Classic China with Yangtze River Cruise 15 Days
Definition of Classic (adj) - "A superior or unusual example of its kind"
Days: 15 Days
Tour Price from £2,450
Average Group Size:16
Places to visit: Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yangtze River, Suzhou, Shanghai
Tour Price from £2,450
Average Group Size:16
Places to visit: Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yangtze River, Suzhou, Shanghai
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Tour Itinerery
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.)
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. Accommodation: 5* Marco Polo Parkside / 4* Comfort Inn Suites
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.Oriental's Style:
We visit the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall, avoiding the tourist traps at the popular Badaling section. When the weather is good, we will enjoy a lovely picnic lunch on an ancient watchtower.
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 / 4* Grand New World
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: Chengdu (Leshan)
Morning flight Chengdu. Here we make 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.Conclude the day with a hot pot dinner.
Accommodation: 5* Crowne Plaza at Panda Garden / 4* Tianfu Sunshine Hotel
Oriental's Style: Tonight we invite you for a special Hot Pot Dinner to savour the flavour that has made this food so world renowned. A hot pot containing chicken or vegetable stock will be served at the table where you cook the meat and vegetable into the hot pot yourself. Served with a variety of dipping sauce.
Day 8: Chengdu - Chongqing
After breakfast, we head to the Chengdu Panda Sanctuary for the opportunity to get up close to these adorable animals. We visit in the morning, at feeding time, when the pandas are said to be at their most active. From here we head to the Wenshu Monastery, with a history of more than 1000 years. From here, we head to the train station for our two hour express train to Chongqing, were we will embark on our 5 star three night cruise down the mighty Yangtze River.Accommodation: 5* Victoria Cruises (private balcony cabin) or 5* Century Cruises (private balcony cabin)
Day 9-10: Three Gorges & Yangtze River Cruising
Experience the joy of waking up each morning to an endless procession of magnificent views slowly unfolding before you. The next two days you will sail through the famed Three Gorges - Qutang, Wu Xia and Xiling Gorges. Highlights include a sampan ride through the Lesser Gorges, shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam and Fengdu Snow Jade Cave.Oriental's Style:
Our guests will stay in well appointed cabins with private balcony, allowing you some uninterrupted privacy to enjoy the marvellous scenery.
Day 11: Yichang - Shanghai
Disembark our cruise at around mid-day. From here we make our way to the airport for an afternoon flight to Shanghai.Accommodation: 5* Grand Mercure Hotel / 4* Shanxi Business Hotel
Day 12: Suzhou & Qiandeng
Today we head to the ancient canal city of Suzhou, which is famous for its fine gardens, canals and silk. We begin our visit with a relaxing walk of the traditional Pingjiang Quarter. Next take a paddle boat ride along the ancient water canals to Humble Administrator Garden before continuing onto a silk workshop to discover more about the fascinating world of silk production. From here we move to Qiandeng.Qiandeng is a small picturesque town approximately half way between Suzhou and Shanghai. Almost no foreign visitors ever reach this ancient place, making it a hidden gem waiting to be discovered! Built over a series of canals, original period buildings line small cobbled streets, providing a stunning impression of an old imperial town.
Day 13: Shanghai
Shanghai is the economic powerhouse of China and one of the fastest developing cities 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 buildings in the world, before returning to the old side of the river.Take a stroll through the Shanghai Old Quarter and Yuyuan Bazaar for some bargain hunting at the shop stalls. We then head to The Bund waterfront.
Day 14: Shanghai
After a relaxed breakfast, visit the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, 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 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.
Box Office: Shanghai Acrobatics Show with marvellous displays of juggling, contortionism, chair stacking, plate spinning and so much more...
Day 15: 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 £35/person/night.
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Post-Tour Hong Kong Extension 2 Nights 3 Days
Price include:
- Your choice of domestic flight or overland train from Shanghai to Hong Kong
- 2 nights hotel accommodation (extra nights available), room-only basis
- 1 day (24 hours unlimited use) ticket pass Open-Top Bus tour of Hong Kong(inc. return tickets on Peak Tram and Star Ferry)
4* Empire Hotel Causeway Bay hotel website
Low Season -- £355pp (extra nt £43) High Season -- £395pp (extra nt £48)
5* Harbour Grand Hong Kong hotel website
Low Season -- £399pp (extra nt £58) High Season -- £460pp (extra nt £86)
* Low Season = Mar,May-Aug,Dec; High Season = Apr,Sep,Oct,Nov
* Note: the train departs on alternative dates only and takes 25 hours
* Train option include single bed ticket in the soft sleeper (4-berth compartment), there may be an option upgrade to private compartment. Please enquiry with our team.
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Tour Price includes:
- Return international flights
- Escorted tour program as mentioned inc. domestic flights, land transportation, sightseeing entrance fee
- 10 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
- 3 nights 5-star Century Cruises (private balcony cabin) including shore excursion fee
- Daily buffet breakfasts and most lunches & dinners - 13 breakfast, 12 lunch/refreshment, 7 dinner
Tour Price exclude:
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- Chinese visa fee (we can arrange this for you)
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities to tour manager/guide
Tour Prices & Booking
If dates below do not meet your schedule, we can arrange private departures.
Please call us at 0207 6324550
Please call us at 0207 6324550
| Dates | Price (per person) |
Availability | |
| April 27 | £2,480 (£2,390) | Low | Book |
| May 5 | £2,480 (£2,390) | Booked out | |
| May 18 | £2,480 (£2,390) | Good | Book |
| June 2 | £2,480 (£2,390) | Booked out | |
| June 16 | £2,480 (£2,390) | Good | Book |
| July 21 | £2,595 (£2,490) | Good | Book |
| July 30 | £2,680 (£2,580) | Booked out | |
| August 1 | £2,680 (£2,580) | Low | Book |
| August 15 | £2,680 (£2,580) | Good | Book |
| September 8 | £2,640 (£2,540) | Booked out | |
| September 12 | £2,640 (£2,540) | Good | Book |
| September 21 | £2,640 (£2,540) | Low | Book |
| October 5 | £2,640 (£2,540) | Good | Book |
| October 13 | £2,640 (£2,540) | Good | Book |
| October 27 | £2,640 (£2,540) | Booked out |
* Single room supplement: £298-345 (hotel only) / £230 (cruise only)
* Dates or budget not suitable? This tour can be organised as private tour using lower category of accommodation and at any of your chosen departure dates. Price from £2,380.
* Our Inclusive Tour International Flight fares are very good value which helps us to keep the cost of our tours to a minimum, however these seats are limited by airlines so may not be available at this cheaper price at the time of your booking in which case a small flight supplement, or if you wish, an alternative airline may apply. You can confirm this with our team at the time of booking.
* Dates or budget not suitable? This tour can be organised as private tour using lower category of accommodation and at any of your chosen departure dates. Price from £2,380.
* Our Inclusive Tour International Flight fares are very good value which helps us to keep the cost of our tours to a minimum, however these seats are limited by airlines so may not be available at this cheaper price at the time of your booking in which case a small flight supplement, or if you wish, an alternative airline may apply. You can confirm this with our team at the time of booking.
Reservation Hotline
0207 6324550
(Monday-Friday 8:45am-6:30pmSaturday 9am-4pm)
... or just send a message