Imperial China & Yangtze River Cruise

Depart London.

Day 2

After a transfer to our hotel in the centre of Beijing, a welcome briefing
will be held in the evening, to give us an opportunity to meet our leader and
the rest of our group. During dinner we will have the chance to try some
authentic Chinese cuisine, which is quite different to the British take on
Chinese food! During most meals a variety of dishes will be served for the
group to share (frequently utilising the ingenious 'Lazy Susan' rotating
table-piece) and our leader will help us select dishes depending on the
groups' tastes.

*Dong Fang Hotel or similar*

Day 3

The sightseeing in Beijing today will include the Forbidden City with its
innumerable courtyards and temples as well as Tiananmen square, the largest
square in the world and able to hold over a million people. We will take a
walking tour of the cities hutongs (narrow alleys) to see what is left of old
Beijing and its traditions. This afternoon is free to explore.

*Dong Fang Hotel or similar*

Day 4

We leave the capital and head into the countryside to the Great Wall, an
approx 2 hour journey to the north of the city. We go to one of the
best-preserved parts of the Great Wall at Mutianyu which is an impressive
sight, snaking across mountains and valleys into the distance. This section
of the Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital
and the imperial tombs. The wall here is up to 8.5 metres high and 5 metres
wide, and has 22 watchtowers on its 2,250-metre-long stretch. We will spend a
few hours exploring the wall - please note that there are some steep steps to
navigate and clients who suffer from vertigo may find it difficult, (there is
an optional cable car). Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant on the way
back to Beijing; we should expect some traditional northern Chinese cuisine
involving vegetables (aubergine, lotus roots, mushrooms etc.), tofu, chicken
and pork - and much more! 

There is the option of seeing an acrobatic or Kung Fu show or a trip to the
opera this evening in Beijing.

*Dong Fang Hotel or similar*

Day 5

This morning we visit the Temple of Heaven followed by the Summer Palace
where you can witness first hand how vast the exclusive playground of China's
emperors and their concubines once was.

In the evening we board an overnight train (approx. 12 hours) to the ancient
city of Xi'an. It is recommended to purchase food before the train as there
is a limited selection on board. The train itself is of a good standard,
although please note that facilities such as washrooms and toilets are shared
with other passengers and the cleanliness can never be guaranteed. Sleepers
are four berth (bunks) and bedding is provided.

*Overnight train*

Day 6

Xi'an is one of China's former capitals and one of the few cities in China to
have retained its city walls, probably because they are so massive that no
revolutionary was willing to tackle the huge task of removing them. Today,
after an opportunity to try some local Chinese breakfast, we will embark on a
walking tour, passing the Bell and Drum Plaza to the Muslim quarter, where we
visit the Great Mosque. The Muslim quarter is a fascinating place to visit,
especially in the evening when it comes alive with bustling bazaars and food
stalls. This afternoon is free; it is possible to appreciate the sheer scale
of the city walls; you can hire bikes and cycle along them.

*Skytel Hotel / Bell Tower Hotel Xi'an, or similar *

Day 7

Today we visit the famous Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin. Originally four
armies were planned, at each point of the compass, life-size and lifelike.
Three have been found and it is assumed the Emperor's successors decided
enough was enough before the fourth was begun. The first pit excavated had an
estimated 6,000 figures in its one army. The third pit has been opened to the
public, which contains the 'command post' for the entire operation. This is
one of China's great tourist attractions, and some people may find the sheer
numbers of visitors rather overpowering. After our visit we will take our
lunch at a local farmer's restaurant nearby with the opportunity to taste
some fresh seasonal produce, home-made noodles and bread. 

The evening is free for further exploration in Xi'an. Perhaps your leader
will take you to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Square to witness a water and
light show (free of charge).

*Skytel Hotel / Bell Tower Hotel Xi'an, or similar *

Day 8

We transfer to the train station and catch a morning bullet train (duration
approx. 4 hrs 15 mins) to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, arriving
around lunch time / early afternoon. This area is recognised throughout
China as being 'the spicy province', and it certainly lives up to its name!
Major flavour combinations include garlic, star anise, chili peppers, and the
ever-present Sichuanese peppercorn (hua jiao) which is used in many recipes.
In the afternoon, your leader will take you on a walking tour (using public
buses) through the lively parks and city centre square where you will get a
taste of local life. Don't miss the options to join the locals in the
atmospheric outdoor tea houses for a cuppa.

*Garden City Hotel or similar*

Day 9

Today, we will visit one of the iconic UNESCO sites near Chengdu - the Leshan
Giant Buddha. About 2-3 hours drive from Chengdu, this 71m tall Buddha carved
out of the cliff face of the mountain is the biggest sitting Buddha in the
world and took almost 100 years of hard work to finish about 1300 years ago.
You will have 2 options of visiting the Buddha, either by boat on the river
or by walking around it in the mountain. Be prepared for the crowds and long
queues who come to worship this Giant Buddha if you walk. Your group leader
can advise you on the best way to visit depending on the season. We return to
Chengdu in the late afternoon.
In the evening there is the opportunity to taste some of the legendary
Sichuanese cuisine in the form of a Chengdu hotpot dinner. The typical
flavours of this iconic dish are created with Sichuan pepper (hua jiao) and
involve a certain amount of interaction as the food is cooked in a large hot
pot by the diners themselves! For those not a fan of spice there are options
to omit the peppers from the hot broth in which the food items are cooked.
*Garden City Hotel or similar*

Day 10

With an early start today we will visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research
Base. Hopefully these intriguing and rare animals will be feeding, as this is
when they're most active; otherwise, we will have the opportunity to watch
the Pandas indulge in their most common form of entertainment, sleeping!

We then travel by train to Chongqing City (approx 3 hours), the embarkation
point for our Yangtze River Cruise (after a 30-minute transfer to the dock).
On arrival, we will board our 4-star cruise boat and settle into our cabins.
We will stay in air-conditioned twin-berth cabins with en suite bathrooms.

*Cruise boat (4-star international rating/ 5-star local rating)*

Day 11-12

These two days are spent cruising on one of the world's great rivers as we
head downstream through stunning scenery of towering cliffs and gorges. En
route we pass many towns and villages that have sprung up along the banks of
the river that supplies the lifeblood to the heart of China. To try to limit
the impact of flooding, the Chinese government has undertaken a huge
construction project with a massive dam being built. This has flooded the
famous Three Gorges of Qutang, Wu and Xiling. A journey amidst these natural
wonders is a must-see for any visitor to China. The nights are spent on the
boat and there is time for shore excursions on the way as the boat docks at
some of smaller towns and villages, and the lesser gorges by smaller boats,
depending upon water levels.

The day-to-day schedule for the cruise and timings can change due to adverse
weather conditions, river conditions and permission of navigation
authorities. The details of onboard and shore activities will be explained in
the briefing and the river guide will be able to give you more information
after boarding. The cruise will cover what is commonly considered as the
essence of the Three Gorges, but some parts of the gorge will be passed
through the night. If water levels are ok we will cruise through a series of
locks through the dam itself, but this can not be guaranteed as it depends on
the weather and river traffic. 

*Cruise boat (4-star international rating/ 5-star local rating)*

Day 13

We complete our cruise this morning and disembark and will take a look at the
dam and learn about the massive engineering project that took place. We then
drive to Yichang where we catch the afternoon train to Liuzhou (approx. 16
hours).

*Overnight Train*

Day 14

We arrive in Liuzhou early this morning (4:30/5:00am) and then transfer by
road for 3.5 hours through the stunning towering limestone scenery to
Yangshuo. The surrounding region is famous for the steep-sided karst
mountains that pierce the otherwise flat landscape of paddy fields; a view
of a rural landscape that has changed little in centuries. Despite its small
size, Yangshuo has quite a good tourist infrastructure due to its large
transient population of backpackers and domestic tourists. In the afternoon
we have a cookery class, led by a local host, to discover how to make some
of China's most iconic dishes, before enjoying our home-made culinary
creations for lunch.

*New West Street Hotel or similar*

Day 15

This morning gives us the opportunity to appreciate the spectacular landscape
on two wheels; as we take a bike and ride towards Moon Hill, one of the most
famous in the area. The biking is at a leisurely pace, and there are plenty
of stops to hydrate and appreciate the glorious scenery! Lunch is spent with
a local family, giving us the opportunity to sample some new dishes and
create friendships over food. Expect delicious dishes such as clay-pot taro,
stir-fried chicken and veggies, and traditional fried eggs. Please note that
for anyone unable to or not wanting to cycle, your leader can arrange a taxi
or minivan to take you on a scenic drive through the countryside to meet the
group at the lunch stop (at your own expense). The afternoon is free to
relax or enjoy one of the many optional activities Yangshuo has to offer.

*New West Street Hotel or similar*

Day 16

Today is free to relax and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and iconic scenery
around Yangshuo. There are many optional activities available; cruise on the
Li River, visit the Black Buddha caves or enjoy a Chinese massage or a kung
fu class, or watch the Liu Sanjie Show: an outdoor performance set on a
natural stage formed by the Li River and 12 peaks. Even if you choose just to
relax this is an ideal place, you can take a stroll around the market and
examine the local produce or enjoy one of the cafes and watch the world go
by.

*New West Street Hotel or similar*

Day 17

In the morning we transfer to the airport at Guilin to fly to Shanghai; a
city with a real international feel to it which will seem a world away from
the countryside you have come from. In the evening we take a walking tour of
the famous Bund area, to see the iconic buildings along the riverside lit up
in all their glory. There will be the opportunity to visit the Jin Mao Tower
(optional), which is the 18th tallest building in the world and boasts a
spectacular view of Shanghai from the observation deck.

*Greenland Jiulong Hotel or similar*

Day 18

An early start (around 7am) to avoid the crowds at the ancient water town of
Xitang; famous for its cobbled streets and bridges arching over the many
canals. There are several well-preserved buildings from the Ming (1368-1644)
and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties, and the town is a delightful place to explore
on foot. We will take lunch here before the journey back to Shanghai (around
2 hours) where the evening will be free.

*Greenland Jiulong Hotel or similar*

Day 19

With a population of around twelve million, Shanghai is yours to explore
today. This morning we enjoy a visit to firstly the Shanghai museum, followed
by the Yu Yuan garden; the rest of the day is free to explore. Though it no
longer warrants the title 'Paris of the East', many of the vestiges of its
colonial past are still apparent. It is worth strolling along Nanjing Road
(Shanghai's 'Oxford Street') or visiting the Shanghai tower, (currently, the
tallest building in China and second tallest in the world, standing at 632m
high) or Shanghai's smaller television tower to see some of the city's
stunning architecture.

Optional activities this evening include the Shanghai Acrobatic show, which
comes highly recommended!

*Greenland Jiulong Hotel *

Day 20

For those on the group flight to London the flight is in the morning, with a
same day arrival into London in the evening.
**