Chongqing to Shanghai Bucknell University Alumni Association
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Bucknell University Alumni Association CChongqinghongqing toto ShanghaiShanghai BEEIJINGIJING ◆ XI’AANN ◆ THHREEREE GOORGESRGES May 18 to June 1, 2014 ◆ ◆ ◆ Dear Bucknellian: Mysterious China. A land whose stunning beauty forms the backdrop to a 5000-year-old civilization steeped in legend. Here, the people’s reverence for ancestral customs has been passed on through kingdoms and dynasties and preserved from one generation to the next, infl uencing life today as well as providing an impetus for change and a springboard for the future. We invite you to join fellow alumni on this carefully designed, comprehensive and leisurely paced journey across half the width of China for an in-depth appreciation of the juxtaposition of ancient culture with modern advancements—from the imperial dignity of Mandarin Beijing and Tiananmen Square, to the dynastic treasures of the ancient capital of Xi’an and the Three Gorges Dam, to the historic neighborhoods of Old Shanghai and the contrasting 21st-century architecture of Pudong across the river. The exclusive, six-night grand cruise segment of our itinerary travels nearly the entire navigable length of the fabled Yangtze River from Chongqing to Shanghai through regions seldom seen by Westerners. Accompanying you will be our specially arranged guest speaker, Dr. Jian Wang, Shanghai native and Director of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, who will share his insights into the contemporary process of China’s globalization. Visit Wuhan, settled more than 3000 years ago by the Han Dynasty; Huangshan, famous for its majestic Yellow Mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site; and Nánjing, former capital of Imperial China. Cruise the magnifi cent Three Gorges and Three Lesser Gorges, and visit the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam. Five-Star, ideally located hotels have been carefully selected for our land accommodations, including Shanghai’s legendary FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL, and the privately chartered M.V. VICTORIA SOPHIA for our cruise. Visit six UNESCO World Heritage sites; experience specially selected, English-speaking guides who will accompany us; and enjoy meeting the fascinating people of China. This program sold out in 2013, so we encourage you to book soon. ’ray Bucknell, Katie Malague ’94’94 President Bucknell University Alumni Association Chinese civilization originated in regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys during the Neolithic era, and for centuries Chinese culture, literature and philosophy have fl ourished, with each Kingdom and Dynasty adding to its collective knowledge and cultural heritage. Yet China was an insular country, allowing only glimpses of cultural richness to the outside world via the Silk Road, which stoked the European’s imagination of exotic lands in the East. A mysterious land, one which Napoleon referred to as “a sleeping giant that would change the world when awoken,” the country fi nally lifted its shroud in 1972. The reopening of China and the introduction of its ancient traditions to the Western world, which vaulted it into its current progressive nation status, has been and continues to be a spectacular transformation of the most populous, perhaps most culturally idiosyncratic nation on Earth. Beijing, China Dr. Jian Wang, Guest Speaker The former imperial city of Mongol, Ming Jian “Jay” Wang, Ph.D., and Manchu emperors, Beijing is one of Director of the USC Center China’s ancient citadels. Rich in historical on Public Diplomacy, brings sites and cultural relics, this dynamic city of us his personal perspective on more than 12 million people is the cultural the globalization of China. and spiritual heart of the country and the A native of Shanghai, Dr. Wang ideal place from which to begin tracing the has authored, coauthored fascinating narrative of ancient China. and edited several books and articles Walk through immense and historic on communication strategy and public Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest diplomacy with a focus on this emerging public square, site of the mausoleum of giant, including his latest book, Shaping modern China’s founder, Mao Zedong. China’s Global Imagination: Soft Power Visit the ceremonial halls, royal apartments, and Nation Branding at the World Expo. gardens and temples of the Imperial Palace Dr. Wang is an Associate Professor at the in the mystical Forbidden City, residence of USC Annenberg School for Communication Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for almost and Journalism and previously taught at 500 years and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Purdue University and the Chinese University The beautifully landscaped of Hong Kong. He has lectured at Beijing Summer Palace, a UNESCO World University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Heritage site, was the retreat of 19th-century Nánjing University and has spoken about Empress Dowager Cixi. Walk through his research on China Central Television. Cixi’s private apartments fi lled with He earned his B.A. from Beijing University, jewel-encrusted furniture, and see her ornate M.A. from the University of Minnesota and Marble Boat. Then cruise by private boat Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. across Kunming Lake’s tranquil waters. Cover Photo: Cruise the scenic path the Yangtze River has carved through the heart of China, an exotic landscape of verdant mountains and sheer cliffs. Photo this page: Walk along the Great Wall of China, the only man-made structure that can be seen from space, and feel the mystery and allure of the world’s oldest civilization. TThehe GGreatreat WWallall aatt BBadalingadaling ITINERARY Day CHINA BEIJING 1 Depart from the U.S./ Cross the International Date Line XI’AANN TTerraerra CCottotta Warriors 2 BEIJING, CHINA e TThreehree NÁNJING hre 3 BEIJING T es org GGorgesorges DDamam G WUUSHANSHAN • 4 BEIJING v WUUHANHAN • tze Ri er ng 5 BEIJING /XI’AN Ya 6 XI’AN CHHONGQINGONGQING 7 XI’AN /CHONGQING/ UNESCO M V ICTORIA OPHIA World Heritage Site Embark . V S Cruise Itinerary Air Routing 8 WUSHAN FOR THREE SMALL GORGES •HOONGNG KONG 9 THREE GORGES DAM 10 WUHAN Emperor Liu Qi capture the essence of daily life during the Han Dynasty, a high point in 11 GUICHI FOR HUANGSHAN Chinese history, when culture and the arts 12 NÁNJING fl ourished as never before. 13 SHANGHAI/ Chongqing Disembark M.V. VICTORIA SOPHIA Embark on your cruise down the fabled Yangtze River in the picturesque mountain 14 SHANGHAI city of Chongqing, which clings to the cliffs 15 SHANGHAI/Return to the U.S. at the confl uence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers and served as a base for the famous Flying Tigers during World War II. Visit the magnifi cent Great Wall of Grand Yangtze Cruise China, the symbol of imperial grandeur since 500 B.C., constructed over the course Three Gorges/Three Lesser Gorges/ of 2000 years. This imposing fortifi cation Three Gorges Dam once spanned more than 3500 miles. This exclusively chartered cruise stops in Walk along this UNESCO World Heritage ports Westerners rarely visit and showcases site and see sweeping views of the scenic the grandeur of one of China’s greatest northern plains and valleys. natural wonders, the Three Gorges. Tour another extraordinary UNESCO Pass through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge World Heritage site, the Temple of and the spectacular Xiling Gorge. Heaven, and its magnifi cent complex of Aboard excursion boats, travel up the religious buildings. Daning River through the majestic scenery of the Three Lesser Gorges. Xi’an Visit the massive Three Gorges Dam, Modern Xi’an was China’s thriving capital of the largest water conservancy project ever emperors, courtesans, monks, merchants and undertaken by man. Considered a key to soldiers for 11 dynasties; a place where many China’s modernization, it is the world’s of the world’s great religions coexisted and largest hydroelectric dam, 1.3 miles wide the fabled launching point of the Silk Road, and 606 feet high. where camel caravans brought goods from the Eurasian continent and sent Chinese infl uence Wuhan out to the world. From Xi’an’s distinctive, A crossroads that refl ects the infl uences triple-eaved Bell and Drum Towers, watchmen of China’s diversity, Wuhan has been once signaled dawn and dusk inhabited since the fi rst century and was with a bell and a drum. Beijing’s 600-year-old Forbidden City displays the splendor of the Ming Visit the amazing and Qing emperors, known in Chinese lore as the “Sons of Heaven.” 20th-century archaeological fi nd and UNESCO World Heritage site: the famous life-size Terra Cotta Warriors— no two alike—have guarded the still-unopened tomb of China’s fi rst emperor, Qin Shihuang, for more than 2000 years. Tour the exquisite Yangling Imperial Tomb, where thousands of captivating fi gurines excavated from the 2100-year-old tomb of “The China trip was a once-in-a-lifetime journey to eight cities. Yellow Sea David and I are simply in awe of what you provided for the travelers. BEEIJINGIJING I truly believe that almost every single person in the group realizes we East saw China as very few are privileged to do. Gohagan travel directors, China Sea the outstanding local guides, the hardworking and kind ship’s crew— Terra Cotta WWarriorsarriors they all were key to this incredible adventure.” –Julie Nixon Eisenhower NÁNJJINGING • June 2013 participant SHHANGHAI•ANGHAI •GUUICHIICHI HHuangshanuangshan a e S a in h C h ut So Traditional Chinese sampans used for fi shing and transportation ply the tranquil HONG KOONGNG waters of the Yangtze River’s legendary Three Gorges. Shanghai The exhilarating metropolis of Shanghai was the fi rst of China’s cities to be infl uenced by the West. Today, its outstanding architectural landmarks along the famous Bund include the neoclassical Customs House and the China Merchants Bank building. Visit Old Shanghai’s street markets and classical Chinese gardens, and tour the famous Shanghai Museum.