Page 36 - 23 Day China Sample

DAY 19 CHONGQING/DAZU/CHONGQING-YANGTZE CRUISE Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch At approximately 9:00 AM be ready in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel in preparation for a morning visit to Dazu and late afternoon transfer to the Yangtzi Explorer cruise ship. Visit Dazu to see the Dazu Grottoes. ‘Dazu’ means harvest and abundance. The work of the Dazu Rock carvings began in the first year of Yonghui in the Tang Dynasty (650 A.D.), and continued until the Ming and Qing dynasties. The general term of ‘Dazu Rock Carvings’ refers to all the cliffside carvings in Dazu County. There are more than 50,000 Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian rock carvings and 100,000 characters of inscriptions dotted around Dazu. The carvings not only include the statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva but also include that of monarchs, ministers, military officers, high and low-ranking officials, jailers, executioners, monks, rich and poor people, and folk art performers. The earliest grotto was carved in the early Tang Dynasty and most of them have a history over 1,000 years. With rich images as well as inscriptions, the Dazu Grottoes are regarded as an art treasure house that fully reflected the society, philosophy, religion and folklore of that time. In 1999, UNESCO listed Dazu Stone carvings as a world cultural heritage site. The Dazu Grottoes where the only grottoes that were implemented according to an overall design among 100 grottoes in China. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Late this afternoon transfer to the cruise ship terminal where you will board the Yangzi Explorer for a voyage of discovery and tranquility along China’s magnificent Yangtze. Passing through the Three Gorges region, this journey encompasses thousands of years of history as well as timeless natural beauty, all in the comfort of the finest ship on the Yangtze today. The Yangtze is China's longest and busiest river, with fantastic gorges and vertical drops. The appeal of the Yangtze lies not only in the river’s great natural beauty, but in the cultural and historical ties which link nearby communities with its life-giving waters. Complementing the natural beauty of the Yangtze River is a rich program of shipboard activities that highlight the remarkable wealth of China’s vast cultural tradition. Tai Chi classes, Chinese cooking classes and hands-on- experiences of calligraphy and silk embroidery are just some of the engaging programs available. Evenings feature live entertainment that includes the best of both East and West. Overnight: Yangzi Explorer