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Chinese New Year, Gardens & Plum Blossom Festival, Hotspring pamper

Tour Itinerery

12 Feb: UK - Beijing

Our adventure begins as we board our overnight scheduled flight to Beijing.

13 Feb (Chinese New Year's Eve): Beijing

Upon arrival in Beijing you will be greeted by Oriental Travel's Tour Manager. Take time to settle in at our deluxe class hotel before enjoying our welcome dinner with Peking duck banquet & traditional Spring Festival dishes and get to mingle with our other group members.

This evening there will be a firework display everywhere in town to celebrate the arrival of Chinese New Year.
Accommodation (deluxe class): 5* Oriental Bay Hotel

14 Feb (Chinese New Year - Year of Tiger): Beijing

This morning we set off to join with locals to celebrate the Year of Tiger! We will attend the lively Temple Fair at Ditan Park. The Temple Fair is a tradition dating back to the Ming Dynasty over 400 years ago. You will see a host of performances such as acrobatics, operas, dragon dances and singing, as well as dozens of stalls selling hand-made crafts like opera masks, paper-cuts, toys, traditional costumes.

After lunch we move onto Tiananmen Square before retracing the steps of great emperors of China and wander amongst the imperial splendour of the Forbidden City.

15 Feb: Beijing

An exciting day awaits you as we head to the Great Wall (Mutianyu Section). Here where once soldiers cast nervous glances toward the barbarian hordes to the north, you will have plenty of time to savour this magnificent structure.
On our way back to the city, stop by a Cloisonne Workshop to view this unique artwork originated in the 13th century.

16 Feb: Beijing

Today's visit include 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. We will then travel to the majestic Summer Palace where the emperors of the past once took their vacations.

17 Feb: Beijing - Xian

After breakfast we will take a short flight to Xian. Once the largest city in the world, Xian is a treasure trove of China's former glory. We will view the Tomb of the Han Emperor Liu Qi (Hanyangling) followed by a visit to the impressive Ancient City Walls & South Gate. A sumptuous buffet dinner will be served at the hotel.
Accommodation (deluxe class): 5* Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza

18 Feb: Xian

Depart for the awe-inspiring 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. On the way back to the hotel we will drive past the 14 century Drum Tower, whose rich beat once brought closure to the city gates during medieval times. Later in the afternoon we will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

19 Feb: Xian - Hangzhou

Today we fly to Hangzhou, the city once described by Marco Polo as the most beautiful and magnificent in the world. Here we will visit Six Harmonies Pagoda and then enjoy dinner with local delicacies.
Accommodation: 4* Wuyang Hotel or similar

20 Feb: Hangzhou

Hangzhou is truly blessed with an eye-popping kaleidoscope of visionary delights. Our day begins with a relaxing boat trip on the famed West Lake and explore its beautifully landscaped islets.

In the afternoon we learn all about the Chinese tea culture at the Tea Museum, the best in the country before driving through the lush greenery hill of tea plantation and sip down the locally famous "Longjing tea" and feel the fragrance travel through your nose ....

21 Feb: Hangzhou - Suzhou

After a late morning breakfast we travel by train or coach (3 hours) through the countryside to the equally splendid town of Suzhou and transfer to the heritage boutique hotel Pingjiang Lodge, originally the residence of the Fang family in the Ming Dynasty, this 400-year old courtyard style hotel is an excellent example of accommodation that combines all the conventions of modern day comfort with authentic cultural heritage.

After settling in we will stroll around the surrounding area of our hotel Pingjiang Traditional Quarter with its cobbled lanes and glazed ceramic tiled rooftops. Move onto the Master of Net Garden - as you wander through the beautifully lit garden, the atmosphere is further enhanced with a series of six short presentations of Kun Opera, Flute and Pipa music, traditional mime theatre and dance along river platforms and pavillions against a backdrop of bright yellow lights and scarlet lanterns.
Accommodation: Pingjiang Lodge Boutique Hotel

22 Feb: Suzhou

Historically the cultural capital of China, this traditional city is famous for fine gardens, canals & silk. We begin with 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. In the afternoon continue onto a silk workshop to discover the fascinating world of silk worm and perhaps even indulge yourself in the factory shop!

23 Feb: Suzhou - Nanjing

Train or coach (2 hours) to Nanjing. Check into our hotspring resort hotel for 2 nights. The rest of the day is free at your leisure to indulge in the natural hotsprings.

Hotsprings in Tangshan - once reserved exclusively for Chinese royalty, the spring waters contain rich minerals that have been revitalizing bodies and inspiring souls for more than 1,500 years. Set amidst quite surroundings in the countryside, our resort features 50 outdoor & indoor hotspring pools of varying temperature to suit everyone.
Accommodation: 5* Easpring Hotspring Resort (deluxe room)

24 Feb: Nanjing (Plum Blossom)

After a relaxed buffet breakfast in our hotel, a short drive takes us to the Plum Blossom Hill. Every year from late Febrauary to the middle of March the famed hill bursts full of colour in a variety of pink and white blossoms with well-known varieties given with such poetic names as "Red of Nanjing", "Early Green Calyx", "Light Make-up and Palace Cosmetics", "Early Jade Butterfuly" and "Pink Vermilion". There are over 10,000 plum trees with over 350 different varieties attracting visitors from all over the country. Plum is one of most frequented subject in classical Chinese poems & paintings and is adored by the nation as much as the Japanese for Cherry Blossom.

In the afternoon we will take you on a tour of the Ming Tombs through the "scared path" and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum. Return to hotel to further enjoy the hot springs or perhaps pamper yourself with a traditional Chinese massage!

25 Feb: Nanjing - Shanghai

Today we depart on a 3 hours train journey to Shanghai. There will be a walking tour that includes The Bund, Yuyuan Bazaar and Former French Concession.
Accommodation (deluxe class): 5* Ramada Plaza Gateway Hotel

26 Feb: Shanghai

We have left the day free giving you fantastic opportunity to further explore the city or try your hand bargaining in the local markets. As always your tour manager will be on hand to assist you and make suggestions.

27 Feb: Shanghai - UK

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

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Harbin Ice Festival Extension

4* Zhengming Hotel --- £398 per person
5* Shangri-La Hotel --- £495 per person

10 Feb: UK - Beijing -- Depart for overnight flight from UK to Beijing.
11 Feb: Beijing - Harbin -- Morning arrival Beijing Airport. Connect with flight to Harbin (2 hours). Transfer to hotel of your choice. Settle in.
12 Feb: Harbin -- Full day privet tour visiting Harbin Ice Festival and Sophia Church.
13 Feb: Harbin - Beijing -- Morning visit Central Street and transfer for flight to Beijing. Continue group tour program as above.

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Tour Price includes:

• Escorted tour program as mentioned inc. domestic flights, land transportation, sightseeing entrance fee
• Return international flights
• 14 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 14 breakfast, 11 lunch/refreshment, 8 dinner

Tour Price exclude:

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

Dates	Price (per person)	Availability
February 12	£2,164	Low	Book