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Grand China with Yangtze River Cruise

Definition of Grand (adj) - "Noble or admirable in conception or intent"

Tour Itinerery

Day 1: UK - Beijing

Our adventure begins as we board our flight to Beijing.

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. This evening we have prepared a warm welcome dinner for you in our most favourite restaurant in town.
Accommodation (deluxe class): 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. Move onto 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.
Dinner tonight will be a Peking duck banquet served in a traditional courtyard restaurant.

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 and help organizing your evening out.

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. Settle into our deluxe-class hotel. Our hotel is well located in front of the massive Ancient City Walls & South Gate which we shall take a leisurely stroll before enjoy our sumptuous buffet dinner.
Accommodation (deluxe class): 5* Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza

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 - Guilin

Today we will discover the imperial treasures at Tombs of Emperor Yangling and drive pass the Drum Tower on our way to catch our afternoon flight to Guilin. Another sumptuous buffet dinner will be served upon our arrival.
Accommodation (superior class): 4* Guilin Bravo Hotel

Day 8: Longsheng Rice Terraces

Today we head north to Longsheng, home to a mixture of minority people that have retained their way of life and vibrantly colourful embroidered costumes throughout the centuries. After a journey through rich fertile countryside and a steady walk we will be served lunch in a minority family restaurant, nestling high up within the quilted patchwork of rice terraces called the "Dragon's Backbone".

Day 9: Yangshuo

Today is a chance to capture the almost heart stoppingly beautiful countryside of towering karst limestone spires that seem to emerge at random out of an almost perfectly flat plain, as we take a relaxing cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo. There is a buffet lunch onboard and the rest of the afternoon is left for you to discover the delights of "West Street", the heart of this picturesque riverside town.
Accommodation: 4* Tulip Holiday Hotel

Day 10: Yangshuo - Chengdu

A motorised buggy ride or bicycle ride (your choice) takes us deep into the countryside to explore the paddy fields, rivers,and peaks; see farmers in their fields and roaming water buffalo ... before reaching at the mysterious Moon Hill.
You will enjoy some more free time in the town before catching our short flight to Chengdu.
Accommodation: 4* Minshan Lhasa Grand Hotel

Day 11: Chengdu - Leshan

After a late morning breakfast we will depart for Leshan Grand Buddha. This stunning example of a Buddha, sitting at an impressive 233ft high, and having been fashioned out of the sheer cliff face, required tremendous dedication and took almost a century to complete. Later in the afternoon there will be options to visit Wenshu Temple or local markets.

Day 12: Chengdu - Chongqing

Our day begins with a visit to the Chengdu Panda Sanctuary where we will discover all about this endangered species, which are only a few centimetres long when born and get up close to watch them at play.
Later we will experience the Chinese railway by taking a 3.5 hours train journey (reserved seats, comfortable & air-conditioned) through the countryside to Chongqing where we embark a 3 nights voyage on the mightly Yangtze River.
Accommodation (deluxe class): 5* Victoria Cruises (cabin with private balcony)

Day 13-14: 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 15: 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 Boutique Hotel (a 400 years heritage garden mansion converted into a charming boutique hotel)

Day 16: Suzhou

Historically the cultural capital of China, this traditional city is famous for fine gardens, canals & silk. We begins 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 fasinating world of the silk worm and perhaps even indulge yourself in the factory shop!

Day 17: Suzhou - Hangzhou

After a leisurely breakfast served in your room or the hotel garden courtyard, we shall meander through the Pingjiang old quarter surrounding our hotel. We then travel with the express train (2.5 hours) along the countryside to Hangzhou.
Accommodation: 4* Ramada Hotel or Wuyang Hotel

Day 18: Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a beautiful city blessed with an eye-popping kaleidoscope of visionary delights. Our days begins with a relaxing boat trip on the famed West Lake, before discovering the Buddhist treasure arts at the Lingyin Temple.

Ever wondered what true Chinese tea really tastes like, smells like and of how one tea's taste compares to another? Then enter tea heaven as you will learn all about the Chinese tea culture at the best Tea Museum in the country. Head to the lush greenery hill of tea plantation and sip down the "Longjing" tea and feel the fragrance travel through your nose...

Day 19: Shanghai

Today we depart for Shanghai. There will be a walking tour to include The Bund, Yuyuan Bazaar and Former French Concession. Conclude the day with the award-winning Shanghai Acrobatics Show.

Accommodation: 4*+ Redenzvous Hotel or Four Points by Sheraton

Day 20: Shanghai

We have left the day free giving you fantastic opportunity to try your hand bargaining in the Bazaar or further explore the city at your own pace. Alternatively you may wish to visit the Shanghai Expo 2010 (tickets can be purchased through us, price approx. £25, to be confirmed closer to the time).

This evening a delightful farewell dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 21: Shanghai - UK

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

* Hong Kong, Sanya and other extensions available, please ask for details

Tour Price includes:

• Escorted tour program as mentioned inc. domestic flights, land transportation, sightseeing entrance fee
• Return international flights
• 16 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
• 3 nights 5-star Victoria Cruise (private balcony cabin) including all shore excursion fee
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 19 breakfast, 15 lunch/refreshment, 14 dinner

Tour Price exclude:

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

Dates	Price (per person)	Availability
March 21	£2,840	Good	Book
April 25	£2,790	Good	Book
May 9	£2,790	Good	Book
May 16	£2,790	Good	Book
July 26	£2,840	Good	Book
July 30	£2,840	Good	Book
September 6	£2,790	Good	Book
September 19	£2,790	Good	Book
October 4	£2,790	Good	Book
October 17	£2,790	Good	Book
October 24	£2,750	Good	Book