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Sponsored by Kona Historical Society Splendors of China, Tibet & the Yangtze River A Luxe 14-Day Bucket-List Odyssey Through the Mystical Middle Kingdom September 7 - 20, 2018 ITINERARY OUTLINE Come with The Hawaii Connection on a remarkable journey through celestial China, where our focus will be on the glory and grandeur of an ancient empire, as well as on the charms and curiosities of its contemporary culture. We’ll explore 4,000 years of tumultuous history, a wealth of architecture and artifacts and the ethereal mountainous and riverine landscapes of a country that has galloped into the 21st century. Home to 31 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and to one-fourth of the earth’s population, China is called Zhongguo — the Middle Kingdom — by its people, who once believed that the Temple of Heaven in Beijing demarked the exact center of the known world. This historically xenophobic country was vanquished in the 13th cen- tury by Kublai Khan’s fearsome Mongol hordes and 800 years later is being relentlessly conquered by capitalists. Only open to Western visitors since 1978, China today offers all the compelling characteristics of the most-prized destinations: distinctive cultures, spectacular arts and antiquities and breathtaking scenery coupled with leading-edge hotels and world- class cuisine. We will observe up-close and personal the remarkable dynamics of a traditional, timeless land awakening rapidly to the nearly boundless promise and possibilities of this fresh millennium. Experience the most dazzling of the manmade and natural marvels that have seduced travelers since Marco Polo’s intrepid 13th c. expeditions. Explore with The Hawaii Connection, from pagodas and palaces to gardens and gorges, the exotic, elusive China of your imagination before it morphs into an Armani-clad, Porsche-driving, pop music-listening nation. Fly into Beijing, capital of the People’s Republic, where hardline Communist ideology is visibly succumbing to the goals of personal wealth and private ownership. Here in this bustling city we’ll examine its glorious legacies: the Ming Dynasty Temple of Heaven complex, where only the em- peror could worship; the planet’s longest manmade structure —the 13,000-mile Great Wall that was constructed as a forti- fication against barbarian invasions; and the incomparable Forbidden City, former abode of China’s First Family, 178 acres composed of 999 marvelously preserved buildings dating from the 14th century. Witness the massive plaza of Tiananmen Square where Chairman Mao still prevails, ride by rickshaw through the historic maze-like Hutong district with its courtyard houses from an earlier era, and browse for bargains on coveted handicrafts. In the vast park of the imperial Summer Palace north of Beijing, admire the serene lake, arched stone bridges, marble sculpture and exquisite classical gardens. Onward to Xian, once the largest city on earth, capital of 11 significant dynasties, and eastern terminus of the legendary Silk Road. Here in 1974 was discovered the astounding underground vault of nearly 8,000 life- size terra cotta warriors created to guard the entrance to First Emperor Qin’s tomb. We’ll investigate this stupendous, jaw-dropping excavation —8th Wonder of the World— as well as historical city highlights like the Bell and Drum Towers and Wild Goose Pagoda. 07 SEP Arrive Beijing Ritz-Carlton Hotel 08 SEP Beijing BL 09 SEP Beijing BLD 10 SEP Beijing/Xian BD Shangri-La Xian Hotel 11 SEP Xian BLD 12 SEP Xian/Lhasa, Tibet BD Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel 13 SEP Lhasa BLD 14 SEP Lhasa BLD 15 SEP Lhasa/Yangtze BD RV Century Legend 16 SEP Yangtze River BLD 17 SEP Yangtze River BLD 18 SEP Yangtze/Shanghai BL Fairmont Peace Hotel 19 SEP Shanghai BL 20 SEP Shangai/USA B For The Hawaii Connection
Transcript of Splendors of China, Tibet & the Yangtze River_TIBET... · Splendors of China, Tibet & the Yangtze...
Sponsored by Kona Historical Society
Splendors of China, Tibet & the Yangtze River
A Luxe 14-Day Bucket-List OdysseyThrough the Mystical Middle Kingdom
September 7 - 20, 2018
ITINERARY OUTLINE
Come with The Hawaii Connection on a remarkablejourney through celestial China, where our focuswill be on the glory and grandeur of an ancientempire, as well as on the charms and curiosities ofits contemporary culture. We’ll explore 4,000 yearsof tumultuous history, a wealth of architecture andartifacts and the ethereal mountainousand riverine landscapes of a country thathas galloped into the 21st century. Hometo 31 UNESCO World Heritage Sites andto one-fourth of the earth’s population,China is called Zhongguo — the MiddleKingdom — by its people, who oncebelieved that the Temple of Heaven inBeijing demarked the exact center of theknown world. This historically xenophobiccountry was vanquished in the 13th cen-tury by Kublai Khan’s fearsome Mongolhordes and 800 years later is beingrelentlessly conquered by capitalists.
Only open to Western visitors since 1978,China today offers all the compellingcharacteristics of the most-prizeddestinations: distinctive cultures,spectacular arts and antiquities and breathtakingscenery coupled with leading-edge hotels and world-class cuisine. We will observe up-close and personalthe remarkable dynamics of a traditional, timelessland awakening rapidly to the nearly boundlesspromise and possibilities of this fresh millennium.
Experience the most dazzling of the manmade andnatural marvels that have seduced travelers sinceMarco Polo’s intrepid 13th c. expeditions. Explore withThe Hawaii Connection, from pagodas and palaces togardens and gorges, the exotic, elusive China of yourimagination before it morphs into an Armani-clad,
Porsche-driving, pop music-listening nation.
Fly into Beijing, capital of the People’sRepublic, where hardline Communistideology is visibly succumbing to the goalsof personal wealth and private ownership.Here in this bustling city we’ll examine itsglorious legacies: the Ming Dynasty Templeof Heaven complex, where only the em-peror could worship; the planet’s longestmanmade structure —the 13,000-mileGreat Wall that was constructed as a forti-fication against barbarian invasions; andthe incomparable Forbidden City, formerabode of China’s First Family, 178 acrescomposed of 999 marvelously preservedbuildings dating from the 14th century.Witness the massive plaza of TiananmenSquare where Chairman Mao still prevails,
ride by rickshaw through the historic maze-like Hutongdistrict with its courtyard houses from an earlier era,and browse for bargains on coveted handicrafts. Inthe vast park of the imperial Summer Palace north ofBeijing, admire the serene lake, arched stone bridges,marble sculpture and exquisite classical gardens.
Onward to Xian, once the largest city on earth, capitalof 11 significant dynasties, and eastern terminus ofthe legendary Silk Road. Here in 1974 was discoveredthe astounding underground vault of nearly 8,000 life-size terra cotta warriors created to guard the entranceto First Emperor Qin’s tomb. We’ll investigate thisstupendous, jaw-dropping excavation —8th Wonderof the World— as well as historical city highlights likethe Bell and Drum Towers and Wild Goose Pagoda.
07 SEP Arrive BeijingRitz-Carlton Hotel
08 SEP Beijing BL09 SEP Beijing BLD10 SEP Beijing/Xian BD
Shangri-La Xian Hotel11 SEP Xian BLD12 SEP Xian/Lhasa, Tibet BD
Shangri-La Lhasa Hotel13 SEP Lhasa BLD14 SEP Lhasa BLD15 SEP Lhasa/Yangtze BD
RV Century Legend16 SEP Yangtze River BLD17 SEP Yangtze River BLD18 SEP Yangtze/Shanghai BL
Fairmont Peace Hotel19 SEP Shanghai BL20 SEP Shangai/USA B
For The Hawaii Connection
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KONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY BENEFIT JOURNEYSplendors of China, Tibet & the Yangtze is offeredfor benefit of Kona Historical Society. We arepleased to be the sponsor and beneficiary of thisinnovative travel program, pioneered by formerKona resident Irene Croft, Jr., that has raised, todate, a greatly appreciated $1,174,690 for Hawaiicommunity organizations. Irene’s goal is to offerintelligent, compelling itineraries with deluxe crea-ture comforts to uncommon destinations for ab-solutely unbeatable value at lowest inclusive fares.KHS is grateful for your included tax-deductibledonations, which will support ongoing operationalexpenses as well as stewardship of our extensivearchives and award-winning living history projects.
For this journey exclusive features and benefitshave been negotiated at rates that simply cannotbe matched on your own. In order to secure thesesubstantial advantages for KHS participants, firm
commitments are made to travel providers guar-anteeing our group’s minimum numbers as wellas compliance with any imposed restrictions. Pay-ments for this fundraising benefit journey are ac-cepted solely, per usual, by check or bank wire.Trip deposit as well as final payment —due byMarch 9, 2018— are refundable, less $750 dona-tion to KHS and insurance fee, subject to the termsand conditions of providers’ cancellation policies.
Costed into your trip fare is the premium for TII’sGroup Deluxe Protection Plan. Major benefits oncruise-tour include up to $250,000 EmergencyMedical Evacuation/Repatriation and $50,000 Medi-cal Expense, plus 24/7 Worldwide Emergency As-sistance Services. We encourage the purchase ofoptional Trip Cancellation & Interruption (TC&I) in-surance to protect your travel investment and willoffer economical coverage for your consideration.
Reservations Close Sep. 22, 2017
Irene Croft, Jr.
Deposit of $1,750 per person to book
201 Concord Rd, SW Smyrna, GA 30082
Call our KHS organizer today:
at 404-826-9906 EST
Fly to the “Roof of theWorld,” to mythic Tibet,an autonomous region ofChina perched high in theHimalayas. Lhasa, capitalof this fabled land, ishome to the architectural
masterpiece of Potala Palace, the 1,000-room former winter residence of the exiledDalai Lama; to 13-hundred-year-old gold-domed Jokhang Temple, an historic pilgri-mage site and spiritual epicenter of TibetanBuddhism; and to 15th c. Sera Monasterydisplaying a brilliant collection of sacred art.
Depart by air for Chongqing to board theluxurious 5-star Century Legend. Enrouteto the ship, pause at the city zoo to observehighly endangered Giant Pandas, thenembark on a meandering three-nightpassage through the most photogenicstretches of the Yangtze, the longest riverin Asia at 3,915 miles. In addition to dazzlingriverscapes of steep limestone cliffs andmist-wreathed mountains that inspired twomillennia of Chinese painters, highlights ofour voyage will include 12-story ShibaoPagoda, the magical Goddess Stream, and
the engineering marvel of Three GorgesDam —largest hydroelectric-power projectever launched. This controversial dam,completed in 2012, displaced two millioninhabitants and submerged ancient ruralvillages and remnants of earlier civilizations.
Celebrated as “Paris of the East” prior toWorld War II, Shanghai today offers afascinating blend of East and West. We’llexamine the remains of its intriguingcolonial past and feel the pulse of its edgycontemporary life. Top attractions includethe oft-photographed waterfront Bund ofelegant Art Deco buildings, atmospheric oldEuropean trading concessions, lovely YuGardens, and soaring futuristic skyscrapers.
Look forward on this unforgettable journeynot only to the infinite pleasures of discov-ery but also to the meticulous arrangementsand uncommon extras that are a hallmark—and highlight!— of journeys around theglobe with The Hawaii Connection, our con-vivial, ever-expanding family of travelers.
14-day UniWorld journey to preeminentbucket-list destinations, featuring luxuryhotels and a 4-day Yangtze River cruise on5-star MV Century Legend in huge, hand-somely appointed 415 sq. ft. ExecutiveSuites with private balconies
Meals, per Itinerary Outline, of highestquality regional and international cuisine,accompanied by softdrinks, coffee and tea,plus local wine and beer at cruise dinners
Special dining and cultural events: GreatWall Welcome Dinner, Dumpling Banquetand Tang Dynasty Dinner Show; PekingDuck, Dim Sum and Hutang lunches;andShanghai Acrobatic Troupe performance
Comprehensive guided excursions to topsites with all entry fees and gratuities
Airport transfers, internal flights, and alltransportation within China and Tibet
Exclusive KHS Bonus Benefits: Privatecocktail and dinner party events, all cruisestaff gratuities, insurance premium forcovered medical/emergency assistance,and $750 tax-deductible donation to KHS
INCLUDES
www.uniworld.com/en/river-cruise/asia/yangtze/china-tibet-and-the-yangtze/2018-beijing-to-shanghai
CHECK OUT FULL TRIP DETAILS
An Unbeatable Value
$7,499 DBL, per person
SGL supplement: +$1,995
Inquire about Biz & Economy
air possibilities
