• Escorted Small Groups
• Private / Tailor-made Packages
• Business Travel
• School & Social Clubs

• Escorted Small Groups

Grand China with Yangtze River Cruise 20 Days

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

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. Later, we drive pass the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadiums, en-route to our favourite traditional restaurant for a warm welcome dinner with fusion imperial court cuisine.
Accommodation: 5* Marco Polo Parkside / 4* Comfort Inn Suites

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

After a relaxed buffet breakfast we visit the majestic Summer Palace. Later a short flight takes us to Xian. where we will stay two nights at the deluxe Grand Noble Hotel located within the ancient walls. On our way to hotel, we drive pass the Bell Tower. Enjoy a Dumpling Banquet Dinner tonight.
Accommodation: 5* Grand Noble Hotel / 4* Grand New World

Day 6: Xian

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!

Day 7: Xian - Guilin

After a leisurely buffet breakfast at hotel, we will visit the Big Goose Pagoda followed by 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. We then catch our flight to Guilin where we stay one night at a city hotel.
Accommodation: 4* Guilin Bravo Hotel (Grandwing Deluxe Room / Standard Room)

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 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".
Travel by coach 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 have a walk to explore the farmland)

Day 10: Yangshuo

A half day free for you to explore the stunning surroundings of Yangshuo as you choose. Our hotel is perfectly located by 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 in planning various activities.
Suggested Activities:
- Hiking to nearby farmlands & local villages
- Kayaking or swimming in the Yulong River
- Calligraphy introduction class
- Chinese cooking class
- Cormorant Fishing performance
- Impression Liu Sanjie Water Light Show

We depart for a short evening flight to Chengdu.
Accommodation: 5* Crowne Plaza Panda Garden / 4* Tianfu Sunshine Hotel

Day 11: Chengdu - Leshan

A full day excursion to Leshan to see the world's largest buddha - 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.
Conclude the day with a Sichuan-style hot pot dinner.

Day 12: Chengdu - Chongqing

After breakfast, we head to the Chengdu Panda Sanctuary and visit the Wenshu Monastery, with a history of more than 1000 years. From here, we head to the train station for our two hour express train (in comfortable reserved seat class) to Chongqing, were we will embark on our 5 star three night cruise down the mighty Yangtze River.
Accommodation: 5* Victoria Cruises (private balcony cabin) or 5* Century Cruises (private balcony cabin)

Day 13-14: Three Gorges & Yangtze River Cruising

Experience the joy of waking up each morning to an endless procession of magnificent views slowly unfolding before you. The next two days you will sail through the famed Three Gorges - Qutang, Wu Xia, Xiling Gorges. Highlights include a sampan ride through the Lesser Gorges and shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam and Fengdu Snow Jade Cave.

Day 15: Yichang - Suzhou

Disembark our cruise in the early afternoon and from here we make our way to the airport and fly to Suzhou. We spend the next two nights in a charming 400- years old heritage boutique hotel by the canal in the heart of the old quarter.

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, Suzhou is famous for its silk, canals and landscaped gardens. We start with a stroll along the old quarter, Pingjiang, with its cobbled lanes and glazed ceramic tiled rooftops. Next take a relaxing boat ride along the canals to Humble Administrator Garden, the retirement home of an imperial court official.
This afternoon we visit a local silk workshop to discover more about the fascinating world of silk production. There is time to freshen up at our hotel before a delightful garden night party with folk show performance.

Day 17: Suzhou - Qiandeng Ancient Town - Shanghai

Morning excursion to Qiandeng.
Qiandeng (meaning a thousand lanterns) is a small picturesque town approximately half way between Suzhou and Shanghai. Almost no foreign visitors ever reach this ancient place, making it a hidden gem waiting to be discovered! 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.

We then continue onto Shanghai. Lunch and settle in at our hotel.
This afternoon we drive through the modern Pudong District with its financial centre and some of the tallest buildings in the world, before return to the old side of the river. Here we will stroll along the colonial Bund, and the Old French Concession.
Accommodation: 5* Grand Mercure Hotel / 4* Shanxi Business Hotel

Day 18: Shanghai

After a relaxed breakfast, we visit the City Planning Hall. This interesting little museum showcases the development & history of the city including a full size city model.
Stroll through the Shanghai Old Quarter and its lively neighborhoods and Yuyuan Bazaar for some shopping bargain.
Tonight enjoy the award-winning Shanghai Acrobatics Show.

Day 19: Shanghai

We have left the day free giving you an opportunity to try your hand bargaining in the local markets, enjoy a traditional massage, join a Chinese cooking class or further explore the city at your own pace. There is also an option for an excursion to Hangzhou (one hour by train) to enjoy its tea planation and the famed West Lake.
As usual your tour manager will be on hand to assist and help in planning various activites.

Day 20: Shanghai - UK

Today bid a fond farwell to China as we transfer to the airport for our return flight home.

Extend extra night(s) in Shanghai - from £35/person/night

....................................................................................................................................................................................
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.
....................................................................................................................................................................................

Tour Price includes:

• Return international flights
• Escorted tour program as mentioned inc. domestic flights, land transportation, sightseeing entrance fee
• 15 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
• 3 nights 5-star Century Cruises (private balcony cabin) including shore excursion fee
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 18 breakfast, 14 lunch/refreshment, 9 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 22	£3,190 (£2,995)	Booked out
April 2	£3,240 (£3,060)	Good	Book
April 21	£3,190 (£2,995)	Good	Book
May 3	£3,190 (£2,995)	Low	Book
May 29	£3,190 (£2,995)	Good	Book
June 2	£3,190 (£2,995)	Booked out
July 23	£3,290 (£3,140)	Good	Book
August 7	£3,290 (£3,140)	Good	Book
September 6	£3,280 (£3,120)	Low	Book
September 18	£3,280 (£3,120)	Good	Book
September 29	£3,280 (£3,120)	Booked out
October 6	£3,280 (£3,120)	Good	Book
October 11	£3,280 (£3,120)	Good	Book
October 20	£3,280 (£3,120)	Booked out