Discover Magnificent China
BEIJING - XIAN - CHENGDU - JIUZHAIGOU - CHONGQING - DAZU - LUXURY 6 NIGHT YANGSTE CRUISE TO SHANGHAI - SUZHOU
Optional extension to Guilin, and Yangshuo
25 Days/22 nights accommodated
16 nights 4 star hotels, 6 nights 5 star luxury cruise ship
ESCORTED GROUP DEPARTURE (escorted from Auckland)
(Tour guaranteed for minimum of 2 - Minimum 10 passengers required for escort)
Depart Auckland October 10, 2012
Special price ..2 per room $8,950... Single $10,860
Return from Shanghai
22 days.. Arrive 31 October 2 per room $7,980
Day 1.Wednesday. AUCKLAND DEPART
Depart Auckland late evening aboard Air New Zealand flight non stop to Beijing.
Day 2. Thursday. ARRIVE BEIJING
Arrive Beijing mid morning. You will be met on arrival by your local guide and transfer to our Hotel within walking distance of Tian an Men Square.A short orientation tour of the city will be provided en route to our hotel including some of the Olympic venues (exterior view) and Tian an Men Square. No visit to Beijing is complete without seeing the Birds Nest, Water Cube and other Olympic venues. The rest of the day is free to relax. Accommodation at Novotel Peace Hotel or similar.
Day 3. Friday. BEIJING (BLD)
Explore Tian an Men Square, the Summer Palace and visit the amazing Imperial Palace (Forbidden City).
Day 3. Friday BEIJING (BLD)
Drive to Mutianyu and take the cable car to one of the least crowded sections of the Great Wall then on through beautiful countryside to the Ming Tombs to walk the sacred way of the animals and visit one of the tombs. Also today visit a Cloisonne factory with demonstrations of this ancient art form - and the opportunity to buy! This evening enjoy a Peking Duck dinner
Day 5. Sunday. BEIJING (BLD
Free morning and late afternoon explore the ancient Hutong residential area and visit the Drum and Bell Towers.
Day 6. Monday. BEIJING - XIAN. (BLD)
Transfer to the airport and fly to ancient Xian, first capital of all China. This afternoon visit Famen Temple and Maoling Museum. Accommodation at Aurum International Hotel or similar.
Day 7. Tuesday. XIAN. (BLD)
A highlight day visiting the Terracotta Warriors, and Ban Po Neolithic Village, Bell Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Grand Mosque, and city wall This evening enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show and dinner.
Day 8. Wednesday. XIAN - CHENGDU. (BLD)
Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. You will be met by your local guide and tour the city including the provincial museum and bazaar. Special Sichuan style dinner this evening. Accommodation at Minshan Hotel or similar.
Day 9. Thursday. CHENGDU - JIUZHAIGOU. (BLD)
Transfer to the airport and fly to the beautiful mountain area of Jiuzhaigou and transfer to the New Jiuzhaigou hotel or similar.
Day 10. Friday. JIUZHAIGOU (BLD).
Full day enjoying the mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and forests in one of the most beautiful parts of China. Also see, and maybe visit, one of the Tibetan Villages in the area.
Day 11. Saturday. JIUZHAIGOU - CHONGQING. (BLD).
Visit the Huanglong Nature Reserve this morning and this afternoon fly to Chongqing. Transfer to the Best Western Hotel or similar.
Day 12. Sunday. CHONGQING - Dazu excursion (BLD).
We explore the old city of Chongqing and drive to Dazu to explore this amazing Buddhist World Heritage site with its massive carvings. Return to Chongqing
Day 13. Monday. CHONGQING. DEPART (BLD)
Transfer to the pier to join our 5 star Victoria Cruise ship, Victora Sophia, sailing at 10am. Enjoy the river life cruising downstream with a shore excursion at Fengdu late afternoon. All cabins have private balconies.
Day 14. Tuesday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Enjoy an excursion by small boat up the Daning river to see the small gorges this morning and this afternoon cruise through the three big gorges. This evening pass through the Three Gorges Dam shiplock system.
Day 15. Wednesday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Morning excursion by bus to the Three Gorges Dam information centre and reboard your ship to continue our cruise downstream.
Day 16. Thursday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Arrive Wuhan at noon for an excursion ashore to the Hubei provincial museum
Day 17. Friday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Arrive Guichi for a full day excursion by coach to beautiful Mt Huangshan.
Day 18. Saturday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Arrive Nanjing 8am with a half day city tour provided including Dr Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum, Qing Dynasty style Bazaar, and Confucian temple. Free time to explore at your leisure. Depart at 9pm.
Day 19. Sunday. END CRUISE - SHANGHAI. (BLD)
Arrival in Shanghai is scheduled for 8am. Visit the Bund and Nanjing Road, Yu Gardens, Jade Buddha Temple, and the colonial area. Accommodation at Shanghai Mansions Hotel. Enjoy a special Shanghai dim sum dinner before the included world famous acrobatic show.
Day 20. Monday. SHANGHAI - Suzhou excursion (BLD)
Enjoy a full day excursion to Suzhou, city of silk, gardens, and canals. Visit the Master of Nets Garden, Garden of the Humble Administrator, a silk spinning factory, and take a short cruise on the canals before returning to Shanghai.
Day 21. Tuesday. SHANGHAI DEPART (B)
Transfer to the airport this morning to rejoin Air New Zealand for your non stop flight to Auckland.
Day 22. Wednesday. ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Arrive Auckland early this morning.
Two per room.......$7,980
Single room .......$9,790
Tour cost includes:
Economy class air fares from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, all transfers and comprehensive sightseeing with English speaking guide including admissions where necessary, 14 nights 4 star hotels, 6 nights Victoria Cruises luxury cruise ship, usually Victoria Sophia. Most meals as indicated by each day, Visa fee, airport taxes and tips in China.
ADD GUILIN AND YANGSHUO
Day 21. Tuesday. SHANGHAI - GUILIN. (BLD).
Free time to explore at your leisure before flying south to beautiful Guilin. Transfer to the Park Hotel or similar.
Day 22. Wednesday. GUILIN - YANGSHUO. (BLD)
Cruise down the beautiful li River among the amazing karst limestone formations and see the Cormorant Fishermen. Arrive in Yangshuo and explore the markets and paddy fields among the amazing karst mountains. Accommodation at the Guifu hoel or similar. Enjoy a fabulous show this evening.
Day 23. Thursday. YANGSHUO - GUILIN. (BLD)
Drive back to Guilin and visit the Reed Flute cave and an art gallery. This evening visit the night market if you wish.
Day 24. Friday. GUILIN DEPART. (B)
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Day 25. Saturday. AUCKLAND ARRIVE.
Arrive Auckland.
Full tour cost per person - 25 days
2 per room $8,950.....Single room $10,860