| DAY/ACTIVITY | DESCRIPTION (trip provided by TravelQuest International) | ||
| SATURDAY, JULY 18 ARRIVE SHANGHAI |
Upon arrival at Shanghai International Airport (SHA), you will be met and transferred to our hotel. The balance of the day will be free to relax and explore on your own. (Overnight: Skyway Landis Hotel or similar — 5 nights) (no meals provided) | ||
| SUNDAY, JULY 19 SHANGHAI: • Children's Palace • Oriental Pearl Tower • Evening River Cruise |
Today we will visit the Children's Palace (a pre-revolution mansion turned school of arts) and the Oriental Pearl Tower (the third tallest tower in the world) to have a bird's-eye view of Shanghai. After dinner, we will cruise on Huangpu River to enjoy a fascinating night view of Shanghai. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided) | ||
| MONDAY, JULY 20 SUZHOU |
Today's excursion will take us to the historic city of Suzhou, noted for its canals, incredible silk tapestries, and landscaped classical gardens. While we cruise the ancient Grand Canal with a history of more than 2400 years, we will experience the unique cultures and glimpse the daily life of the local residents. We will tour the Lingering Garden, one of the most famous gardens in China, also known for the exquisite beauty of its magnificent halls and buildings. Afterwards, our visit to the silk embroidery factory will show us the complexity of creating these extraordinary textiles. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided) | ||
| TUESDAY, JULY 21 SHANGHAI: • Yu Garden • The Bund • Nanjing Road |
Today we will visit the five-acre Yu Garden highlighted by its Exquisite Jade Rock, which is over 10 feet in height and has 72 holes. What is intriguing about this rock is that smoke from a joss stick placed just below the rock will float out from all of the holes, while water poured into the top will flow out from each hole, creating a magical sight. Other highlights today include the Bund, the historic waterfront road rich in diverse colonial-era architecture; bustling Nanjing Road, the city's main shopping district that must be experienced even if you aren't shopping; and the renowned Shanghai Museum of Art and History, which ranks among the great museums of the world. After dinner, don't miss the briefing for tomorrow's eclipse day activities. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided) | ||
| WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 ECLIPSE DAY (outside Shanghai) |
Early this morning we will leave Shanghai for our pre-selected eclipse viewing site. Join us this evening for a celebration dinner. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided) Local contact times from our approximate viewing site: 08:23.03 (first contact, altitude 40 degrees) 09:36.07 (totality begins, altitude 57 degrees 09:39.03 (mid eclipse, altitude 57 degrees 09:42.01 (totality ends, altitude 57 degrees 11:02.40 (fourth contact, altitude 73 degrees Duration of totality: 5 minutes and 53.5 seconds |
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| THURSDAY, JULY 23 SHANGHAI and onward |
After breakfast and check-out, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight onward, or you may wish to join one of our optional add-on tours. | ||
| ECLIPSE WEATHER IN SHANGHAI (written by Jay Anderson) Monsoon conditions over China during July offer unencouraging cloud prospects for the 2009 eclipse everywhere along the track — except on the coast of the South China Sea near Shanghai. The cooler temperatures flowing off of the ocean suppress the formation of convective clouds when winds blow onshore, bringing a sunnier climate and relief from the high humidity typical of inland regions. Climate data for Shanghai's Pudong Airport, situated on the coast, reveals that the average cloud cover is 4 to 15 percent lower than at Shanghai city and Hongqiao Airport, both of which lie well inland. The coast of China has some of the best cloud prospects anywhere along the eclipse track, and comes with the added benefit of an extended eclipse duration. Falling temperatures during an eclipse typically subdue the growth of small convective clouds and a further reduction of 5 or even 10% in cloud cover on eclipse day is a possibility. PRICING: $2,230 U.S. Dollars (USD) per person based on double occupancy. Add $600 for single occupancy. Pricing is based on a November 2007 exchange rate of 7.42 RMB (China Yuan Renminbi) to $1 USD. At the time of final payment (see below) if the exchange rate changes in either direction by more than 5% from the current rate, pricing will be adjusted accordingly. Trip includes:
Not Included:
Terms: A $500 per person advance payment (payable by MasterCard, Visa, Discover or American Express, or by check drawn on a US bank) along with a completed reservation form, confirms your space. A second advance payment of $1,000 is due September 25, 2008. The balance is due March 16, 2009. All advance payments, less a $250 per person service fee, are refundable until September 25, 2008. From September 26 to March 16, 2009, there will be a $750 per person cancellation fee. There are no refunds after March 16, 2009. Air cancellation terms are additional. |