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Captivating China
17 DAYS FROM £1735

This holiday has departures available between: 3rd Jul 2008 to 9th Apr 2009
Book British Airways by 31 May and SAVE £250 per couple - offer applies to departures 1 June - 31 October and is subject to availability

Visit China's most impressive and unique natural sights, whilst allowing the engineering feats of this ancient civilisation to leave you truly inspired.

Included highlights

Beijing Great Wall, Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Peking Duck dinner
Xian Terracotta Warriors, Tang Palace evening dinner show, Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall
Leshan Giant Buddha
Mount Emei Wannian Temple
Panda Base Research Centre
Yangtze River Cruise Ghost City of Fengdu, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Lesser Three Gorges (or Shennong Stream), Xiling Gorge, Three Gorges Dam
Shanghai Yu Yuan Garden, Jade Buddha
Suzhou Lingering Garden, canal cruise, Garden of the Master of Nets

Included in the Price

Flights: UK - Beijing - Xian; Yichang - Shanghai; Beijing - UK
Accommodation on tour in twin room with private facilities
Meals 15 breakfasts (B), 14 lunches (L), 14 dinners (D)
Travel on tour by comfortable air-conditioned transport
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.
Overnight flight to Beijing.

DAY 2: 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.
An included full day tour of the legendary Great Wall of China at Juyunguan Pass. Stretching 6,000 kilometres and dating back to the Ming period, this startling edifice will stay etched in your memory forever. Other highlights include the Summer Palace with its ornate pavilions. In the evening, enjoy a Peking Duck dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Beijing - Xian.
This morning you will fly to Xian. Upon arrival visit the ancient city wall, built in 1378 and surrounding the old city, before transferring to your hotel for a two night stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: 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 incredible display of 8,000 life-sized model warriors, chariots and horses. In the evening, enjoy the Tang Dynasty show, which includes dinner at the Tang Palace Theatre & Restaurant. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Xian - Chengdu.
The day begins with an included sightseeing excursion to the Wild Goose Pagoda, after which you will fly to Chengdu for an overnight stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Chengdu - Mount Emei.
Today you will journey through the beautiful scenery to Leshan, where you will see the largest stone Buddha in the world. Carved into a mountain it is said to date to the Tang Emperor, Tang Xuanzong (713 AD). Continue to the foot of Mount Emei, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will spend the night in your hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: Mount Emei - Chengdu.
Today you will explore the impressive Mount Emei.
Travelling to and from Wannian by cable car, you will visit Wannian Temple. In the afternoon return to Chengdu for an overnight stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Panda Base Research Centre. Chengdu - Chongqing. Yangtze River.
This morning will surely be one of the highlights of your tour, a visit to the Panda Base Research Centre. You will be given the chance to learn about these wonderful animals, as well as view them up close. This afternoon you will take a train to Chongqing where you will transfer to the Yangtze River, for your three night cruise on board the MV President No 6. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Yangtze River.
Today we visit the Ghost City of Fengdu. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Yangtze River.
Another unforgettable day, with a shore visit to the Lesser Three Gorges (or Shennong Stream). You will also pass through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and the west section of Xiling Gorge. Your cruise boat will then glide through the dramatic Three Gorges Dam Five Stage Ship Lock. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Yangtze River - Shanghai.
Today visit the Three Gorges Dam project, before sailing through the east section of Xiling Gorge. After lunch you will disembark your cruise at Yichang and transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight to Shanghai, where you will spend the next two nights.
Note: If there is no direct flight from Yichang to Shanghai, disembark in the morning to visit the dam site before driving to Wuhan (approx. five hours), where you will board an alternative flight. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Shanghai.
Immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Shanghai today and tour the surreal Yu Yuan Garden, with its Ming Dynasty miniature landscapes and the famous Jade Buddha Temple. This afternoon is free for you to explore at leisure, perhaps visiting The Bund ( Shanghai's famous riverside boulevard) or the Shanghai Museum where you can learn about past and future life in the city. After dinner, enjoy an included acrobatics show. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Shanghai - Suzhou.
This morning travel to Suzhou by train. Suzhou is famed for its silk industry and was dubbed the 'Venice of the East', because of its many ancient canals and bridges. Your full day tour includes a visit to a silk reeling factory and a short cruise on the small canal. You will also visit the ancient street on Santang which is home to traditional style houses. This evening, musicians with classical Chinese instruments, folk singers and dancers will entertain you in Suzhou's scenic Garden of the Master of the Nets. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Suzhou - Beijing.
Your day begins with a visit to Luzhi, a small town near Suzhou, famous for its traditional houses and small canals. You will have the opportunity to experience local life, before returning to Suzhou for a visit to the exquisite Lingering Garden and dinner. This evening, board an overnight train to Beijing.
Note: Accommodation on the train will be in private sleeper compartments. There are two toilets in each carriage with one at each end, and a washroom. There is a dining carriage with a small bar on board. (B, L, D)

DAY 16: Beijing.
On arrival in Beijing, enjoy breakfast before visiting the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. This afternoon, check in to your Beijing hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, relaxing or exploring at your own pace. (B, L)

DAY 17: Beijing - UK.
Transfer to Beijing airport for your flight to the UK. (B)

Check prices and availability for this holiday

Visa Requirements

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

Accommodation on Tour

Beijing: Plaza Hotel (4*); Xian: Le Garden (4*); Chengdu: Tibet Hotel (4*); Mount Emei: Emei Shan Hotel (4*); Suzhou: Glamour Hotel (4*); Shanghai: Jinshajiang (3*).
Note: Tour hotels will be as specified or alternatives of a similar standard.

  • President No. 6 DiamondDiamondDiamond

    President No. 6, is also known as the Yangtze Paradise. Her elegant European design, excellence in service and a leisurely lifestyle in opulent surroundings has won for herself the title of 'Eden of the Yangtze'. An excellent way to experience the culture and colourful history of China.

    Public Rooms & Facilities
    The ship has a restaurant; coffee shop; ballroom; bars, inner and outer viewing areas; beauty salon; foot massage.
    Dining
    Your cruise is on a full board basis. During the cruise enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine made and arranged by a high class chef. Breakfast and lunch feature a Chinese and Western style buffet. Dinner will be Chinese cuisine.
    Cabins
    All twin bedded cabins are outside facing with large windows with 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; Cabin with balcony.

    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

  • Captivating China + Hainan Island - 4 Extra nights from £490

    You can extend your China holiday with a 3 night stay in the picturesque beach resort of Sanya Bay on Hainan Island. Located just off China's south coast, Hainan Island deserves its reputation as the 'Oriental Hawaii', enjoying a pleasant year round climate, tropical scenery and white sand beaches.

    On the last day of your tour fly from Beijing to Sanya for a 3 night stay at the Holiday Inn Sanya Bay. At the end of your stay, fly back to Beijing for an overnight stay, before returning to the airport for your flight to the UK.

  • Captivating China + Hohhot - 3 Extra nights from £320

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

  • Captivating China + Hong Kong - 4 Extra nights from £94

    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 Captivating China tour with a 4 night stay in Hong Kong.

Accommodation on Extensions

Captivating China + Hainan Island - 4 Extra nights from £490

  • Holiday Inn Sanya Bay DiamondDiamondDiamondDiamond

    Set close to the beach, this well-appointed resort hotel offers a fine selection of relaxational, recreational and entertainment facilities. For those who wish to explore, colourful Sanya City is just 8km away (reachable by the hotel's shuttle bus - a small charge may apply) and boasts a lively downtown area with markets selling spices and local produce.

    Location: Next to Sanya Bay beach and 8km from Sanya City
    Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool with swim up bar; international restaurant; Chinese restaurant; bar and lounge area; pool bar; beach bar; jacuzzi; fitness centre; sauna; spa; tennis court; billiards; cycle hire; gift shop; laundry facilities.

    Note: Some facilities may incur a local charge.

    Price includes: Bed and breakfast in a twin room with air conditioning; private bath and shower; hairdryer; satellite television; tea and coffee making facilities; mini-bar and safe.

Captivating China + Hohhot - 3 Extra nights from £320

Captivating China + Hong Kong - 4 Extra nights from £94

  • The Park Lane DiamondDiamondDiamondDiamond

    The Park Lane, a top class hotel overlooking Victoria Park and the famous Hong Kong Harbour, offers the discerning traveller a deluxe address, superior service and easy access to Hong Kong's shopping mecca of Causeway Bay.

    Location: The hotel is in an excellent location for shopping and near all major transport systems including taxis, cross harbour tunnel and MTR (the Mass Transit Railway).
    Facilities: Laundry and valet service; florist; minibar; shopping arcade; broadband internet access in bedrooms; rooftop restaurant - Riva Restaurant & lounge and lobby bar; the recently opened, fashionable George & Co. bar and restaurant.
    Activities: Fitness centre.
    Price includes: Room only in a twin room with air-conditioning; satellite/cable TV.
    Options: Breakfast; single room.
    Official category: 4 star.

  • Ramada Hotel Kowloon DiamondDiamondDiamondplus

    The Ramada Hotel Kowloon is well appointed with all of the facilities needed to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

    Location: The Ramada Hotel Kowloon is located in Tsimshatsui, one of Kowloon's bustling districts, with excellent shopping opportunities and a colourful nightlife.
    Facilities: Restaurant; coffee shop; minibar; laundry facilities; lounge;
    Price includes: Room only; all 205 guestrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, safe, hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities, cable television and telephone.
    Options: Breakfast; single room.
    Official category: 4 star.

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Captivating China
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