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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. 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 (deluxe class): 5* Radegast 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. We will stop by the 14th century built Drum Tower before checking into our deluxe-class hotel overlooking the impressive Ancient Walls & South Gate.
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

A leisurely morning is followed by a stroll along the massive Ancient City Walls and the South Gate. We then fly to Guilin, hub for our next few days exploration, where we stay overnight.
Accommodation (superior class): 4* Guilin Bravo Hotel

Day 8: Longsheng

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 evening flight to Chengdu.
Accommodation: 4* Yinhe Dynasty 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 a local teahouse, markets or the Wenshu Temple.

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 4 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 (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 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.

Adjoining the garden lays 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 17: 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 a night walk on the Bund and the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show.
Accommodation: 4*+ Redenzvous Hotel

Day 18: Shanghai

Half day city tour pointing out highlights such as the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Bazaar, and the Old French Concessionary. Rest of the afternoon will be free at your leisure.

Day 19: Shanghai - UK

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

Optional extra night in Shanghai - from £39 per person inc. buffet breakfast

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Post-Tour Hong Kong Extension 2 Nights 3 Days -- from £350 per person / extra night at £45
Price include:
- Your choice of domestic flight or overland train (deluxe soft sleeper 2-berth) from Shanghai to Hong Kong
- 2 nights at 4*+ Harbour Plaza Metropolis Hotel or Cosmopolitan Hotel(room basis only)
- Half day city coach tour in Hong Kong

* Note: the train departs on alternative dates only and takes 25 hours

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Total Solar Eclipse & Tidal Bore Viewing -- July 5 departure only
On 22nd July 2009 the world will witness the longest total solar eclipse in over a century - the likes of which will not be seen again for another 100 years.

Oriental's Exclusively Private Chartered Viewing Location
We have carefully selected a private viewing site, exclusive to Oriental's guests - in a little town sandwiched between Shanghai and Hangzhou. Our location is well positioned in the path of totality and ensures the total eclipse can be viewed in a peaceful environment, where there will be minimal obstruction caused by tall buildings, artifical light, air pollution or other tourists. You will view the eclipse in comfort with refreshments & drinks served on our private site.

Also see the World's Largest Tidal Bore
Our location is also close to the lower stream of the Qiantang River, renowned for having the worlds largest tidal bore. The tidal bore is a rare phenomenon found on only a few of the world's great waterways and is a wonder that has never been truly understood. The monthly tidal movements is predicted to be at their most extreme on the Eclipse day of the month, so you will have the chance of witnessing two stunning natural phenomena in one fantastic tour!

* If you choose our July 5 Solar Eclipse special departure, the holiday becomes 20 days in total. .........................................................................................................................................................................

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
• 3 nights 5-star Victoria Cruise (private balcony cabin) including all shore excursion fee
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 17 breakfast, 15 lunch/refreshment, 12 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 12	£2,545	Booked out
April 15	£2,595	Low	Book
May 6	£2,595	Low	Book
May 13	£2,595	Booked out
July 5	£2,840	Good	Book
July 22	£2,690	Low	Book
September 14	£2,690	Good	Book
October 5	£2,690	Good	Book
October 15	£2,690	Good	Book