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China & Yangtze River
15 DAYS FROM £1736
The whole tour was well organised and we saw all the places we wanted to see. We also had a bonus visit in Xian when our flight was delayed of seeing the Han Yangling tombs - this was amazing as this tomb is still being excavated and it is not yet on the tourist list of places to go.
The option of going to Hong Kong was beneficial as China was so busy that we needed some time to relax.
The accommodation was a good standard and the customer service exceptional.
The service to obtain visas from CIBT was seamless and the visa staff were knowledgeable and the service was quick. I was able to check the status of the visas via the web with our passports and visas being returned within 1 week.
I look forward to booking another holiday with Archers Direct sometime in the future.
All arrangements for travel, accommodation and excursions were ideal, we never thought we would ever see places in China, in the flesh, as one might say reading about such places was as much as we thought possible.
We have many happy memories of this trip and with the Olympics just being completed, the flowers and buntings were certainly a sight to see. Our dear friend, Mrs V. Colwill, who joined us on this holiday, was full of praise for all the arrangements and expresses her thanks too.
A few years ago we had the opportunity of travelling with you to New England in the Fall, which again was a superb trip, so we shall have no hesitation in booking a future holiday with your holiday.
Carry on the excellent work.
We have been fortunate enough to have travelled on your China and Yangtze River trip, which was a truly unforgettable tour. Everything was really well organised and we were particularly impressed by the luxury of the hotels, the quality of the food and the experiences of all the different cultures plus the breathtaking trip on the Yangtze River, which we will never forget. The Captain and crew mixed really well and everyone on the trip also got on well.
So, this year we are off on your treasures of Northern India trip which, having had such wonderful quality and well organised tours before we are really looking forward to
So a big "thank you" for all our holidays so far enjoyed and please keep up your good work!
The reps were excellent and taught us a considerable amount about Chinese culture and history.
My memory of this holiday and the co-operation of all Archer's staff will stay with me forever. Congratulations on an excellent trip.
An extraordinary experience with outstanding highlights across a vast country.
We really enjoyed the holiday and felt that with almost everything included, it was incredibly good value for money. Thank you all concerned, we will definitely be looking to Archers again for next year's trip.
In terms of the itinerary highlights were the new at the Han Dynasty tombs in Xian, the Terracotta Warriors, the trip up Shenang Stream and the Great Wall. I guess the timings we enjoyed less were the Peking Opera and maybe we would have preferred more time walking on the wall rather than the Ming Tombs - but this probably would not have suited the rest of our more elderly party. We found it quite a hectic schedule but thought that was needed to fit in the wealth of China's attractions. We were pleased Alan was able to change the schedule at times to meet the group's wishes - for example, the trip to the imitation market.
Altogether we would not hesitate to recommend this tour and the service offered by Archers. It also seems amazingly good value.
Within fifteen days we were exposed to an ancient culture and all it had to offer, history so different from ours it could have been hard to comprehend had it not been for the excellence of the tour manager and the local guides whose knowledge and fluency in our language made it easy for us to fully appreciate and value our differences, each enriching the other.
The internal flights were superb and the management of our luggage was excellent. The included shows have to be experienced and the food was excitingly interesting. Visits to the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors were overwhelming, however, for me the cruise on the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges Dam was the high spot, for when the area is flooded the world will never be the same again. Incidentally, they are one year ahead on this enormous project; do we have more to learn from them?
Our hotel accommodation was as good as any we have stayed in and compare favourably with those in the USA, which are renowned for their standards. The silk, jade and pearl factory/outlets are a must to visit and of course buy from ridiculously low prices. The traffic conditions in Beijing are inexplicable but a memorable experience, as are the squat type toilets. The gardens, pandas, temples, tombs, pagodas but especially the people are what will draw us back to China.
My husband and I have travelled widely, however, this was our first holiday with Archers but will not be the last, and the departure from our local airport was a definite advantage and a pleasant start to our holiday.
Well Archers, I can only thank you for creating this opportunity for us to explore a new country and hope to travel with you again in the not too distant future.
My friends Mr Irestone and my husband and I went on your China & Yangtze River tour in March. I would like to say what wonderful value for our money. Our guide Michael was very good and so helpful.
Again thank you for a most memorable and wonderful holiday and good luck on your future tours.
Passing through the Three Gorges Dam (was incredible and very relaxing) the visits to the various sites offered in the Brochure were amazing and the size of the Cities full of Neon Lights and with connecting motorways with lots of busy traffic and high rise buildings where ever you looked gave us a different impression of what we originally thought China would be like. Everywhere we went we found the people to be very friendly and wanting to speak and try out their English.
The tour guide and local guides were very informative and knowledgeable, Beijing was very crowded and busy although Xian was exceptional with vast open spaces and very tidy and clean, and to see the pandas was a delight. The food at the hotels and at all the chosen restaurants was of a very high standard. The Terracotta Warriors, the Hero Walk on the Great Wall and Yangtze were the Highlights of our tour although we enjoyed visiting the Summer Palace, Various Temples and Tiananmen Square.
We arrived back home with an entirely different view and hope to go back again in the future, we recommend China is now the place of the future for tourism so don't hesitate like I did. Go now and enjoy a different country with a different culture. You will not be disappointed.
We were met in Beijing Airport by Lily who was our guide throughout the tour. Lily was very efficient and cared for everyone in an unobtrusive manner, which made the holiday so perfect. The itinerary was packed but arranged so that we did not become exhausted. We soon became familiar with the others in the group as we shared the experiences. My friend, Doreen and myself came in for a lot of teasing from the younger members of the party and one of them took a photograph of us posing near the "other old relics" (enclosed).
The first hotel we stayed in was a very imposing building with a beautiful ornamental fountain in front of it. The bedrooms were spacious and the public rooms elegant and vast. We expected less in subsequent hotels but were pleasantly surprised to find they were of the same high standard. Doreen was concerned about the food as she does not enjoy highly seasoned dishes but her fears were groundless and there was plenty of choice at every meal. We were provided with a buffet breakfast with every imaginable type of food including fresh fruit and at the other meals an assortment of dishes was served so she never went hungry. We were also surprised to find shops selling our favourite ice cream in most of the places we visited.
The cruise on the Yangtze River and visit to the Three Gorges Dam was worth the long haul flight in its own right and our Dam Guide had a wicked sense of humour. The other excursions to the Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City, the climb up the Wall of China and the visit to the zoo at Chongquing were an added bonus. We also saw the China Opera, an acrobatic show and visited some unforgettable Bonsai gardens as well as seeing the seething cities.
Our overall impression of China was one of beauty, harmony and peace and we were made welcome wherever we went by local people anxious to befriend us. It would be very difficult to pick out a particular highlight. Thank you Archers Direct for making these fascinating places accessible to us. Hats off to Archers Direct for this tour and cruise.
The entire organisation of the tour was excellent throughout. The tour guide in China was a pleasure to be with (Mr Allen Chen) and he made sure that our holiday ran smoothly and was enjoyable the whole of the fourteen days. Our hotels were excellent, as was the Yangtze River Cruise on the "President 4 Boat".
This is the first time that I have travelled with Archer's Direct and if these standards are maintained then I am sure it will not be the last! It was good value for money. My thanks to the team who work to make this a successful holiday.
We were so well taken care of by our tour guide, Allen Chen. He was everything a tour guide should be. The whole holiday ran so smoothly that we were able to relax and enjoy every day without having to worry about anything.
When we arrived at Heathrow we found that one of our suitcases was still at Beijing airport. That could have dampened our experience of Archers, but the suitcase was delivered to our door within 48 hours and we were kept informed by Air China, of its whereabouts throughout that time.
We would have no hesitation in recommending this holiday to our friends.
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 facilties
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 two night stay. (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.
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View Holiday Photos
View Deck PlansPresident No. 4
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 Deck.
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 anyway. Occasionally it may be necessary to use alternative cruise ships of the same standard and with similar facilities.
Holiday Extensions
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View Holiday PhotosChina & The Yangtze River + Hohhot - 3 Extra nights from £366
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.
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View Holiday PhotosChina & The Yangtze River + Hong Kong - 4 Extra nights from £160
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 £366
China & The Yangtze River + Hong Kong - 4 Extra nights from £160
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View Holiday PhotosMetropark Hotel Kowloon
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. -
View Holiday PhotosEaton
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.
View My Holiday Photos
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NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All
prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement,
Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable)
Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme. |
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