Day 1: London - Shanghai
Our journey begins as we fly to Shanghai with British Airways (non-stop from London Heathrow, regional departure available - please ask for details).
Day 2: Shanghai
Morning arrival in Shanghai, you will be greeted by Oriental's tour manager before being chauffeured to a superior class hotel. There will be time to settled in, relax and unwind after your journey.
Later in the afternoon we will be taken for a leisurely walk along the colonial riverside The Bund before enjoying our welcome dinner.
Travel Oriental Style: Join the rest of your travelling companions for a welcome dinner in one of our favourite restaurant in town. Whilst you are making new friends and getting acquainted you will be served a selection of authentic dishes.
Day 3: Shanghai
City orientation tour pointing out highlights such as the Jade Buddha Temple and the Old French Concession - the most fashionable hub where you will be left free to stroll along the cobblestone lanes lined with traditional houses converted restaurants and cafes. Evening watch the award-winning Shanghai Acrobatic Show.
Oriental's Box Office - with truly remarkably and sometime unbelievable acts of juggling, contortionism, chair stacking, plate spinning and so much more, is just lip smackingly marvellous!
Day 4: Suzhou
Today we journey to Suzhou, just an hour drive from Shanghai. Historically the cultural capital of China, this traditional city is famous for fine gardens.
After checking into our hotel and freshen up, we take the time to stroll along the city's traditional quarter Pingjiang with a close encounter to local lives followed by a boat ride along the city's oldest water canal to Humble Adminstrator Garden where we will be introduced to the classic Chinese garden landscape.
Travel Oriental Style:In the evening, we will pay a special visit to a smaller and more intimate garden mansion where our group will be presented with a host of cultural performances, including Kun Opera, flute and pipa, in a quiet setting.
Day 5: Suzhou
After a leisurely breakfast at hotel, we begin the day with a visit to the Tiger Hill to see the 7 storey, 1000 year old leaning tower. Here you will enjoy a bird's eye view over the city. Suzhou is also famous for silks, so there will be the option in the afternoon to a visit a specialist silk shop.
Day 6: Suzhou - Yichang
Morning fly and coach to Yichang, the port city where we will embark our Yangtze River journey. Where time allows we will take in a short tour of the Yichang township before boarding our deluxe 5-star Victoria Cruise vessel.
Oriental Travel Quality Alert: Beware Imitations! - We only use Victoria Cruise Lines, an American run cruise specialist
which boast the largest 5 star fleet on the Yangtze. Some of our competitors however use a 4 Star "Victoria Cruise"
This is a Chinese run ship whose of an inferior quality. The official Victoria Cruise website is www.victoriacruises.com
Day 7: Yangtze River Cruising ...
The first excursion of our voyage would be to the colossal Three Gorges Dam site, the world's largest water engineering project to date. After lunch onboard, we will sail through the magnificent Xiling Gorge.
Day 8: Yangtze River Cruising ...
Experience the pure bliss as you wake up each morning, pull back your curtains and be privy to the magnificent views. After a leisurely buffet breakfast, we will take an excursion on the Shennong Stream. Back onboard, our cruiser will journey through the rest of the Three Gorges - Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge.
Day 9: Yangtze River Cruising ...
Today our cruiser will dock at Fengdu where you can enjoy a shore excursion to this "ghost town".
Whilst our cruiser continue its voyage through the mountainous range of Sichuan province, you may want to take advantage of the included onboard lectures & entertainment programs, from Chinese History, Politics to brush painting and Chinese medicine. There's a special talk all about the mighty Three Gorges Dam project and its effect on the Yangtze River.
Day 10: Chongqing - Guilin
Moring disembark our cruiser in Chongqing. There will be an excursion to the panda house to see the giant pandas in play before taking our flight to Guilin where we stay overnight.
Day 11: Longsheng
Today we head north to Longsheng, home to a colourful mixture of minority cultures. Our lunch will be served in a minority family run restaurant followed by an afternoon excursion over the stunning rice terraces. Here, you can view a part of the "Dragons Backbone" a 12 mile patchwork of terrace rice fields. Later in the day we travel to Yangshuo, our base for some truly exquisite countryside and riverside exploration over the next few days.
Oriental's point of view:
Extensive development over the past decade has destroyed Guilin of its natural beauty. Guilin has become over rated. Because of this and it's busy traffic, lack of charm and negative client feedback we have decided to introduce Longsheng and Yangshuo, which is a charming small town nestled in between the karst peaks of towering limestone. This provides with a much more pleasant environment to access some of the most beautiful and exquisite countryside in southern China.
Day 12: Yangshuo
The morning commences with a relaxing boat-ride on the Li River giving us the opportunity to truly appreciate the stunning natural beauty of Yangshou as it unfolds before us. Back on land, we will explore deeper into the farmlands and rural villages on a motorized rickshaw.
Day 13: Yangshuo
We've left the day free for you to enjoy the various optional activities - bike riding, bamboo rafting, etc. Your tour manager will be on hand to assist you and make suggestions. Our hotel is conveniently located on the West Street, with an array of riverside restaurants, cafes and market stalls just outside your doorstep.
Day 14: Xian
Morning flight to Xian - a veritable treasure trove of Chinese culture.
Today's visit include the 14th century built Drum Tower, South Gate and a leisurely walk (or cycling option for the more adventuous) along the massive Ancient City Walls
Day 15: Xian
Today we 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. En-route we will stop at workshop to view the production of Terracotta figurines by local craftsmen.
After lunch with a chance to sample the Xian speciality of "hand-pulled noodles", continue to the beautifully preserved Big Goose Pagoda - this is not only architecturally delightful but also the most significant Buddhist site in the province. Oriental's Box Office - Tang Dynasty Dinner Show Enjoy Xian's leading "Tang Dynasty Dinner Show" with traditional Tang dance, costumes and live music performance, as it would have been enjoyed by the Tang Dynasty Emperors.
Day 16: Beijing
This morning a short flight takes us to Beijing, the capital city of China.
After freshen up in our hotel, we will begin our visit with a walk through Tiananmen Square - the world's largest public square - before entering the Forbidden City to view the imperial splendour of the Emperors' palaces
Day 17: Beijing
Day excursion to the Great Wall (Mutianyu Section) where you will have plenty of time to climb up to the top with unforgettable views of this magnificent structure.
Afternoon back to the city, you will be taken on a leisurely ride along the old city's historic alleyways (Hutong) in a Pedi-cab.
Travel Oriental Style: We visit the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. Avoiding the tourist traps at the Badaling section, this part of the Wall offers an authentic Great Wall experience. When the weather is good, we will enjoy a picnic lunch with sparkling wines on the Wall Tower!
Day 18: Beijing
After a leisurely buffet breakfast at hotel, we will visit the sacred Temple of Heaven before moving to the majestic and beautifully landscaped Summer Palace with its sprawling imperial encampment of temples, pavilions and halls.
The rest of the afternoon will be left free enabling you to do some last-minute shopping before heading home or perhaps loose yourself in Shijiahai's lakeside cafes? Your tour manager will be on hand to assist you and make suggestions.
Day 19: Beijing - UK
Today we bid goodbye to China as we board our return flight home. Arrival is scheduled for the same afternoon.
Optional Extension to Hong Kong, Sanya beach resort, or other Asian destination cities can be easily arranged. Please contact us for a quote.
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