China Encounter with Yangtze River Cruise 16 days from £2080 - A breathtaking scenic holiday:

*Well paced itinerary * hand-picked deluxe hotels & cruise *special banquets and shows *small group *Guaranteed departure from 2 people

• Beijing: The Great Wall (4n)
• Xian: Terracotta Warriors (3n)
• Wuhan: Huanghe Pagoda (1n)
• Yangtze River Cruise (1n)
• Chongqing: Giant Panda
• Chengdu Panda Reserve (optional)
• Guilin & Yangshuo: Li River Cruise (2n)

View details below...

Forbidden City

Big Goose Pagoda

Huanghe Pagoda

Yangtze Cruise

Yangtze River

Guilin

Deluxe accommodation

Stay on one of the best 5 star cruise on the Yangtze River!

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Beijing. Meals on board.

Day 2 Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you are greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel by private transport. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jetlegs and get ready for the adventure to come! (China is 8 hours ahead of UK)

Day 3 Beijing
A full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. This includes visiting historical sites such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Then we will go to watch an entertaining acrobat show. (includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Our welcome dinner in the evening provides an opportunity to sample special Chinese cuisine combined with live music, singing and dancing entertainment.

Day 4 Beijing
The highlights of today's tour include a visit to the Great Wall, the only man-made wonder on earth visible from the moon. We travel to the Ming Tombs and walk on the Sacred Way to see the resting place of thirteen Chinese Emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Enjoy the famous Peking Roasted Duck dinner upon your return. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We will visit Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, which was originally constructed in the 5th century and is regarded as the most strategic section of the Wall. The section is quieter and less commercial than some other areas and it provides the opportunity to visit the Sacred Way, another highlight of the Great Wall heritage.

Day 5 Beijing to Xian
Today, our tours includes a visit to the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), which dates back to the 12th century when the Jin ruler built his Gold Mountain Travelling Palace. We walk along the Long Corridor beside Kunming Lake and take a detour to the Garden of Harmony before taking the ferry next to the Marble Boat. In the next part of our tour we take a fascinating Rickshaw ride and visit an old residential area and see how local people live. Our guide will then escort you to Houhai, a popular relaxing and eating out place for both Western and Chinese tourists. For travelers who would like to experience shopping in China, we can take you to the popular shopping street - Xiushui Silk Market. In the evening, we take a flight to Xian, the former capital of China and starting point of the ancient Silk Road. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 Xian
As the ancient capital of China for many dynasties, Xian has a lot historical sites to offer. We will take a city tour which includes visiting Xian's well preserved Ancient City Walls, built in the early Ming Dynasty (about 600 years ago) and the Bell Tower where you can overlook the entire city. Our tour guide will also escort you to Fanggu Street in the city centre, where the shops have all been reconstructed to resemble ancient times of China. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7 Xian
Today, the highlights include Terra-cotta Warriors. You will visit the luxury underground palace of Emperor Qinshihuang, The Archaeological Museum of 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and their horses. The warriors were the after life protectors the first emperor who united China (221BC-206BC). Following this we will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built as a Buddhist Monastery during the Tang Dynasty. In the evening we attend a re-enactment of the royal arts performance of a 7th century Tang Dynasty Show, with a special Dinner of dumplings included. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Xian to Wuhan
We take a flight to Wuhan, a city in South China that is regarded as the major connection point for railways and airlines. Now we are in the 'middle' of the country, and the city provides a an opportunity to discover the real China. Our tour will take you to Hubei Provincial Museum which houses a vast and precious display of ancient Chinese items, many of them over 3000 years old. We will also take you to a traditional shopping street where locals have their Chinese traditional silk dress such as Qipao and Changshan made. The tailors can provide tailor-made next day ordering service and the price is a real bargain! (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Wuhan to Yichang
In the morning, we visit the famous Chinese landmark of Huanghelou pagoda, which is the inspiration behind numerous Chinese poems. Later we drive to Yichang for the start of your river cruise (approx. 2.5 hrs). Board the cruise in the evening. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 Yangtze River
Shore excursion to see the Three Gorges Dam project in the morning. Later we sail through the magnificent Xiling Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities are available on board ship. In the evening you will be invited to attend the Captain's welcome dinner. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11 Yangtze River
Today we take a shore excursion to see Shennong Stream or Lesser 3 Gorges (depending on the sailing schedule). Your cruise sails through the impressive Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities are also available on board. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12 Yangtze River
Shore excursion to Shibaozhai or Fengdu (depends on sailing schedule). Entertainment and organised activities are also available on board, with your farewell dinner party in the evening. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13 Yangtze River / Chongqing to Guilin
Arrive at Chongqing, the city with the highest population in China. Today we will go to People's Square before visiting the pandas in the City Zoo. If time allows, we will also visit the Yangtze River Museum. The museum displays many interesting and historic features and artifacts that were found in and along the river, prior to the three gorges project commencing. Later you take a flight to Guilin and are transfered to your hotel. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

*highly recommended optional tour*

For travellers who want to see the Giant Pandas in its own habitat, we recommend our optional tour to see the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, in Chengdu city. It is the best place to see Chengdu's most famous residents.

Day 14 Guilin
Guilin is a beautiful city set among picturesque mountains alongside the majestic Li River. Many of our travellers loved Guilin and Yangshuo very much. Li' River Cruise. Depart from your hotel in the morning for the hour drive to Zhujiang Dock, where we will board your boat for a cruise down the picturesque Li River with lime stone pinnacles, water buffalos and tranquil rice paddies alongside the river banks. Lunch will be served on board and we will disembark upon arrival at Yangshuo. Yangshou is an charming ancient small town that is famous for its beautiful scenery. After our tour we take a coach journey back to the city. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 15 Guilin to Yangshuo
Todays tour is to the delightful Fubo Hill or Elephant Trunk Hill (depends on local situations), and a visit to Reed Flute Cave, an underground cavern of exotic rock formations. Later we fly back to Beijing. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 16 Beijing to home
Be transferred to Beijing Airport for schedule flight for your return home. (Includes: Breakfast)

Hong Kong extension (£350 per person)

Day 15 Guilin to Hong Kong
After the tour you are transferred to airport for flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel (superior/moderate deluxe standard). The rest of day is free at leisure. (Includes: Breakfast)

Day 16 Hong Kong
Half day morning tour to the Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Aberdeen Fishing Village. Rest of the day is free at your leisure. (Includes: Breakfast)

Day 17 Hong Kong
You are transferred to airport for flight home. (Includes: Breakfast)

Or, for the same price, you may choose the option of 3 nights/4 days in Hong Kong incl a flight to Hong Kong. (flight & accommodation only)

Group Departure Dates & Price 2008 (£)

We also arrange private tour or tailor made departure according to this itinerary, please contact us to discuss your requirement.

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person', in Mainland China)

• All flights including airport tax. We can also arrange your local airport departure and return from £60. Please enquire at the time of your booking.
• All train tickets soft sleeper.
• All airport/hotel transfers.
• Sightseeing tours (including entrance fee) by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Selections of deluxe hotel accommodation in well furnished rooms with private facilities. (minimum 4 star, often with opportunity to free upgrade to 5 star)
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.

Price Does Not Include

• Visa fee (please go to Our Visa Service for details).
• Travel Insurance.

Your Accommodation for this tour Excellent 4 and 5 star hotels and cruises among the same standard. In some remote areas, the hotel standard can be lower but we will provide you with one of the best available in the area. Please visit Accommodation for details.

Fact of our tour arrangement Our itineraries are designed at a sensible pace to provide you with a real opportunity to enjoy touring the country, with a combination of escorted sightseeing, and some free time. China is huge, please take into account of flight time required when considering a tour suggestion.

Guaranteed departure from 2 people. Small group travel with like minded people and flexibility on tour. Normal group size 16 people. Suitable for all age travellers. Add on tours and city extension available, for details visit Optional tours page.

Our itineraries are regularly checked and updated to provide ideal and latest sightseeing spots for our travellers. We organise our own special activities to introduce the real China to our travellers, and connect you closer to the local people.

Your Meals We include all breakfast (mixture of western & Chinese) at hotel, most Chinese lunches and dinners on tour, each with wide variety of tasty dishes. All meals included in the itinerary are pre-booked. It is a good experience of trying out a few meals by yourself while you in China. The hotels we select provide good choices of cuisine with menu in English, alternatively, plenty restaurants are available in the main sightseeing area in Chinese cities. A good meal (dinner) in restaurant should only cost about £5 per person.

Flights As agent of many airline consolidators, we can obtain flights in various class, with reputable airlines such as BA, Air China, Virgin, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair etc. Depends on the availability we will choose airline for you and will try to arrange direct flight when possible. We can also provide land-only tours if you prefer to organise your own flights and save airmiles.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of flights and cruises sailing schedules available, although occasionally the sequence in which cities are visited and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.