HIGHLIGHTS OF CHINA

Tour Departs: 2^nd June 2012    •    Tour Length: 23 Days

We are delighted to again offer this comprehensive tour to China as part of our 2012 tour programme. China, as one of the largest and most populous nations on earth has so much to offer the traveller. A journey through China is a journey though 5000 years of history with the ancient and the modern standing side-by-side. And of course the history and culture is just so different from our own.

As was evidenced during the very successful Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China is changing just so rapidly. The last 20 years has seen this vast country rapidly progress to become a major player in the industrial and commercial world. But let’s not forget the history and mystery of ancient China spanning 5000 years – it is never far away...

The itinerary for the 2012 tour is similar to the very successful tours of the last few years with a few minor refinements following recommendations from our travellers. Tour features include...

TOUR FEATURES INCLUDE:
• Beijing – the nation’s capital and heart and soul of Chinese politics and society for over 5000 years
• Xi’an – home to the incredible “Terracotta Warriors” – they must be seen to be believed
• Shanghai – the most prosperous city in China where the old and the new sit side by side
• Guilin - famous for its scenic rivers and limestone peaks covered with lush greenery
• Hong Kong – one of the world’s great cities where East truly meets West
• Yangtze River Cruise - The tour will spend 4 nights on board a first class river cruise ship (MS Century Sky or similar vessel) cruising on China’s longest river. The three great gorges in Sichuan and Hubei provinces are regarded as one of the greatest scenic attractions in China. Sit back in comfort and enjoy the passing dramatic scenery and rushing waters. Our ship boasts all the facilities you would expect of a 1st class river cruise ship with very comfortable cabins and all with private facilities.

TOUR COST:
              Per Person Share Twin Room:                     NZD $10,250.00     AUD $8,350.00 
                 Supplement for Single Room (if required): NZD $  1,500.00     AUD $1,250.00

COSTS INCLUDE:
• Economy Class air travel from Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, Melbourne, Sydney or Wellington – cost for upgrade to Premium Economy or Business Class provided on request
• Prepaid airport/government/airline/security charges and taxes (as at 01 October 2011)
• First Class hotel accommodation throughout
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary B = Breakfasts, L = Lunches, D = Dinners
• First Class air conditioned coach transportation for all touring
• Standard twin berth “river view” cabin on the Yangtze River cruise ship
• All sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary
• Services of Local and regional guides for all sightseeing
• Tips and gratuities to local and national guides, coach drivers, cruise staff and baggage handlers
• Fully escorted

COSTS EXCLUDE:
• Passport and visa fees, travel insurance (advice and assistance given)
• Any optional sightseeing tours offered in the course of the tour
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, room service, drinks, telephone charges etc

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

Saturday 2 June:
Home – Beijing
Today we join our flights to the Chinese capital, Beijing.

Sunday 3 June:
Beijing (B, D)
We are met on arrival and transferred to our hotel for a 4 night stay. Early check-in at the hotel has been arranged and the rest of the day is left free to rest up and relax. This evening, rested and refreshed, we get together to enjoy the traditional Peking Duck dinner at a local restaurant.

Monday 4 June:
Beijing (B, L, D)
Our full-day tour takes us 40 miles north of the city to the Great Wall. The original construction of the Great Wall started in the 7th century B.C. to keep out the warring invaders. Additional sections were added for nearly 4,000 miles. A walk along this Great Wall is truly inspiring. The afternoon is equally as memorable but of a different era as we visit the icons of the Beijing Olympics - Bird Nest and Water Cube. This evening, enjoy a traditional Peking Opera performance.

Tuesday 5 June:
Beijing (B, L, D)
Beijing has been at the heart and soul of Chinese culture, politics and society for over 5000 years. We commence our sightseeing programme of this fascinating city with a walk through the landmark Tiananmen Square followed by a visit to the Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world, Thereafter, we spend time at the Summer Palace, once a summer retreat for the emperors and their families and now one of China’s best-preserved imperial gardens. Enjoy this masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.

Wednesday 6 June:
Beijing (B, L)
This morning we enjoy a behind-the-scenes rickshaw tour of the 700-year old Hutongs (ancient lanes and alleyways) in the old residential area of Beijing. We then visit the Beijing Zoo, home to giant pandas and also explore the brightly-painted Temple of Heaven where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped. After a busy few days, a quiet evening and own arrangements for dinner this evening.

Thursday 7 June:
Beijing to Xi’an (B,L,D)
We have the morning free for further exploration or some shopping before transferring back to Beijing Airport in time to join our flight to the ancient city of Xi’an, home to one of China’s most famous tourist attractions. On arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel for 2 night stay.

Friday 8 June:
Xi’an (B, L, D)
Today, we visit the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century, the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses as they guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. The life-size terracotta soldiers and their horses were discovered in 1974 having been preserved in an underground vault of earth and timber for 2000 years. At the completion of our visit, we return to the city and see the ancient City Wall and Grand Mosque. This evening, we enjoy a Tang Dynasty dinner and cultural show featuring music, dance, and traditional costumes.

Saturday 9 June:
Xi’an - Hangzhou (B, L, D)
A free morning today before we transfer to the airport and fly to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel.

Sunday 10 June:
Hangzhou (B.L.D)
A full day tour visiting the Hua Gang Park and West Lake. You will appreciate the fabled scenery such as ‘Broken Bridge’, ‘Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake’ and ‘Three Pools Mirroring The Moon’. We take a short cruise tour on the West Lake, then visit Lingyin Temple, which is among the ten most famous Buddhist temples in China and has a history dating back 1300 years. Hangzhou is famous for Longjing Green Tea; we visit a tea plantation to taste its famous tea and learn about the ancient tea making process.

Monday 11 June:
Hangzhou - Suzhou (B, L, D)
Enjoy some free time this morning until we depart by coach for Suzhou a small town often called the “Oriental Venice” and famous for its classic gardens. We visit the Garden of the Master of the Fishing Nets and the Humble Administrator’s Garden, two of the finest and most recognised gardens in China. Later, we board a traditional boat in Suzhou and cruise the canals that date back 1,000 years. We overnight in Suzhou.

Tuesday 12 June:
Suzhou – Tongli -Shanghai (B, L, D)
After a leisurely morning and lunch, we drive to Shanghai. En route, we visit Tongli, a river village known for its ancient bridges. This is the China of picture books, complete with narrow streets, simple homes, teahouses and intriguing shops. We arrive into Shanghai late afternoon for a 2 night stay.

Wednesday 13 June:
Shanghai (B, L, D )
Stroll the Bund promenade along the Huangpu River, where the old meets the modern in Shanghai; then to the Old Town with its winding alleyways lined with shops, tea houses and restaurants, and to the elegant and tranquil Yu Garden. Xintiandi is a new attraction in downtown Shanghai, featuring the city’s unique “Shikumen” houses and a maze of narrow alleys which have been converted into cafes, restaurants, bars, art retail shops. In the evening, enjoy the breathtaking Shanghai Acrobats whose circus-like acts originated during the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago

Thursday 14 June:
Shanghai – Yichang – Yangtze Cruise (B, L, D)
We have some free time available this morning before transfer to Shanghai Airport in time to join the flight to Yichang. There is time for a city tour and dinner at a local restaurant before we transfer to our first class river ship for the start of our 4 nights on the Yangtze River.

Friday 15 June:
Yangtze River - Three Gorges Dam (B, L, D)
Today, we visit the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power project. Traverse the Yangtze 5-stage Ship Locks. After we pass through the locks, admire the dramatic shoals and verdant cliffs of Xiling Gorge, the longest and most treacherous of the Three Gorges.

Saturday 16 June:
Yangtze River - Three Lesser Gorges - Two Gorges (B, L, D)
This morning, we explore the Three Lesser Gorges or Shennong Stream by riverboat, depending on water levels. But, don’t let the word “lesser” misguide you, this is one of China’s most scenic areas. Elegant peaks, exotic rock formations and serene forests abound. Journey along the Daning River and through Dragon Gate, Misty Gorge and Emerald Gorge. Relax in the peacefulness of this magical place. Then sail along the Yangtze River’s most impressive sections, Wu Gorge, famous for its 12 dramatic peaks and Qutang Gorge, the most spectacular of them all.

Sunday 17 June:
Yangtze River to Shibaozai (B, L, D)
Depending on water levels, we visit Wanzhou, Fengdu or Shibaozai, some of the Yangtze Rivers’ most impressive sites. Fengdu is believed to be the cave residence of the King of Hades and reflects the “ghost” culture of China since ancient times while Shibaozhai has a 12 story tower and temple from the Ming Dynasty era.

Monday 18 June:
Yangtze River - Chongqing – Guilin (B, L, D)
We disembark from our river cruise ship in Chongqing with a short city tour before joining the flight to Guilin. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two night stay.

Tuesday 19 June:
Guilin (B, L, D)
Today we enjoy a cruise with lunch on the Li River. See the mist-covered mountains that loom above the river and quaint villages on its banks. Throughout this cruise, we see the most extraordinary limestone peaks, lush bamboo along the riverbank and fishermen in small boats working the river which provides a transport route for a mix of vessels. At the end of our leisurely cruise, we return to Guilin to visit the Elephant Trunk Hill and Fubo Hill.

Wednesday 20 June:
Guilin - Hong Kong (B, L, D)
Today, visit Guilin’s Reed Flute Cave, a dripstone cave boasting stalactites and stalagmites in dazzling colors, and discover why Guilin has been an inspiration to artists for centuries. We then drive to the airport for our flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, we are met by our guide at the airport and transferred to our hotel for a 3 night stay.

Thursday 21 June:
Hong Kong (B, L)
We discover the wonders of Hong Kong Island with a full day tour. We take the tram up to Victoria Peak to enjoy the fabulous views over the harbour and Kowloon areas. We then travel to the fishing village at Aberdeen for a dimsum lunch. In the afternoon, we visit Stanley market and then return to our hotel.

Friday 22 June:
Hong Kong – Macau – Hong Kong (B,L)
For something truly special we transfer to the pier and join the high-speed turbojet to Macau. Upon arrival, we enjoy a city sightseeing tour which includes the Penha Hill and A-Ma Temple. Visit the Macau Tower. See the border gate and shop with local vendors. After lunch, explore the Leal Senado Square followed by a visit to the famous Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Time permitting, there is an opportunity to visit the casino before we return to Hong Kong by turbojet.

Saturday 23 June:
Hong Kong – Home ( B )
Today is a free day for relaxing or maybe that last minute bit of shopping! This afternoon, we transfer back to Hong Kong airport in time to join our flights back home.

Sunday 24 June:
Arrive Home