhou, where you will continue on by motor coach to Kaifeng, a Northern Song Dynasty capital whose emperor invited Jews to stay and develop a cotton industry. A synagogue was first built in Kaifeng in 1183; it was rebuilt many times due to flooding of the Yellow River, and finally destroyed by an earthquake in the 1860s. Driving through the center of Kaifeng, your first stop is at the Dragon Palace, then visit the Jewish Quarter and meet Mr. Jin, one of the Jewish descendants. He has collected old pictures and memorabilia of Jewish life. Your local guide will translate Mr. Jin's talk on the lives of Jewish descendants and their memories. As late as 1928, Passover was observed by a local family. Mr. Jin's brother emigrated to Israel. Return to the Sofitel Hotel in Zhengzhou for dinner and overnight. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Buffet Dinner |
| DAY 6 • Sunday •
Zhengzhou to Xi'an After breakfast at the hotel, travel by train to historic Xi'an. This evening, enjoy a buffet dinner at the Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Buffet Dinner |
| DAY 7 • Monday •
Xi'an Tour the famed legion of terra-cotta warriors, Circle Vision Movie, Bronze Chariot and Shaanxi Provincial Historical Museum. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel this afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a spectacular dinner show at the Tang Dynasty Theatre. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Show |
| DAY
8 • Tuesday • Xi'an to Chongqing Morning is free, and then an afternoon flight takes you to Chongqing. Visit the Stilwell Museum, with its collection of World War ll Flying Tigers memorabilia. Enjoy a buffet dinner at the Marriott Hotel, then board the deluxe Victoria Anna cruise ship to begin your memorable cruise on the Yangtze River. MEALS: American Breakfast, Buffet Dinner |
| DAY 9 • Wednesday
• Yangtze River Cruise: Fengdu A shore excursion at legend-rich Fengdu shows Mingshan Hill's unique temples, with statues of ghosts and devils. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner *Alternate shore excursion may visit Shibaozhai or Wanzhou. |
| DAY 10 • Thursday
• Yangtze River Cruise: Qutang Gorge to Daning River Small Gorges
or Shennong Stream/Wu Gorge/Xiling Gorge Cruise through the first of the fabled Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge, hemmed by mossy cliffs. At Wushan, an excursion takes you up the Daning River to view the famed Small Gorges. Alternatively, your excursion may be on Shennong Stream with its impressive small gorges. Sail on through Wu Gorge, celebrated for its Twelve Peaks. Now cruise through Xiling Gorge, the last and most scenic of all the gorges. Finally, sail through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Lock. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| DAY 11 • Friday
• Yangtze River Cruise: Xiling Gorge/San Dou Ping /Yichang To
Shanghai* At San Dou Ping, see the amazing Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project. Continue on to Yichang where you board your early afternoon flight to Shanghai. On arrival, transfer to the Radisson Plaza Xing Guo Hotel Shanghai. Shabbat dinner tonight will be shared with members of the local Jewish Community Center. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner *If direct flight is not available, drive to Wuhan by motor coach then fly to Shanghai. |
| DAY 12 • Saturday
• Shanghai Begin your tour today at the Peace Hotel, a Shanghai landmark. Victor Sassoon, 4 th generation of a wealthy Baghdad Jewish family, built the 1930s-era hotel and was “the” place to stay in Shanghai. Sassoon occupied the top floors under the green pyramid. Continue on to the Ohel Rachel Synagogue (no entry as building is now used by the Shanghai Education Commission), built in 1920 by Victor's Uncle David in memory of his beloved wife. Visit the Ohel Moishe Synagogue, which was the center of an active Jewish community prior to World War II. European Jews fleeing Hitler's Germany made Shanghai their home during the war. Visit Old Jewish Shanghai where immigrants lived and their shops catered to the Jewish community. The old Hongkou district is located in a section now known as Yangpu, where much of the residential area is scheduled for demolition under a redevelopment plan. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Finally, visit a Children's Palace which provides a range of after-school and weekend programs including music, dance, art and photography. Return to your hotel this afternoon. |
| DAY 13 • Sunday
• Shanghai Today see the Shanghai Museum's collection of cultural artifacts, emporiums of Nanjing or Huai Hai Road, Yu Garden and the fabled Bund. After a buffet dinner, enjoy an astonishing acrobatic show at the Portman Theater. MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Buffet Dinner |
| DAY 14 • Monday
• Shanghai To Los Angeles Transfer to the airport for your return flight. Cross the International Date Line and arrive home the same day. Or, you may choose to join our 4-DAY HONG KONG EXTENSION. MEALS: American Breakfast |
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 Renaissance Beijing |
 Sofitel Hotel Zhengzhou |
 Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel Xi'an |
 Radisson Plaza Xing Guo Hotel Shanghai |
Call for reservation