China Highlight with Yangtze Cruise

14 days *Small group *Guaranteed departure *Well paced itinerary *Special banquets and shows

• Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Bird's Nest Stadium (3 nights)
• Xian: Terracotta Warriors, City tour (2 nights)
• Yangtze River Cruise: (5n)
• Chongqing: Giant Panda
• Shanghai: city tour, Zhujiajiao Village(2 nights)

View Itinerary & Prices

Summer Palace

Great wall

Bell Tower

Wuhan Huanghe Pagoda

Yangtze Cruise

Shanghai

Deluxe accommodation

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

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for 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 jetlag 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. Our memorable date continues with a trip to the Beijing Olympics Stadia (Bird's Nest & Water Cube)(exterior) for picture opportunities. 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
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. 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 historic Bell Tower where you can overlook the entire city. 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 7 Xian to Wuhan
We take a flighty to Wuhan, one of China’s largest cities, a surprisingly vibrant city with a lovely mixture of old and new, a real 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, including a large collection of artefacts from the Zenghouyi Tomb, dates from around 433 BC, well worth your time. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Wuhan to Yichang
In the morning, we will visit famous Chinese landmark pagoda Huanghelou which is described by many Chinese poets. Drive to Yichang (approx. 2.5 hrs). Board the cruise in the evening. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Yangtze River
Shore excursion to the 3 Gorges Dam project in the morning. Sail through Xiling Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities on board, with Captain's welcome dinner to attend. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 Yangtze River
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream or Lesser 3 Gorges (depends on sailing schedule), cruise sails through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities on board. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11 Yangtze River
Shore excursion to Shibaozhai or Fengdu (depends on sailing schedule). Entertainment and organised activities on board, with the farewell dinner party in the evening. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12 Yangtze River / Chongqing to Shanghai
Arrive at Chongqing, the city with the highest population in China. We will go to the People's Square before visiting the pandas in the City Zoo. Flight to Shanghai, being transfered to hotel. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

For travellers who want to see the Giant Pandas in their own habitat, and go even deeper to the Middle Kingdom, we recommend optional tour to Chengdu. You are transferred to Leshan mountain to visit the Giant Buddha Statue, Lingyun Temple, Haishi Cave. Overnight in Chengdu with all meals included. The next morning, we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. It is the best place to see Chengdu's most famous residents. Transfer to airport for flight to Guilin in the afternoon. (Includes: Breakfast) Please enquire at the time of your booking.

Day 13 Shanghai
Today our visit includes Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds. Sightseeing on the famous promenade along the Huangpu River, the Bund, Nanjing Road. Then we will go to Xin Tian DI (Heaven on Earth), a conservation area of traditional low-rise homes, formerly the French quarter. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 14 Shanghai to UK
Our Guide will meet you at the hotel and see you depart at the airport. Take flight from Shanghai back to UK. For travellers who booked Hong Kong extension, we leave Mainland China today. (Includes: Breakfast)

Extension (optional) stay in Shanghai can be arranged. Tours to Suzhou or Zhaojiajiao Village are also available, please enquiry at the time of booking.

Optional Day Tour to village of Zhujiajiao: We drive to the village, 'the Venice of China', unspoiled for hundreds of years. There you have the opportunity to take a relaxing boat ride through the village whilst being serenaded. Drive back to Shanghai in the afternoon/evening. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Optional Tour to Suzhou (overnight stay): For travellers who are interested in Chinese gardens, we recommend an optional extension to Suzhou. This can be arranged after touring the Village of Zhujiajiao, or travel from Shanghai. Stay overnight at a 4 star hotel. The next day, a city tour to Tiger Hill and Garden of the Master of the Nets which is the most exquisite and best-preserved garden in the old residential gardens in Suzhou. Breakfast and lunch are included. Drive back to Shanghai in the afternoon. for details please enquire at the time of booking.

Hong Kong extension (£399 per person)

Day 14 Shanghai to Hong Kong
You are transferred to the airport for your 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 15 Hong Kong
Half day morning tour to the Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Aberdeen Fishing Village. Rest of the day is free. (Includes: Breakfast)

Day 16 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 stay in Hong Kong with a flight to Hong Kong. (flight & accommodation only)

Group Departure Dates & Price 2009 - 2010 (£)

* Join the tour on 30 Mar, 5 April, 11 May, 31 Aug, 11 Oct for Special offer of £30 price reduction per person - based upon a minimum of 12 persons but no larger than 24 persons on the tour.

The price may be different around the bank holidays in the UK, and the festivals period in China. Please contact us for confirmation. The single supplement is based on 3 people in 1 group. The hotel upgrade price is based on twin share, for single room upgrade please contact us.

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 airport/hotel transfers.
• Sightseeing tours (including entrance fee) by professional and knowlegble 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 with 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.

Facts 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 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 your hotel and most Chinese lunches and dinners on tour. Each lunch and dinner is selected to ensure you can try a wide variety of tasty dishes. All meals included in the itinerary are pre-booked. We think it is part of the experience of trying out a few meals by yourself while you in China. Therefore the hotels we select provide a good choices of cuisine with English menu. Alternatively there are plenty of restaurants to choose from in the main sightseeing area in Chinese cities. A good meal (dinner) in a restaurant should 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.