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Overview
Dates May 04 — May 18, 2009
DEPARTURE DATES FOR SIMILAR TRIPS:Apr 25 — May 09, 2009
Activity Level Moderately active
Gain a broad perspective on the aesthetics, culture, history, economy, and people of China, Korea, and Japan on a memorable 15-day tour aboard the comfortable expedition ship, the Clipper Odyssey. Begin in Shanghai, and admire the treasures in the Shanghai museum and the futuristic architecture of the city’s Pudong district, before embarking on a cruise through the East China Sea. Call at South Korea’s tropical Cheju Island, and visit Gyeongju, home to relics of the Shilla dynasty. In Japan, see the samurai town of Hagi, the floating scarlet torii gate of Miyajima, the Peace Memorial Park of Hiroshima, and the castle known as the “White Egret” in Himeji. The journey concludes in Kyoto, the ancient imperial capital of Japan, known for its temples, shrines, and gardens, and the tradition of the geisha.
To download a full brochure for this program, click the PDF button at the top right side of this page.
Map
Itinerary
- Days 1 & 2 - U.S. / Shanghai, China
- Day 3 – Shanghai
- Day 4 – Shanghai / Embark
- Day 5 – At Sea
- Day 6 – Cheju Island, South Korea
- Day 7 – Pusan / Gyeongju
- Day 8 – Hagi, Japan
- Day 9 – Hiroshima / Miyajima
- Day 10 – Okayama / Kurashiki
- Day 11 – Himeji / Disembark / Kobe / Kyoto
- Day 12 – Kyoto
- Day 13 – Kyoto / Nara / Kyoto
- Day 14 – Kyoto
- Day 15 – Kyoto / Osaka / U.S.
Highlights
- Stroll through Koraku-en, one of Japan's top three landscape gardens, and enjoy springtime blooms.
- See the excavated monuments, tombs, and temples of the once-powerful Shilla dynasty that ruled Korea for 1,000 years.
- Admire architectural gems of China, South Korea, and Japan, including the Pudong district in Shanghai, the Bulguksa Temple, and the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaju-ji.
- Participate in hands-on activities including calligraphy, flower arrangement, and tea and sake tastings.
- Admire cultural treasures of jade, porcelain, and bronze and priceless paintings in the Shanghai Museum.
Pre-Tour Extension
Beijing
April 30-May 5
Explore Beijing, visiting highlights such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. Details and rates will be sent to confirmed passengers.
Post-Tour Extension
Tokyo
May 18-21
Spend three nights in Tokyo, including a day trip to Hakone. Details and rates will be sent to confirmed passengers.
Program Leaders
Minh A. Luong
Minh A. Luong is Faculty Fellow in the Yale School of Management, Associate Director of the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy, and Assistant Director of International Security Studies. He administers and teaches in Yale's graduate-level training program in strategic leadership, Studies in Grand Strategy. His research interests include the rise of China, Japanese technological innovation, the recovery of Asia's economies (China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore), and economic and industrial espionage.
Laurel Kendall
Laurel Kendall, Curator of Asian Ethnography Collections at the American Museum of Natural History, is an anthropologist specializing in East Asia. She has worked in Korea, Vietnam, and China and jointly curated Vietnam: Journeys of Body, Mind, and Spirit, the first comprehensive exhibition on Vietnamese life to be presented in the United States.
Sponsors
American Museum of Natural History
Association of Yale Alumni
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Accommodations
Cruise Ship
The Clipper Odyssey
The 128-passenger Clipper Odyssey is ideally suited for exploring the coasts of Japan and China. Its small size allows access to remote islands and stretches of coast otherwise inaccessible by land or a larger cruise ship, and its informal style accommodates the casual atmosphere and dress suitable for adventure cruising. All cabins are outside, with a separate seating area, abundant storage space, twin or queen beds, bathrooms with hair dryers and shower/bathtub combinations, individual temperature controls, TVs, and mini-refrigerators. Public areas include two lounges, a bar, and a dining room where all guests are accommodated at a single, unassigned seating. Among the ship’s amenities are a 70-meter jogging track on the Sun Deck, shaded areas on the Lido Deck for comfortable observation of scenery, a pool, gym, library/game room, boutique, hairdresser, and clinic with full-time physician. The ship is fitted with the latest in telecommunications, navigation, and stabilization systems for smooth sailing. A fleet of motorized Zodiacs allows guests to enjoy close-up looks at wildlife and make beach landings for shore walks.
Program Rates
Airfare
International and U.S. domestic airfare is not included in the program rates. Please call for assistance with your air travel arrangements.
Program Rates
From $9,590 per person, double occupancy