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Press Release # 219

PACIFIC DELIGHT DEBUTS 15–DAY 'TIBET & YANGTZE RIVER ESCAPADE'
COMBINING MYSTICAL INTRIGUE WITH LAVISH STYLE, SOPHISTICATION

2010 Departures Available March 30 – Oct. 19 from $3,499 Per Person, Double

NEW YORK, NY (July 29, 2009) – Multiple award-winning luxury tour operator to China & Asia, Pacific Delight Tours (http://www.pacificdelighttours.com/) will welcome 2010 with style and sophistication as it announces bi-monthly departures for a unique Tibet & Yangtze River Escapade.  Combining China's most popular treasures in Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai, this 15-day program breaks from the beaten path with three nights in Tibet, followed by three nights on a five-star Yangtze River cruise with Victoria Cruises.  Departures are available March 30 – Oct. 19, 2010 starting at $3,499 per person, based on double occupancy.

"In developing our 2010 offerings, our strategy is to provide unique, one of a kind experiences tailored to travelers with specific cultural interests," said Larry Kwan, President of Pacific Delight Tours.

"We decided to offer a limited number departures for this special itinerary designed for visitors who wish to include Buddhist and Tibetan culture in their China experience, while covering all the country's major highlights such as the Great Wall and Terra Cotta Warriors," noted Kwan.

The program features world-class accommodations, including several five-star hotels and a luxurious balcony stateroom on one of Victoria Cruises' five-star vessels, as well as all intra-China air and land transportation, most meals, baggage handling, port charges, hotel taxes and service fees, as well as comprehensive sightseeing and cultural activities, including:

BEIJING:

• A walk in the footsteps of emperors along the ancient ramparts of the renowned Great Wall of China (pictured above), where visitors can marvel at magnificent vistas and the incredible manpower that went into the wall's creation, dating back to the fifth century, B.C.
• A visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest public area in the world, with a tour of the 15^th century Imperial Palace at Beijing's Forbidden City, where the jewelry section is a major highlight.
• A tour of the elegant Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the world's largest imperial garden and more than 3,000 historical structures including pavilions, towers and arched bridges.
• An excursion to the Temple of Heaven, including the Imperial Vault of Heaven with its Echo Wall and the more-than-500-year-old Nine-Dragon Cypress.
• An opportunity to photograph the iconic "Bird's Nest" –  Beijing National Stadium – host to many spectacular events of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
• A visit to a Cloisonné factory to observe skilled artisans as they create intricate designs.
• A delectable Peking Duck Dinner party to sample the local specialty in the city of its origin (Beijing was formerly known as Peking).

XI'AN:

• An unforgettable outing in Xi'an to see the Terra Cotta Warriors, an army of more than 8,000 life-sized statues buried with China's first emperor for over 2,200 years.
• A movie depicting the history of the emperor and the Terra Cotta Warriors filmed using Circle Vision technique providing a panoramic 360^o view.
• A feast featuring the Empress Dowager's Favorite Dumplings during a special lunch.
• A tour of the well preserved Xi'an City Wall, dating back to the Tang Dynasty.
• A dinner and entertaining show at the Tang Dynasty Theatre.

LHASA:

• An airport greeting with a traditional Tibetan Welcome Ceremony.
• An exciting architectural experience at the world-famous Potala Palace – a massive 1,000-room structure which once served as the living quarters for the Dali Lama.
• An excursion to Norbulingkha, the Tibetan summer palace, built by the seventh Dali Lama in the 18^th century.
• Tour the famous Barkhor Market, known for the revered seventh century Jokhang Temple, one of Tibet's holiest shrines to which Buddhist pilgrims travel from far distances to worship.
• A scenic visit to either Drepung Monastery or Sera Monastery, the latter featuring red-robed monks living in traditional Buddhist style.

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE:

• An encounter with giant pandas at the Chongqing Zoo prior to boarding a lavish five-star Victoria Cruises vessel.
• A three-night cruise from Chongqing to Yichang with spectacular views of centuries-old pagodas and temples nestled along the mist-shrouded Yangtze River.
• An amazing experience sailing through the massive Three Gorges, known as one of China's most visually stunning natural scenes.
• An excursion to the impressive Three Gorges Dam Site in San Dou Ping, an extraordinary feat of engineering and major highlight of the river cruise.
• One additional excursion such as a tranquil journey through the Yangtze's scenic Daning or Shennong River tributaries to the Small Gorges.
• Many onboard activities such as Tai Chi lessons and a host of nightly entertainment options.

Boats docked along the Yangtze (photo by Aschwin Prein)

SHANGHAI:

• An mesmerizing performance of the world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
• A journey through Shanghai's colonial past with a stroll through The Bund, a riverside promenade often referred to as Asia's version of Wall Street in the 1940s.
• A visit to Shanghai's Old Town with time to explore Yu Garden, considered the region's most lavish garden first established in the 16th century.
• A tour of the Shanghai Museum to peruse cultural relics spanning 5,000 years of history.
• A visit to Shanghai's ultra-modern Xintiandi, featuring shopping, nightlife and culinary delights.
• A tour of one of Shanghai's renowned silk factories.
• An excursion to the fashionable Nanjing or Huai Hai Road shopping districts, which have been likened to New York City's Fifth Avenue.

Pricing for 2010 departures of Pacific Delight Tours' 15-day Tibet & Yangtze River Escapade begins at $3,499 per person, double occupancy.  International airfare is not included but can be purchased from Pacific Delight at the time of booking.

For more information or to book, consult your local travel agent, contact Pacific Delight Tours at 800-221-7179 or visit www.PacificDelightTours.com.

Passports, visas, gratuities for guides/crew, optional travel protection premium or any items of a personal nature are additional.  Pricing is subject to change at any time.

Pacific Delight Tours' 2010/2011 brochure of luxury programs to China & Asia can be viewed online at the award-winning tour operator's website,www.PacificDelightTours.com.

Pacific Delight Tours

For over 38 years, Pacific Delight Tours has been America's leading tour operator to China and Asia.  The company has three main program offerings: its Award-winning Gold Experience Program caters to the ultra-luxury, exclusive clientele; the Escapade Adventures provide an off-the-beaten path program for the more active traveler, and the popular SuperValue Programs provide the best value in escorted tours in Asia.

Pacific Delight Tours is the winner of the 2008 and 2009 Travel Age West WAVE Award, 2008 Agent@Home Reader's Choice Award and 2008 Travel Weekly Finalist for Best Tour Operator in Asia.  The company is also a long-standing proud member of the United States Tour Operators Association.

Reservations, brochures and information can be obtained from travel agents and Pacific Delight Tours, telephone: (800) 221-7179 or (212) 818-1781; website: www.PacificDelightTours.com.

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