Exploring The Wonders Of China

Dave Rosenthal, Travel Planner/Accredited Cruise [email protected] • (732) 530-6682 • www.daydreamex.com 04/10/23

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Exploring the Wonders of Exploring the Wonders of China:China:

With a look at other With a look at other popular Destinations in popular Destinations in

Asia!Asia!


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Exploring theExploring the WondersWonders of China: of China: AgendaAgenda The Wonders of China -

Introduction Olympic City Wonders Popular City Wonders 3 Travel types:

– Escorted tours– River Cruises– Ocean Cruises

Specific Tour Options Video Tips, Hints, Promos throughout

TIP: Insider's Information - When you arrive in Beijing, pick up a free copy of That's Beijing magazine in a café or restaurant. You’ll learn about what's going on in the city while you're there.

Beijing: bey-jing Shennong Stream: chen-awng

Chengdu: chuhng-dee Shibaozhai: shee-bow-zhye

Chongqing: chawng-ching Suzhou: sy-joh

Daning River: dahn-ing Szechuan: sesh-wahn

Fengdu: fong-doo Wanxian: wahn-shy-ahn

Guilin: gwee-lin Wu: woo

Hangzhou: hahng-joh Xi’an: shee-ahn

Kunming: koo n-ming Xiling: shee-leeng

Lhasa: lah-suh Yang Jia Wang: yahng zhee-ah wahng


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The Wonders of China - IntroductionThe Wonders of China - Introduction With some states and cultures dating back six millennia, China is one of the world’s oldest

continuous civilizations.

The world’s longest continuously used written language system

Believed to be the source of some of the world’s greatest inventions, including the ‘Four Great Inventions of ancient China’:

– paper, the compass, gunpowder, and printing.

One-of-a-kind mix of cultures that boasts modern, cosmopolitan cities such as Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, and the spectacular port of Hong Kong

The engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam

China has become the fourth most popular tourist destination in the world. In fact, of the more than 4.6 million people who visited in 2005, 1.56 million of them were Americans.

QUESTION: It is considered good luck if a house’s gate is facing a certain direction. What direction is that?

ANSWER: South.


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Beijing Olympic VenuesBeijing Olympic Venues

"Water Cube“

• Designed for water-saving and environmental protection

• Outer surface and roof facade can "collect" 10,000 tons of rain water; 70,000 tons of clean water; and 60,000 tons of swimming pool water annually

• Also saves 140,000 tons of recycled water a year

FACT: Red is considered a lucky color in China. Wedding dresses used to be red, and lucky money envelopes that are handed out on New Year’s Day are always red.


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Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center

• Located on the southern coastline, in east China's Shandong Province• Dubbed "Eastern Switzerland", one of China's most important port cities• A unique blend of sea and mountains and a pleasant climate• A important manufacturing center, and an ice-free seaport

TIP: Banking 101 - Most locations in Beijing – restaurants, bars, shops, etc. – are cash-only (they do not accept major credit cards). Given this, it's important to know banking rules in this city. You can withdraw 2,500 RMB (or yuan) twice a day (a 5,000 RMB daily limit) from the Bank of China and 2,000 RMB twice a day (a 4,000 RMB daily limit)


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Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium

• Known as "Diamond of the Bohai Gulf“• Tianjin is the gateway to the capital Beijing• With a population of more than 10 million, it is one of the country's biggest

industrial centers and one of the key ports

•Beach volleyball

•Cycling

•Wresting

•Aquatics


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Shanghai Stadium Shanghai Stadium

• Shanghai is situated in the middle of the east coastline and southern wing of the Yangtze River Delta

• China's major industrial and commercial center• Important hub for land, marine and air transportation with its ports ice-free all the year

roundFACT: Chinese dining tables are usually square to make it easier for diners to access all the serving dishes. Unlike in the West, it’s perfectly acceptable in China to reach across the table for something.


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Shenyang Sports Center Stadium Shenyang Sports Center Stadium

• Shengyang is the capital of Liaoning province• Important transport hub between the three northeastern provinces and the rest of the country• Covers an area of 12,980 square kilometers and has jurisdiction over nine districts and three counties

Pre-HINT: How will you navigate/plan/achieve?Pre-HINT: How will you navigate/plan/achieve?• Exchange Rates?• Coordinate Air Schedules?• Hotels - Located near central city? Hour outside the City?

• Attractions/Museums?• Transfers from/to Airport?• Meals?

• Sightseeing…Is the museum open next Tuesday?


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Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue (Shatin)Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue (Shatin)

Hong Kong is situated at the southern end of the East China Sea adjacent to Guangdong Province.It covers 1,104 square kilometers, and is made of up Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories

(including 262 outer islands).

TIP: East meets West in Hong Kong like no other place in the world.

It has long been an Asian center of trade and culture where, perhaps more than any other place in China, travelers can find natives who speak English as a first language as they delight in the traditionally American pastime of shopping until they drop.


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The Wonders of Beijing - Top Reasons to VisitThe Wonders of Beijing - Top Reasons to Visit

The Ruins of the Yuanmingyuan(The Garden of Perfection and Light)

Built in the Qing Dynasty, this "garden of gardens" was made up of the Garden of Perfection and Light (Yuanmingyuan), and the Garden of Ten Thousand Springtimes (Wanchunyuan).

1. Stroll around the symbolic centre of the Chinese universe - the Tiananmen Square, admiring the most significant building around it

2. Unlock the ancient and arcane secrets of the Forbidden City and explore the complicated royal life of the 24 Ming and Qing emperors

3. Spend a sedate morning admiring the cosmic harmonies of the Temple of Heaven, probing the ancient heaven-worshipping ceremony

4. Enjoy the emperor's holiday life in the exquisite Summer Palace, the playground for the imperial court

5. Get ready for the irresistible challenge of the Great Wall outside town, and feel the grandness of the world's largest military structure

6. Travel to the magnificent Sacred Road to the fabulous Imperial Ming Tombs with Confucian layout and design

False. A trip – especially multi-destination – takes hours of planning, factoring in research time and details such as reserving accommodations, transportation, local sightseeing arrangements and restaurant reservations in different cities. A one-week package could involve up to 19 different transactions, and an escorted tour an average of 28. By buying a vacation package or tour, you benefit from one-stop shopping, saving the time and energy of doing everything yourself.

ASSUMPTION: It’s more efficient to do your own vacation planning.


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The Wonders of BeijingThe Wonders of Beijing

In 1057 B.C., King Wu declared Beijing the capital city. Over the past 3,000+ years, the city has gone by the names of Ji, Zhongdu, and Dadu before circling back to the name of Beijing in 1421. In the West, Beijing was long known as Peking.

Tiananmen SquareTiananmen Square is the largest open-urban square in the world. It was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1417.Named after the Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace), Tiananmen Square is the plaza near the center of Beijing.

TIP: It’s always best to wait for last minute deals.False. Don’t expect to find last minute deals if you’re traveling to a popular destination during high season. Oftentimes you’ll get the best deal by booking far in advance. Some tour operators and vacation packagers offer incentives for early bookings, and you can also

benefit from advance airfare sales.


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The Wonders of Beijing - The Wonders of Beijing - The Forbidden City in Beijing

• Located in the middle of China’s capital city of Beijing, the Forbidden City is a symbol of ancient Chinese aristocracy.• Known also as Gu Gong or “Former Palace,” the Forbidden City was built from 1406 to 1420 and was home to 24

Chinese emperors. • The Forbidden City, so called because it was off limits for 500 years, is the largest and best-preserved cluster of

China’s ancient buildings.• It was Home to the emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties, and those emperors seldom strayed from its

grounds.

TRAVEL TIPSTime ZoneBeijing and Hong Kong are 12 hours ahead of ESTElectricityAn adaptor (which changes the physical plug) and converter (which changes the electric current) are necessary if you plan to use an appliance with voltage that differs from the standard within the country visited. Note: If your appliance has dual voltage you may still need an adaptor for the plug. Country Voltage in China is 220 – 240V, 50 cycles


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The Wonders of BeijingThe Wonders of Beijing

Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs

The Great WallBuilt more than 2,000 years ago - during the spring and autumn (770 B.C. - to 476 B.C.) and the Warring States periods - it was originally a military fortification for the Zhou Dynasty. Many sections were built over time and were connected by order of the Qin Dynasty Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 214 BC.

A highlight for any traveler to China is a stroll along this famed landmark - so massive it’s visible to astronauts in outer space.

The Sacred Road, Ming Tombs, Outside BeijingThirteen of the sixteen Ming emperors are buried in this

picturesque valley of rolling hills and orchards. A guard of 12 sets of stone animals and officials are placed along the

Sacred Road.

Great Red Gate


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The Wonders of Xi’an

The Silk Road - In order to trade silk, a road was started by Han Emperor Wudi The road was originally used for the emissary that Wudi sent to seek allies who would protect

China from the Huns Visitors to China are amazed to walk the ancient and history-rich Silk Road, which connected the

city and all of China to other trading ports across middle, south, and western Asia, as well as Europe since the second century B.C.

TIP: Don’t miss the opportunity to relish the outstanding Dumpling Feast, a culinary highlight of the region

QUESTION: Many years ago, the secret to making silk was closely guarded. What was the penalty for giving that secret away?

ANSWER: Death.

Once called Chang’an, Xi’an has been the capital of 13 different dynasties.The city is surrounded by a wall that was erected during the Ming Dynasty for defensive purposes; today, travelers can rent a bicycle to travel the wall for a one-of-a-kind sightseeing tour.

Forty miles outside the city, you’ll find the famed Terracotta Warriors - sculptures of ancient soldiers and horses

• Dates back to the Qin Dynasty, about 210 BC, but weren’t discovered until 1974• So far, 8,099 figures have been unearthed, and with them, fascinating information about a

legendary Chinese culture that’s only now coming into focus


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The Wonders of ShanghaiThe Wonders of Shanghai

TIP: The city offers quite an American flavor, as it’s been chosen as the regional headquarters for such companies as Intel, General Electric, and Pfizer.

The Bund, a famous waterfront area in Shanghai, China

The "Paris of the Orient", is famous for its prosperity, transportation facilities and the seamless melding of western and eastern cultures.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is a multifunctional body with sight-seeing. restaurant, shopping, entertainment, hotel, radio and TV transmissions.What to Explore:

• Take a stroll down the historic Bund and the bustling Nanjing Street to admire one of the world's finest architectural collections and visit one of the best shopping streets in China.

• Climb up Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Tower or Jinmao Tower and get a bird's eye view of this historic city.

• Be overwhelmed by one of the best museums in China, the Shanghai Museum.

• Be awed at the artistry of the Shanghai Acrobatics Show. • Savor world-class cuisine and then hit the dance floor at some

of Asia' s most stylish and cutting-edge restaurants and nightclubs.


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The Wonders of the Yangtze River and Three GorgesThe Wonders of the Yangtze River and Three Gorges• The dam is being built on the Yangtze

River, the world’s third-largest river.• When the dam is fully functional, its

hydroelectric system will increase national energy output by 10 percent.

TIP: KEY TERMS FOR THE AMERICAN SHOPPER IN CHINAEven though many Chinese people speak English well, there are a few key terms that all American tourists should know before pulling out their wallet on their Chinese adventure.“Ni men shou xin yong ka ma?” means “Do you accept credit cards?” “Wo sui bian kan kan” means “I’m just looking.” “Duo shao qian” means “How much does it cost?” “Tai gui le” means “It’s too expensive.” “Jui zhe xie, xie xie” means “That’s all, thanks.”

The Great Wall across the Yangtze River


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Travel TypesTravel Types

Escorted Tours– River Cruise on Yangtze

Ocean CruisesOther ways to travel

– Independent Tour/“City Stay”– Locally Hosted Tour

TIP: How much activity do you want? Some people want to see everything; others prefer a casual day on the beach or to relax in a café. On an escorted tour, find out how much actual travel there is, versus time to stay put. Is there enough free time? Check the itinerary carefully to be sure that the sights you want to see are included.


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Escorted ToursEscorted Tours See/Do/Visit much more with unmatched value compared with doing it on

your own

– up to 30% savings (tour operators book huge amounts of hotel rooms, tours, etc.)

Ability to experience a destination without worrying about the travel details such as

– Transfers from/to airports

– Hotels…LOCATION!

– Land Transportation

– Sightseeing….LIMITED Lines Many Meals English speaking tour directors or escorts You will have plenty of free time to explore on your own but you will also

benefit from the expert knowledge Tour Directors.


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Classic ChinaClassic ChinaBeijing to Shanghai - 10 dayBeijing to Shanghai - 10 day

•Accommodations•All domestic flights within China•8 nights in deluxe hotels with buffet breakfast/Most meals•Fully-escorted tours with English speaking guides•All transportation and all transfers on the tour Services of an experienced Tour Manager

Beijing Featured Excursions: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and Peking Duck Feast, Great Wall, Ming Tombs and Beijing Opera

Xi’an Featured Excursion: Terra Cotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, dumpling lunch, and Tang Dynasty dinner and show

Shanghai Featured Excursion: Tongli tour and native music and dance performance, Garden of the Humble Administrator, Shanghai city tour and Shanghai Acrobat Performance

ASSUMPTION: You will pay more for a vacation if you use a travel agent.FALSE. The same vacation package will not cost more whether or not you buy it from a travel agent. In fact, some tour operators and wholesalers only work through travel agents, so using an agent may give you a wider choice of vacation options.


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MAGICAL CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVERMAGICAL CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER13 days incl. air, or 12 days from Shanghai to Beijing13 days incl. air, or 12 days from Shanghai to Beijing

INCLUDED FEATURESCruise: Deluxe 4-night cruise from Yichang to Chongqing in an outside stateroom with two lower beds, private facilities, and balcony.Shanghai: Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Bund, a silk factory, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children’s Palace, and the Shanghai Museum; attend an acrobatic show.Yichang:

Begin your Yangtze cruise aboard the Victoria Anna or Victoria JennaThree Gorges Dam: Sightseeing of the impressive dam site with a Local GuideChongqing: Visit a local zooXi’an: Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Dayan Pagoda and Terracotta Warriors, calligraphy class, lacquer workshop, noodle-making demonstration; enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” dinner showBeijing: Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; Hutong tour by rickshaw; visit the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian’anmen Square, Summer Palace, Great Wall, cloisonné workshop, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs; Peking Opera performance; Peking Duck farewell dinner

•VICTORIA The only American managed cruise line on the Yangtze river •has the largest five star fleet cruising the Yangtze River.•VICTORIA has been the favorite Yangtze cruise line of Americans for over a decade.


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Thanks for ComingThanks for Coming

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Exploring The Wonders Of China