The Very Best of China Holiday 2012

China Escorted Tour -21 Days

Enjoy a luxury holiday to China with a 21-day escorted tour, taking in the highlights of this fascinating country. Visit the major cities of Shanghai and Beijing, plus take a 3 night stopover on the vibrant island of Hong Kong. Fascinating cultural experiences, charming wildlife, architectural delights, a cruise down the Yangtze River and some of the world’s most incredible man-made creations are all part of this tour. Our new itinerary for 2011/12 includes Chengdu and new centrally located hotels, including Raffles Beijing and the new President Prime cruise on the Yangtze.

Holiday Highlights
   -City sightseeing tours include Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.
   -See the famous and spectacular Shanghai acrobats show.
   -The impressive Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s most impressive archaeological finds.
   -Experience a special welcoming ceremony on Xian’s ancient city wall.
   -Try delicious regional Chinese food at the enthralling Tang Dynasty dinner, music and dance show.
   -Visit the panda breeding and research centre in Chengdu to see these endangered animals up close and the admirable conservation work done here.
   -3-night cruise on the Yangtze River on the new
   -5-star MV President Prime cruise, taking in the Three Gorges and an excursion up the tributary of Shennon Stream.
   -Full day tour of the impressive Great Wall of China at the spectacular Mutianyu section.
   -Cruise the Li River to Yangshou past beautiful limestone scenery.
   -Excellent centrally located hotels including
   -Raffles Beijing close to the Forbidden City.

Tour itinerary

Day 1 Departure from London Heathrow
Join your Tour Manager and fellow travel companions in the executive lounge at London Heathrow ready to board your Virgin Atlantic flight to Shanghai.
Meals: In-flight

Day 2 Arrive in Shanghai
On arrival in Shanghai we transfer to the Radisson Plaza Xing Guo for a 3 night stay. Settle in and relax, or take the stroll to the pedestrianised Nanjing Road which leads down to the Bund, Shanghai’s spectacular riverfront. Or why not visit People’s Square, an interesting place to explore and ‘people watch’. This evening we meet for welcome drinks. This is a perfect opportunity to get to know your Tour Manager and fellow travellers as we toast the start of a wonderful holiday.
Meals: In-flight
Hotel: Radisson Plaza Xing Guo

Day 3 Shanghai
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Shanghai where we will visit the Yu Yuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple and the famous riverside setting of the Bund with dozens of historic buildings. As we make our way through this dynamic, global city you will see how the historic landmarks of the Bund contrast with the 21st century skyscrapers. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure before we meet up in the evening to experience the famous, and heart stopping, Shanghai Acrobatics Show – this troupe have thrilled audiences around the world.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Radisson Plaza Xing Guo

Day 4 Shanghai
Today is yours to do with as you please. Perhaps go shopping on the Nanjing Road which boasts many premier retailers as well as traditional, speciality shops. Or visit the French Concession area, with its renovated old mansions and cafés. You might want to head out of the city and visit the ancient town of Zhujiajiao, with its cobbled streets, canals and old arched bridges.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Radisson Plaza Xing Guo

Day 5 Shanghai to Xian
Today we board our flight westwards to Xian, the former capital and ancient Silk Road city; a thousand years ago it was one of the world’s great trading centres. Xian has been the seat of power for some of the most important dynasties in China and our welcome ceremony takes place at the North Gate of the imposing city walls. Then it’s off to your hotel for an evening of relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Shangri-la Golden Flower

Day 6 Xian
After breakfast we delve deep into the rich history of this fascinating city. The first stop on our tour is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in 707-709 in the Tang Dynasty, this was once one of the key centres for translating Buddhist texts. Next we visit one of China’s most famous sights, the Terracotta Warriors. These figures of warriors and horses were discovered by a local farmer in 1974 and date back to 210 BC. In the three pits there are estimated to be 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses – all individually crated and with individual features, with many more still to be excavated! In the evening sit back as we watch a Tang Dynasty traditional music and dance show whilst enjoying a dinner of local specialities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Shangri-la Golden Flower

Day 7 Xian to Chengdu
A leisurely breakfast is followed by a transfer to the airport to board our flight to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. On arrival we head over to your hotel. The rest of the day is free time. Chengdu has an attractive old town area, with small shops, restaurants and bars – it is a great place to explore in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Kempinski

Day 8 Chengdu to Chongqing
Today must be one of the highlights of your journey through China, as after breakfast we make our way to the Panda Breeding and Research Centre. The centre dedicates itself to the education, research and conservation of the giant panda, the symbolic bear of China. Experience the sheer joy and delight of seeing these rare animals up close and learning all about these beautiful creatures. After lunch we drive to the city of Chongqing on the Yangtze River, the boarding point our cruise. The new 5-star MV President Prime will be our cruising home for the next 3-days as we head downstream and explore the Yangtze River. Relax into your deluxe cabin with balcony and explore this impressive vessel before setting sail.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vessel: MV President Prime

Day 9 Yangtze
Enjoy breakfast and a full briefing before we disembark for an excursion to Fengdu, also know as Ghost City, this now deserted town was believed to be the Taoist gathering place of the spirits and small temples dot the hillside. Relax and admire the scenery of China’s most important river before the Captain’s Welcome Dinner, followed by an evening of entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vessel: MV President Prime

Day 10 Yangtze
Today we sail through the Three Gorges and enjoy the stunning scenery of Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Travel upstream at the Shennong Stream tributary in a small craft paddled by experienced rowers, to enjoy the quiet valley. This is an area rich in history, said to have been inhabited since at least the Han Dynasty and was the location of many battles. Back on board the President Prime, we sail through the massive Three Gorges Dam ship locks, passing the western side of the Xiling Gorge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vessel: MV President Prime

Day 11 Yichang to Beijing
After breakfast we have a fully guided tour of the impressive Three Gorges Dam, one of the world’s largest ever construction projects, before passing through the eastern part of the Xiling Gorge. Lunch is taken on board before we transfer to Yichang for a flight to Beijing. On arrival we transfer to the impressive Raffles Hotel, which has a perfect location close to Tiananmen Square and the pedestrianised Wanfujing Street.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Raffles Beijing Hotel

Day 12 Beijing
Many people recognise Beijing as being one of the world’s greatest cities and today after breakfast we will introduce you to this monumental city on a comprehensive tour. Beijing has for centuries been China’s greatest political, educational and cultural centre. During our tour we will visit Tiananmen Square at the centre of the city surrounded by the imposing seats of power; the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People and Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. We then enter the Forbidden City – the Chinese Imperial Palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. The palace was for centuries closed off from the outside world and a place of intrigue and mystery. Explore the inner courtyards and the Palace Museum with its collection of priceless artwork and artefacts. After lunch we continue out of the city centre to the sprawling Summer Palace, the former retreat of China’s Emperors and developed at great cost by the Empress Dowager. The palace is set on Kunming Lake and surrounded by landscaped Chinese gardens. Dinner this evening is at the historic Quanjude restaurant for a delicious Peking Roast Duck meal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Raffles Beijing Hotel

Day 13 Beijing
You’ve read about it and seen the pictures but nothing can prepare you for the real thing. After breakfast we head out to the Great Wall of China. The wall was originally built to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire and over the years several other walls were built so that it stretched from Shanhaiguan on the east coast to fringes of the Gobi Desert thousands of miles to the west. Today we visit the Mutianyu part of the wall, a relatively uncrowded section with spectacular views as the wall loops and climbs over the craggy peaks into the distance.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Raffles Beijing Hotel

Day 14 Beijing
Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Relax and make the most of your hotel facilities or your Tour Manager will be happy to recommend places to visit. Perhaps take a tour of the 2008 Olympic stadium, visit the Temple of Heaven or wander amongst the winding hutongs – you can even be chauffeur driven through this maze of narrow ancient streets on a rickshaw!
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Raffles Beijing Hotel

Day 15 Beijing to Guilin
This morning transfer to the airport for our flight southwards to Guilin. The afternoon and evening are yours to settle in at the riverside Sheraton Guilin and take a breather before the next part of this magnificent journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Sheraton Guilin

Day 16 Guilin
This morning we cruise down the Li River. The lush countryside and intense reflections on the water really are breathtaking to see and the scenery around Yangshou with the limestone karst peaks will have you reaching for your cameras, this is scenery straight from a classic oil painting. After time to explore the pleasant town of Yangshou, we return through the hills, stopping en route to see the views and for refreshments at a local teahouse. Tonight we enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Sheraton Guilin

Day 17 Guilin to Hong Kong
Indulge in a breakfast and morning at leisure. In the afternoon we visit the Reed Flute Caves, before transferring to the airport for our flight out to Hong Kong. Welcome to the Harbour Grand Hong Kong, your first class home for the next 3 nights.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Harbour Grand Hong Kong

Day 18 Hong Kong
After breakfast we enjoy a tour of Hong Kong Island, taking the Peak Tram for exceptional views over the skyscrapers and the bustling city towards the mountains beyond, and down to Aberdeen Harbour for a trip around the harbour on a traditional sampan. Then it’s out to Stanley on the quieter southern end of the island to explore the market and waterfront. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Harbour Grand Hong Kong

Day 19 Hong Kong
After breakfast explore Hong Kong at your own pace. Your Tour Manager will be happy to offer advice; one of our favourites is taking the Star Ferry over to Kowloon. This evening we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner as we share our favourite memories of the tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Harbour Grand Hong Kong

Day 20 Depart Hong Kong
Another full day in Hong Kong, and for convenience your room is yours until 6pm. Perhaps take in some last minute souvenir shopping in one of the glitzy malls or the colourful streetmarkets. Or maybe just relax and take in the full splendour of the harbour or stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for incredible harbour views. This evening we transfer to the airport for our flight home.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 21 Arrive London Heathrow
Welcome home today as we arrive back at Heathrow, bringing this wonderful tour to a close.
Meals: In-flight