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A comprehensive China itinerary covering the country's length and breadth
After a transfer to our hotel in the centre of Beijing, a welcome briefing will be held in the evening, to give us an opportunity to meet our leader and the rest of our group. During dinner we will have the chance to try some authentic Chinese cuisine, which is quite different to the British take on Chinese food! During most meals a variety of dishes will be served for the group to share (frequently utilising the ingenious 'Lazy Susan' rotating table-piece) and our leader will help us select dishes depending on the groups' tastes. *Dong Fang Hotel or similar*
The sightseeing in Beijing today will include the Forbidden City with its innumerable courtyards and temples as well as Tiananmen square, the largest square in the world and able to hold over a million people. We will take a walking tour of the cities hutongs (narrow alleys) to see what is left of old Beijing and its traditions. This afternoon is free to explore. *Dong Fang Hotel or similar*
We leave the capital and head into the countryside to the Great Wall, an approx 2 hour journey to the north of the city. We go to one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall at Mutianyu which is an impressive sight, snaking across mountains and valleys into the distance. This section of the Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. The wall here is up to 8.5 metres high and 5 metres wide, and has 22 watchtowers on its 2,250-metre-long stretch. We will spend a few hours exploring the wall - please note that there are some steep steps to navigate and clients who suffer from vertigo may find it difficult, (there is an optional cable car). Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant on the way back to Beijing; we should expect some traditional northern Chinese cuisine involving vegetables (aubergine, lotus roots, mushrooms etc.), tofu, chicken and pork - and much more! There is the option of seeing an acrobatic or Kung Fu show or a trip to the opera this evening in Beijing. *Dong Fang Hotel or similar*
This morning we visit the Temple of Heaven followed by the Summer Palace where you can witness first hand how vast the exclusive playground of China's emperors and their concubines once was. In the evening we board an overnight train (approx. 12 hours) to the ancient city of Xi'an. It is recommended to purchase food before the train as there is a limited selection on board. The train itself is of a good standard, although please note that facilities such as washrooms and toilets are shared with other passengers and the cleanliness can never be guaranteed. Sleepers are four berth (bunks) and bedding is provided. *Overnight train*
Xi'an is one of China's former capitals and one of the few cities in China to have retained its city walls, probably because they are so massive that no revolutionary was willing to tackle the huge task of removing them. Today, after an opportunity to try some local Chinese breakfast, we will embark on a walking tour, passing the Bell and Drum Plaza to the Muslim quarter, where we visit the Great Mosque. The Muslim quarter is a fascinating place to visit, especially in the evening when it comes alive with bustling bazaars and food stalls. This afternoon is free; it is possible to appreciate the sheer scale of the city walls; you can hire bikes and cycle along them. *Skytel Hotel / Bell Tower Hotel Xi'an, or similar *
Today we visit the famous Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin. Originally four armies were planned, at each point of the compass, life-size and lifelike. Three have been found and it is assumed the Emperor's successors decided enough was enough before the fourth was begun. The first pit excavated had an estimated 6,000 figures in its one army. The third pit has been opened to the public, which contains the 'command post' for the entire operation. This is one of China's great tourist attractions, and some people may find the sheer numbers of visitors rather overpowering. After our visit we will take our lunch at a local farmer's restaurant nearby with the opportunity to taste some fresh seasonal produce, home-made noodles and bread. The evening is free for further exploration in Xi'an. Perhaps your leader will take you to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda Square to witness a water and light show (free of charge). *Skytel Hotel / Bell Tower Hotel Xi'an, or similar *
We transfer to the train station and catch a morning bullet train (duration approx. 4 hrs 15 mins) to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, arriving around lunch time / early afternoon. This area is recognised throughout China as being 'the spicy province', and it certainly lives up to its name! Major flavour combinations include garlic, star anise, chili peppers, and the ever-present Sichuanese peppercorn (hua jiao) which is used in many recipes. In the afternoon, your leader will take you on a walking tour (using public buses) through the lively parks and city centre square where you will get a taste of local life. Don't miss the options to join the locals in the atmospheric outdoor tea houses for a cuppa. *Garden City Hotel or similar*
Today, we will visit one of the iconic UNESCO sites near Chengdu - the Leshan Giant Buddha. About 2-3 hours drive from Chengdu, this 71m tall Buddha carved out of the cliff face of the mountain is the biggest sitting Buddha in the world and took almost 100 years of hard work to finish about 1300 years ago. You will have 2 options of visiting the Buddha, either by boat on the river or by walking around it in the mountain. Be prepared for the crowds and long queues who come to worship this Giant Buddha if you walk. Your group leader can advise you on the best way to visit depending on the season. We return to Chengdu in the late afternoon. In the evening there is the opportunity to taste some of the legendary Sichuanese cuisine in the form of a Chengdu hotpot dinner. The typical flavours of this iconic dish are created with Sichuan pepper (hua jiao) and involve a certain amount of interaction as the food is cooked in a large hot pot by the diners themselves! For those not a fan of spice there are options to omit the peppers from the hot broth in which the food items are cooked. *Garden City Hotel or similar*
With an early start today we will visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Hopefully these intriguing and rare animals will be feeding, as this is when they're most active; otherwise, we will have the opportunity to watch the Pandas indulge in their most common form of entertainment, sleeping! We then travel by train to Chongqing City (approx 3 hours), the embarkation point for our Yangtze River Cruise (after a 30-minute transfer to the dock). On arrival, we will board our 4-star cruise boat and settle into our cabins. We will stay in air-conditioned twin-berth cabins with en suite bathrooms. *Cruise boat (4-star international rating/ 5-star local rating)*
These two days are spent cruising on one of the world's great rivers as we head downstream through stunning scenery of towering cliffs and gorges. En route we pass many towns and villages that have sprung up along the banks of the river that supplies the lifeblood to the heart of China. To try to limit the impact of flooding, the Chinese government has undertaken a huge construction project with a massive dam being built. This has flooded the famous Three Gorges of Qutang, Wu and Xiling. A journey amidst these natural wonders is a must-see for any visitor to China. The nights are spent on the boat and there is time for shore excursions on the way as the boat docks at some of smaller towns and villages, and the lesser gorges by smaller boats, depending upon water levels. The day-to-day schedule for the cruise and timings can change due to adverse weather conditions, river conditions and permission of navigation authorities. The details of onboard and shore activities will be explained in the briefing and the river guide will be able to give you more information after boarding. The cruise will cover what is commonly considered as the essence of the Three Gorges, but some parts of the gorge will be passed through the night. If water levels are ok we will cruise through a series of locks through the dam itself, but this can not be guaranteed as it depends on the weather and river traffic. *Cruise boat (4-star international rating/ 5-star local rating)*
We complete our cruise this morning and disembark and will take a look at the dam and learn about the massive engineering project that took place. We then drive to Yichang where we catch the afternoon train to Liuzhou (approx. 16 hours). *Overnight Train*
We arrive in Liuzhou early this morning (4:30/5:00am) and then transfer by road for 3.5 hours through the stunning towering limestone scenery to Yangshuo. The surrounding region is famous for the steep-sided karst mountains that pierce the otherwise flat landscape of paddy fields; a view of a rural landscape that has changed little in centuries. Despite its small size, Yangshuo has quite a good tourist infrastructure due to its large transient population of backpackers and domestic tourists. In the afternoon we have a cookery class, led by a local host, to discover how to make some of China's most iconic dishes, before enjoying our home-made culinary creations for lunch. *New West Street Hotel or similar*
This morning gives us the opportunity to appreciate the spectacular landscape on two wheels; as we take a bike and ride towards Moon Hill, one of the most famous in the area. The biking is at a leisurely pace, and there are plenty of stops to hydrate and appreciate the glorious scenery! Lunch is spent with a local family, giving us the opportunity to sample some new dishes and create friendships over food. Expect delicious dishes such as clay-pot taro, stir-fried chicken and veggies, and traditional fried eggs. Please note that for anyone unable to or not wanting to cycle, your leader can arrange a taxi or minivan to take you on a scenic drive through the countryside to meet the group at the lunch stop (at your own expense). The afternoon is free to relax or enjoy one of the many optional activities Yangshuo has to offer. *New West Street Hotel or similar*
Today is free to relax and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and iconic scenery around Yangshuo. There are many optional activities available; cruise on the Li River, visit the Black Buddha caves or enjoy a Chinese massage or a kung fu class, or watch the Liu Sanjie Show: an outdoor performance set on a natural stage formed by the Li River and 12 peaks. Even if you choose just to relax this is an ideal place, you can take a stroll around the market and examine the local produce or enjoy one of the cafes and watch the world go by. *New West Street Hotel or similar*
In the morning we transfer to the airport at Guilin to fly to Shanghai; a city with a real international feel to it which will seem a world away from the countryside you have come from. In the evening we take a walking tour of the famous Bund area, to see the iconic buildings along the riverside lit up in all their glory. There will be the opportunity to visit the Jin Mao Tower (optional), which is the 18th tallest building in the world and boasts a spectacular view of Shanghai from the observation deck. *Greenland Jiulong Hotel or similar*
An early start (around 7am) to avoid the crowds at the ancient water town of Xitang; famous for its cobbled streets and bridges arching over the many canals. There are several well-preserved buildings from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties, and the town is a delightful place to explore on foot. We will take lunch here before the journey back to Shanghai (around 2 hours) where the evening will be free. *Greenland Jiulong Hotel or similar*
With a population of around twelve million, Shanghai is yours to explore today. This morning we enjoy a visit to firstly the Shanghai museum, followed by the Yu Yuan garden; the rest of the day is free to explore. Though it no longer warrants the title 'Paris of the East', many of the vestiges of its colonial past are still apparent. It is worth strolling along Nanjing Road (Shanghai's 'Oxford Street') or visiting the Shanghai tower, (currently, the tallest building in China and second tallest in the world, standing at 632m high) or Shanghai's smaller television tower to see some of the city's stunning architecture. Optional activities this evening include the Shanghai Acrobatic show, which comes highly recommended! *Greenland Jiulong Hotel *
For those on the group flight to London the flight is in the morning, with a same day arrival into London in the evening. **
* Travel by train/overnight train, private minibus, public bus, cruise boat
and 1 internal flight
* Group normally 5 to 18, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
* 13 nights comfortable hotels, 3 nights comfortable 4-star cruise boat with
outward facing twin berth air-conditioned cabins, all en suite, and 2
nights 1st class sleeper train, soft-bed berths
* Fast paced itinerary
18 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 3 dinners included
One of the major draws of China is its exciting and varied cuisine. On this
trip you will be able to try many different dishes that will be carefully
selected with your leaders help and based on the group's dietary requirements
and preferences. Meals generally consist of shared dishes, which is the best
way to experience as many different ingredients as possible and try things
you might not usually choose. Examples of popular dishes include Ma Po Tofu,
a delicious tofu dish made with beef, chillies and onion, Gong Bao chicken, a
very popular dish with chilli and peanuts, the iconic Peking Duck, served
with hoisin sauce and pancakes, and dumplings in many shapes and sizes. A
very popular dish in Sichuan Province is Hot Pot (Huoguo) which can be served
as spicy as you wish and consists of a simmering metal pot of stock in the
middle of a table which is served with ingredients ranging from quails eggs,
local vegetables and many different types of meat. There are many different
dishes to try and the leader will always try and accommodate tastes, but if
you tire of Chinese food there are always opportunities to eat Western-style
dishes. For vegetarians or those with dietary requirements, many of the
traditional dishes can be amended to omit the meat products.
* Travel by train/overnight train, private minibus, public bus, cruise boat
and 1 internal flight
* Group normally 5 to 18, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
* 13 nights comfortable hotels, 3 nights comfortable 4-star cruise boat with
outward facing twin berth air-conditioned cabins, all en suite, and 2
nights 1st class sleeper train, soft-bed berths
* Fast paced itinerary
This holiday is designed so that you can see the best parts of China in a
relatively short period of time. There is a lot to see and do, and the
distances covered are large, but everything is scheduled so that it doesn't
feel too rushed. You should come armed for an experience: China can be hard
work and the summer heat and the bustle of some of the cities can be a little
overwhelming. That said, there are places where you can find peace and quiet,
and we try to incorporate these into the itinerary at regular intervals.
Although the temperatures in the summer can frequently top 30 degrees celsius
there are many places that offer air conditioning (hotels, transportation and
restaurants/shops) so you will find many places to cool down.
You should be aware that there are several occasions where you will need to
carry your own luggage on this trip, mainly when journeying to and from the
train stations and along the long platforms; sometimes there will only be
stairs for access. Trolleys and porters are often available but these should
not be depended upon as some stations do not offer these facilities. Many
passengers find it useful to bring luggage with wheels.
Hotels, Boat & Train
On this trip, you will spend 13 nights in comfortable hotels, 3 nights on a
4-star cruise boat with 2 berth air-conditioned cabins, all en suite, and 2
nights on a 1st class sleeper train.
Nearly all the hotels are locally rated as at least 3-star and wherever
possible located as near to local attractions as possible. The overnight
train is in the 'soft sleeper' cabins, which are 4-berth (bunk beds) private
cabins. The train itself is of a good standard, although please note that
facilities such as washrooms and toilets are shared with other passengers and
the cleanliness can never be guaranteed - there is one Western-style toilet
and one Asian style squat toilet per carriage, plus a washroom for brushing
your teeth, and a water heater for making tea/coffee or pot noodles. Bedding
is provided but we recommend you consider taking a thin sleep sheet. Whilst
we make every attempt to place passengers together in cabins, sometimes this
is impossible, however, we will never place a solo traveller in a cabin by
themselves (they will always be either with another passenger on the trip or
with the leader). If you are travelling in a pair, it may be possible to
upgrade to 'deluxe soft sleeper' 2-berth private cabins on the overnight
train, please request this with Exodus in advance. This is subject to
availability and only possible for clients travelling in pairs due to new
regulations.
For the Yangtze River cruise, we work with a couple of different cruise
boats, each offering comfortable 4-star (5-star local rating) accommodation
and service and following the same programme. The well-appointed rooms are
equipped with air-conditioning and all have en suite bathrooms. There is
ample deck space to relax on as you watch the magnificent scenery drift by
as well as a fitness centre, spa, bar, lounge, and restaurant. The ships
carry between 200 and 400 passengers.
If you prefer to have your own room, it is possible to book single supplement
subject to availability - please request this at the time of booking. The
single supplement does not apply to the overnight trains.
Twin cabin, China Goddess 2 Yangtze cruise boat, 
18 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 3 dinners included
One of the major draws of China is its exciting and varied cuisine. On this
trip you will be able to try many different dishes that will be carefully
selected with your leaders help and based on the group's dietary requirements
and preferences. Meals generally consist of shared dishes, which is the best
way to experience as many different ingredients as possible and try things
you might not usually choose. Examples of popular dishes include Ma Po Tofu,
a delicious tofu dish made with beef, chillies and onion, Gong Bao chicken, a
very popular dish with chilli and peanuts, the iconic Peking Duck, served
with hoisin sauce and pancakes, and dumplings in many shapes and sizes. A
very popular dish in Sichuan Province is Hot Pot (Huoguo) which can be served
as spicy as you wish and consists of a simmering metal pot of stock in the
middle of a table which is served with ingredients ranging from quails eggs,
local vegetables and many different types of meat. There are many different
dishes to try and the leader will always try and accommodate tastes, but if
you tire of Chinese food there are always opportunities to eat Western-style
dishes. For vegetarians or those with dietary requirements, many of the
traditional dishes can be amended to omit the meat products.
Road travel will be by private minibus and taxis, public buses and metro in
some cities. The short drive (approx. 30 minutes) at the Three Gorges Dam is
operated by the Three Gorges Dam Company (they are the only supplier
permitted to operate this route) and as such Exodus cannot guarantee that all
seats will have operational seatbelts. On the sleeper trains we use First
Class 'soft-seat' or 'soft-sleeper', which although not quite up to Western
First Class standards are comfortable and clean. Usually these are 4-berth
(bunk beds, and mixed genders). On the bullet trains (Xi'an - Chengdu,
Chengdu - Chongqing, Yichang - Wuhan and Wuhan - Guilin) we use Second Class
seats. All flights will be in economy class. Most of the driving days are not
long, usually no more than four hours. The boat used is tourist class as
detailed in the accommodation section.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 20 days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of Air China or British Airways
(depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change
regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or
your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings
may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two
weeks before departure.
*Travelling land only: 19 days starting in Beijing and ending in Shanghai*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Beijing in the evening of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
*Free Transfers*
Exodus offers FREE airport arrival transfers for any flight arriving into
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and departure transfers for any
flight departing from Shanghai for this trip, for both Land Only and Flight
Inclusive clients. Please note that free transfers are not offered from/to
the new Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Unless specified
otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel and
from the end (or post-tour) hotel, and will be on the date on which the tour
starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different
dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers may be shared with other Exodus
customers on the same flight, or on a flight with similar arrival times. All
those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight
details for both arrival and departure in advance.
Beijing and Xi'an: The north of China has warm (25ºC+), quite humid summers,
and cold dry winters. If you travel between June and August, it will be hot
more or less everywhere, except in the mountains. Some rain must be expected,
possibly heavy. If you travel in September/October, you will probably get
less rain and the temperatures will be fairly warm (around 20ºC) everywhere.
November is starting to get cooler (3-13ºC) and can therefore sometimes feel
chilly. The Great Wall region will be colder than the cities due to the
mountainous terrain.
Yangtze River Gorge: The central region of China has very warm humid summers
and cold winters. Rainfall should be expected during the summer months. In
July/August temperatures along the Yangtze River can reach 40ºC and in
Spring/Autumn will be 22-26ºC. November is the shoulder season and is more
prone to overcast days and you can expect it to be quite cool (Yichang,
9-17ºC / Chongqing 3-13ºC).
Yangshuo/Shanghai: The south of China is sub-tropical with hot (30ºC), wet
summers (May to September), and warm, relatively dry (November to March)
winters, though rain is possible at almost any time of year.
The winter months in China are cold (+3ºC), so if travelling in
November/March be prepared for temperatures to drop to below freezing at
night in the North, but with almost guaranteed dry sightseeing. The weather
is milder in the south.
On the trains, there are limitations on the quantities of certain items which
are allowed, including aerosol sprays (up to 120ml), nail polish, hair dye
(up to 20ml).
In addition to your 'normal' daily clothes: Light casual cotton clothing is
recommended. Please remember that you will be expected to cover your legs and
arms (to the elbow) during visits to some temples and palaces.
Sandals are useful as they are cooler and are easier to take off when
visiting temples.
A light pair of long underwear, a fleece, hat, gloves and a wind-proof or
down jacket if visiting from November to March/April is advised.
Lightweight walking boots or strong trainers that give proper ankle support
are recommended for the walk on the Wall.
Cycling helmets are unlikely to be available for hire and if they are, the
quality cannot be guaranteed, we therefore strongly suggest you bring your
own helmet with you for this trip if you want to cycle during the free days.
At the time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the
recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend
packing only one piece of checked baggage.
Lightweight waterproof jacket or an umbrella. The overnight trains are
generally very clean, but as standards vary, you may feel more comfortable
bringing a sleeping bag liner or similar to sleep in. You may also wish to
take earplugs just in case there are louder sleepers in the berth! Most
people want to carry certain items with them during the day while cycling,
for this we recommend a large bum-bag or small close-fitting daysack. Shoes
with relatively stiff soles are better for biking, and eye-protection
(sunglasses) and a waterbottle or hydration system (e.g. camelbak) are also
useful.
Allow about £400-500/$525-660 for the optional activities mentioned and
meals not included, more if you include options given to you locally by your
leader not mentioned here. Please note this does not include tips, please see
the box below for more details.
*Optional Excursions*
There are a number of optional activities, which if you wish, your leader can
arrange for you. They are subject to schedules and availability; your leader
will let you know what is available and the local costs. Preferably payment
should be given in CNY. Below is an indication of the optional activities and
their approximate costs but these may vary throughout the season or depending
on the number of participants and are given in good faith as a guideline
only.
*Beijing*
Opera: CNY265 (approx. £30/US$39)
Kungfu Show: CNY265 (approx. £30/US$39)
Cable car at Great Wall: CNY91 (approx. £10/US$14) one way; CNY116
return (approx. £13/US$17)
*Xi'an*
Bell and Drum Tower entry CNY50 (£6/US$8)
Bike rental on the city walls in Xian (90min) CNY45 (£5/US$7)
Tang Dynasty Show and dumpling banquet CNY275 (£30/US$40)
*Yangtze Cruise*
Evening show 'War of the Three Kingdoms' CNY290 (£32/US$42)
White Emperor City CNY290 (£32/US$42)
Upgrade to VIP restaurant on cruise CNY398 (£45/US$58) (depending which boat
is used on your departure)
*Yangshuo*
Liu Sanjie show CNY275 (£30/US$40)
Li River Cruise is CNY190 (£21/US$28)
Bike rental CNY25 (£3/US$4) per day, bike guide CNY250 (£28/US$36) per
group
Taiji/calligraphy/Chinese painting lesson CNY100 (£11/US$15)
*Shanghai*
Acrobatic performance CNY275 (£30/US$40)
River cruise CNY150 (£17/US$22)
*Chengdu*
Sichuan Opera CNY166 (£18/US$24)
It is not compulsory to join any of these optional activities and your leader
can recommend many more options. It is also possible to arrange many of these
activities independently if you prefer. The prices quoted above generally do
not include transportation to get to these activities, which will cost
extra, and there are more expensive tickets available for better seats
at various performances.
This is entirely at your own discretion however; we suggest that you allow a
few pounds for tips for the local guides and staff. In China, with the
increase in tourism, tipping has become customary. The local staff will
probably expect some gratuity and we suggest you allow for this. The leader
will suggest to the group that they donate a sum of approx. CNY280 (£30/$40)
per person towards a kitty on arrival (which includes the time on the Yangtze
river cruise). This money is then used for tipping of local guides, hotel
porters, drivers etc. It is basically to ensure that the hassle is taken out
of various tipping activities for you. If you do not wish to contribute to a
central pool for tips you are of course free to do so.
You will also be expected to tip the crew on the Yangtze boat, which is not
covered in the tips kitty, please allow about CNY180-200 (£20/$26).
If you feel that your tour leader has performed well over the course of your
trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you
choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide, CNY30-35 (£3-4/US$4-5)
per person per day would be a reasonable starting point. The 'tipping kitty'
explained above is entirely separate from any contribution to the tour
leader. Our local staff are paid fairly for their work with Exodus.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request) (excludes sleeper train)
* Vaccinations
* Chinese Visa - GBP201 with Travcour or GBP151 plus GBP18 special delivery
direct with Embassy
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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