The Highlights of China & the Yangtze River

MERIT TRAVEL HOSTED

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF CHINA & THE YANGTZE RIVER As the longest river in China, the Yangtze River offers a picturesque collection of age old history and culture that has prevailed for centuries. This complete hosted tour features the Yangtze River cruise on a luxury ship complete with shore excursions, vibrant metropolitan Shanghai, the world class city of Suzhou, the charming water towns of South China, and the imperial city of Beijing.

Highlights: * Shanghai | Suzhou | Wuxi | Hangzhou | Yichang | Yangtze River | Chongqing | Beijing $3,290 p.p. 15 days Includes: October 17 - 31, 2017 • round trip International flight from Toronto • Merit Travel host Departing from Toronto or Vancouver in economy class • all airport departure taxes or Vancouver • China domestic flights in economy class • 5 star hotel accommodation Not Included: • daily breakfast, lunch or dinner as indicated • any personal items such as gratuities in the itinerary and insurance • sightseeing tours as indicated • any items not mentioned in the itinerary in the itinerary • any optional excursions or the • all entrance fees as per program Yangze River VIP package • English speaking local tour guide • China visa fee • local transportation with a private A/C bus

Merit Travel | 1.866.341.1777 | MeritTravel.com

* CAD$, p.p. dbl occ. from Toronto or Vancouver. Single supplement add $1095 Not included: any personal expenses, such as insurance, passport fees, and gratuities (USD$190 per person), any meals, or items not mentioned. China Visa fee CAD$150. On-4499356/4499372 | Bc-34799 | 111 Peter Street, Suite 200, Toronto, On. M5v 2H1 | Canadian Owned ITINERARY

DAY 1 | Oct. 17, 2017 | DEPART TORONTO FOR SHANGHAI DAY 5 | Oct. 21, 2017 | SUZHOU-WUXI (B/L) Depart Toronto for your overnight flight to Shanghai. China Eastern This morning, travel by coach to Wuxi, one of the oldest cities in Airlines Flight MU208 departs Toronto at 3:25 p.m. arrives Shanghai China with a history of more than 3000 years. Upon arrival, visit one at 7:20 p.m. the following day. of the largest Fresh Water Pearl Farms in the country, followed by the Lingshan Grand Buddha. Later, stroll along Nanchang Street, DAY 2 | Oct. 18, 2017 | ARRIVE IN SHANGHAI a charming and fashionable pedestrian street composed of both ancient and modern architectural styles. Upon arrival in Shanghai you will meet your local tour guide at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight at Swiss-Belhotel Liyuan Wuxi (or similar) Overnight at Wyndham Bund East Shanghai (or similar) DAY 6 | Oct. 22, 2017 | WUXI – HANGZHOU (B/L/D)

DAY 3 | Oct. 19, 2017 | SHANGHAI (B/L) After breakfast you will travel by coach to Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the Shanghai is the vibrant metropolis and commercial center of China. world”. Experience an oriental tea-tasting at the Dragon Well Tea Today we will visit the Shanghai Museum and indulge in ancient Plantation. Then, take a boat ride on the serene West Lake, the Chinese art, furniture, and jade. Then we will visit Shanghai Old most renowned feature of Hangzhou, noted for its scenic beauty City God Temple area, a busy shopping centre where you may which blends with many famous historical and cultural sites. find souvenirs and delicious local food. Enjoy some free time Overnight at Grand Metropark Hotel Hangzhou (or similar) here. In the afternoon you will walk along the famous Bund, a mile-long stretch along the Huangpu River. Lined by the colonial architectures of European design, this area is the best place to OPTIONAL PROGRAM: Impression West Lake ($68p/p). capture the western influences of the old days. This show is one of the China’s top live-action performances and features the local culture and unique charm of West Lake in Overnight at Wyndham Bund East Shanghai (or similar) Hangzhou. It is famous nationwide for its dreamlike show and fantastic elegance and created by Zhang Yimou who is China’s OPTIONAL PROGRAM: Night Cruise on the Huangpu River most famous movie director and the general director of the ($50p/p). Riding a cruise along the Huangpu River, you will take a opening ceremony of the Beijing2008 Olympic Games. glimpse of the history and charming night view of Cosmopolitan Shanghai. On one side of the river, there is the Bund. Lining the boulevard of the waterfront are Western-style grandiose solid DAY 7 | Oct. 23, 2017 | HANGZHOU – SHANGHAI - YICHANG buildings dating back to the early 19th century. On the other (B/L/D) side you will catch a glimpse of the charming view of modern Morning at leisure. After lunch, travel by coach to Shanghai, and Shanghai. then fly to Yichang, the starting point of your Yangtze River Cruise. Flight times to be determined.

DAY 4 | Oct. 20, 2017 | SHANGHAI-SUZHOU (B/L/D) After dinner, you will board the luxury President 7 cruise and receive and introduction on cruise events and onboard activities. After breakfast, travel by coach to Suzhou. Suzhou is also known You may choose to purchase the onboard VIP package. ($100pp) as the “Garden City” due to its many classical gardens renowned for their charming natural beauty and harmonious construction. OPTIONAL PROGRAM: Yangtze River Onboard VIP Package $100 p.p. Upon arrival, visit the Lingering Garden known to be one the finest • free coffee, tea and snacks at happy hours in afternoon gardens in China. Suzhou is known as “Venice of the East” as a • enjoy all meals at VIP restaurant and A la carte available large area of the city is covered by water with a vast number of (A la carte is available at an extra cost locally) ponds and streams. • free drinks before dinner • uinlimited wine, beer and soft drink for lunch and dinner Overnight at Pan Pacific Suzhou Hotel (or similar) • express check in and check out OPTIONAL PROGRAM: Grand Canal cruise ($30p/p). Cruise • room turn-down service along the canal to view life along China’s golden waterway in • welcome fruit basket in cabin its heyday. Then, visit a Silk Spinning Mill, and learn how silk • VIP area reserved for evening entertainments is created from mulberry-munching silkworms to produce the • free sauna and swimming finest thread and cloth. • two hours free internet for each sailing DAY 12 | Oct. 28, 2017 | BEIJING (B/L) Beijing has served as the capital of five dynasties over a period of 800 years. Today, we will visit Tiananmen Square, the second largest public square in the world, and the Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming to Qing dynasty. Then visit a Jingshan Chinese Herbal Institute to learn about traditional Chinese medicine, which has existed for thousands of years. Overnight at Ramada Beijing North (or similar)

OPTIONAL PROGRAM: The Golden Mask Dynasty ($65p/p). “The Golden Mask Dynasty” is an original Chinese musical drama which tells a mythical fairy-tale like story of war, royal banquets, DAY 8 | Oct. 24, 2017 | YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B/L/D) and romance. The large-scale production includes more than Your highly anticipated grand Yangtze River adventure begins this 200 performances and features Chinese dances, acrobatics, morning. The cruise ship`s first stop is at Taipingxi (or Sandouping). costumes, and lighting and acoustics, representing a soul-stirring Disembark to visit the massive Three Gorges Dam Project, the and romantic “great love and harmony” legend! world’s largest dam, measuring 606 feet high and 6,500 feet long. In 1997, the cofferdam was completed and the main structure begun. Re-embark the cruise ship and sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest DAY 13 | Oct. 29, 2017 | BEIJING (B/L/D) one of the Three Gorges at 41 miles long and also its highest (4000 Today’s highlight is an excursion to the majestic Great Wall, the feet). most famous image representing China, and we will also have an opportunity to climb a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. We then continue to one of the largest Jade exhibitions for some shopping DAY 9 | Oct. 25, 2017 | YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B/L/D) Disembark at Wushan where you`ll board small riverboats for or exploring. After lunch, we will see skilled artisans at work at a a leisurely ride through Shennong Stream`s picturesque rock Cloisonné Factory. Then we will pass by modern exteriors of the formations, and even see the playful monkeys and goats along Olympic Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. Your Farewell banquet includes the river banks. Re-embark the cruise as it sails through Wu Gorge, the local delicacy, Peking Roast Duck. which is famous for its quiet beauty, and the Qutang Gorge, the Overnight at Ramada Beijing North (or similar) shortest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. DAY 14 | Oct. 30, 2017 | BEIJING (B) Enjoy the day at leisure. DAY 10 | Oct. 26, 2017 | YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (B/L/D) Or join an optional Temple of Heaven & Hutong Life tour with lunch Today enjoy a shore excursion to Shibaozhai. The Shibaozhai ($79p/person). Temple of Heaven, inscribed as a UNESCO World Pagoda is a 12-storey, 18th-century temple built in Zhongxian Heritage Site, was invited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing County on the northern bank of the Yangtze River. It represents one dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good of the gems of Chinese Architecture. harvest. Then take a famous rickshaw Hutong Tour & Local Family Visit, the package also includes a traditional Beijing Zhajiang mian DAY 11 | Oct. 27, 2017 | CHONGQING – BEIJING (AB/L/D) (‘Fried Sauce Noodles’) as lunch. Hutongs are traditional alley ways Disembark from the cruise at the port of Chongqing this morning. that made up Beijing’s old city planning, take a special rickshaw ride You will then visit Ciqikou Old Town, where history can be traced for an immersive tour to get a wonderful glimpse into yesterday’s back for more than 1700 years. Afterwards, you may choose to visit world, the old way of life and traditional Beijing culture, and see the Panda House before flying to Beijing, China’s capital city. the dramatic changes the city has undergone, continue to visit a Overnight at Ramada Beijing North (or similar) local family and local market afterwards. Enjoy the free time this afternoon. OPTIONAL PROGRAM: Panda House ($40p/p). Overnight at Ramada Beijing North (or similar) The Chongqing Zoo was built in 1953 and lies in the southern suburb of Chongqing. It occupies an area of 45 hectares (112 DAY 15 | Oct. 31, 2017 | BEIJING – TORONTO (B) acres), making it one of the biggest urban zoos in China. The Today depart to the airport for your flight home. China Eastern panda house alone is about 2 hectares (5 acres) in size. The zoo is Airlines flight 5183 departs Beijing 7:25 a.m. arrives Shanghai 9:55 home to more than 230 different animal species, and contains a a.m. Connecting with China Eastern flight 207 departs Shanghai at total of more than 6000 animals. 12:05 p.m. arrives Toronto 1:25 p.m. TERMS & CONDITIONS RESPONSIBILITY Merit Travel Group Inc. doing business as Merit Travel, acts solely as agents for the Travel If you choose not to purchase insurance, you are required to sign an Insurance Waiver Service Suppliers such as hoteliers, airlines, ground service operators, bus operators, Form. 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Should this occur, a full (whether based in contract, tort, negligence, strict liability or otherwise, and even if Merit refund will be made to the traveller. and the Travel Service Suppliers have been advised of the possibility of damages to such CANCELLATION POLICY party or any other party) arising from: While Merit will do its utmost to minimize any penalties charged, there are (a) Fault or negligence or omissions on the part of the said travel service suppliers; irrecoverable costs associated with your tour. The following penalties will be (b) Illness, theft, strikes, mechanical problems, quarantine, governmental considered the costs incurred with cancellation: intervention, weather conditions, acts of hostility or violence, and any other (A) 90 days or more prior to departure: Loss of total deposit. grounds beyond our control; (B) 89 – 60 days prior to departure: Loss of 50% of total tour cost. (c) Your failure to obtain passport, visas, other travel documents or inoculations (C) 59 days or less prior to departure: Loss of 100% of total tour cost. (d) Your failure to advise us the name of the traveller exactly as it appears on the passport; Cancellation penalties for some tours will vary and there may be additional penalties associated with the airfare. If so, these policies will be noted separately (e) Your failure to report on time at an airport or ground transfer facility; at time of booking and will prevail. (f) Material damages, theft or other mysterious disappearances of your goods; TOUR CHANGES (g) Personal injuries or death; We reserve the right to substitute itineraries, hotels, airlines or vessels due to conditions (h) Force Majeure - an event(s) beyond our, or our supplier(s), reasonable control beyond our control. In such cases we will do everything possible to ensure the locations including, but not limited to, acts of God, strikes, lockout or other labour disputes or visited, the excursions taken and the hotels offered are similar to the ones originally disruptions, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, earthquakes, weather conditions, planned. Any change to itineraries will not result in eligibility for a refund. floods or acts of restraints imposed by governmental authorities. REVISION FEE PRICING Changes to your tour reservation might not be possible. Should you request a change All prices are per person in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. GST, HST and and we are able to accommodate it, you will be subject to any charges imposed by provincial taxes are applicable on tours as noted. the airline or tour suppliers. In addition, we reserve the right to charge a $50 revision fee for any change made after the deposit is paid. A change in name or departure date INCREASE IN TOUR COSTS may constitute a cancellation, and the corresponding penalties may apply. Merit reserves the right to increase tour prices in the event of an increase in PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION government and airport authority imposed taxes and fees, fuel and currency surcharges, supplier price increases, or any other cost increase. If the increase is All passengers travelling internationally must travel with a passport. Many countries greater than 7% of the tour cost, the client may cancel the booking within seven require the passport to be valid for 6 months beyond the traveller’s return date. days of notification and obtain a full refund. Visas may be required for some destinations. It is the passenger’s responsibility to obtain at the passenger’s expense, all documentation required by all relevant PAYMENT SCHEDULE authorities. In the event that the passenger does not possess the correct A deposit of $750 per person is required at the time of booking. Full and final documentation, the air carrier has the right to refuse passage. payment is due 90 days prior to departure. DESCRIPTION Deposit requirements for some tours may vary. You will be advised of such cases Every effort has been made to describe and produce the travel services and at time of booking. photographs as accurately as possible in the printed tour description. However LIABILITY we reserve the right to correct errors and we will make all reasonable efforts to inform you should any significant changes occur. Merit cannot assume responsibility for any costs incurred for any travel arrangements purchased separately from the Merit tour. Merit’s responsibility Please note that the living standards and local conditions during your tour may be shall extend only to the provisions of advice as to industry-standard or supplier different from what you are accustomed to at home. recommended connections and check-in times. CONSENT Provided Merit supplies such advice, they shall not be responsible for missed Your retention of tickets, reservations or bookings after issuance shall constitute connections or departures, regardless of the cause. your consent to the above terms. TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN (INSURANCE) If you encounter any concerns during your tour, please inform your local travel Trip cancellation and interruption insurance, medical and hospital insurance, service provider. If the matter cannot be resolved, please inform Merit Travel in baggage insurance, and various additional insurances are available and HIGHLY writing upon your return. RECOMMENDED.

Merit Travel | 1.866.341.1777 | MeritTravel.com