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Great Cities, Panda Volunteer & Dragons Backbone 12 Days

Tour Itinerery

Day 1: UK - Beijing

Our journey begins as we board our overnight scheduled flight to Beijing.
(* For those who may experience jet lag, we recommend adding a pre-tour night in Beijing for a refreshing start of your holiday.)

Day 2: Beijing

Morning arrival into Beijing where you will be greeted by your Oriental Travel Tour Manager and chauffeured to your deluxe class hotel. Take the time to settle in. Later in the afternoon, we visit the majestic Summer Palace with a boat ride on the lake.
This evening enjoy a warm welcome dinner in our favourite restaurant with fusion imperial court cuisine. Accommodation: 5* Marco Polo Parkside

Day 3: Beijing

Our days begins with a stroll through Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, before retracing the steps of the great emperors of China and wander amongst the imperial splendour of the Forbidden City. We then take a rickshaw ride along Beijing's old quarter "Hutongs".This afternoon move onto the sacred Temple of Heaven.
Conclude the day with a delicious Peking duck banquet dinner.

Day 4: Beijing

Enjoy marvellous scenery as we wind our way up to the Great Wall (Mutianyu Section) - a much quieter and picturesque section of the Great Wall.Here you will have plenty of time to climb up to the top of this magnificent structure. Unforgettable views, and when the weather is good, a lovely picnic lunch will go to make this a day to remember! On our return to the city, we stop by a Jade Carving Workshop.

Day 5: Beijing - Xian

Morning fly to Xian. En-route to the airport we drive pass and stop by the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadium.
Upon arrival Xian, embark on a discovery tour of the Tombs of Emperor Han Yangling. This tomb showcases the style in which the West Han Dynasty decorated their tombs in preparation for the afterlife. Drive past the Bell Tower to our deluxe hotel excellently located within the ancient walls.
Evening enjoy a Dumpling Banquet Dinner.
Accommodation: 5* Grand Noble Hotel

Day 6: Xian - Chengdu

Once the largest city in the world, Xian is a treasure trove of China's former glory. Our morning begins with a leisurely walk on the Ancient City Wall and South Gate. Next journey to the UNESCO heritage listed Terracotta Warriors. Here you will have plenty of time to personally inspect the eternal guard of the First Emperor.
After lunch and a chance to sample local specialty of hand-pulled noodles, visit a workshop to view the production of Terracotta figurines by local craftsmen and perhaps purchase a 6 ft replica warrior for you garden or home!

This evening a short flight takes us to Chengdu. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 7: Chengdu (Panda Sanctuary)

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and home to the world's giant pandas, tea houses and fiery food.
You may have heard about these "notoriously cute" vegetarian bears for a long time, today at the Panda Sanctuary, you will watch them at play in real life. The Panda Breeding & Research Base is located at outskirts of Chengdu, and is the world's principal breeding centre for these precious bears.

Today we offer choices of two programs. You may wish to do one day volunteer at the Panda Sanctuary or visit the Panda Sanctuary in the morning then go on a city tour covering the teahouse, Wenshu Monastery, a cultural walk followed by a hot pot dinner.

Panda Volunteering Program
Program Time (8:30am-3:30pm). You will be the assistant for the panda keeper. Your duty includes:
- Cleaning panda areas and enclosures
- Feeding and preparing food for the pandas such as bamboo, carrots, apples & panda bread
- There is also an educational conservation program to help you understand more of these lovely creatures

After finishing the program, you will return to hotel for a freshen up before re-joining the rest of the group for a night walk of a local cultural street and a hot pot dinner.

Accommodation: 4* Holiday Inn Gulou or similar

Day 8: Longsheng Rice Terraces (Dragon's Backbone)

Morning flight Guilin. Upon arrival we head north to Longsheng, home to a mixture of minority people that have retained their way of life and colourful embroidered costumes throughout the centuries. After a steady walk through rich fertile countryside we will be served lunch in a minority family restaurant, nestled high up within the quilted patchwork of rice terraces called the "Dragon's Backbone".
Later coach down to Yangshuo where we stay two nights. Accommodation: Hidden Dragon Villa Lodge

Day 9: Yangshuo

Today we set off to explore Yangshuo's tranquil countryside, water cave and river. We take a leisurely cycle along the flat back-road through farmland. Next we visit the Silver Water Caves followed by a bamboo rafting along the river. From the raft you can really apprecite the towering karst limestone spires seem to emerge at random in every direction from the almost perfectly flat plains. We will also visit a well preserved an ancient town to see its village hall and residential houses.
(* For those who do not wish to cycle we will arrange motorised buggy ride to explore the farmland)

Day 10: Yangshuo - Shanghai

Half day free at leisure for you to explore the stunning surroundings of Yangshuo as you choose. Our Our hotel is located close to the bustling West Street with its diversity of restaurants, bars, cafes and souvenir shops at the doorsteps. Your tour manager will be on hand to offer assistance and help plan activities.
This charming town offers various activities to suit everyone in the party. Suggested activities include: Hiking to nearby farmlands & local villages; kayaking in the Yulong River; Chinese cooking class; Watch cormorant fishing; Calligraphy introduction class; River Night Show...

Later we fly to Shanghai where we stay for two nights.
Accommodation: 5* Grand Mercure Hotel

Day 11: Shanghai

Shanghai is the economic powerhouse of China and one of the fastest developing cities in the world. Our day starts with a drive through the modern Pudong District with its financial centre where you can find some of the tallest and best modern buildings in the world, before returning to the old side of the river. Take a stroll through the Shanghai Old Quarter and Yuyuan Bazaar for some bargain hunting at the shop stalls. We then head to The Bund waterfront.

There will be time for freshen up at our hotel before an evening walk of the colonial Bund and the award-winning Shanghai Acrobatics Show.

Day 12: Shanghai - UK

Today bid a fond farwell to China as we board our return flight home. Arrival is scheduled for the same afternoon.

Extend extra night(s) in Shanghai - only £43/person/night

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Some Popular Extensions

Suzhou & Qiandeng Full Day
A full day tour of Suzhou and Qiandeng Ancient Town, about 1 hour drive away from Shanghai. Suzhou is famous for its fine gardens, canals and silk. Our visit include a relaxing walk of the Pingjiang Old Quarter, Humble Administrator Garden, a Silk Workshop and a paddle boat ride along the ancient water canals.
Qiandeng (meaning a thousand lanterns) is a small picturesque town approximately half way between Suzhou and Shanghai. Built over a series of canals, original period buildings line small cobbled streets, providing a stunning impression of an old imperial town. Some of the historic houses, gardens and other dwellings are open for exploration, as is the towns centrepiece: a Buddhist temple which contains the world's largest reclining Buddha made of pure jade.
The full day tour include English speaking guide, car with driver, entrance fee and a lunch.
Price from £60/person

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Post-Tour Hong Kong Extension 2 Nights 3 Days
Price include:
- Your choice of domestic flight or overland train from Shanghai to Hong Kong
- 2 nights hotel accommodation (extra nights available), room-only basis
- 1 day (24 hours unlimited use) ticket pass Open-Top Bus tour of Hong Kong(inc. return tickets on Peak Tram and Star Ferry)

4* Empire Hotel Causeway Bay hotel website
Low Season -- £355pp (extra nt £43)     High Season -- £395pp (extra nt £48)

5* Harbour Grand Hong Kong hotel website
Low Season -- £399pp (extra nt £65)     High Season -- £460pp (extra nt £86)

* Low Season = Mar,May-Aug,Dec; High Season = Apr,Sep,Oct,Nov
* Note: the train departs on alternative dates only and takes 25 hours
* Train option include single bed ticket in the soft sleeper (4-berth compartment), there may be an option upgrade to private compartment. Please enquiry with our team.
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Sanya Beach Extension 3 Nights
The South Sea Island with its wonderful tropical climate is the perfect place to relax, unwind and reflect on all your amazing Chinese adventures. Relax with a good book and a refreshing cocktail on the fine beaches, or for those a little more energetic, there is a fantastic array of water sports and excursions to the heart of the island offering some outstanding places of natural beauty.
Price starts from £395/person on 4* hotel; £498/person on 5* hotel. Extension nights available. Please enquire for accurate prices.

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Tour Price includes:

• Return international flights
• Escorted tour program as mentioned inc. domestic flights, land transportation, sightseeing entrance fee
• 10 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 10 breakfast, 7 lunch/refreshment, 5 dinner
• Oriental Culinary Experience - 7 lunch/dinner will be served in our hand-picked restaurants with either special local cuisine as the attraction such as imperial court cuisine, dumpling banquet and Shanghai delicacies snacks or in unique locations such as the delighful ambience of a courtyard restaurant or a picnic lunch on the Great Wall. The rest of 5 lunch/dinner will be served in standard local restaurant & onboard cruise.

Tour Price exclude:

- Chinese visa fee (we can arrange this for you)
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities to tour manager/guide

Dates	Price (per person)	Availability
April 1	£2,274	Good	Book
May 5	£2,274	Low	Book
May 26	£2,274	Good	Book
June 2	£2,274	Good	Book
July 10	£2,274	Good	Book
August 2	£2,315	Low	Book
August 18	£2,315	Good	Book
September 20	£2,294	Low	Book
October 4	£2,294	Good	Book
October 27	£2,294	Good	Book