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Highlights of China and Yangtze Cruise 16-day Air Holidays Departing September 2014 - June 2015 From 2099.00* * Price shown: 14 Jan 2015 from London Heathrow - LHR You can reserve your place on this fantastic holiday today with just a small deposit. Deposits start from just 120 per person Shanghai, Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors and the Three Gorges From Shanghai's glass and steel to centuries-old Beijing, this tour takes in Giant Pandas, the legendary terracotta warriors and 'silk city' Suzhou. On a cruise down the ageless Yangtze river, you'll witness the spectacular Three Gorges Dam - an engineering marvel - and enter a land rich in myth, legend and stunning scenery. What The Price Includes Return flights to Shanghai and all internal flights in China High-speed train journeys from Suzhou to Beijing and from Chongqing to Chengdu One piece of hold luggage per person Air-conditioned coach travel throughout 10 nights' full-board accommodation staying in Shanghai (2), Suzhou (1), Beijing (3), Chengdu (2) and Xi'an (2) A four-night, five-star, full-board Yangtze river cruise, visiting the Three Gorges Dam A Shanghai city tour and a visit to the Pearl Tower A visit to Shanghai's Old City and Yuyuan Chinese Gardens A visit to Suzhou with a canal cruise and a visit to the old city and silk embroidery institute
Visits to Beijing's Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace An excursion to the Great Wall and Beijing Zoo A 'Peking Duck' Dinner A city tour of old Chongquing Entrance to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre in Chengdu A Terracotta Army and Xi'an city tour The services of a Tour Manager in China Government taxes and service charges Single rooms are available for a supplement Itinerary Day One Board your overnight flight to Shanghai. Day Two Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel, before enjoying a guided introduction to this amazing city. The colonial grandeur of the buildings that line the west bank of the Huangpu River, on the famous Bund, hint at past glories, now surrounded by the modern city's gigantic skyscrapers. Your tour will include a visit to the rocket-shaped Pearl TV Tower, which surveys the city, and will also take in the fascinating Shanghai City History Museum. Day Three This morning tour Shanghai's Old City, at the heart of which is the 16th-century Yu Yuan classical Chinese garden, with its pools, walkways and bridges - a haven amongst the bustling bazaars and street markets. After a fascinating morning, board the coach for the 90-minute journey to the ancient city of Suzhou and your next overnight stay. Day Four With its silk trade associations, tree-lined waterways and thousand-year-old classical gardens, Suzhuo, set on the Grand Canal, is a breathtaking gem. Discover the Old City's charms, visit the beautiful Lingering Garden and the Silk Embroidery Institute, and enjoy a canal cruise as this fascinating place is brought to life by your guide. Late this afternoon, board a high-speed train for the journey north to Beijing, where you'll spend three nights.
Day Five Tour the Chinese capital with your guide, visiting some of its most famous attractions. You'll see Tian'anmen Square, site of Chairman Mao's tomb and gateway to the great Imperial Palace, or Forbidden City. In the palace's ceremonial halls and living quarters, as well in part of the vast museum, you'll gain an insight into the extraordinary lives led by its privileged occupants - 24 Chinese emperors. You'll end your day in Beijing with a traditional 'Peking Duck' dinner. Day Six The Great Wall of China is famously (though not entirely accurately) the only man-made structure visible from space. Travel to Badaling, where, amid steep, forested hills, part of the wall has been lovingly restored, and it's easy to appreciate the immensity of this marvellous feat of engineering. Your day will also include the opportunity to see the exterior of the amazing 'Bird's Nest' stadium from the 2008 Olympic Games for yourself. This evening, you might choose to join an optional excursion to the world-famous Beijing Opera, to discover its mix of song, dance and acrobatics. Day Seven The majestic and tranquil Summer Palace at Yiheyuan is today's destination. You'll also have the opportunity to step back in time on an optional rickshaw tour of the ancient hutongs, Old Peking's fast-disappearing labyrinth of narrow alleyways. Bid farewell to Beijing, transferring to the airport to fly to the port of Yichang. There you'll meet a five-star ship of the Victoria Line for your cruise on the Yangtze, the third longest river in the world. The journey downriver is highly enjoyable, not least for the change of pace. Day Eight Spend three unforgettable days enjoying the ever-changing vistas from your ship, as you cruise the mighty Yangtze River. Rest and relax on board, join early morning Tai-Chi sessions and hear the legends of the Three Kingdoms. First off, you'll visit the immense Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectricity project - a controversial feat of engineering that has wrought drastic change on the riverscape. You'll then sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges, which together stretch over 200km and vary from 100 to 300 metres in width. Day Nine The 'Small Three Gorges' on the Daling River are a stunning backdrop for an excursion by boat. Sail through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge, enjoying the sights of one of China's most dramatic regions. Though changed forever by the famous dam's construction, the landscape retains the spectacular grandeur of its 900-metre cliffs and jagged peaks. Day 10
Early risers can join in the on-deck Tai Chi session before a buffet breakfast. This morning's port of call is the 2000-year-old 'Ghost City' of Fengdu, a place shrouded in ancient legend and Taoist teachings about the afterlife. For your last evening on board, join the Captain for a Farewell Dinner and crew show. Day 11 Disembark in Chongqing, and enjoy a guided introduction to one of modern China's fastest-growing cities. Visit the contrasting 100-year-old streets of Ciqi Kou and explore beautiful Goose Neck Park, before boarding a fast train into Sichuan province and the relaxed, modern city of Chengdu, where you'll stay for the next two nights. Day 12 In Eastern Sichuan's capital, modern developments contrast with the traditional tea-houses and colourful shops of old Jinli Lu street. One of the highlights of your stay in Chengdu will be a visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre - learn about these wonderful creatures and the steps being taken to ensure their future survival. Dinner this evening will give you an opportunity to sample traditional Sichuan cuisine. Day 13 Today you'll fly to China's ancient capital, Xi'an, for a two-night stay. You'll visit the ancient city walls of this fascinating treasure trove, with its Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter and its Tang dynasty monuments. This evening, enjoy a traditional Dumpling Dinner. Day 14 An unforgettable day awaits, as today brings a chance to marvel at the legendary Terracotta Army - some 8,000 lifelike foot-soldiers, horsemen and charioteers discovered in 1974 - now one of the world's greatest tourist attractions. Close by, the yet-to-be-excavated tomb of emperor Qin Shi Huang is said to contain a vast underground city. You'll complete your tour of Xi'an's ancient treasures with a visit to the Small Goose Pagoda, before an evening in the city. Day 15 You'll fly back to Shanghai for a final evening in modern China's most vibrant metropolis. Discover the preserved streets of the former French Concession, also home to some of Shanghai's most chic boutiques. This evening, complete your visit to China with an optional City Nightscape Cruise. Day 16 Transfer to the airport early this morning, for the daytime flight back to the UK, at the end of a truly wonderful holiday. Further Information
Passports and Visas Visas are required for entry to China and must be applied for prior to departure. This process is handled by the China Visa Application Centre on behalf of the Chinese authorities. We will send you full details about eight weeks prior to departure. Passports must be valid for six months from the date of Visa application. Cruise excursions Please note that optional excursions during your cruise can be booked on board, and are not available in advance. Departure Airport Price Date From Aberdeen 10 Sep 2014 2709.00 08 Oct 2014 2609.00 12 Nov 2014 2309.00 14 Jan 2015 2159.00 12 Mar 2015 2309.00 23 Apr 2015 2459.00 07 May 2015 2509.00 04 Jun 2015 2459.00 Belfast City 10 Sep 2014 2799.00 08 Oct 2014 2699.00 12 Nov 2014 2399.00 14 Jan 2015 2249.00 12 Mar 2015 2399.00 23 Apr 2015 2549.00 07 May 2015 2599.00 04 Jun 2015 2549.00 Edinburgh 10 Sep 2014 2709.00 08 Oct 2014 2609.00 12 Nov 2014 2309.00 14 Jan 2015 2159.00 12 Mar 2015 2309.00 23 Apr 2015 2459.00 07 May 2015 2509.00 04 Jun 2015 2459.00 Glasgow 10 Sep 2014 2799.00 08 Oct 2014 2699.00 12 Nov 2014 2399.00 14 Jan 2015 2249.00 12 Mar 2015 2399.00 23 Apr 2015 2549.00 Code
07 May 2015 2599.00 04 Jun 2015 2549.00 London Heathrow 10 Sep 2014 2649.00 08 Oct 2014 2549.00 12 Nov 2014 2249.00 14 Jan 2015 2099.00 12 Mar 2015 2249.00 23 Apr 2015 2399.00 07 May 2015 2449.00 04 Jun 2015 2399.00 Manchester 10 Sep 2014 2709.00 08 Oct 2014 2609.00 12 Nov 2014 2309.00 14 Jan 2015 2159.00 12 Mar 2015 2309.00 23 Apr 2015 2459.00 07 May 2015 2509.00 04 Jun 2015 2459.00 Newcastle 10 Sep 2014 2799.00 08 Oct 2014 2699.00 12 Nov 2014 2399.00 14 Jan 2015 2249.00 12 Mar 2015 2399.00 23 Apr 2015 2549.00 07 May 2015 2599.00 04 Jun 2015 2549.00