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ADD-ON
Yangtze Gorges Cruise
4 nights from only £549
See page 26 for details.
ADD-ON
Shanghai to Chongqing Yangtze Gorges Cruise
8 nights from only £699
Add a leisurely cruise down the Yangtze River onto your main holiday and experience all that the surrounding towns and gorges have to offer. DAY 1 This will be Day 9 of your main itinerary. Set sail from Shanghai on the Victoria Prince or similar. DAY 2 Full day tour of Nanjing including Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and a Qing Dynasty style bazaar at a Confucian Temple. DAY 3 Excursion to Huangshan, or `Yellow Mountain' (weather permitting). DAY 4 Evening excursion to Wuhan and the Hubei Provincial Museum. DAY 5 Sailing through the Yangtze River. DAY 6 Arrive in Yichang, sail through Gezhou Dam and the Three Gorges Dam. DAY 7 Sail through Wu Gorge and visit the Daning River Small Gorges. DAY 8 Excursion to Fengdu. DAY 9 Fly from Chongqing to Shanghai for an overnight stay. DAY 10 Transfer to. the airport for your return flight to the UK. All meals are included.
Shanghai truly is a shopper's Mecca. By night the city is a culinary delight with all sorts of local and international foods and entertainment that just goes on and on. This afternoon we will visit Shanghai's busy Nanjing Road, and The Bund, the city's historic riverside boulevard. DAY 3 - Today we take a peek at the traditional side of Shanghai. Our included sightseeing features a visit to the Yu Yuan Gardens, a classic Chinese garden and its ancient Wu Xing ting Teahouse. Then it's on T to the amazing Jade Buddha Temple. This evening T we include a trip to an acrobatic show. DAY 4 - Today we drive to Zhujiajiao, a charming town of canals and bridges which dates back nearly 1700 years. The little fan shaped town, also known as the `Pearl Stream', is the best preserved of the four ancient water towns in Shanghai province. Spanning the canals, thirty six ornate bridges were built in differing styles during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Fangsheng or `Setting-fish-free' Bridge is the longest, largest and tallest. It bears a stone tablet engraved with 8 coiling dragons encircling a shining pearl and is topped by four lifelike lions. The Lang, Veranda or Huimin Bridge is the only wooden bridge and looks like a narrow corridor with up upturned eaves above bars on each side. Stroll through the narrow allies past ancient temples, craft shops and closely packed houses and wander around the imposing gardens. This afternoon we visit Tongli, situated on the shores T of Lake Taihu. The town stands on a number of T islands, connected by forty-nine stone bridges. The river banks are lined with wonderful traditional houses and gardens, offering a real flavour of ancient China. Continue to your hotel in Suzhou, situated on China's historic Grand Canal for a three night stay. DAY 5 - Ancient Suzhou is undoubtedly one of China's most beautiful and cultural cities, renowned for its classic landscaped gardens, narrow canals and traditional Chinese architecture. Many of the gardens, dating as far back as the 10th century, have
been restored to their former glory. This morning you will visit the Humble Administrator's Garden and visit an embroidery factory. Suzhou has been famous for its silk products since the days of Marco Polo. This afternoon we spend some time at the lovely Lingering Garden. DAY 6 - This morning we take a rickshaw ride to the local markets, where you can pick up some distinctive souvenirs. Then we will take a walk through the charming old streets of the city, where the people still live their lives steeped in the traditions of China. We continue to the Institute of Embroidery, whose museum contains examples of traditional silk robes and garments. DAY 7 - This morning we include a cruise along the Grand Canal to Pingwang. From here we transfer by coach to Hangzhou for a two night stay. Marco Polo described Hangzhou as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its legendary appeal has not diminished over the centuries, especially that of the famous West Lake. DAY 8 - Today you will enjoy a full sightseeing programme in Hangzhou including Lingyin Temple, T a Buddhist monastry surrounded by hills and gardens, Six Harmonies Pagoda, the Tea Garden and, of T course, a boat ride on the West Lake. This serene lake is surrounded by forests and gardens and contains a number of picturesque islands and beautiful sights. DAY 9 - We drive back to Shanghai for your final overnight stay. This afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy more of this lively city. DAY 10 - Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
PRE-TOUR ADD-ON
Beijing & Xian
5 nights from only £399
Before your journey why not experience Beijing and Xian. See page 23 for details.
To view dates & prices click here To book click here
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