China: The Big One
Resort: | China: The Big One |
Operator: | Wendy Wu Tours |
Destination: | Asia, China, Far East Asia |
Price From: | £5190.00 |
Overview28 Day China: The Big One Tour ItineraryDAYS 1-2: FLY OVERNIGHT TO BEIJINGFly overnight to Beijing, Chinas historic capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure. DAY 3: FORBIDDEN CITYStroll across Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Next, visit Yandaixiejie Street where theres time to wander the hutongs. These narrow alleys offer a glimpse of old Beijing. (B,L) DAY 4: HUANGHUACHENG GREAT WALLVisit Huanghuacheng, a particularly scenic section of the Great Wall. Reached by boat it boasts particularly spectacular views from the top. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring colourful Wangfujing Street. In the evening, enjoy an optional Peking duck dinner. (B,L) DAY 5: IMPERIAL SUMMER PALACEExplore the beautifully designed grounds of the Summer Palace, including the Long Corridor and the Marble Boat. Spend time strolling along pretty Kunming Lake and walk up wooded Longevity Hill. Make a photo stop at the Olympic Park. (B,L) DAY 6: TEMPLE OF HEAVENVisit the Temple of Heaven and mingle with the locals as they start their day with Tai Chi, dancing and cards in a flurry of sociable activity. Take the overnight train to Xian. (B,L) DAY 7: CYCLING IN XIANStart your day with a gentle cycle ride that will take you nine miles around the city wall that enclose Xians old town. Also visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and Xian Museum. (B,L) DAY 8: TERRACOTTA WARRIORSSpend the morning gazing over the ranks of warriors and horses, while you are introduced to these life-like soldiers fascinating story. Take a walking tour of the Muslim Quarter and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L) DAY 9: BEAUTIFUL GUILINFly to Guilin. Walk around the lakes before enjoying the evening at leisure you may wish to stroll down Zhengyang Street. (B) DAY 10: HIKING IN LONGJI (OPTIONAL)Today, there is an option to take a four-hour hike in the stunning rice terraces of Longji. Otherwise, spend more time in Guilin. (B) DAY 11: LI RIVER CRUISETake a gentle cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo. Lined with dramatic limestone cliffs, the serenity of life on the riverbanks is a wonderful sight. Take a walk through this idyllic wonderland and get an insight into life here. Theres an option to hike to the top of Moon Hill for epic views. (B,L) DAY 12: YANGSHUO TAI CHIStart the day with an invigorating session of Tai Chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take part in an optional activity. (B) DAY 13: KUNMING AT LEISURETransfer to Guilin and visit Reed Flute Cave before flying to Kunming. (B) DAY 14: STONE FORESTMeander through the formations of the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest. Return to Kunming to visit Green Lake Park and have an evening at leisure, perhaps enjoying the vibrant Wenhua Alley district. (B,L) DAY 15: DALIS ANCIENT TOWNDrive to Dali and visit the Three Pagodas and the Old Town. Also stroll along Foreigners Street and enjoy time at leisure. (B,L) DAY 16: WEIBAOSHAN (OPTIONAL)Enjoy the day at leisure or take an optional visit to Weibaoshan, one of the fourteen sacred Taoist mountains. Steeped in legend, the mountain features 20 Taoist temples nestled on its forested slopes. Walk up the hillside to see a handful of intricately decorated temples and meet a Taoist priest for a meditation session. (B) DAY 17: SHAXI ANCIENT TOWNDrive to the ancient town of Shaxi, nestled deep in the Himalayan foothills. Learn about the fascinating minority people that reside in the area and enjoy a local lunch. In the afternoon, continue to Lijiang and spend the evening in the historic old town. (B,L) DAY 18: JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAINTake a cable car to one of the high meadows and enjoy the vistas. Visit the minority Naxi village and admire the fascinating Baisha frescoes painted during the Ming Dynasty. (B,L) DAY 19: TIGER LEAPING GORGE (OPTIONAL)Enjoy the day at leisure or trek to Tiger Leaping Gorge, through dramatic cliffs and down into the gorge itself. (B) DAY 20: CHENGDU LIKE A LOCALFly to Chengdu and walk around Peoples Park. Visit a local teahouse and most interesting of all, Matchmakers Corner. (B,L) DAY 21: GIANT PANDASVisit the Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre and see these adorably charming bears up close. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy an optional hot pot dinner and a face-changing show. (B,L) DAY 22: ANCIENT CIQIKOUTake the bullet train to Chongqing. Enjoy free time in the charming old town of Ciqikou then board your Yangtze Cruise vessel. (B,D) DAYS 23-25: YANGTZE CRUISEA cruise down the Yangtze reveals some of the worlds most dramatic scenery. Over the next few days, visit the Three Gorges Dam and enjoy various side trips and shore excursions. Disembark your cruise vessel, travel to Yichang and then fly to Hangzhou before continuing by road to Shanghai. (B,L,D) DAY 26: SHANGHAINESE SHANGHAIWake up to the buzz of Shanghai and take a breakfast walking tour between shimmering skyscrapers and traditional streets. Visit Yu Garden, the old town, a silk factory, stroll along the Bund and cruise along Huangpu River. (B,L) DAY 27: ZHUJIAJIAO (OPTIONAL)Join the optional day tour to delightful Zhujiajiao, or spend time at leisure in Shanghai. This evening, enjoy the ERA show and a delicious farewell dinner. (B,D) DAY 28: FLY SHANGHAI TO UKFly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day. (B) |