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China & Yangtze River Cruise
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China has long been a destination shrouded in mystery, a vast country of almost unimaginable size and diversity in its landscape, climates and people. To give you a satisfying insight on this tour of a lifetime we have concentrated on China’s main highlights, which will give you an ideal mix of the country. On our Independent Touring Holidays, you will be picked up at the airport and you will be taken on guided sightseeing and city tours but you may not be part of a group. You will have local contact numbers for the relevant local representative if assistance is required at any stage.
DEPARTURE DATES: Every Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday 22 March, 01 September, 13 September 2008 and 09 March 2009.
WHAT THE PRICE INCLUDES:
• Scheduled flights from Dublin to Shanghai, returning from Beijing
• Transfers to and from hotels.
• 9 night’s accommodation in first class hotels. • In remote areas, such as National Parks and small towns this standard may not exist and accommodation may be more simple or rustic.
• Breakfast daily, 8 lunches and two dinners. Full board during the 4 night Yangtze River Cruise.
• Weekly departures are on board Presidential Cruises 4-star cruise ships.
• The Specially Escorted Tours are on board Victoria Cruise’s 5-star cruise ships. • Professional local guides.
• Sightseeing as described.
• Entrance fees where applicable. Connections may be available from other Irish airports. Please call for details.
NOT INCLUDED:
• Taxes
• Insurance (From €45 per person)
• Meals other than those listed, gratuities to driver and guide or cruise staff.
VISAS: A visitor’s visa is required to enter China.
HONG KONG EXTENSION: €529 per person (Single Supplement €129). The price includes flights to and from Hong Kong, airport meet and greet, return airport transfers, city sightseeing tour and two nights accommodation in a 4-star hotel. No Pricing available for August due to Olympics TOUR HOTELS Shanghai - Equatorial
Suzhou - Suzhou Hotel
Guilin - Park Hotel
Xi'an - Aurum International
Beijing - Grand View Garden
Above hotel subject to change, confirmed list of hotels will be given on confirmation of booking Unless for reasons beyond our control, all sights shown in the itinerary will be visited, although local conditions may necessitate slight changes. Coaches are clean and comfortable but may vary in age and luxury. Domestic flights are subject to change, sometimes at the last minute. Hotel standards vary from one destination to the next and some may be below standards expected. Breakfast in the hotel is generally Western and lunches are predominantly Chinese, eaten in local restaurants. |
Holiday Details
| Duration |
15 Day Tour |
From |
22-12-2007 to 01-11-2008 |
Accomodation
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4* hotels & cruise ship |
Depart
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Dublin/Cork/Belfast
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Bedroom
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Twin |
Prices From
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€ 2,649 Per Person (excl. taxes)
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| Includes |
Please contact Owen on 01-2412326 or email: osela@gohop.com for more information and availability. |
Itinerary
Day 1 FLIGHT TO SHANGHAI
Depart for Shanghai. Your comfort and well-being will be of a primary concern throughout. During the flight enjoy the in-flight service including meals, bar service and the latest feature films.
Day 2 SHANGHAI
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure in this beautiful city.
Day 3 SHANGHAI
After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of Shanghai. Visit Yuyuan Garden, a typical Chinese garden with pool-sized lakes, rockery, mountains and pavilions; spend some free time in the old town. Continue to the Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum, and walk along the waterfront Bund to see European architectures left from the colonial period. Lunch is at a local restaurant. This evening you will enjoy a stunning Acrobatic show.
Day 4 SHANGHAI – SUZHOU
Today, we will take the 1st class express train to the picturesque city of Suzhou, renowned for its classical Chinese gardens and an important silk producing center. Suzhou is also known as the “Venice of the East” with little canals running through the city. Visit a garden, a silk factory and take a short cruise on the Grand Canal to watch the busy traffic of barges and junks passing under the half-moon bridges that date from the Ming Dynasty. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This evening enjoy a Night Garden show.
Day 5 SUZHOU – SHANGHAI – YICHANG
After breakfast, free time to explore the city. You will be transferred to Shanghai airport for your flight to Yichang. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant, then you will be transferred to the pier to board the cruise ship, your home for your next 3 days' journey.
Day 6 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Today, sail past the east part of Xiling Gorge and arrive at Yangjiawan Pier. Enjoy a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Project. Lunch and dinner are on board the ship.
Day 7 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
After breakfast, cruise the west part of Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge & Qutang Gorge. Depart on a shore excursion of Shennong Stream comprising of Parrot Gorge and Dragon Boot Gorge with breathtaking scenery of lush pine and translucent water. See spectacular sights such as ancient plank roads and suspension coffins, caves and rainbow fountains.
Day 8 YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
After breakfast take a shore excursion to Shibaozhai (weather permitting). Located on the south bank of the Yangtze River, it was built during the Qing Dynasty in 1650. As one of the most spectacular sites along the river, this 12-story 56m wooden red pavilion hugs a sheer rectangular cliff. It consists of three parts: the entrance gate, a nine-story wooden pavilion and a small temple at the top. Lunch and dinner are on board the ship.
Day 9 CHONGQING – GUILIN
After breakfast on board the ship disembark at Chongqing. You will be met transferred to the airport for your mid-day flight to Guilin – home of China’s most stunning scenery and the inspiration for many Chinese artists. The peaks that make Guilin famous can be seen from afar. After lunch at a local restaurant visit Reed Flute Cave and Fubo Hill.
Day 10 GUILIN
Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the River Li and witness the spectacular rock formations and rural life along the riverbanks. Experience the cormorant fishermen at work. Lunch on board the ship. The cruise will end in a small town called Yangshuo, where you will have some free time to shop at the “Biggest Market in the World”.
Day 11 XI’AN
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Xi’an, the largest city in Northwest China. The Tang Dynasty Emperors, who ruled from 618-906, made this city a center for artists, architects, poets and priests from all over Asia. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a city tour including the Historical Museum, City Wall and Muslim Market.
Day 12 XI’AN – BEIJING
Today, you will visit the highlight of your stay in Xi’an – the vast army of Terracotta Warriors, which guard the Emperor Qing Shihuang’s tomb. You will also visit Banpo Neolithic Village and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight to Beijing – the capital of China. On arrival you will be transferred to the hotel for overnight.
Day 13 BEIJING
After breakfast, you will have a full day tour in Beijing. First visit the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace surrounded by an 11 meters high wall and a wide moat. You will then take a stroll through Tian’anmen Square and visit the Temple of Heaven, the place where the Emperors of Ming & Qing Dynasties worshiped the God of Heaven and prayed for a good harvest. Tonight, enjoy a famous Peking Duck dinner.
Day 14 BEIJING
This morning, drive north to the Great Wall. The Great Wall stretches almost 4,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the sands of Central Asia and is crowned one of the wonders of the world. Take a cable car to visit the Mutianyu section. After lunch, drive back to the city and visit the largest, best preserved Imperial Palace gardens at the Summer Palace.
Day 15 FLIGHT HOME
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
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