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China’s sheer size and density is impossible to fathom, until you walk across the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square or gaze at the unending Great Wall. Take a leisurely cruise down the Yangtze River and ride the world’s fastest train. Experience this country of superlatives with all of its contrasts, from pristine landscapes to towering cityscapes, from ancient sites to modern marvels.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
9 nights in handpicked hotels and 4 nights aboard the M/V Emperor or M/V Victoria Empress
Breakfast daily, 11 lunches, 9 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
The magic & mystery of the Forbidden City
The immensity of the Great Wall
Gorgeous scenery in the Three Gorges
The quality & quantity of the Terracotta Warriors
Shanghai—China’s showpiece city
Sample the delicacies of dim sum
Fly to the other end of the earth
Your journey begins with an overnight flight to China aboard a major airline.
Begin your explorations of China in the cosmopolitan Northern Capital
Breakfast (in flight)
Welcome to Beijing. After you clear customs, a
Go Ahead representative will greet you and
accompany you to your hotel.
Trek across Tiananmen Square and through the Forbidden City
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Imperial Palace
Delve into more than 2,000 years of Beijing history with a series of guided sightseeing tours over the next three days. This morning, make your way across Tian’anmen Square and through the Imperial Palace, a maze of palaces also known as the Forbidden City. Spend your afternoon exploring Beijing on your own before joining your fellow travelers for an included dinner.
Feel the sacred symmetry at the Temple of Heaven
Breakfast, Lunch
Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven
This morning, walk among the sacred structures of the Temple of Heaven Park and go behind-the-scenes at a pearl factory, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of the trade. After an included lunch, a local guide leads you through the Summer Palace with its famed Long Corridor and Marble Boat. Following your tour, cruise along Kumming Lake to soak in more of the local scenery.
Walk along the ancient ramparts of the Great Wall
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sacred Way, Great Wall
Head outside Beijing today to witness the Great Wall. Take a couple of hours to explore on your own before journeying to the Sacred Way, a pathway lined with sculptures of ancient leaders and animals. Then, stop to discover Beijing’s impressive Olympic park. (Please note: Depending on traffic conditions, the visit to Olympic Park may occur in the afternoon on Day 4). After tonight’s included dinner, join our optional Kung Fu Show.
Optional Excursions
Kung Fu Show $45* pp
This exciting theatrical performance, The Legend of Kung Fu, tells a story of a young boy who dreams of becoming a kung fu master one day. The show’s performers, a collection of some of the country’s best kung fu artists, put on a spectacular display that will leave you mesmerized.
Cruise across the Yangtze plain
Breakfast, Lunch (in flight), Dinner
Spend one last morning in Beijing before flying to Yichang, where you’ll embark on your cruise of the Yangtze River. The largest river in Asia, the Yangtze is said to be the cradle of Chinese civilization.
Float through the Three Gorge’s towering cliffs and raging rapids
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Make your way upstream and step on shore at the Three Gorges Dam, where a local guide explains the history, construction and lasting impact of this man-made site. Spend your afternoon exploring Xiling Gorge, the first and longest of the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, whose jagged, stratified cliffs hang over the water. Or, meet the native tribes who inhabit the gorges on a shore excursion. Later in the evening, relax aboard your ship as you cruise through the night.
Sail on a sampan through the magnificent scenery of Qutang Gorge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drift along the Daning River and Shennong Stream, passing the mysterious and ancient hanging coffins and wild monkeys on shore. Then, board a long-tail boat to explore the river’s narrower tributaries. Afterward, return to your cruise ship and continue to the Lesser Three Gorges. Upon reaching Qutang Gorge, gaze upon the sheer cliffs for a view of the Meng Liang staircase.
Catch a glimpse of Wanxian or Fengdu before they are submerged
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today your cruise ship docks for an on-shore
excursion to either Fengdu, known as the Ghost City, or Wanzhou, famous for its natural sites.
Get acquainted with Yaya the giant panda and General “Vinegar Joe”
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chonqing Zoo
Disembark from your ship in Chongqing, where a local guide leads you through this mountain city. Your tour includes visits to the Chongqing Zoo, home to some of China’s famous pandas. After lunch, board your flight for Xi’an, and arrive in Kion just in time for an included dinner.
Come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors
Breakfast, Lunch
Terracotta Warriors, Great Wild Goose Pagoda
On today’s tour of Xi’an, marvel at the Terra Cotta Warriors, an underground battle formation of 8,099 life-sized pottery warriors buried with Emperor Quin Shi Huáng. Then, pay a visit to the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and Temple of Great Goodwill. (Please note: Occasionally the Great Wild Goose Pagoda visit occurs on the afternoon of Day 10). Tonight, opt for dinner in a local restaurant, followed by a Tang Dynasty performance.
Optional Excursions
Tang Dynasty Evening $79* pp
After a Chinese dinner at a local theater, enjoy a colorful performance dramatizing the famous Tang Dynasty’s period of rule over Xi’an, portrayed through traditional Chinese dances, music and costumes.
Prepare yourself for the biggest and busiest city in the world
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, board your flight to Shanghai. After arrival, you’re free to relax or explore before
tonight’s group dinner.
Discover the diversity of Shanghai, from the Bund to the Buddhists
Breakfast, Lunch
Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple
Discover Shanghai’s history as you stroll the Bund, the city’s waterfront promenade, and Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden. Then, visit an
active Buddhist temple, home to 70 monks. In the evening, opt to attend an acrobatic performance.
Optional Excursions
Dinner & Acrobatic Show $55* pp
Dinner and a show is a little different in China, as you'll see tonight. After enjoying dinner, you'll be treated to a gravity-defying acrobatic show that might make you rethink your idea of "dinner theater."
Explore the winding canals and classic gardens in romantic Suzhou
Breakfast, Dinner
Continue your explorations of the bustiing city of Shanghai today, or join an excursion to Suzhou, a moat-encircled city of gardens and canals. Your guide will lead you through the canals to the city’s best sights, including the Tiger Hill, a park teeming with historical legends, and Suzhou Museum. The excursion also includes a visit to a silk factory.
Optional Excursions
Suzhou $85* pp
Spend the day in Suzhou, a gorgeous city on the shores of tranquil Lake Tai. On your tour of Suzhou, you'll visit the Suzhou Museum, a stretch of the Grand Canal, Tiger Hill, the leaning Huqiu Tower and a local silk factory. A Chinese lunch is also included.
Hop over to Hong Kong or head home
Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Delve deeper into Chinese history and culture during a three-night stay in Hong Kong or board your flight home.
Extend Your Stay
Add Hong Kong $649*
Immerse yourself in the complexity and contrasts of Hong Kong. Your first impressions will be the skyscrapers of glass and steel and the hustle-bustle of passers-by. But look past the shiny new surfaces to discover an ancient culture that gives the city an exotic flavor and its citizens a unique outlook.
Journey to the land where East meets West
Breakfast
This morning, travel to the airport aboard the Shanghai Maglev “Magnetic Levitation” Train, the fastest train in the world. It can reach 220 mph in under 2 minutes. Then board a flight to Hong Kong and transfer to your hotel. Begin exploring the city on your own this evening.
Feast on dim sum and take in Hong Kong’s expansive cityscape
Breakfast, Lunch
Today, explore Hong Kong on an included guided tour. Enjoy an included guided sightseeing of the city including Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Fishing Village and Stanley Market. Then, enjoy an included Dim Sum lunch with your group. Tonight, join an optional Hong Kong by Night excursion.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Hong Kong by Night $95* pp
Experience the magic of Hong Kong while taking in the city’s bustling nightlife. After an included dinner, you'll visit the Temple Street Night Market, the perfect place for bargain hunting and rubbing shoulders with the locals. Wander through the market, then enjoy drinks aboard a leisurely cruise of Victoria Harbor.
Sail back in time to ancient monasteries and traditional villages
Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day exploring Hong Kong at your leisure. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Lantau Island. Embark on a ferry ride through the city’s bustling harbor to discover this island of pristine beaches, traditional fishing villages, soaring mountains and Ngong Ping 360.
Optional Excursions
New Lantau Island Tour $119* pp
When you first arrived in Hong Kong, you may have noticed that in this city where “east meets west,” mountains rather than high-rises dominate the view—especially to the south, where a giant Buddha sits perched on a hilltop. This is Lantau Island, a quirky island replete with temples, rugged mountain paths and wandering cattle. On this full-day excursion, you'll visit the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha. You'll also enjoy a cable car ride over the island and the South China Sea.
Say joigin as you board your flight home
Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Board your flight home.
Print This Page
China’s sheer size and density is impossible to fathom, until you walk across the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square or gaze at the unending Great Wall. Take a leisurely cruise down the Yangtze River and ride the world’s fastest train. Experience this country of superlatives with all of its contrasts, from pristine landscapes to towering cityscapes, from ancient sites to modern marvels.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
9 nights in handpicked hotels and 4 nights aboard the MS Grace
Breakfast daily, 10 lunches, 7 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
The magic & mystery of the Forbidden City
The immensity of the Great Wall
Gorgeous scenery in the Three Gorges
The quality & quantity of the Terracotta Warriors
Shanghai—China’s showpiece city
Sample the delicacies of dim sum
Fly to the other end of the earth
Begin your journey with an overnight flight on a major airline to China.
Begin your explorations of China in the cosmopolitan Northern Capital
Breakfast (in flight)
Welcome to Beijing! A Go Ahead representative greets you after you clear customs and accompanies you to your hotel.
Trek across Tiananmen Square and through the Forbidden City
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Imperial Palace
Delve into more than 2,000 years of Beijing history with a series of guided sightseeing tours over the next three days. This morning, make your way across Tian’anmen Square and through the Imperial Palace, a maze of palaces also known as the Forbidden City. Spend your afternoon exploring Beijing on your own before joining your fellow travelers for an included dinner.
Feel the sacred symmetry at the Temple of Heaven
Breakfast, Lunch
Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven
This morning, walk among the sacred structures of the Temple of Heaven Park and go behind-thescenes at a pearl factory, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of the trade. After an included lunch, a local guide leads you through the Summer Palace with its famed Long Corridor and Marble Boat. Following your tour, cruise along Kumming Lake to soak in more of the local scenery.
Walk along the ancient ramparts of the Great Wall
Breakfast, Lunch
Sacred Way
Head outside Beijing today to witness the Great Wall. Take a couple of hours to explore on your own before journeying to the Sacred Way, a pathway lined with sculptures of ancient leaders and animals. Then, stop to discover Beijing’s impressive Olympic park. (Please note: Depending on traffic conditions, the visit to Olympic Park may occur in the afternoon on Day 4). Tonight, check out the optional Kung Fu show at one of Beijing’s finest theaters.
Optional Excursions
Kung Fu Show $45* pp
This exciting theatrical performance, The Legend of Kung Fu, tells a story of a young boy who dreams of becoming a kung fu master one day. The show’s performers, a collection of some of the country’s best kung fu artists, put on a spectacular display that will leave you mesmerized.
Cruise across the Yangtze plain
Breakfast, Lunch (in flight), Dinner
Savor one last morning in Beijing before flying to Yichang, where you’ll embark on your cruise of the Yangtze River. The largest river in Asia, the Yangtze is said to be the cradle of Chinese civilization.
Float through the Three Gorge’s towering cliffs and raging rapids
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Make your way upstream and step on shore at the Three Gorges Dam, where a local guide explains the history, construction and lasting impact of this man-made site. Spend your afternoon exploring Xiling Gorge, the first and longest of the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, whose jagged, stratified cliffs hang over the water. Or, meet the native tribes who inhabit the gorges on a shore excursion. Later in the evening, relax aboard your ship as you cruise through the night.
Sail on a sampan through the magnificent scenery of Qutang Gorge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drift along the Daning River and Shennong Stream, passing the mysterious and ancient hanging coffins and wild monkeys on shore. Then, board a long-tail boat to explore the river’s narrower tributaries. Afterward, return to your cruise ship and continue to the Lesser Three Gorges. Upon reaching Qutang Gorge, gaze upon the sheer cliffs for a view of the Meng Liang staircase.
Catch a glimpse of Wanxian or Fengdu before they are submerged
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today your cruise ship docks for an on-shore excursion to either Fengdu, known as the Ghost City, or Wanzhou, famous for its natural sites.
Get acquainted with Yaya the giant panda and General “Vinegar Joe”
Breakfast, Lunch
Chonqing Zoo
Disembark from your ship in Chongqing, where a local guide leads you through this mountain city. Your tour includes visits to the Chongqing Zoo, home to some of China’s famous pandas. After lunch, board your flight for Xi’an.
Come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors
Breakfast, Lunch
Terracotta Warriors, Great Wild Goose Pagoda
On today’s tour of Xi’an, marvel at the Terra Cotta Warriors, an underground battle formation of 8,099 life-sized pottery warriors buried with Emperor Quin Shi Huáng. Then, pay a visit to the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and Temple of Great Goodwill. (Please note: Occasionally the Great Wild Goose Pagoda visit occurs on the afternoon of Day 10). Tonight, opt for dinner in a local restaurant, followed by a Tang Dynasty performance.
Optional Excursions
Tang Dynasty Evening $79* pp
After a Chinese dinner at a local theater, enjoy a colorful performance dramatizing the famous Tang Dynasty’s period of rule over Xi’an, portrayed through traditional Chinese dances, music and costumes.
Prepare yourself for the biggest and busiest city in the world
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, transfer to Shanghai. Later, a local guide will introduce you to the city’s waterfront promenade, the Bund, on the way to dinner.
Discover the diversity of Shanghai, from the Bund to the Buddhists
Breakfast, Lunch
Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple
Today, your insider’s tour of Shanghai continues, with visits to the Jade Buddha Temple, home to 70 monks, and to Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden. In the evening, opt to attend an acrobatics performance reminiscent of the Cirque de Soleil.
Optional Excursions
Dinner & Acrobatic Show $55* pp
Dinner and a show is a little different in China, as you'll see tonight. After enjoying dinner, you'll be treated to a gravity-defying acrobatic show that might make you rethink your idea of "dinner theater."
Explore the winding canals and classic gardens in romantic Suzhou
Breakfast, Dinner
Tiger Hill, Suzhou Museum
Continue your explorations of the bustling city of Shanghai today, or join an excursion to Suzhou, a moat-encircled city of gardens and canals. Your guide will lead you through the canals to the city’s best sights, including the Grand Canal, Suzhou Museum and a silk factory. The highlight is Tiger Hill, a park teeming with historical legends. Tonight, share a final farewell dinner with your traveling companions.
Optional Excursions
Suzhou $85* pp
Spend the day in Suzhou, a gorgeous city on the shores of tranquil Lake Tai. On your tour of Suzhou, you'll visit the Suzhou Museum, a stretch of the Grand Canal, Tiger Hill, the leaning Huqiu Tower and a local silk factory. A Chinese lunch is also included.
Hop over to Hong Kong or head home
Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Delve deeper into Chinese history and culture during a three-night stay in Hong Kong or board your flight home.
Extend Your Stay
Add Hong Kong $1,199*
Immerse yourself in the complexity and contrasts of Hong Kong. Your first impressions will be the skyscrapers of glass and steel and the hustle-bustle of passers-by. But look past the shiny new surfaces to discover an ancient culture that gives the city an exotic flavor and its citizens a unique outlook.
Journey to the land where East meets West
Breakfast
This morning, travel to the airport aboard the Shanghai Maglev “Magnetic Levitation” Train, the fastest train in the world. It can reach 220 mph in under two minutes. Then, board a flight to Hong Kong and transfer to your hotel. Get to know the city on your own this evening.
Feast on dim sum and take in Hong Kong’s expansive cityscape
Breakfast, Lunch
Uncover Hong Kong on a guided tour, passing by Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Fishing Village and Stanley Market. Then, enjoy an included dim sum lunch with your group. In the evening, opt to join our Hong Kong by Night excursion.
Must be booked 20 days before departure
Optional Excursions
Hong Kong by Night $95* pp
Experience the magic of Hong Kong while taking in the city’s bustling nightlife. After an included dinner, you'll visit the Temple Street Night Market, the perfect place for bargain hunting and rubbing shoulders with the locals. Wander through the market, then enjoy drinks aboard a leisurely cruise of Victoria Harbor.
Sail back in time to ancient monasteries and traditional villages
Breakfast
Spend the day exploring Hong Kong at your leisure. Or, join an excursion to Lantau Island. Embark on a ferry ride through the city’s bustling harbor to discover this island of pristine beaches, traditional fishing villages, soaring mountains and Ngong Ping 360.
Optional Excursions
New Lantau Island Tour $119* pp
When you first arrived in Hong Kong, you may have noticed that in this city where “east meets west,” mountains rather than high-rises dominate the view—especially to the south, where a giant Buddha sits perched on a hilltop. This is Lantau Island, a quirky island replete with temples, rugged mountain paths and wandering cattle. On this full-day excursion, you'll visit the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha. You'll also enjoy a cable car ride over the island and the South China Sea.
Say joigin as you board your flight home
Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Board your flight home.
Passport & Visa
In order to enter China (as well as Hong Kong on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of your return home and at least two blank pages. A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter China. You can obtain an individual visa through our recommended provider VisaCentral (www.visacentral.com/goaheadtours). If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Health
There is some risk of the following diseases in China, mostly concentrated in rural areas: dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever. Travelers should make sure to wear protective clothing and insect repellent when outside, particularly in forested or rural areas. Sun protection is also highly advisable. No vaccinations are required for entry. However, it’s always advisable to check with your health-care provider at least eight weeks prior to departure for recommendations and the latest updates on requirements. For updated information on travel in this area, call the Centers for Disease Control and Protection at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877- 394-8747) or visit its website at www.cdc.gov/ travel and view the sections on East Asia.
Important Health Tips
In order for you to stay healthy throughout your tour, we recommend the following:
1. Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing teeth.
2. Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
3. Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications.
Cuisine
The diversity of Chinese cuisine reflects China’s long history. With each dynasty, new recipes and cooking styles emerged. The food on tour will introduce you to many of the country’s “Eight Cuisines”— Shangdong, Sichuan, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan and Anhui. Sichuan cooking features three peppers (Chinese prickly ash, pepper and hot pepper), three aromas (shallot, ginger, and garlic), seven tastes (sweet, sour, tingling, spicy, bitter, piquant and salty) and eight flavors (fish-flavored, sour with spice, pepper-tingling, odd flavor, tingling with spice, red spicy oily, ginger sauce and home cooking). Hunan cuisine stresses the use of oil, dense color and techniques that produce crispness, softness and tenderness as well as savory flavors and spices. Popular dishes include stewed fins, fried fresh cabbage with chestnuts and Dong Anzi chicken. Along the Yangtze River, you may sample Ahhui cuisine. Some traditional Ahhui dishes include braised turtle with ham and Fuliji grilled chicken.
Transportation / Walking on tour
Round-trip flights arrive in Beijing and depart from Shanghai (Hong Kong for extension) Internal flights from Beijing to Yichang, Chongqing to Xi’an and Xi’an to Shanghai. All other included transportation is by private motor coach or river boat.
Clothing & Packing Tips
Please note that, depending upon the season, China’s climate can change drastically as you move from one destination to the next. Due to the varying climates on your trip, we advise that you pack in layers. Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is also recommended for shore excursions and exploring the cities. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and rainwear are advised. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Please contact your airline directly for more information on your airline’s baggage allowance. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be select times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage. Please note: On internal flights included on tour, you may be charged for any baggage over 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
Currency
Chinese money is called renminbi (RMB), which means “People’s Currency.” The popular unit of RMB is yuan. Better rates of exchange are available in China, because exchange rates are fixed throughout China. In Hong Kong, the currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). We advise that you take a combination of bank/ATM cards and credit cards, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalency of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalency of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping. The cruise line will automatically bill a flat service charge of 150 yuan (equal to $22.50 USD/CAD) to each passengers’ credit card upon check-in. (Please note: Currency rates can fluctuate.) This charge will cover tips to the onboard crew, including housekeeping and restaurant staff. Tips for the river cruise guides are not automatically billed. The cruise line recommends approx $5-6 USD/CAD per person, per day.
China 2013
Wonderful people, controlling government.
By Richard | 6/7/2013
Traveled On: 4/24/2013
Number of Past Tours: 6
From: VA
Tour Director: 4 / 5
Tour Value: 4 / 5
Imperial China & The Yangtze River May 2013
If you are looking to EXPERIENCE China and not just see China, this is the tour for you. If you are lucky enough to have our Tour Guide (David) then you are in for the experience of a lifetime. The sights, food, culture and eductional aspects of this tour are over the top. David our tour director made this one of our most safe and informative trips EVER. The local guides add a local flavor that is unmatched in world travel. Shirley, our local guide in Xi'an, made us feel like we were living in the time of the Terracotta warriors. WOW!! Personally my desire to visit China was mainly to see the Great Wall in person but thanks to David, Shirley and the many other Chinese people that this tour exposes you to, the Great Wall was only a small part of my experience. I had no idea how many different types of Chinese food existed but after 14 days of between 15-20 different dishes per day, I now know that Chinese food is very different from "American" Chinese food If you want the Chinese (Middle Kingdom) experience of a life time, this Tour is for you. Did I say WOW!!!! This was our first experience with Go Ahead Tours but it will definately not be our last. (Mark - Tucson, Arizona USA)
By Mark | 6/2/2013
Traveled On: 5/15/2013
Number of Past Tours: 1
From: AZ
Tour Director: 5 / 5
Tour Value: 5 / 5
Amazing China
If you want to experience the real China this is the tour you should take! You have to go to know! I had an amazing time! My experience has changed my thoughts of China forever. I would highly recommend this tour. Amazing sights, sounds and food!
By Carol | 6/2/2013
Traveled On: 5/15/2013
Number of Past Tours: 1
From: AZ
Tour Director: 5 / 5
Tour Value: 5 / 5
China Yangtse River tour
I had a wonderful time in china. I will have fond memories for a very long time. Our guide was excellent. I llearned alot. It has prompted me to learn the language. I started class last night.
By John | 5/22/2013
Traveled On: 4/24/2013
Number of Past Tours: 1
From: NJ
Tour Director: 5 / 5
Tour Value: 5 / 5
Should not be missed
This was a great tour and Michael our tour guide was amazing he not only really loves what he does, he was enthusiastic and excited every step of the way and looked out for everyone on the tour. The local guides are amazing, interesting and connected with our group. The only thing I think could be handled better is the boarding and disembarking the cruise ship. After a long travel day it would have been nice to have had the crew help us on the ship but getting off there was a huge set a steps and people really needed help with their carry on bags and until everyone's bags where on the bus it was a little concerning. But in the big picture that was a minor thing. Overall the trip was great and the friendship and caring we received amazing.
By Linda | 5/20/2013
Traveled On: 4/24/2013
Number of Past Tours: 1
From: CA
Tour Director: 5 / 5
Tour Value: 5 / 5
China Tour
We had a great travel group. Our tour director, Michael, was very good. He was very knowledgeable and took good care of us. The food got a little tiring after a while. Not a lot of variations with a couple of exceptions. Also, each city had a local tour guide and driver. Tipping got a little expensive. Lots of steps, that got tiring but we saw and did a lot. We had a great trip!
By Linda | 5/13/2013
Traveled On: 4/24/2013
Number of Past Tours: 2
From: NC
Tour Director: 5 / 5
Tour Value: 4 / 5
Exhausting but great experience
I believe that Go Ahead told us that this was a "difficult" tour, and so we should have been prepared, but I can attest to the fact that they aren't kidding. If you are overweight and out-of-shape, or have any type of walking impediment, you should avoid this tour. If you can do it, this is a terrific tour. You see so much that you will never forget. The hotel accommodations were excellent, and most of the meals were too. The cruise ship also was very nice. You don't feel like one of many thousand when you are one of less than 200 on this ship. The food on the ship was excellent as were the staff. One thing that you should be prepared for though is that very few Chinese speak English, and so anytime you aren't dealing with your tour guide, it can be very frustrating. You also should be prepared to use Chinese currency (yuan) for your purchases. Credit cards were not as acceptable as we thought and neither is American money. And one more thing to be prepared for - sanitary conditions are not the same in China as in the U.S. Even on the ship, you can never brush your teeth with faucet water, and other than the ship, you don't want to ingest water that is not in a bottle or ice. You also don't want to eat cold food (like vegetables) that has been washed in faucet water. If you can live with these restrictions, you will be rewarded by great experiences. Don't miss the optional acrobat show in Shanghai; it is unbelievable. All the other Go Ahead excursions were cancelled for our tour group because of low attendance except for the Suzhou tour, which we did not do, but heard that it was very good. The tour guide also offers excursions that are not on your itinerary. The tour of a hutong (alley where Chinese live and shop) was especially great. It included a ride in a pedicab for two that should not be missed. The buses used on the tour were comfortable and the guide (Michael Du) was very good, except for two things - you really needed to pay attention to understand his English and he could get long-winded with Chinese history at times. This was fine on the bus but sometimes we found ourselves standing around listening to Michael when we could have spent more time exploring the attraction. This was especially true when touring the Chinese garden at the Forbidden City. It was beautiful but we blew through it. I would strongly recommend this trip if you can live with the restrictions that I listed earlier.
By Robert | 5/11/2013
Traveled On: 4/24/2013
Number of Past Tours: 2
From: NC
Tour Director: 4 / 5
Tour Value: 5 / 5
Imperial China-great tour!
I enjoyed this trip very much. Our tour director did a superb job "taking care" of his guests-he was always very concerned and wanted to insure that we were having a good tour. It was an intense tour, but I was glad that we saw so much. I just would have liked more time to enjoy the sights for a longer time. The cruise was relaxing and the scenery was magnificent. There was good service throughout our tour. Thank you, Go Ahead Tours, for another awesome trip.
By Gail | 4/7/2013
Traveled On: 3/13/2013
Number of Past Tours: 3
From: WY
Tour Director: 5 / 5
Tour Value: 5 / 5
18 Wonderful Days
This was my first overseas trip and from the beginning to the end, Go Ahead Tours covered everything so professionally that we took two more tours with them. Hotel accommodations were excellent everywhere we went. Our tour guides were knowledgeable and pleasant. We saw everything at a fair pace considering we all were retired. The Great Wall and the Yangtze River were specially interesting. We cruised the river in a comfortable small cruise boat. Accommodations, meals and entertainment were memorable. We saw burial chambers high in the walls of the surrounding mountains, pockets of monkeys leaping from tree to tree, the restored Terracotta Warriors, the Pandas, the temples, neon trimmed bridges, rode the fastest train in the world from Shang Hai to the airport, and shopped in Hong Kong. Be sure to check the weather so you bring clothing suitable for warm weather or cold, depending on the month you plan to go.
By Sharon | 12/26/2012
Traveled On: 10/14/2009
Number of Past Tours: 3
From: ME
Tour Director: 5 / 5
Tour Value: 5 / 5
CHINA_WOW !
Each new day was the same as the day before ...a visual feast for the eye !
By Althea | 11/10/2012
Traveled On: 10/10/2012
Number of Past Tours: 4
From: TN
Tour Director: 5 / 5
Tour Value: 5 / 5
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