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China & Yangtze River
15 DAYS FROM £1946

This holiday has departures available between: 13th Mar 2009 to 30th Oct 2009

Travel to the very heart of the Orient and experience a vastly different world of exotic culture and colourful history.

Included Highlights

Beijing Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven
Great Wall of China and Ming Tombs
Shanghai City sightseeing, evening acrobatic show
Wuhan Provincial Museum
Yangtze River Cruise Three Gorges Dam, Lesser Three Gorges (or Shennong Stream), Shibaozhai (or Fengdu Ghost City)
Chongqing City tour
Xian Terracotta Warriors, Tang Palace evening dinner show, Wild Goose Pagoda, City Walls

Included in the Price

Flights: UK - Beijing - Shanghai - Wuhan; Chongqing - Xian - Beijing - UK
Accommodation on tour in twin room with private facilities
Meals on tour 13 breakfasts (B), 12 lunches (L), 12 dinners (D)
Travel on tour by comfortable transport with air-conditioning
English speaking guide on tour
Transfers between overseas airports, hotels and cruise ship
All local and airport taxes
Not included in the price Tipping is at your own discretion - as a guide we recommend £3 per person per day.

Holiday Itinerary

DAY 1: Depart UK.

DAY 2: Arrive Beijing.
On arrival in Beijing you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to begin exploring this vibrant city, glorified by 13th century Mongol leader Kublai Khan as the capital of his empire. (D)

DAY 3: Beijing (included sightseeing) - Shanghai.
Get ready to experience some of the world's most awe-inspiring sights. Our included city sightseeing tour will begin with a visit to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. In the afternoon we take a flight to Shanghai, for a stay of two nights. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Shanghai. Included sightseeing.
Once known as the 'Paris of the Orient', pre-revolution Shanghai was a rich and decadent metropolis and remains one of China's most sophisticated cities. Your included sightseeing tour features visits to The Bund (Shanghai's famous riverside boulevard), Nanjing Road, Yu Yuan Garden and the Jade Buddha Temple. In the evening enjoy an included acrobatic show. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Shanghai - Wuhan.
After a morning visit to Shanghai Museum you'll take an afternoon flight to Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, for one night. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Wuhan - Yichang - Yangtze River.
We start the day with a visit to the Wuhan Provincial Museum. Afterwards travel to Yichang, where you'll board your cruise boat, the President No.4, for your exciting four-night cruise on the mighty Yangtze River. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Yangtze River.
Your cruise boat passes through Xiling Gorge (known for its deep valley and serene beauty) and the Three Gorges Dam Five Stage Ship Lock. You will visit the Three Gorges Dam Project, one of the most incredible engineering projects ever undertaken. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Yangtze River.
Enjoy a shore excursion to the Lesser Three Gorges (or Shennong Stream). Afterwards you will sail through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Yangtze River.
Today you will visit Shibaozhai, an ancient pagoda (or the Fengdu Ghost City), known as the shining pearl on the Yangtze. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Yangtze River - Chongqing (included sightseeing) - Xian.
Disembark your cruise boat at Chongqing, situated at the junction of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers for a short city tour including the city zoo and the old town area, before your flight to Xian for a two night stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Xian. Included Terracotta Warriors.
Today sees one of the real highlights of your trip as we visit the first emperor's funeral vault to see the amazing Terracotta Warriors. Nothing will prepare you for this awe-inspiring spectacle: 8,000 life-sized model warriors, chariots and horses. You will also see Xian's old city walls. In the evening, enjoy the Tang Dynasty show, which includes dinner at the Tang Palace Theatre & Restaurant. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Xian (included sightseeing) - Beijing.
The day begins with an included sightseeing excursion to the Wild Goose Pagoda, after which you fly back to Beijing where you'll stay for three nights. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Beijing.
Today we visit the Summer Palace, a park of lakeside pagodas and the site of the marble boat made for Empress Dowager Ci Xi. Then on to the Temple of Heaven, an excellent example of 15th century Chinese architecture. (B, L)

DAY 14: Beijing. Included Great Wall of China.
Our included excursion takes you to the amazing Great Wall of China: approximately 4,000 miles long and at least 2,600 years old! You'll also visit the Ming Tombs, where 13 emperors are buried. The famous Peking Duck will be served for your evening meal. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Beijing - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

Check prices and availability for this holiday

Accommodation on Tour

Beijing: Xiyuan (4*); Shanghai: Best Western New Century (4*); Wuhan: Holiday Inn Riverside (4*); Xian: New World Hotel (4*).
Note: Tour hotels will be as specified or alternatives of a similar standard.

Visa Requirements

A visa is required for entry into China. This must be obtained prior to departure.

  • President No. 4 DiamondDiamondDiamondDiamond

    President No. 4, also known as the 'Yangtze', boasts fully-equipped modern facilities with comfortable surroundings from which to view life on the river. The Chinese officers and crew add to the authentic Yangtze experience providing a warm and friendly service.

    Public Rooms & Facilities
    The ship has a restaurant; ballroom; bars, inner and outer viewing areas; barbers and beauty salon; foot massage room; laundry service; shopping centre; sun bar on the top deck.
    Dining
    Your cruise is on a full board basis. During the cruise, evening meals will be traditional Chinese cuisine made and arranged by a high class chef. Breakfast and lunch features a Chinese and Western style buffet.
    Cabins
    All twin bedded cabins are outside facing with large windows and views over the river. Each cabin has air-conditioning, private facilities and satellite television. Your holiday price includes a standard cabin with window.
    Options
    Single Cabin; upgrade to a cabin with balcony on the Bridge or Recreation Decks.

    Note: Please note sailing times and itineraries are subject to change. Whilst the order of the itinerary is subject to change the content will not be sacrificed in any way. Occasionally it may be necessary to use alternative cruise ships of the same standard and with similar facilities.

Holiday Extensions

  • China & The Yangtze River + Hohhot - 3 Extra nights from £320

    Why not extend your tour to China with a visit to mysterious Mongolia, home of the legendary Genghis Khan? You'll stay for two nights in a 4 star hotel in Hohhot and one night in a Mongolian yurt for that 'real' grassland experience. Built with modern materials directly on the grasslands, the yurt comprises of basic accommodation including twin beds and private facilities.

  • China & The Yangtze River + Hong Kong - 4 Extra nights from £220

    Experience the teeming streets of the Central District, Causeway Bay or Kowloon's 'Golden Mile'. Just an hour from the city's vibrant atmosphere are the paddy fields and mountain ranges providing a further dimension to this unique holiday destination.
    You can extend your tour with a 4 night stay in Hong Kong returning to the UK via Beijing. Your choice of hotels in Hong Kong are the Eaton or the Metropark Kowloon.

Accommodation on Extensions

China & The Yangtze River + Hohhot - 3 Extra nights from £320

China & The Yangtze River + Hong Kong - 4 Extra nights from £220

  • Metropark Hotel Kowloon DiamondDiamondDiamond

    The Metropark Hotel Kowloon is situated within the heart of the Kowloon district and provides easy access to Hong Kong's major shopping areas, yet is set back from the bustle of the city, making it a peaceful haven of comfort in the heart of Hong Kong.

    Location: The Metropark is situated in the bustling area of Mongkok with numerous shopping arcades, and entertainment places just round the corner.
    Facilities: Swimming pool; poolside bar; fitness centre; restaurants and bars; satellite TV; minibar in bedrooms.
    Price includes: Room with private facilities; individually-controlled air-conditioning; TV with in-house movie system; radio channels; tea/coffee maker and refrigerator.
    Options: Breakfast; single room.
    Official category: 3 star.

  • Eaton DiamondDiamondDiamondDiamond

    The Eaton Hotel is a quality, affordable hotel catering for both business and leisure travellers visiting Hong Kong.

    Location: The Eaton Hotel is located on Nathan Road, in the heart of Kowloon's shopping and entertainment district and within close proximity of local transportation.
    Facilities: Swimming pool; restaurants; bars; gymnasium; internet access; laundry facilities; lounge; cocktail bar.
    Price includes: Room with private facilities; air-conditioning; cable/satellite TV; hairdryer; fridge; coffee maker.
    Options: Breakfast; single room.
    Official category: 4 star.