Grand China Tour
25 Day Travel in China - Beijing / Xi’an / Yangtze River Cruise / Chongqing / Chengdu / Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming / Guilin / Hangzhou / Shanghai
This lifetime journey combines the essence of historical and cultural China with its scenicbeauty and hidden treasures. The journey starts in the capital city of Beijing with a walkon the Great Wall, visit to the famous Terra-cotta Warriors in Xi’an, travel to the Panda’shome town – Chengdu, and cruising on the Mighty Yangtze. Enjoy spectacular mountain landscapes and enchanting Old Town in Lijiang, experience Tibetan culture in the legendary kingdom of Shangri-la, soak up the stunning scenery of the Li River in Guilin, relax attranquilty country town in Yangshuo, take a scenic lake cruise in Hangzhou, ends at the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai.
Trip review from our customer:
“This has been a truly memorable trip. Its certainly one we’ll never forget – we got to see everything we had ever wanted to see in China and while we were busy, we still had enough relaxation time that it didn’t get too much for us. Our highlights of the tour included the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, the relaxing Yangtze River Cruise, visiting the Giant Pandas in Chengdu, Lijiang Ancient Town, the Stone Forest and walking in the city area in Kunming, scenic Li river cruise in Guilin, as well as everything else – there’s just too much to mention. All our guides were fantastic and very helpful and, after seeing the traffic there, I wouldn’t dream of travelling any other way than with an escorted tour in China.” Mr Ian Pynar & friends, NSW, May 2010
|
Day 1 - 2 Beijing
Arriving in Beijing, you will be transferred to your hotel. The next day, you will visit Beijing’s Temple of Heaven where you will see locals practising Tai Chi, singing and writing calligraphy in the neighbouring park. Take a leisurely walk through Tiananmen Square to Beijing’s Forbidden City and enjoy the panoramic view of the Forbidden City from Jing-shan Hill. In the evening, sample a Chinese Peking duck dinner before seeing an eye-opening kung fu show. (1B/1D)
|
Day 3 - 4 Beijing
Take photos at Beijing’s 2008 Olympic site and see the best of China’s modern architecture at the Bird’s Nest National Stadium and Water Cube Aquatic Centre before stepping back in time to ancient China with a walk on the Great Wall at Mutianyu section. Explore the alleyways (‘Hutong’) by riding on a traditional rickshaw to catch close-up glimpses of local life. Finally, complete your private tour in Beijing with a visit to the ancient Summer Palace, a former imperial summer resort, before boarding an overnight soft sleeper train to Xi’an. (2B/2D)
|
Day 5 - 6 Xi'an
See Xi’an’s amazing Terracotta Warriors – 7000 individually-crafted clay soldiers standing on guard, before continuing to the Big Wild Goose pagoda built to house ancient Buddhist scriptures collected by a Chinese monk. Enjoy a dumpling dinner before seeing a brilliant Tang Dynasty culture show. Take a stroll on Xi’an’s City Wall, where you have the opportunity to cycle on the ancient wall before exploring the Old Muslim Quarter and Old Mosque. Later, fly to Yichang to board the Yangtze River cruise ship. (2B/2D)
|
Day 7 - 9 Yangtze River Cruise
Your Yangtze River cruise goes from Chonqing to Yichang, sailing through Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge first. Relax and enjoy magnificent views of peaks, rolling hills and small towns along the river or participate in a variety of the Chinese cultural activities on board including Chinese brush painting shows, Chinese silk embroidery lessons and Tai Chi morning exercise classes. As part of your Yangtze River cruise, you will get to go ashore to visit the Ghost City of Fengdu, take a Sampan (wooden boat) tour to one of the Yangtze’s tributaries and visit the Three Gorges Dam project. While on board, your cruise ship will also pass through the world’s biggest five level ship lock. (2B/2L/2D)
|
Day 10 Chongqing / Dazu / Chengdu
Go on a relaxing drive to Dazu to see ancient stone carvings which date back to the 9th century. With more than 50,000 Buddhists, Taoist and Confucian sculptures scattered over 70 sites in Dazu, you’ll be able to get an insight into the intricate craftsmanship of ancient china. Enjoy a short train ride to Chengdu. (1B/1D)
|
Day 11 - 12 Chengdu
Your tour of Chengdu begins with a scenic drive to the world’s largest Buddha statue at Leshan County. Walk down to the foot of the Buddha and hop on a river cruise to appreciate its full stature and splendour from the river. Sample a local specialty dinner in the evening and during the next morning, visit Chengdu’s fascinating Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre to learn more about these amazing endangered animals. Later, explore Chengdu’s bustling teahouses and take a stroll in the lively People’s Park before flying to Lijiang. (2B/2D)
|
Day 13 Lijiang
Lijiang is an extremely beautiful part of China and is blessed with fresh air, clear streams and stunning snow-capped mountains. In Lijiang, you will visit the Black Dragon Pool Park for a spectacular view of the Jade Dragon Mountain. Explore the World Heritage Site listed Lijiang Dayan Ancient Town and wander through the ornately-carved wooden buildings, teahouses and cobbled streets interspersed with mini canals and streams. Enjoy a traditional dinner with a local family. (1B/1D)
|
Day 14 Tiger Leaping Gorge
Enjoy a scenic drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge, the world’s deepest gorge, and marvel at the spectacular mountains surrounding this water-filled gorge. Continue to Shangri-La, the harmonious multi-religious society, as described by British writer James Hilton in his novel ‘Lost Horizon’. Feast your eyes upon a majestic land of snow-capped mountains, forests, lush grassland and crystal lakes. (1B/1D)
|
Day 15- 16 Shangri-La
On your tour of Shangri-La, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the mystical prayer halls and temples of the 300 year old Zhongsanlin Tibetan Monastery, before taking a walk along Shangri-La’s Napa Lake. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Tibetan villages and families before stopping at an old Tibetan Town to enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner. (2B/1D)
|
Day 17 Kunming
After a short flight to Kunming, you’ll visit the Stone Forest, a natural wonder featuring bizarrely-shaped limestone cliffs and peaks, before taking a soft sleeper overnight train to Guilin. (2B/2D)
|
Day 18 - 20 Guilin
On your Guilin tour, visit Guilin’s Reed Flute Cave which is known as the “Palace of Natural Art” and view the beautiful vista of the Elephant Trunk Hill. Head to the beautiful rural countryside of Longsheng to see ancient rice terraces Explore the villages of the Zhuang people by wandering along charming stone pathways to see traditional wooden houses on stilts and friendly locals. Take a walk up Guilin’s mountain to admire the spectacular rice terrace scenery and enjoy a local specialty dinner in the evening. The next day, enjoy a spectacular Li River cruise which will go past mountains, villages and water buffalos. Disembark at the traditional country town of Yangshuo where you and your family can spend the day exploring the tranquil countryside and local villages, seeing rice paddies and fish farms. Try bamboo boat drifting, cycle through the streets or just wander through Yangshou and pick up some bargains while taking in the sights, before flying to Hangzhou. (2B/2D)
|
Day 21 Hangzhou
Enjoy a morning cruise on the romantic West Lake to appreciate beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Visit one of China’s most incredible cultural treasures, Hangzhou’s Lingyin Temple, before stopping at Hangzhou’s Longjing Tea Plantation for an opportunity to sample newly harvested tea. Complete the day with a local specialty dinner. (1B/1D)
|
Day 22 - 23 Shanghai
Travelling to Shanghai in the morning, the rest of the day will be spent at your own leisure. The next day, your Shanghai tour will take you on a stroll along the historic riverfront Bund, where you will see 52 magnificent colonial buildings. Along the Huangpu River, you will also see the contrasting view of “old and modern” Shanghai. Enjoy the underwater tram through the sightseeing tunnel which features a light show and music and travels from the Bund to Shanghai’s Pudong New Areas. When you reach the top of Shanghai’s Jin Mao Building, one of world’s tallest buildings, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai. Head down to Shanghai’s Yu Garden, an exquisite Ming Dynasty style garden, and wander through the Old Quarter and neighbouring Yu Bazaar. Sample a local specialty dinner before seeing an awe-inspiring acrobat show. (2B/2D)
|
Day 24 - 25 Shanghai
Travel to the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao to see the ancient residences built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Explore twisting cobbled streets and unique Chinese bridges before stopping at Xintiandi, a restored area of old residential houses. Visit the famous Shanghai Museum boasting an enormous collection of ancient Chinese art and cultural and historical artefacts. Your Grand China tour will end with a ride on one of world’s fastest trains, the Maglev train, to the international airport.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pricing:
|
* Standard package price from $4989p.p.
|
|
* Superior package price from $5542p.p.
|
|
* Deluxe package price on request.
|
Ask for an air-inclusive quote!
Inclusions:
•
20 nights selected hotel accommodation
|
•
1 overnight soft sleeper train
|
•
5 internal flights
|
•
3 nights selected Yangtze cruise ship
|
•
Professional English speaking guide
|
•
Listed meals: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
|
•
Professional English speaking guide
|
•
Arrival/departure meeting and assistance
|
•
All transfers in A/C vehicle
|
•
Sightseeing, associated entrance fees and evening shows
|
Exclusions:
|
•
International airfare
|
|
•
Travel insurance
|
|
•
Chinese Visa
|
|
•
Personal expenses
|
|
•
Gratuity & tips
|
|
|