Vermont Public Radio Citizens of the World Tours Presents CHINA

With VPR Commentator Christopher Wren

A comprehensive look at China for Vermont Public Radio listeners with a focus on history, politics, cuisine and classical music. Vermont Public Radio Tours May 2008

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

• Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Imperial Tombs of the Ming & Qing Dynasties and the Summer Palace in Beijing; Terra Cotta Museum in Xi’an; and the Gardens of Suzhou • Travel interpretation by VPR commentator Christopher Wren, former Beijing bureau chief and United Nations correspondent for the New York Times • Performances of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra at the Forbidden City Concert Hall and the 130-year-old Symphony at the Shanghai Concert Hall. • Booming metropolises of Beijing and Shanghai • Unravel the geopolitical complexities of the “Middle Kingdom” at private dinners with China-based National Public Radio correspondent(s) and U.S. Embassy personnel • Stunning classical Chinese landscapes in Guilin’s Li River valley

To register, please call Snow Lion Expeditions at (800) 525-8735 Vermont Public Radio Citizens of the World Tours Presents CHINA

Day 1 • Tuesday, May 6 Depart from Vermont The Chinese Taoist master, Lao Tsu, said, “A 1,000-mile journey begins with the fi rst step.” Today, we meet at Vermont Public Radio’s Colchester studio and transfer via motor coach to Boston. We overnight at the Holiday Inn Boston Airport prior to our 4:30 a.m. wake up call.

Day 2 • Wednesday, May 7 Depart from Boston Our American Airlines fl ight departs Boston’s Logan Airport early in the morning for San Fran- cisco, where we transfer to Cathay Pacifi c for our trans-Pacifi c fl ight to Beijing.

Day 3 • Thursday, May 8 Beijing Overnight, we cross the International Date Line and we land in the People’s Republic of China at Beijing’s Capital Airport in the evening. We are greeted by our Chinese host, Liu Yong. “Daliu”, as he prefers to be called, is the son of a surgeon for China’s sports governing body, has a Chinese- American fi lmmaker wife, and is a perfectly bilingual and bicultural host. We transfer to our hotel in central Beijing.

Day 4 • Friday, May 9 Beijing On our fi rst day in China, we begin at historic Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. We see his Mausoleum on the square, then enter the Imperial Palace known as the Forbidden City. Built in the 15th century, the complex consists of 980 surviving buildings with nearly 9,000 rooms. Home to nearly 500 years of monarchy (mid-Ming to Qing Dynasty), the Imperial Palace was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. Before returning to the hotel, we will visit the circular Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors prayed annually for good harvests. Located in a sublime park, this large temple complex exemplifi es Chinese architectural style and symbolism. After some free time in the afternoon, we meet for our Welcome Dinner & Reception with Foreign Service Offi cers from the United States Embassy. B/D

Day 5 • Saturday, May 10 Beijing After an early breakfast, we drive north of Beijing to the Great Wall and the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The 4,000-mile Great Wall winds its way like an endless slender dragon rising from the Yellow Sea through fi ve provinces and two autonomous regions fi nally sinking into the Gobi Desert in western China. Soldiers and peasants from all over the country were conscripted by Chinese emperors from the 5th century BC to 200 AD to build the wall. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Ming Dynasty Tombs. They were built by the third Ming emperor Yongle, who moved the capital of China from Nanjing to Beijing. A four-mile road named the “Spirit Way” leads into the complex. Its large marble and stone carved animals are con- sidered some of the fi nest preserved pieces of 15th century Chinese art and architecture. In the evening, we attend a musical performance of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra in the exquisite setting of the Forbidden City Concert Hall. B/L Day 6 • Sunday, May 11 Beijing On our last day in Beijing, we travel to the northern sub- urbs to visit the Summer Palace or Yihe Yuan, which means literally “Garden of Nurtured Harmony.” The immaculate grounds are dominated by the man-made Longevity Hill (200 feet high) and the Kunming Lake. In the evening, we tour an historic Hutong neighbor- hood and then are joined for dinner by Anthony Kuhn, NPR Beijing bureau chief. We dine at the Red Capital Club, which celebrates the life and legend of Chairman Mao. B/L/D

Day 7 • Monday, May 12 Beijing / Xi’an We transfer to the airport for our morning fl ight to Xi’an, which served as the imperial capital for 11 dynasties (200 B.C. to 907 A.D.). Here we see the underground Army of Terra Cotta Warriors, built by the fi rst emperor of the Qin Dynasty as his burial tomb. Discovered in 1974, we marvel at an army of more than 6,000 fi gures stone fi gures (each 5 foot 6 inches tall with unique facial expressions) guarding the tomb arranged in battle formation. Our next stop is Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Tang- style Shaanxi History Museum that houses a collection of 7,000-year-old Chinese relics. Afterwards, we stretch our legs in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter, where markets and mosques evoke the height of the Silk Road era. B/L

Day 8 • Tuesday, May 13 Xi’an / Guilin We transfer to the airport and fl y south to Guilin, a region featuring some of China’s most intrigu- ing natural beauty. Guilin is prominently featured in the Somerset Maugham novel and 2006 fi lm “Painted Veil.” The area around Guilin is acclaimed for its stunning karst formations, which were thrust up from a limestone seabed more than 300 million years ago. Erosion shaped the bizarre hills and left eerie sub- terranean caves and fantastic rock formations. With terraced rice paddies, water buff aloes and bamboo groves, Guilin is a scenic city that embodies both the old and new China. After our hotel check-in, we visit Ludi Yan (Reed Flute Cave) and Fu Po Shan, a large limestone karst that descends into the river. Guilin is also a great place to fi nd local handicrafts and artwork. B/L

Day 9 • Wednesday, May 14 Guilin Today we visit Yangshuo, a well-preserved town which is surrounded by towering karst peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River. Two main roads run away from the water and form the central part of the town, Chinese Street (Dei Chui Lu) and West Street with pedestrian-only Xian Qian Street which runs between them. The afternoon is free to relax or maybe enjoy a bicycle ride in the rural countryside. B/D

Day 10 • Thursday, May 15 Guilin We meet before dawn to experience the sunrise from atop one of the karst mountains above the Li River. We have a leisurely day, including a river cruise where we watch the cormorant fi shermen on long- boat canoes catch fi sh, and enjoy an exquisite lunch in a local restaurant. Later the evening is especially photogenic as the landscape evolves from greens to blues to deep purples as the sun sets. B/L

Day 11 • Friday, May 16 Guilin / Shanghai We transfer to the airport for our fl ight to Shanghai. Once called the “Paris of the East,” Shanghai is located on the East China Sea. The world’s third busiest harbor, Shanghai has attracted the ambition and investment of foreign powers since the 19th century. The evening is free, perhaps for a walk along , the famed neoclassical and Art Deco waterfront boulevard. B

Day 12 • Saturday, May 17 Shanghai This morning, early risers may wish to join the hundreds of Shanghai residents for early morning tai chi on the waterfront. Then we embark upon a day-long exploration of this vibrant city, which sometimes is compared to San Francisco. From classical-style Old Town (including Yuyuan Gardens) to ultra-modern (Asia’s tallest tower in the district), our day-long tour is rich with architectural contrast, history, culture and shopping. Stops include the and Shanghai MOCA. B/L Day 13 • Sunday, May 18 Shanghai We meet for a day trip to the peaceful and well-preserved water town of Tongli, known as the “Venice of China.” Wandering among the picturesque cobblestone lanes of its old quarter, we see residents fi shing in the canals, and creating the handicrafts for which the town is known: lace, freshwater pearl jewelry, woodcarvings and weavings. If time permits, we visit the majestic gardens of Suzhou. This evening we visit the Shanghai Con- cert Hall for a performance of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. The symphony is Asia’s oldest, dating to 1879. It has collaborated with some of the world’s leading vocalists including Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Andrea Bocelli. The concert hall is an engineering attraction in its own right. Built in 1930, the 1,200-seat hall, weighing 5,600 tons, was actually moved about 200 feet to its current location during a renovation in 2002. B/L

Day 14 • Monday, May 19 Shanghai We have free time on our last day in China to explore this diverse city which is sometimes com- pared to San Francisco. Or, so that we can bring the rich fl avors of China home with us, we may attend a cooking class. This evening, NPR Asia correspondent Louisa Lim joins us for our farewell dinner – helping us make sense of the two weeks’ of culture, history and music that we have just enjoyed. B/D

Day 15 • Tuesday, May 20 Return to USA We transfer to Shanghai’s ultra-modern Pudong International Airport for our trans-Pacifi c fl ight home. Despite a long day of travel, we cross the international dateline and arrive in Boston in the evening of the same day. B

TOUR DETAILS

Price: Starting at $7,995 in double room (Single Supplement: $1,186)

Price Includes: • International airfare between Boston and China • Internal airfare in China • 12 nights in 5-star hotels in China, including daily breakfast • 4 dinners and 7 lunches • Symphony tickets in first category in Beijing & Shanghai • Traditional music performance in Guilin • Ground transportation, airport transfers, guided sightseeing / admission fees as per itinerary • Regular “briefings” with Christopher S. Wren • Private dinner with NPR correspondents Anthony Kuhn (Beijing) and Louisa Lim (Shanghai), subject to their travel schedule/availability • Private dinner with officers from U.S. Embassy (Beijing) • Senior Snow Lion tour director and bi-lingual assistant tour director • Round trip bus transfers from Burlington to Boston Logan Airport • 1 night at Boston Logan Airport hotel prior to departure from USA • Customized Expedition Planning Guide, including reading list, packing guide, passport/ visa information, maps, etc.

To receive a full and detailed itinerary go to www.vpr.net, click on “Support VPR” and then “VPR cultural tours”.

To register, please call Snow Lion Expeditions at 1-800-525-8735 or e-mail: [email protected]. GENERAL INFORMATION

To receive a full and detailed itinerary go to www.vpr.net, click on “support VPR” and then “VPR cultural tours”. Tour Administration This tour of China is designed by Vermont Public Radio and Snow Lion Corporation (d/b/a Snow Lion Expeditions). The tour has been planned to give VPR listeners an in-depth look into the culture, history and classical music through site visits and meetings with local experts. VPR com- mentator Christopher Wren will host the tour. Two Snow Lion tour managers will accompany the trip. A portion of the tour proceeds benefi ts Vermont Public Radio but is not considered a tax-deductible contribution according to IRS regulations. Air Travel Arrangements Air travel from Boston is included in the tour price. Detailed fl ight information will be sent to you upon registration. Customized air itineraries for participants traveling from other cities will be considered on an individual basis and accommodated to the extent possible. Extensions at the end of the trip from Hong Kong are also possible. Accommodations During the tour, accommodations will be arranged in double occupancy rooms with private shower or bath. Single rooms can be arranged on request for a supplementary fee of $1,186 if there is availability at the time of request. The hotels are selected to provide a balance between central location, excellent service, character, amenities and price. They are 5-star or equivalent hotels and each has a unique character which will result in variations in room size, breakfast menu and some amenities such as size of restaurant or lobby. We are confi dent you will fi nd each hotel very pleasant for your stay in each city. Please note that we may mention specifi c hotel names in our materials. Circumstances may arise between now and departure where the hotel may be changed in a given city. The replacement will be of the same quality. Changes in the Itinerary VPR and Snow Lion Expeditions reserve the right to alter the order of events or to make changes deemed necessary for the comfort, convenience, quality and safety of the participants. Every ef- fort will always be made to adhere to the printed itinerary, but weather conditions, transportation diffi culties or other circumstances beyond the control of VPR or Snow Lion Expeditions and the local suppliers could force the cancellation or substitution of events or specifi c services. Reservation Procedure Call Snow Lion toll-free at 800-525-8735 or sign up on line by using the link at www.vpr.net to reserve your spot. A credit card deposit of $600 per person secures your reservation and marks the fi rst step on your adventure. Registrations will be accepted in the order in which they are received. Space is limited. Once you have paid the deposit and complete the Trip Application at snowlion.com, you will have access to your own Member page – and access to the complete Expedition Planning Guide. Payment Policy and Schedule After the initial deposit of $600.00, the balance payment is due on February 21, 2008.

REGISTRATION

To register, please call Snow Lion Expeditions at 1-800-525-8735 or e-mail: [email protected].