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Special Christmas Holiday & Harbin Ice Festival

Tour Itinerery

22 Dec: UK - Beijing

Our adventure begins as we board our scheduled overnight flight to Beijing.

23 Dec: Beijing

Arrival in Beijing. You will be greeted by Oriental Travel's Tour Manager. Take the time to relax and settle in our deluxe class hotel.
Accommodation (deluxe class): 5* Oriental Bay Hotel

24 Dec (Christmas Eve): Beijing

Today 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.
Stop by a Cloisonne Workshop on our way return to city.
After freshen up in hotel, prepare for a big feast this evening!

25 Dec (Christmas Day): Beijing

Spend a special Christmas Day, like the way of the great emperors of China. Beginning from Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, we wander amongst the imperial splendour of the Forbidden City. From here, 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.
* We can arrange to attend Christmas mass in a local church, please request at the time of booking.
* Every kid in the group will be given a gift box including a kite to fly in the Tiananmen Square

26 Dec: Beijing - Harbin

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".
Later in the afternoon we catch a short flight to Harbin, capital of the far northeast province of China.
Accommodation (superior class): 4* Zhengming Jinjiang Hotel or Gloria Plaza

27 Dec: Harbin

Today is a day of anticipation. We will attend the famous Harbin Ice & Snow Lantern Festival - hundreds exquisitely ice sculptures carved in the shape of flowers, animals, historical monuments, religious figures, and other characters from Chinese fairy tales ...

The festival official opening date is 5 January. Soft opening begins from Christmas with 90% of sculptures already finished. We will also able to see hundreds of both domestic & international artists demonstrate their great skills into finishing the art sculptures. More about the Ice Festival at Todd King's Photography Website and BBC Report

28 Dec: Harbin - Xian

Morning visit St Sophia Church or Central Street where time allows before catching our flight to Xian. A sumptuous buffet dinner will be served in our hotel overlooking the massive Ancient City Walls.
Accommodation (deluxe class): 5* Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza

29 Dec: Xian

Xian a veritable treasure trove of China's former glory. Our first visit is to the UNESCO Site of the Terracotta Warriors - the eternal guard of China's First Emperor. Imagine thousands of life-size pottery soliders, horses, and chariots stand guardian to the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who founded the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).
After lunch and a chance to sample the local specialty of "hand-pulled noodles", we find ourselves admiring the beautifully preserved Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

30 Dec: Xian - Shanghai

Our day begins with a leisurely walk on the Ancient City Walls & South Gate, followed by the 14th century built Drum Tower. Later in the day we will fly to Shanghai. Check into our deluxe class hotel.
Accommodation: 5* Ramada Plaza Gateway Hotel

31 Dec (New Year's Eve): Shanghai

City overview tour pointing out the highlights such as the Bund and Yuyuan Garden Bazaar, Former French Concession and Shanghai Museum.

This evening will be left free for you to celebrate the New Year's Eve as you please - some may choose to join with the crowds on the Bund for New Year Countdown; others may want to have a special dinner with your fellow travellers in one of the sophisticated restaurants in town. As usual your tour manager will be on hand to provide suggestions and assist with planning.

1 Jan: Shanghai

Day free at leisure.

2 Jan: Shanghai - UK

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

Extend your stay: only £29/person/night (twin sharing basis).
Optional day trip to Suzhou: £43/person (min. 2 persons)

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Sanya Beach Extension 5 Nights

4* Golden Palm Resort --- £399 per person
(extra night £46/person) include daily buffet breakfast
5* Holiday Inn Sanya Bay --- £499 per person
(extra night £58/person) include daily buffet breakfast

30 Dec: Xian - Sanya -- After Xian tour, waive goodbye to your fellow travellers. You will be transferred for flight to Sanya. Transfer to your hotel for 5 nights stay.
31 Dec - 3 Jan: Sanya -- Spend five days at leisure enjoying the beach & warm sunshine.
4 Jan: Sanya - Shanghai -- Grab a taxi to airport for flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.
5-6 Jan: Shanghai -- Continue your tour program in Shanghai.
7 Jan: Shanghai - UK -- Transfer for return flight to UK.
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Tour Price includes:

• Escorted tour program as mentioned inc. domestic flights, land transportation, 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, 4 dinner

Tour Price exclude:

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

Dates	Price (per person)	Availability
December 22	£1,798	Low	Book