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Chinese Checkers
12 Days/11 Nights - Gateway: Beijing
£1665pp (valid 20 Sep – 22 Oct 08)
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Deluxe upgrade available
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| Packed with fun and excitement, this family adventure takes you into some of the most enticing regions of China. See the pandas in Beijing, the amazing Terracotta Warriors in Xian and the spectacular limestone mountains of Guilin. Fly a kite in Tiananmen Square and learn calligraphy in Shanghai. Combining major historic and cultural sights with fun activities, this 12 day journey is bound to be a memorable experience for the whole family. |
Day 1-4: Beijing
Start your journey to China in its most formidable city, Beijing, the historical and cultural heart of the Middle Kingdom. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel to meet your travelling companions and your tour leader for welcome drinks and a tour briefing. We commence our exploration of Beijing with the great Forbidden City and famous Tiananmen Square. Try your hand at kite flying in the world’s largest square before taking a rickshaw deep into the fascinating backstreets of Beijing’s hutongs. Climb the amazing Great Wall of China, ride a Chinese toboggan down its slopes, join in on the early morning exercise at the dramatic Temple of Heaven, and visit giant pandas at Beijing’s zoo. There will also be time to watch the incredible Chinese Acrobats and to sample some of Beijing’s best culinary delights, before experiencing a comfortable overnight train trip to Xian.
Stay 3 nights at the Novotel Xinqiao and 1 night on the train to Xian |
Day 5-6: Xian & Warriors
The Xian area has been home to some of the oldest cities in human civilisation and its colourful past has seen the tumultuous uprisings of many great Chinese dynasties. In Xian we head up to the ancient, fortified city walls for bird’s eye views of the city and a fun opportunity for the more adventurous to cycle on tandems. We explore the bustling Muslim quarter and Great Mosque before continuing on to Xian’s greatest sight, the Terracotta Warriors. Buried for over 2000 years and uncovered in the 1970s, this vast army of warriors was created to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.
Stay 1 night at the Bell Tower |
Day 7-8: Guilin, Li River & Yangshuo
On flying to Guilin we experience another side of China with our arrival in some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes that have inspired artists and writers over the centuries. We cruise the legendary Li River, surrounded by beautiful limestone mountains, to the quaint town of Yangshuo. We take time to enjoy the relaxing, friendly atmosphere of the town before taking a fun chinese painting class. The following day we have a chance to try our hand at early morning tai chi before we head into the lush countryside by bicycle. Our cycling trip affords us amazing glimpses into local village life, rice paddies, lotus fields and spectacular rural scenery, before travelling to the bustle of our next exciting destination – Shanghai.
Stay 1 night at the Universal Hotel, Guilin
Stay 2 nights at the Paradise Hotel, Yangshuo |
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Day 9-12: Shanghai & Zhujiajiao
We fly north to Shanghai, Asia’s most amazing modern city – with its soaring skyline dwarfing grand colonial structures. We explore the amazing architecture and riverside activity of the Bund, travel by underwater tunnel to Pudong, and marvel at the incredible views from the top of the space age Oriental Pearl TV Tower. We spend time in the bustling People’s Square in the heart of the city and join a local Shanghai family in their home for a great local lunch experience. On our last day in Shanghai we stop by a community centre to try our hand at calligraphy with the local children, before heading out to the ancient canal town of Zhujiajiao. Here we explore the backstreets and take a fun canal cruise, absorbing the charming old world atmosphere. We bid farewell to China before transferring to the airport on day 12.
Stay 3 nights at the Rendezvous Merry Hotel |
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11 night tour includes all breakfasts, three lunches, a ll road transport by modern air-conditioned vehicles, flights within China, overnight train, Li River Cruise, countryside cycling trip, Chinese painting lesson in Yangshuo, English speaking guide and transfers if arriving and departing on day of tour. Entrance fees of approx. US90 to pay locally. Price based on twin share (excluding flights). |
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