CHINA & THE THREE GORGES ( SMALL GROUP TOUR )

17 day deluxe fully escorted tour. Group size approx 16 persons.
£1,895 PER PERSON.
Code CYR.

BEIJING - YICHANG - 5 STAR CRUISER - CHONQING - XIAN - GUILIN - YANGSHUO - SHANGHAI - SUZHOU

Departure dates : 07/04/12 - 21/05/12 - 11/06/12 - 08/07/12 - 13/08/12 - 10/09/12 - 08/10/12 - 29/10/12 - 05/11/12 - 19/11/12
Please add £100 per person for departure in April, May, September, October & November.

Price includes: Internal flights, visa to China, airport transfers, superior hotels as stated or similar with daily breakfast, all meals as stated, air conditioned vehicles, cruiser as stated or similar, and full board on board the cruiser, sightseeing, English speaking guides, admission fees.

Price excludes: International flights *, insurance, tipping, personal expenses and any service not specified.
Price is per person, based on 2 people sharing a twin/double room. Single supplement is £495 per person.
* To make your holidays even more hassle free, we can purchase international flights for you at competitive prices. Please call for more information.

DAY 01 International flights to Beijing, Capital of the People’s Republic of China.

DAY 02 BEIJING (B/-/-)
Upon your arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your 4* Beijing Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel or similar. Rest of day is at leisure.

DAY 03 BEIJING (B/L/D)
Day excursion to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and experience the splendour of the Summer Palace, built as a royal garden for Qing Dynasty Emperors. On to visit the picturesque Temple of Heaven, built in 1420, where emperors of Ming and Qing would pray for good harvests and perform rituals essential to the well being of the country. You will also have the opportunity to see the Olympic Venues including the Bird Nest and Water Cube. Enjoy a delicious Peking Duck dinner and attend the fabulous Peking Opera performance in the evening.

DAY 04 BEIJING (B/L/D)
A full-day tour will take in the grandeur of The Eighth Wonder of the World, the Great Wall, built more than 2000 years ago to protect China from northern invaders. On the way back to Beijing stop and visit the sacred Ming Tombs, where 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty were buried.

DAY 05 BEIJING / YICHANG (B/L/D)
A local Hutong tour on a rickshaw will be arranged in the morning followed by a visit to the Yonghe Lamaism monastery. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flight to Yichang. On arrival, our local representative will take you directly to board the 5* Yantze River Cruiser.

DAY 06 CRUISING / THREE GORGES DAM (B/L/D)
You will have a shore excursion of Three Gorges Dam around 08:30-10:30 in the morning. Spend the day relaxing on the cruiser or participating in numerous activities available including music/dance, learning Chinese and participate in the traditional gambling game of Mahjong. Attend the Captain's Welcome Banquet in the evening.

DAY 07 CRUISING / SHENNONG STREAM (B/L/D)
Shore Excursion of the Shennong Stream. A sampan tour will take you on a high speed adventure along this newly opened unspoiled river. Sailing through the treacherous gorges with lush pine and translucent water, spectacular sights like ancient plank roads, suspension coffins, aqueous caves, rainbow fountains and wild life can be seen. Experience the custom and folk songs of the Tu minority and see the dance show.

DAY 08 CRUISING / SHIBAOZHAI (B/L/D)
Shore excursion of Shibaozhai, to visit the 12 story wooden pagoda built against the side of a sheer rectangular cliff. It is over 400 years old and has been named the "pearl of the Yangtze". There’s plenty of time (3 hours) to explore the pagoda before returning on your cruiser to prepare for the Captain's Farewell banquet.

DAY 09 CHONQING / XIAN (B/L/D)
Your cruise arrives in the mountain city of Chongqing at 08:30 am. Meet with your guide before connecting flight to Xian, the city known as one of the seven ancient Capitals of China. Sightseeing tour including Grand People's Hall and Eling park. Overnight aat 4* Aurum Hotel.

DAY 10 XIAN (B/L/D)
Today's tour brings you to the Terracotta Warriors & Horses museum and the Big Wild Goose pagoda. Afternoon visit to the City Wall built in the Ming Dynasty. In the evening, you are invited to attend the local famous Dumpling banquet followed by a beautiful Tang Dynasty cultural show.

DAY 11 XIAN / GUILIN (B/L/D)
Morning flight to beautiful Guilin, known for its unparalleled scenery in China. Transfer to the 4* Guilin Park Hotel or Universal Hotel. Short refreshment break prior to the afternoon tour to see the Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill.

DAY 12 GUILIN / YANGSHUO / GUILIN (B/L/D)
Appreciate the beauty surrounding Guilin on a Li River Cruise to Yangshuo. Bicycle ride through this charming town to the nearby mountain areas to marvel at breathtaking scenery. Continue to visit the local market and walk through the famous West Street before being transferred back to Guilin.

DAY 13 GUILIN / SHANGHAI (B/L/D)
Transfer to airport for flight to Shanghai, the exciting modern city of China. Transfer to your hotel in city centre, then afternoon visit to the famous Shanghai museum. Enjoy an unbelievable Acrobatic performance in the evening.

DAY 14 SHANGHAI / SUZHOU / SHANGHAI (B/L/D)
Day trip to Suzhou, the Oriental Venice. Upon your arrival, visit the Lingering garden, the Tiger Hill Scenic resort and observe the fascinating silk manufacturing process in a traditional China silk factory. Return to Shanghai and in the evening, visit Xintiandi, a renovated and popular area in Shanghai full of dynamic bars, fancy restaurants and fashion shops. You may find lots of unique Shikumen buildings along the streets in the area which are the traditional houses for Shanghai people. Overnight in Shanghai at Greenland Jiulong hotel.

DAY 15 SHANGHAI (B/L/D)
Today's tour brings you to visit the magnificent Yu Garden, the Bund area, the former French Concession quarter and Nanjing road, known as the No.1 shopping paradise in China. A chance to see the newly developed Pudong area and comprehend the great achievements after China started the Reform & Opening up policy in 1980's.

DAY 16 DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
At leisure or shopping before transfer to airport by bullet train for flight home.

DAY 17 Arrival home.