Magnificent China with Yangtze Cruise

Общая информация

ПродолжительностьНаправлениеОтправление
13 дней и 12 ночей
Китай (Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing, Yichang, Shanghai)
Китай (Beijing)

Описание

Guaranteed Departure for Min. 2 pax
Automatic confirmation for bookings sent up to 40 days prior to arrival
(60 days prior to arrival for Tibet tours)
 
HOTEL OR SIMILAR 
BEIJING 4*PENTA/NOVOTEL XINQIAO/PRESIDENTIAL
XI’AN 4* XIAN TIANYU GLORIA GRAND HOTEL
CHENGDU 4* XINLIANG HOTEL
CRUISE 4* CENTURY SKY / EMERALD (local 5*) 
SHANGHAI 4* METRO PARK/BAOLONG

Категория

 
4* HOTEL (Scheduled Tour)
Полупансион 4 звезды
en
 

Программа

Day 1:
ARRIVAL BEIJING
Arrival in Beijing, Our intrepid adventure begins in the bustling capital Beijing.

We will receive a warm welcome from our guide at the airport before transferring to the hotel.

We then have the rest of the day at leisure to settle into our new surroundings.

Overnight at Penta Hotel or similar.

Day 2:
BEIJING
Discover Beijing’s rich heritage as we step back in time to an era when mystery andincredible power reigned.

We start at Tiananmen Square and get an overview of China’s communist history on a tour of the vast array of halls and monuments. This is the symbolic heart of China and it can accommodate one million people. Next, we visit the Imperial Ancestral Temple, within the Imperial City.
We then embark on an in-depth exploration of the Forbidden City, the power base of Chinese emperors for centuries. This contains the Imperial Palace Museum which details the history of each dynasty, represented in four palatial halls with antiques and treasures from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. This was the ceremonial and political centre of government for almost 500 years.

In the afternoon, we take a 40 minute transfer to the Summer Palace, with the possibility to enjoy an optional 30 minute boat ride on the Empress Cixi Waterway.

Breakfast is at the hotel. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Penta Hotel or similar.

Day 3:
BEIJING
Soak up the stunning natural beauty that surrounds the historic Great Wall of China.

From the hotel, we embark on a 90 minute scenic drive to the Mutianyu section of the wall, which is less visited than the famous Badaling stretch.

Mutianyu is more rugged and covered in expansive greenery. Built as a form of defence by millions of soldiers and peasants, the wall is a remarkable feat of engineering and archaeologists estimate that it once spanned nearly 10,000 km. Construction continued over the centuries, with the most impressive portions built during the Ming Dynasty. The Mutianyu section holds a prominent place in Chinese military history and this area is now equipped with cable cars to offer a different perspective (surcharge applies) of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Penta Hotel or similar.

Day 4:
BEIJING-XI’AN
We soak up more of Beijing’s iconic attractions, ahead of catching a high-speed train to Xi’an.

Our last morning in Beijing takes us to the Temple of Heaven which was founded in the 15th century. This features a complex of fine buildings set in gardens, surrounded by pine woods. The layout and the individual buildings symbolize the relationship between heaven and earth – the god’s world and the human world – and the special role played by emperors within this association. The temple provides a unique opportunity to see the capital’s past and present exist in cohesion side-by-side.

We then explore the finer points of tea under guided instruction at a dedicated facility.

In the afternoon, we head to the train station and embark on a five-hour-plus train journey from Beijing to Xi'an, travelling in second class.

Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Xi’an Tianyu Gloria Hotel or similar.

Day 5:
XI’AN
We explore Xi'an’s ancient historic past that dates back over 3,000 years, as we visit the cultural village of Banpo; marvel at the army of Terracotta Warriors; and discover Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum.

The Banpo Neolithic Village houses the remains of an ancient village that a matriarchal clan community once resided in.

A highlight of the tour is the acclaimed site of the Terracotta Warriors which consists of 8,000 figures built under the order of the emperor to accompany him to the afterlife.

We also explore Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum, the world’s largest underground tomb.

In the afternoon, we visit a terracotta replication factory to observe how craftsmen replicate the iconic statues at the UNESCO listed site.

Breakfast is at the hotel. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Xi’an Tianyu Gloria Hotel or similar

Day 6:
XI’AN /CHENGDU B -
Today we bid a fond farewell to Xi’an and set off on a bullet train on the next leg of our adventure to Chengdu, the capital of south-west Sichuan province.

After breakfast, we check-out and drive to the train station and set off on a high-speed bullet train to Chengdu, travelling along the 658 km distance in three hours.

Upon arrival, we check-in at the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure to explore our new surroundings.

Chengdu is famed as the home of giant pandas. These creatures can be seen in a simulation of their natural habitat at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Aside from wildlife, this modern city is also renowned for its teahouse culture. It is also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and this was awarded in recognition of the city’s outstanding cuisine which has a diverse taste based on the five elements of sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and salty. You can experience this globally recognised food at high-end hotels and hawker stalls on virtually every street.

Overnight at Chengdu Xinliang Hotel or similar.

Day 8:
CHENGDU B L
Today’s activity is focused on the iconic giant panda at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

In total, there are fewer than 2,000 giant pandas out in the wild – of which 70 per cent are distributed across Sichuan. We head north out of the city to this facility founded in 1987 to view giant pandas rescued from the wild.

Researchers and staff who care for the wellbeing and preservation of these creatures will give an insight into what they have achieved over the years and we will witness their uncompromising commitment to conserving the population both out in the wild and in captivity.

After lunch, we continue to visit the Sanxingdui Museum.

Marvel at the treasures and culture of a Bronze Age Chinese civilisation at the Sanxingdui Museum. The museum is located within the archaeological site of Sanxingdui – which translates as ‘Three Stars Mound’ – that was initially discovered in 1929 and has since been excavated to reveal a wealth of relics of the ancient Shu peoples that date from around the 12th century Before Chirst. Within the two main exhibition halls there are many wondrous artefacts to admire, including a near-four metre bronze tree intricately cast in bronze, alongside many other statues, potteries and jade ornaments.
Overnight at Chengdu Xinliang Hotel or similar.

Day 9:
CHENGDU /CHONGQING / CRUISE (MONDAY) B
Transfer to train station and take the bullet train to Chongqing.

Upon arrival in Chongqing, we head to the port and board our boat to start our three-night cruise along the meandering Yangtze River.

Overnight at Century Yangtze River Cruise.

Day 10:
YANGTZE CRUISE
We recommend rising early to enjoy the view of the sunrise from the deck, ahead of enjoying breakfast as we proceed on our leisurely cruise along the Yangtze.

The option exists to visit Fengdu Ghost City which is located on Ming Mountain. (A minimum of 20 participants is required).

We then board the boat and continue our cruise along the winding waterway, soaking up breath-taking landscapes long the way, with lunch served on board.

In the late afternoon, we jump ashore and head to Shibaozhai Pagoda which juts out from the mountainside in a burst of vermillion brilliance. Built without nails or bolts, this 12-storey pagoda is an architectural masterpiece.

In the evening, we enjoy a welcome dinner with entertainment provided by the boat’s crew.

Programs on board might be subject to change according to Cruise Company.

Overnight at Century Yangtze River Cruise.

Day 11:
YANGTZE CRUISE
Today’s journey brings more amazing sights as we continue our adventure down the meandering Yangtze River.

After breakfast we dock with the option to visit White Emperor City (surcharge applies, with a minimum 20 people). Also known as the City of Poems due to the vast number of verses it has inspired, this mini city is scattered with abundant temples on elevated positions. More significantly, it is the best place to appreciate the magnificent Kui Gate at the mouth of Qutang Gorge.

Our navigation will reveal towering cliffs and the spectacular Wu Gorge, which is framed by deep valleys and forest-covered mountains.

After lunch on board, we board a smaller boat to take an afternoon excursion along the Shennong River, a zig-zagging tributary of the Yangtze that boasts impressive views of the Three Gorges.

In the evening, we enjoy a farewell buffet dinner on board.

Programs on board might be subject to change according to Cruise Company.

Overnight at Century Yangtze River Cruise.

Day 12:
YICHANG/SHANGHAI
We enjoy a final breakfast on board the ship before we disembark at Maoping Pier in Yichang and set off on an adventure to marvel at China’s largest construction project since the Great Wall.

The Three Gorges Dam took 15 years to build and cost over US$30 billion. At 2.4 km wide, the scale and size of this engineering feat is phenomenal.

We then take the shuttle vehicle and continue to downtown Yichang, where we transfer to the train station to catch a bullet train to the vibrant city of Shanghai. The train races through stunning countryside on a 1,120 km journey that takes eight hours.

We arrive in Shanghai, China’s largest city and its main financial hub, in the evening and transfer to our overnight accommodation for some rest ahead of tomorrow’s exciting exploration.

Please note: Those taking the cable car and golf car option to the Three Gorges Dam have to pay the surcharge directly. This is an additional fee.

Overnight at Shanghai Ambassador Hotel or similar.

Day 13:
SHANGHAI
Discover Shanghai’s treasure chest of architectural styles on this fascinating full-day excursion that reveals the city’s Chinese and European past.

We start in Shanghai Old Street, which is historically called Miaoqian Dajie, a fascinating thoroughfare of shops and cultural attractions.

We then soak up the serenity of the city’s premier green space, Yu Garden, a prime example of a classical Chinese garden built during the Ming Dynasty. This tranquil world of bamboo groves, koi-filled ponds and Ming era pavilions was lovingly created in the 1500s by a government officer as a retreat for his parents.

After a visit to a traditional tea house, we take a stroll along the Bund, a lively waterfront area lined with European-style buildings. The architecture along this promenade dates back to the 1920s when it was the focus of European trade in China and this commerce has left a legacy of art deco buildings.

After lunch, we take a tour of Shanghai Museum to see ancient artefacts, hit the shops at Pearl City and explore Tianzifang, a traditional Shanghai alley, followed by a walk alongside colonial buildings in the elegant French Concession.

Overnight at Shanghai Ambassador Hotel or similar.

Цена включает

-Hotel accommodation as per selection with daily breakfast based on 2 pax sharing a twin or double room
-Lunches and dinners as described in program, (Meal Symbols: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner)
-All transfers & transportation for sightseeing by A/C vehicle (except Tibet)
-Domestic air tickets in economy class as indicated in the programme including airport tax and fuel surcharge
-Train tickets in 2nd class (for high-speed trains) or soft sleeper (for overnight trains) where indicated in the programme
-All tours & entrance fees indicated in the program
-Service of an English-speaking guide in each city

Цена не включает

-Ticket(s) for international flights;
-Porterage at the airports and at hotels (in and out);
-Visa fee for China;
-Excess luggage surcharge;
-Tips for services of local guides and drivers;
-Optional tours;
-Any personal expenses.
-Tips for services of local guides and drivers

Маршрут

День На ночь Itinerary highlights
1 PENTA/NOVOTEL XINQIAO/PRESIDENTIAL or similarBeijing   Beijing - Beijing Capital Airport
2 PENTA/NOVOTEL XINQIAO/PRESIDENTIAL or similarBeijing
3 PENTA/NOVOTEL XINQIAO/PRESIDENTIAL or similarBeijing
4 XIAN TIANYU GLORIA GRAND HOTEL or similarXian
5 XIAN TIANYU GLORIA GRAND HOTEL or similarXian
6 XINLIANG HOTEL or similarChengdu
7 XINLIANG HOTEL or similarChengdu
8 ON BOARD - CENTURY SKY / EMERALD (local 5*) or similar
On the move
9 ON BOARD - CENTURY SKY / EMERALD (local 5*) or similar
On the move
10 ON BOARD - CENTURY SKY / EMERALD (local 5*) or similar
On the move
11 METRO PARK/BAOLONG or similarShanghai   Yichang
12 METRO PARK/BAOLONG or similarShanghai
13   Shanghai - Airport

Accommodations provided in each place

Место4* HOTEL
BeijingPENTA/XINQIAO/PRESIDENTIAL or similar
XianTIANYU GLORIA/GRAND BARONY or similar
ChengduTIBET 5*/HOLIDAY INN or similar
ShanghaiMETRO PARK/BAOLONG or similar