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• Escorted Small Groups

Land of the Hidden Dragon 14/22 Days

From colourful turquoise lakes known as "Fairyland on Earth", legends of Tiger Leaping Gorge, the beautiful undulating rice terraces and natural thermal hotspring pools. This all encompassing tour will have you captivated by this mythical heart of the ancient land abundant with hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Tour Itinerery

Already been to Beijing & Xian? You can join this tour starting on Day 7 in Jiuzhaigou. Please contact us for a quote.

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.)
* Second-time visitor to China may wish to skip Beijing & Xian. You can join this tour starting on Day 7 in Jiuzhaigou. Please contact us for a quote.

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. Take the time to settle in. Later in the afternoon, we visit the majestic Summer Palace with a boat ride on the lake.
This evening enjoy a warm welcome dinner in our favourite restaurant with fusion imperial court cuisine. 5* Marco Polo Parkside

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

Morning fly to Xian. En-route to the airport we drive pass and stop by the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadium.
Upon arrival Xian, embark on 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. Drive past the Bell Tower to our deluxe hotel excellently located within the ancient walls.
Evening enjoy a Dumpling Banquet Dinner.
Accommodation: 5* Grand Noble Hotel

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 - Huanglong (Multi-colour ponds)

Morning flight Huanglong. Here we make an excursion to Huanglong. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992, Huanglong consists of numerous unique landscapes created through millions of years of geological evolution. Glacial revolution, terrane structure, stratum of carbonic acid rock, tufa water and unqiue climatic conditions such as artic-alpine sunlight have created this world-famous traverine landscape. The major attraction lays in its water, which consist of various yellows, greens, blues and browns, dramatic multi-coloured ponds.
Coach to Jiuzhaigou where we stay for two nights.
Accommodation: 4* Holiday Inn Jiuzhai Jarpo

Day 8: Jiuzhaigou (Nine Villages Valley)

Full day exploration of Jiuzhaigou Valley. Known to the Chinese as Fairyland on Earth, the jagged valleys of Jiuzhaigou offer a natural spectacle unique not only to China but also to the world. Here you will see hundreds of colourful lakes connected by flowing streams and gushing waterfalls, all surrounded by lush green forests.

Day 9: Jiuzhaigou - Chengdu

Morning flight Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province. After time to settle in and freshen up, we visit the Panda Sanctuary - the world's principal panda reserve and breeding centre - where you get up close to watch them at play and have the chance to feed a baby panda.
Conclude the day with a Sichuan-style hot pot dinner.
Accommodation 4* Tianfu Sunshine Hotel

Day 10: Chengdu (Leshan) - Lijiang

An 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.
We then catch our short flight to the UNSECO World Heritage Lijiang where we stay three nights in a charming courtyard hotel in the old town.
Accommodation: 5* Yibang Residence Boutique

Day 11: Lijiang

Journey to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and board the chair lift from Yak Meadow. You will also enjoy "Impression Lijiang Show", an outdoor theatre set against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountain.

Back to Lijiang, you will have a guided walking tour of the Lijiang walled city and a climb up Lion Hill.

Day 12: Tiger Leaping Gorge & Lijiang Countryside

Today we venture to the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge whose crashing tumbling water roars through one of the deepest gorges in the world. We spend a little time hiking along the most beautiful sections of the Gorge before enjoying lunch by the river. Continue onto the Black Dragon Pond. You will have the evening to relax after this tiring but memorable day.

Day 13: Dali

This morning depart on a scenic three hour coach journey to Dali. After lunch and time to freshen up at our hotel, visit Dali's landmark Three Pagodas. Enjoy a guided walk of Dali ancient town and you will have the evening at leisure enabling you to wander amidst the cobbled lanes of this ancient town at your own pace.
Accommodation: 5* Gurong Hotel

Day 14: Dali & Xizhou

After a relaxed breakfast we will depart on our next adventure. Our first stop is the morning market at the ancient Bai village of Xizhou. We then find ourselves gently cruising a quiet section of Erhai Lake on paddle boat where you can find locals catch the fish with a tradition handed down over the generations, a practice knowned as "Cormorant Fishing".
In the afternoon a scenic cable car ride up to a viewing terrace high up in the Cangshan Mountain gives you a panorama view over Dali proper and the green jade waters of Erhai Lake.

Day 15: Kunming Hotspring Resort

This morning we travel to Kunming the capital of Yunnan Province. On arrival we skip the tourist sights with little interest in the modern city and head straight to our hotspring resort. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to indulge in one of the fifteen themed hotspring pools or pamper yourself with an optional traditional massage.
Accommodation: 5* Brilliant Hotspring & Spa

Day 16: Kunming - Guilin

Enjoy a leisurely buffet breakfast at hotel. Later drive to visit the remarkable Stone Forest - an immense collection of ancient limestone stalagmite-like peaks which have patiently been eroded by the elements over millions of years.
An afternoon flight brings us to Guilin where we stay overnight.
Accommodation: 4* Guilin Bravo Hotel

Day 17: 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 18: 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 take a leisure walk to explore the farmland)

Day 19: Yangshuo - Shanghai

We have left half a day free so that you can pick your own optional activities as you prefer, before our flight to Shanghai. Options on offer include a climb up Moon Hill, kayaking or swimming in Yulong River, Chinese cooking/painting classes etc.

Day 20: Shanghai

Shanghai is the economic powerhouse of China and one of the fastest developing city in the world. Our day starts with a drive through the modern Pudong District with its financial centre where you can find some of the tallest and best modern buildings in the world, before returning to another side of the river.
Stroll through the Shanghai Old Quarter and its lively neighborhoods and Yuyuan Garden for some shopping bargain.

There will be time for freshen up at our hotel before an evening walk of the colonial Bund.
Accommodation: 5* Grand Mercure Hotel

Day 21: Shanghai

After a relaxed breakfast, visit the City Planning Hall. This interesting little museum showcases the development & history of the city including a scaled city model, before some leisure time at the Old French Concession.
The rest of afternoon will be left free for your leisure. You may want 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. As usual your tour manager will be on hand to assist and help in planning various activites.
This evening enjoy the award-winning Shanghai Acrobatics Show.

Day 22: Shanghai - UK

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

Extend extra night(s) in Shanghai - from £43/person/night

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Alternatively .... Hong Kong Option 22 Days

Already been to Shanghai? You have the option to visit Hong Kong instead.

Day 19: Yangshuo - Hong Kong

Same program as above. Whilst other group members depart for flight to Shanghai. You will be transfered to the airport for an afternoon flight to Hong Kong. On arrival, take taxi to the 4* Empire Hotel Causeway Bay. (* Hotel upgrade option available see below)

Day 20: Hong Kong

Today we will provide you a 48 hours bus pass of the open-top bus tour stopping at various spots in the city. You can "hop on & off" at your own pace. The pass includes ferry ticket for crossing the famous Victoria Harbour and return tickets for the tram ride to The Peak for a bird's evey view of the famous city skyline.

Day 21: Hong Kong

Further day to use the open-top bus pass.

Day 22: Hong Kong - UK

Enjoy some leisure time before taking a taxi or shuttle bus to airport for return flight home. Or you may choose to extend your stay in Hong Kong (see options below).

Options
4* Empire Hotel Extension -- £48/person (Apr,Sep,Oct,Nov) & £43/person (all other months).

3 nights Hotel Upgrade to 5* Harbour Grand Hong Kong -- add £165/person (Apr,Sep,Oct,Nov) & £105/person (all other months)

5* Harbour Grand Hong Kong Extension -- £86/person (Apr,Sep,Oct,Nov) & £65/person (all other months).

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Tour Price includes:

• Return international flights
• Escorted tour program as mentioned inc. domestic flights, land transportation, sightseeing entrance fee
• 20 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 20 breakfast, 19 lunch/refreshment, 7 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
April 17	£3,680	Good	Book
May 18	£3,680	Good	Book
July 31	£3,740	Booked out
August 2	£3,740	Good	Book
September 8	£3,740	Good	Book
October 13	£3,740	Low	Book