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cHina
22 Days
Days 6-8/Tiger Leaping Gorge This is a spectacular trek. Over the next three days, we follow the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (known here as the Jinsha River), which is sometimes 500 metres below the trail. We are surrounded by towering cliffs and mountains, and there are some lovely villages enroute where we can stop and chat with the locals. Day 9/Kunming Returning to Kunming, theres one last chance to look around this beautiful city. Before leaving, why not try Kunmings famous Over the Bridge noodles? Days 0-2/Yangshuo A short flight takes us to Guilin, and then we travel on to nearby Yangshuo. The scenery here is incredible, so on your bike! Ride past the stunning limestone outcrops that soar upward from the paddy fields. We also enjoy a scenic cruise on the Li River Yangshuo is a photographers paradise. Days 3-7/Yangtze River Cruise Yichang is the starting point of our journey along the mighty Yangtze River. Late in the day, theres just enough time for a walk along the riverbank to watch the sun set. Boarding our riverboat we make our way upstream, passing the mammoth Yangtze Dam construction project. The views are amazing as we cruise past sheer cliff faces and riverside cities whose livelihood depends on this magnificent river. Days 8-9/Xian - Terracotta Warriors The Terracotta Warriors are one of Chinas greatest archaeological treasures and were only discovered in 1974 by peasant farmers digging a well. We visit the army of warriors and theres also time to explore the back laneways of the Muslim Quarter (fantastic dumplings!) or walk along the top of the ancient city wall before catching our overnight train to Beijing. Days 20-22/Beijing - Great Wall During our stay in this great city, we visit Tiananmen Square and explore the Forbidden City. We spend a morning walking along a well-preserved section of the Great Wall, where we get a sense of how it must have looked when it was first built more than 2000 years ago. Our China adventure ends in Beijing on the morning of Day 22.
The Road to Beijing
This trip combines the highlights of this vast country with some brilliant spots off the tourist trail. Walk along the Great Wall, ride bikes through rural villages, cruise on the majestic Yangtze River and trek through the breathtaking Tiger Leaping Gorge. The road to Beijing really is a road worth travelling!
n KunMing n dali n lijiang n tiger leaping gorge treK n yangShuo n yangtze river CruiSe n Xian n terraCotta WarriorS n beijing n forbidden City n great Wall
Trip info
Prices: See inside cover.
Group size: Maximum 15. Grade: Active. Transport: bicycle, bus, plane, riverboat, sleeper train, trek. Accommodation: 4 nights sleeper train, 6 nights guesthouse, 9 nights hotel, 2 nights boat. Local payment: Your tour leader will collect US$300 from each person on Day 1. Want more? Link this trip with another Geckos adventure: China Escape, Untamed China, Trans Mongolian Railway. Tour Code: GTRB. Further Info & Trip Notes: www.geckosadventures.co.uk/trips/gtrb
Starts Sun 2007 14-Oct 28-Oct 11-Nov 2008 02-Mar Finishes 16-Mar 30-Mar Sun 13-Apr 11-May 04-Nov 25-May 18-Nov 08-Jun 02-Dec 22-Jun 29-Jun 23-Mar 06-Apr 20-Apr 04-May 01-Jun 15-Jun 29-Jun 13-Jul 20-Jul 06-Jul 17-Aug 31-Aug 14-Sep 28-Sep 12-Oct 26-Oct 09-Nov 27-Jul 07-Sep 21-Sep 05-Oct 19-Oct 02-Nov 16-Nov 30-Nov 2009 01-Mar 15-Mar 29-Mar 19-Apr
22-Mar 05-Apr 19-Apr 10-May
The Road to Beijing
Beijing
Days -2/Kunming Our trip begins in Kunming, the gateway to the ancient Silk Road trading route. The next day we take a stroll around the old quarter of the city, exploring the flower markets and the vibrant shopping precincts. Days 3-4/Dali The Dali region is home to many diverse ethnic groups, many of whom still wear their colourful traditional costumes. You can explore the cobblestone backstreets of Dali before riding bikes into the surrounding countryside and visiting a local Bai village. There is also an opportunity to catch a ferry across Erhai Lake and explore a fascinating local village. Day 5/Lijiang Lijiang seems lost in time a remnant of a forgotten China. We stay in a quaint Naxi guesthouse in the Old Town and theres time to explore the colourful markets among the countless cobbled laneways. For music lovers, we offer a recital by the local Naxi Orchestra.
CHINA
Tiger Leaping Gorge Chongqing R. tze Lijiang ng Ya Dali
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Xian Yichang
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Wuhan
Kunming
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Guilin
Yangshuo
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