“ MARINEs Return”

BEIJING - TIENTSIN - PEITAiHO - CHIN-

WANGTAO - XIAN TSINGTAO - (post tour) - Dandong (Post tour) 14 - 27 OCTOBER 2013

Tour Host: Maj Rick Spooner, USMC Restaurateur (Globe & Laurel— Quantico, VA) & Author

The Great Wall rises out of the Yellow Sea during our return to China!

MHT stops rising prices. Same tour cost as last year! Join Us!

China Marines forming up 65 years later at the former III Amphibious Corps HQ where, at left, Gen Rockey accepted the Japanese Surrender in 1945. 13198 Centerpointe Way Ste. 202 Woodbridge, VA 22193-5285 703-590-1295 * [email protected] * www.miltours.com Thousands of Marines, soldiers and sailors served in China Marine Ed Finnstrom returns to the Linsi Coal Mine China over the years. Those “Old” China Hands, prior he guarded in ’45-’46 with to World War II, gave birth to the legends of “China daughter Erika & Duty.” In the years following WWII, thousands more son-in-law Scott. saw service in the waters off China and on land in the capacity of Civil Government -repatriating the Japa- nese Military and keeping order - during a period of turmoil in Chinese History. These sailors and Marines served faithfully and gallantly in a “dirty” job, perform- ing hazardous service in an inhospitable country, sur- rounded by danger on all sides until 1949 when the Chinese Civil War concluded.

Our Navy and Marine Corps provided a stabilizing influence to a country in the grips of an internal strug- Tour Host Richard "Rick" T. Spooner gle for power in the vacuum of the Japanese Surren- is a retired United States Ma- der. While other military men and women returned to their homes and rine and the proprietor of families, they continued the struggle for freedom which had begun dur- The Globe and Laurel Res- ing the Island Campaigns and epic Sea Battles of the Pacific War. taurant in Stafford, Virginia. Much has changed since America left China in 1949. The changes will He served in the Marine Corps for over 29 years from amaze you, but you will be delighted to recognize the places you knew 1942-1972 in the rank of or have read about in that far-off, legendary land. We do your private to Major and served in WWII, China Visa for China, Korea & Vietnam. DAILY ITINERARY Tour Price per person: you...no $ 2,995 Spooner has written a new 14 Oct Mon - (Day 1) Depart hidden book on the China Marines USA (bodo-based on double occupancy) titled The Saga of Shanghai Single Supplement: $ 650 costs! Depart your hometown airport Pooley. He has alos authored for an international flight to Bei- Post Tour Costs per person (bodo): the critically lauded "The jing, China. (Cross international Shaghai: $ 775 Spirit of Semper Fidelis: dateline lose a day) Shanghai Single Supplement: $ 495 Reflections From the Bottom of an Old Canteen Cup," a historical novel about 15 Oct Tue - (Day 2) Arrive Dandong: $ 750 the Pacific War which is actually a per- Beijing Dandong Single Supplement: $ 225 sonal memoir. His third book on his Upon arrival in Beijing we China Marine experiences is due out Tour Price Includes: check into our hotel to rest up soon. after our flight. Hotel: Astor (B/ Deluxe Hotel Accommodations In 1968, Rick opened the Globe and Lau- L/(on Plane)/D on own) * rel Restaurant in downtown Quantico Air-conditioned deluxe motorcoach * which he described as "a pub for profes- 16 Oct Wed - (Day 3) Tientsin 68th Anniversary Ceremony Meals as indicated in the itinerary sional Marines". The pub features a col- * lection of military memorabilia, includ- This morning after breakfast we Historical Trip information packet, contain- ing an original Medal of Honor and Vic- board our bus for Tientsin ing maps and other tour information toria Cross in the same case. The third (Tianjin). Today we commemo- * location of his famed restaurant is a few rate the 68th Anniversary of the Emergency Medical Evacuation and miles south of the National Museum of Japanese Surrender in 1945 with Hospitalization Insurance the Marine Corps. The new address is a visit to the site of the original * 3987 Jefferson Davis Hwy Stafford, VA event, Gen Rockey’s III Marine Admission fees to all sites, museums and 22554 (703-221-5763). special attractions listed Amphibious Corps HQ. This * afternoon, we continue with stops including the British Officer's Club, Services of experienced Tour Leaders and 15th Infantry Regiment area, 1st Marine Division HQ, the Catholic English-speaking local guides Church, and the American Red Cross Building. We check into the historic Astor House Hotel for a very spe- MHT Optional Airfare Availa- cial “China Marine Reunion Dinner.” Hotel: Astor ble: Round-trip economy or House Meals: (B/L/D) business class airfare from your city via an international 17 Oct Thur - (Day 4) Tientsin and Peitaho portal to China priced upon After breakfast we checkout of the hotel and we enjoy a registration. half day tour of sites of interest around Tientsin, including before a tour of the Old Beijing of the 30's and 40's via an visits to the Tientsin History Museum and the Concession exotic Hutong Rickshaw Tour. This evening, after a special Areas. In the afternoon, we depart Tientsin for Peitaho and Peking Duck dinner we take a modern sleeper cabin train Chinwangtao. After checking into our hotel, we will have a from Beijing to Xian. Meals: (B/L/D) group dinner. Hotel: Seaside Garden Meals: (B/L/D) 23 Oct Wed - (Day 10) Xian 18 Oct Fri - (Day 5) Peitaho & Chinwangtao After breakfast and check-in at our hotel which is adjacent to Today we begin a full day tour of the former USMC sites the start of the Silk Road we enjoy a city tour of Xian, to in- around Chinwangtao and the famous Dragon's Head where clude the original City Wall, Wild Goose Buddhist Temple the Great Wall of China rises out of the Yellow Sea. We also and the Drum Tower. Hotel: Junan Dynasty Meals:(B/L/D) get a chance to see the historic Shanhaiguan Gate and Pass. 24 Oct Thur - (Day 11) Xian Hotel: Seaside Garden Meals: (B/L/D) Today we explore one of the great wonders of the ancient world as we tour the famed Terracotta Warriors. Museum, Some “China that chronicles the life of those who built the incredible war- Marine” Boxers! riors and explore these huge now indoor dig sites. We end the day with at the relaxing Tang Dynasty Hot Spring Garden. Hotel: Junan Dynasty Meals: (B/L/D)

25 Oct Fri - (Day 12) Xian and Tsingtao Flight this morning from Xian to Tsingtao. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and begin our tour of the city, revisiting sites of interest including Gen. Shepard's HQ's, the German Governor's House and Ocean University, former billeting of the 6th Mar Division. Hotel Huiquan Dynasty Meals: (B/L/ D)

26 Oct Sat - (Day 13) Tsingtao Depart for a visit of a Chinese Kindergarten followed by a tour of the world-famous Tsingtao Brewery. Enjoy a behind- 19 Oct Sat - (Day 6) Peitaho and Beijing the-scenes tour and sample some of the fine product of this After breakfast we will check out of our hotel and begin a landmark brewery. This afternoon, we tour the Chinese Na- tour of Peitaho to see the villas of senior Party members in val Museum, Badaguan, Granite Stone Hill, the Pier and Lit- this formerly exclusive seaside town and the famous Eagle tle Fish Hill. Hotel: Huiquan Dynasty Meals: (B/L/D) Rock where Chairman Mao wrote his most quoted poem. We depart Peitaho for Beijing and arrive in the afternoon we 27 Oct Sun - (Day 14) Tsingtao begin our tour of the capital of China. We do a bus/walking After breakfast, we fly from Tsingtao to Shanghai by a morn- tour of the old Legation Quarter made famous during the ing flight. Some depart Shanghai this afternoon for a flight Boxer Rebellion. Sites visited include the famous Hotel Wag- home (Cross International Dateline, Arrive in the USA same on-Lits, the actual fortified compound during the Boxer Siege day. Meals: D & B on plane) or hopefully we all enjoy a and the site of the action for Dan Daly's Medal of Honor on stay in the famed river city of Shanghai. Some will fly from August 14, 1900. Hotel: No. 9 Da Cheng Meals: (B/L/D) Tsingtao to Dandong for a stay in this City.

20 Oct Sun - (Day 7) Beijing Post Tour to Shanghai (27—30 Oct) We continue our tour with a visit to the ancient “Forbidden 27 Oct Sun - (Day One) City” and Imperial Palace, home of Chinese Rulers until the Visit the famed Huangpu Waterfront with its old colonial Last Emperor, Pu Yi, was deposed by the Japanese. Follow- ing lunch, we continue to the historic Temple of Heaven. To- night we attend the famed Acrobat Show. Hotel: No. 9 Da The Sun always shines on the Chinas Marines, with Cheng Meals: (B/L/D) downtown Tsingtao in the background!

21 Oct Mon - (Day 8) Beijing Today we visit the Great Wall above Beijing and take a walk- ing tour of visit Tiananmen Square and the surrounding area. We allow a night to enjoy the night life of the Capital. Hotel: No 9 Da Cheng Meals: (B/L/D on own)

22 Oct Tue - (Day 9) Beijing We continue our exploration of Beijing with a trip to the Bei- jing Zoo to view the largest population of Giant Pandas. Fol- lowing our Panda visit with a tour of the beautiful Summer Palace, a viewing of the 2008 Olympic sites on the way back Shanghai—The The Broadway buildings. 30 Oct Wed - (Day Four) Mansions Check into Bund, 1937 Transpacific flight from Shanghai. (Cross International Date- the historic line, Arrive USA same day.) Meals: B/D on plane and beauti- fully reno- Post Tour to Dandong (27—29 Oct) vated (’08) 27 Oct Sun - (Day One) Broadway Fly to Dandong arriving in the afternoon and view the city Mansions and the Sino-Korea Friendship Bridge connecting China & located at North Korea and take a boat trip to get very close to North the end of Korea. After dinner, we see the darkness from the North Korean side contrasted with the nightlife of Dandong. Hotel: Riverwalk. Crown Holiday Inn (B/L/D) Hotel: Meals: (B/L/D) 28 Oct 28 Oct Mon - (Day Two) North Korea Mon - A visit to the Yu Yuan Garden starts our day in Shanghai, followed by a visit to the landmark TV Tower (from here (Day Two) have a panoramic view of this city which blends the old and After new China), and the District. The evening is high- break- lighted by a boat trip along the Huangpu River to see Shang- fast, the hai and the Bund at night. Hotel: Broadway Mansions tour continue to view the city and visit the War Museum in Meals: (B/L/D) the morning. After lunch, we head for the airport and our 29 Oct Tue - (Day Three) flight to Beijing and check into a Beijing four star hotel near Visit the Shanghai Museum the finest in China as well as the airport for the night. shopping along Nanjing Road where Asian bargains can be 29 Oct Tue - (Day Three) found in abundance. Enjoy the many sights and sounds of Transpacific flight from Beijing. (Cross International Date- this bustling metropolis. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner. Ho- line, Arrive USA same day.) Meals: B/L & D on plane tel: Broadway Mansions Meals: (B/L/D)

13198 Centerpointe Way, Ste 202 Woodbridge, VA 22193-5285

China Marines 2013—Great Tour & Great Wall!