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>>>TOUR REF >>>FACTFILE
CHC
>>> CHINA
Great Wall & Guilin
15 days Hotels/Guesthouses/Village House Contrasts of China the Great Wall & Tranquil South
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Beijing. 2 Arrive Beijing. 3 In Beijing; visit Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. 4 Drive Jinshaling; trek Great Wall to Simatai. 5 Optional walk on wall; drive Beijing; fly Guilin. 6 Cycle to Chaoping, PM visit caves. 7 Cycle to Xinping. 8 AM boat trip on Li River; PM cycle Yangshuo. 9 Optional cycling in and around Yangshuo. 10 Cycle to Hebaoshan village house. 11 Explore stone village; cycle Putao; optional cycle to Yangshuo. 12 Cycle Gongshen. 13 Cycle Dongjin via Yau villages; drive Chaotian. 14 AM cycle in Ling Canal scenic area; drive Guilin; fly Beijing. 15 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 9nts hotel, 3nts guesthouse, 1nt village house; 13 breakfasts & 1 dinner included. See p45. Bicycle: 21 gear Giant Chinese mountain bikes with rear basket and water bottle holder. Daily distances day 01 day 02 day 03 day 04 day 05 day 06 day 07 day 08 day 09 day 10 day 11 day 12 day 13 day 14 day 15 Rest days or optional rides Grade & Terrain: Grade B 305km/8 days (Average 38km cycling day). 1 day is free with optional rides available. Cycling will be on level or undulating terrain. Keen cyclists can tackle longer routes on several days conversely you can choose not to cycle and stay with the support vehicle. We try to avoid main roads and cycle on back roads. Cycle 75% on tarmac, 25% earth/gravel roads. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s) and local guides. A support vehicle/bus accompanies the tour most days, providing transfers between cycling points and carrying luggage, and is available to travel on should you wish to opt out of any rides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
39km 37km 30km 31km 38km 06km 45km 55km 55km
The Great Wall/Fabio Perselli CYCLE GRADE B
DATES & PRICES in £s per adult 15 days from London (Sat-Sat) 2008 deps 05 Apr-19 Apr 11 Oct-25 Oct 25 Oct-08 Nov 2009 deps 04 Apr-18 Apr 10 Oct-24 Oct 24 Oct-07 Nov Flight Incl 1649 1599 1599 Flight Incl 1699 1665 1665 Land Only 995 995
Constructed to protect Chinas northern frontier from Mongol raiders, the majestic and awesome Great Wall stretches for almost 4500 kilometres across Chinas north, from the edge of the Gobi desert to Yellow Sea. We walk its ramparts along one of the best preserved sections. The mystical limestone mountains and vibrant green rice fields of the landscapes surrounding Guilin evoke the classic image of Chinas tranquil rural south and have inspired countless poets and artists for centuries. Over eight days we join the local people on this mighty nations favourite mode of transport the bicycle!
Beijing & Great Wall Starting in the capital of Beijing we explore the famous Tiananmen Square and maze of
palaces that make up the adjoining Forbidden City. We discover the Hutongs, the old residential quarters, fast disappearing in this rapidly modernising city. We travel to one of the most stunning sections of the Great Wall at Jinshaling from where we trek the ramparts to Simatai and stay in a guesthouse just a stones throw from the mighty Wall which zigzags like a fabulous dragon across the countryside. Along the River Li A flight south to Guilin takes us to the bizarre yet mysteriously beautiful humpbacked mountains of this regions karst landscapes, which have fired the imaginations of poets and artists for centuries. Our route takes us through
Great Wall & Guilin Ref CHC
From/To BEIJING
CHAOTIAN
GUILIN
Explore Tiananmen Square
CHINA
CHAOPING
HEBAOSHAN
1030 1030 1030
Visit Stone Village Putao Baisha
Langshi Li River cruise
Ha
Land Only
iya
995
Guan Yian Caves
ng
Sh
Daxu
an
Dongjin
traditional fishing villages along the banks of the Li River with plenty of time to stop off for a boat trip, perhaps meeting the famous cormorant fishermen. Near Chaoping we discover a subterranean network of caves with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Stone Village & Ling Canal The small and welcoming town of Yangshuo with its many interesting craft shops makes a good base from which to cycle deeper into the countryside, climb a peak or two or try out bamboo rafting on the Yulong River. In the tiny village of Hebaoshan we stay with a local family gaining a deeper insight into the lifestyle and traditions of rural China. We explore the little-known Stone Village , surrounded by high stone walls, accessible via four towering gates. The Ling Canal scenic area is our final destination as we circle back to Guilin.
Land Only tour: 14 days - start Beijing day 2 (Sun), end Guilin day 15 (Sat) Plus Local Payment: US$170 (approx £85) payable Beijing Single Room Option: £125* These are guide prices, see p46 for full details
YANGSHUO
Moon Hill
g Li Jian
km 0
XINPING GONGCHEN
Fuli Anshan Yongchun
SIMATAI BEIJING
City tour Walk the Great Wall CHINA Guilin & Yangshuo area km
30
0
800
Limestone landscapes near Guilin/Miranda Ford
38
For latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk
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