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• Escorted Small Groups

Eastern Romance - Mountains, Gardens, Ancient Castles & World Heritages Sites

This program is specially designed for second time visitors to China or anyone who wishes to discover more of Chinese art, architecture, ancient villages and garden landscape. During the journey you will be introduced to our local friends who are fine artists and craftsmen. Highlights include Mount Huangshan and remote Hakka Earthen House villages. There are also plenty of scenic spots for a good photography and painting.

Tour Itinerery

Day 1: UK - Shanghai

Journey begins as we board our international flight to Shanghai.

* First time traveller to China? We offer a Beijing & Xian pre-tour extension program from £599/person, click here to read more

Day 2: Shanghai

Afternoon arrival in Shanghai, you will be greeted by Oriental's Tour Manager. Chauffeur to our hotel in downtown. After time to relax and settle in, in the late afternoon, we will take a leisurely walk along the colonial riverside The Bund before enjoying our welcome dinner.
Accommodation: 4*+ Four Points by Sheraton or Rendezvous Hotel

Day 3: Shanghai

Once home to gangsters & opium dens Shanghai Old Quarter still retains an authentic feel with its tiny lanes and petite houses. At its heart lies the Yuyuan Garden with its host of shops, cafes and tea house for you to explore and both a bric a brac. After a leisurely morning here we continue onto the Jade Buddha Temple and Old French Concessionary which has now been converted into trendy cafes, bars and restaurants, before finishing off the day with a marvellous acrobatic show.

Day 4: Suzhou

Depart for an hour coach journey to Suzhou. Historically the cultural capital of China, Suzhou is famous for fine gardens, canals & silk. Over the centuries it has been a haven to high ranking officials, scholars & rich merchants all competing to create the most lavish & original Chinese gardens imaginable, many of which still remain to this day.

After freshen up in our heritage boutique hotel, we will navigate the city's oldest water canal with a relaxing boat trip to the exquisite Humble Administrator Garden, the retired home of an imperial court official.

Adjoining the garden lays the recently 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 are a rich treasure of ancient Chinese art, ancient Chinese paintings, calligraphies, and hand-made crafts.
Accommodation: Pingjiang Lodge Boutique Hotel (heritage mansion converted into a charming boutique hotel)

Day 5: Suzhou

We spend a leisurely morning walking through the traditional quarter surrounding our hotel, Pingjiang, with its cobbled lanes and glazed ceramic tiles rooftop. The impressive 7 storey, 1,200 year old leaning pagoda on top of Tiger Hill, is quite remarkable...after all, are buildings really supposed to lean that much? The explanation is enthralling and the photos iconic. We shall also visit to a local silk workshop to discover the fascinating world of the silk worm and perhaps even indulge yourself in the factory shop!

Day 6: Mountain Huangshan

Huangshan (English translation "Yellow Mountain") is a World Heritage Site and renowned for its magnificent scenery and the source of many great Chinese poems, paintings and tales steeped in mythology. Spectacular granite peaks and rock formations emerging out of oceans of clouds, along with the historic temples along the trail, this is a paradise for photographers as well as those who love the nature, Chinese paintings & literature.

We will spend a full day here exploring the mountain peaks with a scenic cable car ride. Those who have the energy can further hike up the thousands of steps leading up for the best scenery.
Accommodation: 4* Huangshan International Hotel

Day 7: Ancient Villages of Hongcun & Lucun

Today we journey out to the two ancient villages - Hongcun & Lucun, another UNESCO World Heritage sites. Covering an area of 28 hectares and set against the backdrop of green hills, these poetic villages are made up of over a hundred of well preserved Ming & Qing houses connected by a series of water streams and wells.

Here we have the pleasure to introduce you to our friend Mr Wang, a retired scholar full of ancient wisdom, who will invite us to his private house and talk about it's Fengshui (Chinese geomancy) architecture and the art of Chinese porcelain. After lunch oflocal delicacies such as home grown chicken soup and fried wild green vegetables & mushrooms, we will visit a private museum off limit to the public where you can further appreciate the folk art of this part of China at your own pace.

Later in the afternoon we drive through the gorgeous countryside to Hangzhou.
Accommodation: 4* Wuyuan Hotel

Day 8: 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 9: Hangzhou to Xiamen

A leisurely braekfast followed by a short flight to Xiamen. After freshen up in our hotel overlooking the harbour, we will take a walk on the Gulangyu islet and visit the Music Square.
Accommodation: 5* Seaside Hotel

Day 10: Xiamen - Hakka Earthen Castles

Head across teh mountains to the Hakkaland to explore the unique Earth Houses (or Tulou as in Chinese) and the Hakka people's life and customs.

"The CIA spy satellites once mistook Hakka residences as missile silos!" .... These walled communal residences, unique anywhere in China and in the World, built layer by layer with sand, lime, glutinous rice & brown sugar, and reinforced with bamboo and wood without any use of nail or cement, have been standing proudly on the mountainous region as they are for over 500 years, surviving the flooding, storms, earthquakes and natural deteoriation over the centuries!

This is where traditional lifestyle intersect with the nature. Each of the communal houses accommodate dozens of families. There are hundreds of them scattered throughout hundreds of villages in the area, arranged in harmony among green hills, water, bamboo, water mill and fields, composing a colourful and brilliant picture.

Despite their uniqueness, cultural and architectural significance, the "Tulou" have received little notice from both domestic and overseas travellers until recently. So much so that a small group of tulou have just listed on UNSECO World Heritage Site as recent as in July 2008 and have caught the BBC crew's attention into filming on its Wild China Program ("Tides of Change" episode)

Read more about Tuluo on Wikipedia

Day 11: Xiamen to Shanghai

This morning and afternoon will be left free at leisure. Xiamen is blessed with spring like weather year round. Some of you may wish to enjoy warm sunshine on the beach or pamper yourself with a traditional massage while others may want to further explore the city's other cultural relics. As always your tour manager will be on hand to assist and offer suggestions. Later in the afternoon, catch a short flight back to Shanghai and stay overnight.

Those who choose the Hong Kong extension will be transferred to airport for flight to Hong Kong

Day 12: Shanghai to UK

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

Pre-tour Beijing & Xian Extension from £599/person -- click here to read more

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Post-Tour Hong Kong Extension 2 Nights 3 Days
3* Cosmo Hotel --- from £280 per person (extra night from £35/person)
4*+ Comsmopolitan Hotel or Harbour Plaza Metropolis --- £320 per person (extra night from £40/person)

Price include:
- Flight from Xiamen to Hong Kong
- 2 nights at your chosen hotel (room basis only)
- Half day city coach tour in Hong Kong

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Tour Price includes:

• Escorted tour program as mentioned inc. domestic flights, land transportation and sightseeing entrance fee
• Return international flights
• 10 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 10 breakfast, 8 lunch/refreshment, 7 dinner
• Local transportation including domestic flights, air-conditioning coach
• Sightseeing entrance fee

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
May 28	£1,985	Booked out
October 28	£1,985	Good	Book