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and a half hour river cruise to Suzhou. The ancient Grand Canal was built in the 6th century to connect Beijing with the east coast. The busy water traffic of barges, sampans and sailing boats is a fascinating and absorbing sight, and our cruise will also give you a close-up view of the communes, farms and villages along its banks. Disembark at Suzhou and transfer to your hotel for a two night stay. DAYS 8 & 9 - Suzhou is beautiful. It is famous for its landscaped gardens, narrow canals and traditional Chinese architecture. Many of the sites of the famous gardens of Suzhou, known as far back as the 10th century, are still intact, and some have been restored to their former glory. A visit to these gardens will be one of the highlights of your time in China. A full programme of sightseeing will include the Lingering Garden, Humble Minister's Garden, Lion Garden, Tiger Hill, and also visits to a silk and embroidery factory (Suzhou has been famous for its silk products since the days of Marco Polo). There will also be time to see the local markets and stroll through the quaint, narrow streets a must in Suzhou. Transfer by train in the late afternoon of Day 9 to Shanghai. Transfer on arrival to your hotel for a two night stay. DAY 10 - Shanghai has to be seen to be believed! As the fastest developing city in China, if not the world, this vibrant and exciting seaport is rapidly recovering its entrepreneurial prominence. Shanghai's colourful history is embedded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and today this combines with exciting modernity and a glimpse into China's future. At its heart is the Huangpu River, with its constant and extraordinary stream of water traffic. The Bund, the city's famous riverside boulevard, is lined with magnificent former colonial buildings which now stand as monuments to Shanghai's one-time notoriety. Across the river in Pudong District, a new `Manhattan' is rising from the former marshlands. The labyrinth of streets in the old town form a stark contrast with modern Nanjing Road 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! Our included sightseeing programme offers the best of Shanghai. Highlights include the thronging shopping thoroughfare of Nanjing Road, the traditional Old T Town, with its ancient Wu Xing Ting Teahouse, and T the Yu Yuan Gardens, a classic Chinese garden. You will also visit the beautiful Jade Buddha Temple and T have time to stroll along the Bund. This evening there is an included visit to an Acrobatic Show. DAY 11 - Morning free in Shanghai. Afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Xian. Transfer on arrival to your hotel for a two night stay. DAY 12 - Xian, the `City of Eternal Peace', was once the flourishing capital of China and the most important city in Asia. It is here that the first Qin emperor was interred in 200BC with at least 6,000 life-size terracotta figures representing the individuals of the Imperial Guard. They are grouped in battle order, rank by rank, some mounted on horse-drawn chariots, others armed with spears, swords and crossbows. We include a visit to the site of this T Terracotta Army at Li Shan Mountain. During the day you will also visit the Han Tombs. In the evening, there will be the opportunity to attend a Tang Dynasty T Folklore Show. DAY 13 - Morning tour of Xian itself, including the Goose Pagodas. You will also see the city wall. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin where upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel where two nights' accommodation has been arranged. DAY 14 - A full day tour, including a boat cruise on the majestic Li River. Marvel at the unique rock formations that rise up from the river banks. You will doubtless also spot the Li Jiang cormorant fishermen with their widebrimmed hats and narrow bamboo rafts. The cruise ends in the small up-country township of Yangshuo, Y and the return drive to Guilin passes through rice
paddies and traditional Chinese farmland where sugar cane, bamboo and tropical fruit are cultivated. DAY 15 - Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel where two nights' accommodation has been arranged. DAY 16 - An included morning sightseeing tour of Hong Kong Island. You will cross from the mainland (Kowloon) to Hong Kong Island and proceed to the top of Victoria Peak for the best view in town! The tour then includes such attractive sights as Repulse Bay, and the fishing village of Aberdeen, famous for its floating community of 30,000 people. DAY 17 - Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK, arriving later the same day.
ADD-ON
Yangtze Gorges Cruise
4 nights from only £599
Extend your stay in China by taking a fantastic cruise through the Gorges of the Yangtze, please see page 26 for details.
To view dates & prices click here To book click here
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