Total Eclipse of the Sun Tours
22nd of July 2009 : China
Price Guide from £1,350.00 per person
Witness one of Natures most spectactacular phenomena's while visiting China. For literally six minutes and 39 seconds the earth will slip into the moon's shadow. The Sky will darken and you will experience an eerie twilight. A bright halo around the black disk of the moon will be visible. This bright halo is the solar corona in the sun's atmosphere, it promises to be a magical sight. The Eclipse will start at 8am, lasting for six minutes and 39 seconds. Totality will occur at 09:38 and at an altitude of 57 degrees.
The tour shown below is centred around Shanghai. It is tailor made to you and will depart the UK on the 18th of July 2009. Also listed below is another option, our Eclipse Tour B which includes the sights of Beijing by flying to China a few days earlier. China's 2009 Eclipse promises to be unbeatable. Please ask your team of China specialists how you can also include the cities of Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing and also view the Eclipse.
We have created two examples of how you can incorporate the 2009 total eclipse of the sun in China. One from Shanghai, our Eclipse Tour A, and the other involving Beijing, our Eclipse Tour B.
Eclipse Tour A (Shanghai) from £1,350.00 per person
| Day | Schedule | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| 18 July 09 | Depart from the UK for your flight to Shanghai (we have options for both direct and indirect flights listed below). | |
| 19 July 09 | Arrive in Shanghai and you will be met by a Sanya China Travel representative and transferred to the Astor Hotel. We have chosen this Hotel as its the most famous in Shanghai, the first modern hotel in China's history, which has hosted many celebrities from all over the world. Step back in history and marvel at the stunning architecture. Click here for further information and images on the Astor Hotel. The Rest of the day can be spent at your own leisure. | B |
| 20 July 09 | Today you will be driven (or you can walk) through Fuxing Park. Created in 1909 by the French its a perfect place to see locals at rest and play. You will witness some of the weirdest workouts from traditional t'ai chi and slow motion aerobics to therapeutic screaming! Your English speaking guide will then show you the world famous Yuyuan Gardens, the Jade Buddha Temple and the Bund. After lunch at a traditional restaurant you will return to your hotel, to spend the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening we will take you to visit famous acrobatic show in downtown Shanghai. | B/L |
| 21 July 09 | Shanghai. Following breakfast we will depart from the hotel for a visit to Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) Sheshan station. Please visit the SHAO website for more information. The Sheshan observatory is on the top of the highest geological point in Shanghai and was built on the site of a cathedral the Maria Basilica, the most famous Basilica in China. The observatory museum contains the first photos taken in China of a solar eclipse, that of January 14, 1907. After the tour, transfer by bus to the town of Jiaxing where we will check in to our eclipse base hotel at Zhejiang South Lake, the 4-star Park Yard Hotel in Jiaxing. | B/L |
| 22 July 09 | Shanghai. After an early breakfast we will depart for the eclipse-viewing site. Depending on the weather we will travel to the east or west of Jiaxing and this decision will be made in real time. After watching the Eclipse we will transport you back to Shanghai for your final nights stay at the 3-star Astor Hotel. You will spend the afternoon at your own leisure. (If you have a particular hobby or interest please let us know and we will be happy to arrange something or steer you in the right direction). | B |
| 23 July 09 | After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to UK. | B |
Gallery relating to this tour A
Please click on the thumbnails to view larger version
The Astor Hotel
Itinerary for Tour A includes:
- Meals as listed
- Hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
- All sightseeing
- All private transfers as listed
- English speaking guides
Itinerary for Tour A excludes:
- Personal expense and tips.
Eclipse Tour B (Beijing and Shanghai) from £2,020.00 per person
| Day | Schedule | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| 15 July 09 | Depart UK for Beijing on your direct or indirect flight to Shanghai - options listed below. | |
| 16 July 09 | Beijing - Arrive in Beijing and be met by a Sanya China Travel representative. On arrival transfer to the Bamboo Garden Hotel for 3 nights with daily breakfast - Rest of the day at your leisure. The Bamboo Garden is a traditional family fun guest house. It's in the middle of a Hutong district, traditional Ally ways of old Peking. It's a bonus to stay here as opposed to the huge tourist hotels normally found in Beijing. For pictures of the Bamboo Garden Hotel please click here. | B |
| 17 July 09 | Beijing - Today your English speaking guide will take you for a full days tour including Tian'anmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Spend the evening at your own leisure. | B/L |
| 18 July 09 | Beijing - Today another full days tour including the Great Wall at the quieter Mutianyu Section. You will also visit the Ming Tombs and the Sacred Road. In the evening you will enjoy a Peking Duck dinner at the world famous Quanjude Peking Duck Restaurant. After dinner your guide will transfer you to the train station, where you will board the overnight train Z21 to Shanghai, departing Beijing at 19:32pm.You will travel in a first class private compartment. This is a comfortable travel experience. PLEASE NOTE: WE CAN EASILY FLY YOU TO SHANGHAI. PLEASE ASK IF YOU WOULD PREFER THIS OPTION. | B/L/D |
| 19 July 09 | Shanghai - Arrive Shanghai at 07:00am. You will be met by a Sanya China Travel representative and transferred to the Astor Hotel. We have chosen this Hotel as it's the most famous in Shanghai, which is also the first modern hotel in China's history, hosting many celebrities from all over the world. Step back in history and marvel at the stunning architecture. For more pictures and details of the Astor Hotel please click here. The rest of the day can be spent at your own leisure. | B |
| 20 July 09 | Today you will be driven (or you can walk) through Fuxing Park. Created in 1909 by the French its a perfect place to see locals at rest and play. You will witness some of the weirdest workouts from traditional t'ai chi and slow motion aerobics to therapeutic screaming! Your English speaking guide will then show you the world famous Yuyuan Gardens, the Jade Buddha Temple and the Bund. After lunch at a traditional restaurant you will return to your hotel, to spend the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening we will take you to visit famous acrobatic show in downtown Shanghai. | B/L |
| 21 July 09 | Shanghai. Following breakfast we will depart from the hotel for a visit to Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) Sheshan station. Please visit the SHAO website for more information. The Sheshan observatory is on the top of the highest geological point in Shanghai and was built on the site of a cathedral the Maria Basilica, the most famous Basilica in China. The observatory museum contains the first photos taken in China of a solar eclipse, that of January 14, 1907. After the tour, transfer by bus to the town of Jiaxing where we will check in to our eclipse base hotel at Zhejiang South Lake, the 4-star Park Yard Hotel in Jiaxing. | B/L |
| 22 July 09 | Shanghai. After an early breakfast we will depart for the eclipse-viewing site. Depending on the weather we will travel to the east or west of Jiaxing and this decision will be made in real time. After watching the Eclipse we will transport you back to Shanghai for your final nights stay at the 3-star Astor Hotel. You will spend the afternoon at your own leisure. (If you have a particular hobby or interest please let us know and we will be happy to arrange something or steer you in the right direction). | B |
| 23 July 09 | After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to UK. | B |
Gallery relating to Tour B
Please click on the thumbnails to view larger version
The Bamboo Garden
Itinerary for Tour B includes:
- First class train tickets, private cabin (Beijing - Shanghai)
- Meals and hotel accommodation with twin basis
- Sightseeing
- Transfers as listed
Itinerary for Tour B excludes:
- Personal expense and tips.
