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• Escorted Small Groups
• Private / Tailor-made Packages

Classic China with Yangtze River Cruise

Definition of Classic (adj) - "A superior or unusual examle of its kind"

Tour Itinerery

Day 1: UK - Beijing

Our adventure begins as we board our non-stop British Airways at London Heathrow to Beijing. (Regional departure available - please ask for details).

Day 2: Beijing

Morning arrival in Beijing. You will be greeted by Oriental's Tour Manager.Take the time to relax and settle in our deluxe class hotel. Later in the afternoon, a short drive takes us to the sacred Temple of Heaven, a place of solitude, contemplation and where once the emperor's spoke in hushed whispers to the gods in heaven to pray for continuing prosperity & good harvests.
Accommodation: 5* Oriental Bay Hotel

Day 3: Beijing

Our days begins with a walk 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. This afternoon you will take a leisurely ride along the old city's historic alleyways (Hutong) in a ped-rickshaw.

Day 4: Beijing

An exciting day awaits you as we head to the Great Wall (Mutianyu Section) where you will have plenty of time to climb up to the top of this magnificent structure. Unforgettable views, a glass of bubbly and when the weather is good, a lovely picnic lunch will go to make this a day to remember!
Stop by a Cloisonne Workshop on our way back to city. The rest of afternoon is at leisure enabling you to organise your own activites. Your tour manager will be on hand to assist you and make suggestions.

Day 5: Beijing - Xian

You can't help being impressed with the majestic and beautifully landscaped Summer Palace, an extensive assembly of temples, pavilions and halls nestling on the banks of Kunming lake and re-built for Empress Dowager Cixi just before the time of the "last Emperor".
Only a short flight away, Xian is a veritable treasure trove of China's former glory. After freshen up in our deluxe-class hotel overlooking the impressive Ancient Walls & South Gate, we should pay a visit to the 14th century built Drum Tower, beautifully lit at night.
Accommodation: 5* Howard Johnson Hotel

Day 6: Xian

This morning, journey out to the World Heritage Site of the Terracotta Warriors. Here you will have plenty of time to personally inspect the eternal guard of the First Emperor.We will also stop at 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!
After lunch and a chance to sample local specialty of "hand-pulled noodles", we find ourselves admiring the beautifully preserved Big Wild Goose Pagoda with its reverberating chant of Buddhist mantra.

Day 7: Xian - Chongqing

A leisurely morning is followed by a stroll along the massive Ancient City Walls and the South Gate. After lunch, we take a short flight to Chongqing. There will be an excursion to the Panda House to see the giant pandas in play before boarding our Cruise vessel where we will stay for 3 nights.
Accommodation: 5* Victoria Cruise

Day 8&9: Three Gorges & Yangtze River Cruising

It is hard to describe the joy of waking up each morning to what seems like an endless procession of magnificent views slowly unfolding before you. Highlights include Fengdu's Ghost City "entrance to the underworld" and the "Lesser Gorges" whose towering walls of rock seem impenetrable and whose beauty is inspirational. In fact the final section of this clear water tributary is so secluded that it can only be reached by Sampan!

Day 10: Yichang - Suzhou

On the verge of completion, the enormous achievement of the Three Gorges Dam Project proves that man's legacies continue...
From here we will make our way to the airport and fly to Suzhou. Dinner will be served upon arrival in our hotel.
Accommodation: Pingjiang Lodge (heritage mansion converted into small boutique hotel)

Day 11: Suzhou

Historically the cultural capital of China, this traditional city is famous for fine gardens, canals & silk. We start the morning with a stroll along the city's well preserved quarter, Pingjiang, with its cobbled lanes and courtyard houses, giving you an excellent opportunity to discover what local life is really like, followed by a boat trip along the city's oldest water canal to Humble Administrator Garden. For those with an interest to discover how important Feng Shui is to traditional Chinese garden design, the garden visit will be an enlightening experience.

Adjoins the garden lies the newly built Suzhou Museum designed by the internationally acclaimed architect I.M. Pei. The museum itself is a piece of art. Architecture and landscape become interrelated as a series of gardens and courts flow in and from the building itself. On display is a rich treasure of ancient Chinese art, brush paintings on rice paper, calligraphies and hand-made crafts.

Day 12: Suzhou - Shanghai

Following a leisurely breakfast, the impressive seven-storey and 1,000 year old leaning pagoda on top of Tiger Hill, is quite remarkable...after all, are buildings really supposed to lean that much? Continue onto a silk workshop to discover the fasinating world of the silk worm and perhaps even indulge yourself in the factory shop!
Later in the afternoon we move onto Shanghai, just an hour drive away. Settle in at our hotel, relax and freshen up before an evening Shanghai Acrobatic Show.
Accommodation: 4*+ Rendezvous Hotel or Four Points by Sheraton

Day 13: Shanghai

City tour pointing out highlights such as the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Bazaar, the Bund and the Old French Concession.

Day 14: Shanghai

Day free at leisure gives you fantastic opportunity to further explore the city; sample the local cuisine; indulge yourself in shopping or perhaps choose from one of Oriental's hand-picked programs such as Chinese cooking class or pamper yourself with a traditional massage. As always your tour manager will be on hand to assist you and make suggestions.

Day 15: Shanghai - UK

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

For those of you who would like to extend your holiday, we offer various optional extension choices.

Tour Price includes:

• Escorted holiday with English speaking guides (plus Tour Manager throughout for size above 12)
• Return international flight with British Airways
• 13 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
• 3 nights 5-star Victoria Cruise including all shore excursion fee
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 13 breakfast, 10 lunch/refreshment, 7 dinner
• Tour programs as mentioned including entrance fee
• Domestic flights and land transportation
• Airport taxes and service charges

Tour Price exclude:

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

Extension Options

Dates	Price (per person)	Availability
May 31	£1,985	Booked out
June 7	£1,940	Booked out
June 14	£1,940	Booked out
July 12	£2,040	Good	Book
July 26	£2,040	Low	Book
September 6	£1,985	Low	Book
September 13	£1,985	Low	Book
September 20	£1,985	Very Low	Book
October 4	£1,985	Very Low	Book
October 18	£1,985	Good	Book
October 25	£1,940	Good	Book
November 1	£1,940	Good	Book
November 15	£1,940	Good	Book