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Ice Festival & Chinese New Year Celebration

Tour Itinerery

Day 1: UK - Shanghai

Our journey begins as we depart London Heathrow for Shanghai. (regional departure available)

Day 2: Shanghai

Morning 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*+ Rendezvous Hotel or Four Points by Sheraton

Day 3: Suzhou Day Trip & Chinese New Year Eve

Excursion to Suzhou. Historically the cultural capital of China, this traditional city is famous for fine gardens, canals & silk. Our visit include Humble Administrator Garden, Tiger Hill, Ancient Leaning Pagoda and a Silk Workshop. This evening there is an option to enjoy the award-winning Shanghai Acrobatics Show and the exciting Fire Works all over the the city celebrating the Chinese New Year's eve.

Day 4: Shanghai - Harbin & Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year Day! This morning we head to the wonderful Yuyuan Bazaar to watch locals celebrating the new year. Also visit the Jade Buddha Temple where pilgrims pray for good year.
Later in the afternoon we catch the flight to Harbin.
Accommodation: 4* Jinjiang Hotel or similar

Day 5: Harbin

Today is a day of anticipation. In the morning we will attend Snow Sculpture Fair in Sun Island Park to admire the great sculptures created by both domestic & international artists. After lunch in a local restaurant you have the option to visit St Sophia Church or loose yourself in the bustling Central Street. In the late afternoon we are scheduled to visit Ice and Snow World Festival where the beautiful neon lights start to lit up the grounds. This is the world's greatest ice artwork festival. Dozens of incredible ice sculptures come in a great variety of themes & sizes: Chinese & European  historical monuments, gardens, animals, and religious figures ...

More about the Ice Festival at Todd King's Photography Website and BBC Report

Day 6: Xian

Depart for a morning flight to Xian, a veritable treasure trove of China's former glory. After freshen up in our deluxe-class hotel overlooking the impressive Ancient Walls & South Gate, we find ourselves admiring the beautifully preserved Big Wild Goose Pagoda with its reverberating chant of Buddhist mantra and the Ancient City Walls & South Gate.This evening enjoy a sumptuous banquet dinner show.
Accommodation: 5* Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza

Day 7: Xian - Beijing

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. Lunch is a local specialty of "hand-pulled noodles".
We then take a late afternoon flight to Beijing, the great capital of China.
Accommodation: 5* Holiday Inn Central Plaza

Day 8: 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.
After lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit the Bird Nest Stadium, where the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony took place and the adjacent Water Cube Stadium.

Day 9: 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 with unforgettable views and a glass of bubbly!
On our way back, stop by a Cloisonne Workshop to admire this unique & sophisticated art form that originated in Beijing in the 13th century.
The rest of afternoon is at leisure enabling you to choose your own activites. Perhaps try your hands bargaining in local markets, loose yourself in one of the Shijiahai riverside cafes, return to hotel for a traditional Chinese massage or visiting the Confucious Temple.

Day 10: Beijing

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".
After enjoying our buffet lunch we 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.
This evening there will be an option to enjoy the famous Kung Fu Martial Arts Performance.

Day 11: Beijing - UK

After a leisurely breakfast, chauffeur to the airport for your return flight home. Arrival is scheduled in the afternoon.

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Pre-Tour Hong Kong Extension 2 Nights 3 Days -- £320 per person / extra night at £35
Price include:
- Your choice of domestic flight or overland train (deluxe soft sleeper 2-berth) from Hong Kong to Shanghai
- 2 nights at 4*+ Harbour Plaza Metropolis Hotel or L' Hotel Causeway Bay (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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Tour Price includes:

• Escorted holiday with English speaking guides (plus Tour Manager throughout for size above 12)
• Return international flights with KLM, Air France or Air China
• 9 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 9 breakfast, 8 lunch/refreshment, 6 dinner
• Local flights, transportation, sightseeing entrance fee etc

Tour Price exclude:

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

Dates	Price (per person)	Availability
January 23	£1,790	Low	Book