Grand Tour of China

Grand Tour of China Itinerary

Day 1 - London Heathrow / Beijing
Your holiday begins with a non-stop overnight flight on British Airways.

Day 2 - Beijing
Upon arrival at Beijing airport you will be transferred to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure, before a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Hotel: Novotel Xinqiao (D)

Day 3 - Beijing
Depart for a full day sightseeing, including a walk through Tiananmen Square, where you can see the Great Hall of the People and other historical monuments. Spend the rest of the morning in the Forbidden City, located directly behind the Tiananmen tower gate. After lunch, you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors worshipped and prayed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties for a good harvest. Return to your hotel for a short rest before departing for dinner and the Peking Opera.
Hotel: Novotel Xinqiao (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Beijing
Enjoy a sightseeing tour that provides you with the opportunity to see the countryside surrounding Beijing. In the morning you will walk along the beautiful Sacred Way guarded by stone statues of the emperors’ officers and officials, dating from the 15th century. After lunch, there will be a short drive to the Great Wall at Badaling. Approximately two hours will be spent at the Great Wall, along which you will be able to walk and climb or travel by cable car (optional, price not included). Peking duck dinner in a local restaurant. Hotel: Novotel Xinqiao (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Beijing / Xian
Depart the hotel for the Summer Palace. After lunch, you will be transferred to Beijing airport for your flight to Xian (ticketed locally). Upon arrival in Xian you will be transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Royal Xian Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Xian
After breakfast in the hotel, a full day of sightseeing will start with a one-hour drive to the Terracotta Warrior Museum in the suburbs of Xian-Lintong. A visit of about two hours will be spent studying the thousands of Terracotta Warriors and their chariots. After lunch, visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall. Dinner followed by the Tang Dynasty show in a local theatre.
Hotel: Royal Xian Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Xian/Chongqing
Morning flight to Chongqing (ticketed locally). Lunch and city sightseeing tour on arrival and board the cruise boat after dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 8-10 - Yangtze River Cruise
A 2 night journey along China’s longest waterway. Stops will be made en route to visit historical sites and villages. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Yichang/Shanghai
Disembark in Yichang and fly to Shanghai (ticketed locally).
Hotel: Langsheng Hotel or New Century Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Shanghai
Today enjoy a full day of sightseeing starting with a visit to the Yu Garden, followed with the Jade Buddha Temple. The rest of your time will be spent in Nanjing Road and the famous Bund.
Hotel: Langsheng Hotel or New Century Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Shanghai / Suzhou
Transfer to Suzhou by bus. On the way there will be a stop at Tongli, a typical water village.
Hotel: New World Astor Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 14 - Suzhou
Your morning sightseeing tour includes the Garden of Master of the Nets, a typical Suzhou garden, and the water pass, a pass gate reminiscent of the Grand Canal in Venice. You will then visit a silk spinning factory.
Hotel: New World Astor Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 15 - Suzhou / Hangzhou
Today depart for Hangzhou by bus. After checking into your hotel cruise on the beautiful West Lake by dragon boat. You will also visit Hua Gang Park by the lake and Tea Plantation.
Hotel: ZheJiang International (B,L,D)

Day 16 - Hangzhou/Guilin
Morning at leisure before an afternoon flight to Guilin (ticketed locally). On arrival enjoy a city sightseeing tour.
Hotel: Guilin Plaza (B,L,D)

Day 17 - Guilin
Transfer to the pier for your cruise on the picturesque Li River. The whole morning is spent on the boat with lunch served on board. In the afternoon you will go ashore for a short visit to Yangshou before travelling back to Guilin by bus.
Hotel: Guilin Plaza (B,L,D)

Day 18 - Guilin/Guangzhou
Enjoy the morning at leisure. After lunch, you will visit the Reed Flute Cave before your afternoon flight to Guangzhou (ticketed locally) with city tour.
Hotel: Dong Fang Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 19 - Guangzhou / Hong Kong
Enjoy a tour of Sun Yantsen’s Memorial Hall, the Chen Clan Temple and local Market. After lunch you will be transferred to the train station for your journey to Hong Kong.
Hotel: Kowloon Hotel (B,L)

Day 20-21 - Hong Kong
At leisure.
Hotel: Kowloon Hotel (RO)

Day 22 – Hong Kong/London Heathrow
British Airways flight to London Heathrow arriving the same day or the next morning.

Inclusions

• ■ An English speaking local guide for tour element only (including transfers).
• ■ Yangtze cruise ship staff will look after your onboard requirements and excursions
• ■ All entrance fees as appropriate
• ■ Air-conditioned transportation
• ■ Twin or double bed & private bathroom (Cruise boat accommodation is compact but facilities and service are of a high standard)
• ■ Meals included as detailed: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D), No Meals (RO)

Please note:
Local conditions can and do change, sometimes at short notice and it is possible that we may be advised to change the programme or running of any excursions or tour, including accommodation, sometimes without prior notification. Local domestic airport taxes are not included and are payable locally (approx £10 each segment).

Please be aware:
2009 itineraries may vary slightly to the 2010 itinerary shown. Please contact reservations for more information. Prices can increase or decrease, you will be quoted the up to date price at the time of booking.