Laeh Bensman McHenry

DREAM TRIP COME TRUE: CHINA

China & the Yangtze River
Oct 15, 2013 - Oct 28, 2013
Included Features
Accommodations:
Three nights in Beijing, China, at the deluxe Hilton Beijing Hotel.
Two nights in Xi’an at the deluxe Shangri-La Hotel, Xi’an.
One night in Chongqing at the deluxe InterContinental Hotel.
Three nights aboard the deluxe Century Paragon.
Two nights in Shanghai at the deluxe Hilton Shanghai Hotel.

Meals:
Enjoy an extensive meal program, including 12 breakfasts, six lunches and four dinners. Tea or coffee is included with all meals, plus wine with dinner. Take advantage of leisure time to try the local cuisine independently.
Sample authentic regional specialties at featured local restaurants.
Attend a special Welcome Reception.
Gather for a Farewell Reception.

Transportation:
Flights from Beijing to Xi’an, Xi’an to Chongqing and Yichang to Shanghai.
Deluxe motor coach transfers from the Beijing hotel to the airport, round trip between the airport and the hotel in Xi’an, from the Chongqing airport to the hotel, from the Chongqing hotel to the ship, from the ship to the Yichang airport and from the Shanghai airport to the hotel, including baggage handling.

Activities and Events
(this is NOTfull details of my Day-by-Day Itinerary.)

Informative educational programs, presented by local experts, enhanced my insight into the region.

All excursions:
Discovered the highlights of Beijing.
Stepped back in time with a walk along the Great Wall.
Visited the opulent Summer Palace on Lake Kunming.
Delighted in a performance of Chinese dance, acrobatics and martial arts.
Admired the intricate and ancient Terra Cotta Warriors.
Enjoyed special access to the Archaeological Research Institute in Xi’an.
Visited a farming village in Sia Hu Xi’an County and learn about the folk arts of peasant painting and calligraphy.
Explored the Chongqing Zoo and see endangered giant pandas.
Admired ancient Chinese rock carvings in Dazu County.
Relaxed and relished the scenery on a Yangtze River cruise, including visits to Three Gorges Dam, a relocation village and the Lesser Gorges.
Toured the bustling city of Shanghai, including the Bund and Yu Garden, an irish Pub, and a tour of the "Jewish Getto" and a little shopping for knock-off purses. 

and of course I ate at a variety of local places great CHINESE FOOD!!!!

               Below are just a few of the 300+ photo's I took!
 

no time for TV!!

On the go constantly from early morn to late at night.

many wonderful temples and shrines

the marvelous Terra Cotta Warriors and more

RURAL AREAS HAD "SQUATTIE POTTIES"

fabulous cruise ship on the Yangtze River

show by the ships crew

6:300 Ti Chi on the ship each morning

spare time I walked thru many cities and saw such places as grocery store, food courts and walking/shopping malls

I arrived home, popped on my old Japanese kimono and MODELED MY NEW GARDEN HAT!!

IN ALL A MOST AMAZING CULTURAL EXPERIENCE!