China — North & Central Asia, China & Tibet intro — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

lo w Ye l ow XIAN Big Wild Goose Pagoda Terracotta Army CHINA Ya GUILIN Li River Cruise Limestone scenery YANGSHUO HONG KONG km 0 800 Kowloon & Star Ferry Temples & markets 168 For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk Gan ng t se Ye ll NORTH & CENTRAL ASIA, CHINA & TIBET CHINA The Forbidden City/Rachel Harfield Imperial Journey 18 DAYS HOTELS REVISITING CHINAS ANCIENT DYNASTIES Ref CK China Highlights 11 DAYS HOTELS A TASTE OF THE ORIENT Ref HC JFMAMJJASOND JFMA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Imperial Journey Ref CK Great Wall, Forbidden City CHINA BEIJING Ye l l o w Sea TAI SHAN Sacred mountain KAIFENG XIAN Terracotta Army km 0 800 QUFU SUZHOU where Confucius was born in 551 BC. Here we see some of Chinas finest architecture, including the Temple of Confucius. We then travel to TaiAn and, like countless pilgrims before us, view the world from the roof of Tai Shan (1525m) Chinas holiest mountain. With luck, a perfect sunrise will be our reward. Next we reach the venerable old city of Kaifeng imperial capital of the Song Dynasty (960 AD). Imperial Xian & Beijing We stop at Shaolin Kung Fu Monastery as we head west to Luoyang. Founded 3,200 years ago, the city is home to the Longmen Grottoes, with their thousands of Buddhist statues, and Chinas oldest monastery at the White Horse Temple. We drive to the historic city of Xian. The Imperial capital of several dynasties, Xian is a remarkable cultural centre. We see the famous Terracotta Army and Big Wild Goose pagoda, and also aim to discover something of the citys beguiling character by exploring the narrow alleyways on foot. Finally we fly to Beijing where we visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and travel to the Great Wall. A wonderful introductory tour that encompasses all that is China the bustling cities of Hong Kong and Beijing with their mix of ancient and modern; the bizarre beauty of the karst scenery and vibrant green rice fields around Guilin and Yangshuo plus those amazing cultural highlights the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors. The Rural South As well as a guided orientation tour, we have plenty of free time to explore the fascinating and dramatically located city of Hong Kong. Flying to Guilin, we continue our journey by riverboat along the Li River. Admiring the strange limestone outcrops that have inspired so many Chinese poets and artists over the centuries, we make our way to beautiful Yangshuo. There are plenty of opportunities for walks or bike rides into the surrounding villages. The Terracotta Warriors Making our way to Xian, we explore the Old Muslim Quarter with its narrow lanes and wonderful wooden mosque and take time to visit the Big Wild Goose pagoda. The major highlight of our visit to Xian however is the excursion to the site of the excavations of the Terracotta Warriors. An archaeologists dream, the site contains several thousand life-size models of warriors, horses and chariots many made of bronze or leafed in gold all buried to protect the Qin dynasty emperors in the afterworld. Beijing & the Great Wall Reaching the capital by train we have ample time to explore the famous Tiananmen Square and the maze of palaces and gardens that make up the adjoining Forbidden City. We also travel out to Mutianyu to walk onto one of the most impressive sections of the Great Wall. Hong Kong Gardens Grottoes Shaolin NANJING monastery Zouzhuang LUOYANG SHANGHAI Jade Buddha Temple Bund A cultural trip through the history of China, featuring five Dynastic capitals Nanjing, Kaifeng, Luoyang, Xian and Beijing. We also visit gardens of royal legend, Confucius birthplace and make an ascent of Mount Tai Shan the most revered of Chinas sacred mountains. Suzhous Peaceful Gardens After sightseeing in Shanghai, we cruise along a stretch of the historic Grand Canal to Suzhou. Considered by many to be Chinas most charming city, we roam the sculptured gardens and enjoy the atmosphere of this traditional, walled city. Tai Shan & Walled City of Kaifeng We take the train to Nanjing, to see the famous Yangtse Bridge and continue to Qufu Yu Yuan Gardens/Johnathan Smith Combine your tour... Experience more by combining this tour with our Along the Yangtse Ref. YRC. See p170 for further details. Combine your tour... Experience more by combining this tour with our Walk the Great Wall Ref. HCW. See right for further details. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Shanghai. 2 Arrive Shanghai. 3 In Shanghai; city tour including Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai Museum and the Bund. 4 Drive Zhouzhuang; boat on Grand Canal to Suzhou. 5 In Suzhou; visit Gardens. 6 Train to Nanjing; visit Yangtse River Bridge and Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum. 7 Train to Yangzhuo; drive Qufu. 8 Drive Tai Shan; ascend Mt Tai Shan on foot (2-3hrs) or optional cable car. 9 Visit temples on summit; visit village, overnight train to Kaifeng. 10 In Kaifeng. 11 Continue to Luoyang via Song Tombs and Shaolin Monastery. 12 In Luoyang; visit Longmen Caves. 13 Drive to Xian; Big Wild Goose pagoda and Old Muslim Quarter. 14 In Xian; visit Terracotta Warriors site. 15 Fly Beijing; PM visit to Temple of Heaven. 16 Visit forbidden City & Tiananmen Square. 17 Visit Great Wall. 18 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 15nts hotel, 1nt sleeper train; 15 breakfasts & 1 dinner included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/On foot/Boat on Grand Canal/Flights as itinerary. Comment: An encompassing cultural journey taking in both the most famous cities along with the lesser known but equally rewarding sites. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s) and local guides. Group Size: Approx. 15 to 20. China Highlights Ref HC Mutianyu Great Wall BEIJING Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City Ye l l o w Sea FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Hong Kong. 2 Arrive Hong Kong. 3 In Hong Kong; orientation tour. 4 AM in Hong Kong; PM fly to Guilin. 5 AM cruise on Li River to Yangshuo; PM free in Yangshuo. 6 In Yangshuo; optional walks and bike rides, fly Xian. 7 In Xian; half day city tour including Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell and Drum Towers and Old Muslim Quarter. 8 Drive to Terracotta Warriors site; sleeper train Beijing. 9 & 10 In Beijing; visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. 11 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 8nts hotel, 1nt overnight train; 9 breakfasts & 1 lunch included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Boat/Train/Flights as itinerary. Comment: A short tour covering the main cultural highlights of the country, time is also spent in the countryside with short optional walks or bike rides available. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s) and local guides. Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18. South China Sea

North & Central Asia, China & Tibet intro contd… China