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china
essence of china - northbound
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21 days, Hong Kong to Beijing
itiNerary... Days 1-2 hong kong Take in the bustle of vibrant Hong Kong - hit the streets, explore the markets or head up to Victoria Peak. Take in the countryside on an overnight train, a *plus Local Payment US$450
Physical culture shock
fascinating local experience. Days 3-5 yangshuo Immerse yourself in the beautiful countryside surrounding Yangshuo by taking a bike ride through rustic villages and rice paddies. Enjoy an optional cruise down the Li River, past stunning limestone karsts. Days 6-8 yangzi river Starting in Yichang take a journey along this truly magnificent waterway and become part of the evolving landscape of the Three Gorges and Yangzi River. Try some of the interesting snacks - buy from the locals at stops along the way. Days 9-10 chengdu Home to wonderfully spicy Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu also boasts traditional teahouses and many parks and gardens. Visit a giant panda reserve to witness conservation efforts being made to save this endangered species. Days 11-14 leshan/emei shan See the giant Buddha at Leshan before journeying to the holy mountain of Emei Shan. Stay in a monastery and make a morning visit to the mountain summit. Return to Chengdu before heading on to Xian. Days 15-17 Xi'an See the ancient Terracotta Warriors and view the city from above on the Old City walls. Enjoy some quiet time at the Great Mosque or head to the park to watch locals practising tai chi and ballroom dancing. Days 18-21 Beijing Take in the best of imperial Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square and the impressive Forbidden City. For a final adventure, climb the mighty Great Wall.
accoMMoDatioN Hotels/guesthouses (10 nts), overnight boats (3 nts), overnight trains (4 nts), monasteries (3 nts) traNsPort Overnight train, taxi, boat, local bus, bicycle, walking GrouP siZe Max 12 Meals 2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners BuDGet Allow US$300 for meals not included DeParts Selected Sun GuaraNtee Departure guaranteed Notes During the winter months in China (for trips departing 1 Dec 2007 - 1 Mar 2008) a different itinerary operates. Please see Trip Notes for details traVeller ratiNG 4.63 out of 5 start 2008 27 Jan 03 Feb 10 Feb 17 Feb 24 Feb 02 Mar 09 Mar 16 Mar 23 Mar 30 Mar 06 Apr 20 Apr 27 Apr 11 May 18 May Finish 16 Feb 23 Feb 01 Mar 08 Mar 15 Mar 22 Mar 29 Mar 05 Apr 12 Apr 19 Apr 26 Apr 10 May 17 May 31 May 07 Jun 25 May 01 Jun 08 Jun 15 Jun 22 Jun 29 Jun 06 Jul 17 Aug 24 Aug 31 Aug 07 Sep 21 Sep 12 Oct 19 Oct 26 Oct 02 Nov 09 Nov 14 Jun 21 Jun 28 Jun 05 Jul 12 Jul 19 Jul 26 Jul 06 Sep 13 Sep 20 Sep 27 Sep 11 Oct 01 Nov 08 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 29 Nov 16 Nov 23 Nov 30 Nov 07 Dec 14 Dec 21 Dec 2009 25 Jan 01 Feb 08 Feb 15 Feb 22 Feb 01 Mar 08 Mar 15 Mar 22 Mar 29 Mar 06 Dec 13 Dec 20 Dec 27 Dec 03 Jan 10 Jan 14 Feb 21 Feb 28 Feb 07 Mar 14 Mar 21 Mar 28 Mar 04 Apr 11 Apr 18 Apr 05 Apr 12 Apr 19 Apr 10 May 17 May 24 May 31 May 07 Jun 14 Jun 21 Jun 28 Jun 25 Apr 02 May 09 May 30 May 06 Jun 13 Jun 20 Jun 27 Jun 04 Jul 11 Jul 18 Jul Relaxing panda - Paul Wildekamp
" cruise down the yangzi river " take in the views from emei shan " stand atop the Great Wall of china
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nomadic china
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21 days, Beijing to Hong Kong
itiNerary... Days 1-3 Beijing Take a guided tour of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and travel out to the Great Wall to marvel at this ancient structure. Days 4-5 Xi'an See why the Terra*plus Local Payment US$450
Physical culture shock
cotta Warriors are labelled one of the worlds greatest archaeological discoveries or wander through the fascinating Muslim Quarter. Days 6-7 Xiahe The remote town of Xiahe is home to the eminent Labrang Monastery, a stunning place to watch Tibetan pilgrims come and go. Accompany the monks turning the prayer wheels, sending prayers to heaven. Days 8-10 langmusi/homestay Experience traditional ways of life in Langmusis vast plains, visiting remote villages and meeting friendly locals. There may be a chance to visit a Tibetan school to play with the kids and enjoy an insightful homestay experience. Days 11-12 songpan Travel through rolling grasslands to the wild west town of Songpan. Sample local Sichuan cuisine or take an optional trek. Day 13 Wolong Panda reserve Have a close encounter with the lovable residents of this 200,000 sq ha national nature reserve. Days 14-15 chengdu Soak up the atmosphere in Chengdu, home to traditional teahouses, squares and gardens, or for a bit of extra culture, head to the opera. Days 16-19 yangshuo Cycle against a backdrop of limestone karsts that soar above rice paddies and spend time relaxing or hiking along the stunning Li River. Days 20-21 hong kong Ultra-modern Hong Kong is a dramatic change from rural life. Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour and bargain up a storm at the Temple Street night market.
Intrepid Photography Competition 2007, A different sort of family, China - Lisa Placks accoMMoDatioN Hotels/guesthouses (16 nts), homestay (1 nt), overnight trains (3 nts) traNsPort Plane, overnight train, taxi, private bus, local bus, bicycle, walking GrouP siZe Max 12 Meals 3 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner BuDGet Allow US$250 for meals not included DeParts Selected Sat (Apr-Nov) GuaraNtee Departure guaranteed Notes Some accommodation may be multishare traVeller ratiNG 4.65 out of 5 start 2008 26 Apr 10 May 17 May 24 May 31 May 07 Jun 14 Jun 21 Jun Finish 16 May 30 May 06 Jun 13 Jun 20 Jun 27 Jun 04 Jul 11 Jul 28 Jun 05 Jul 12 Jul 19 Jul 26 Jul 06 Sep 20 Sep 27 Sep 04 Oct 11 Oct 18 Jul 25 Jul 01 Aug 08 Aug 15 Aug 26 Sep 10 Oct 17 Oct 24 Oct 31 Oct 18 Oct 25 Oct 2009 18 Apr 25 Apr 09 May 16 May 23 May 30 May 06 Jun 07 Nov 14 Nov 08 May 15 May 29 May 05 Jun 12 Jun 19 Jun 26 Jun 13 Jun 03 Jul 20 Jun 10 Jul 27 Jun 17 Jul
" cross the vast tibetan grasslands " experience nomadic life on a homestay " Visit the giant pandas of Wolong " cycle past scenic karsts in yangshuo
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