DAYS 1-2: (8 & 9 Sept) NEW ZEALAND TO BEIJING VIA hONG KONG
Leave 11.59 pm Sunday night from Auckland, overnight flight with Air New Zealand arriving early morning in Hong Kong then late morning flight on to Beijing for a four night stay.
DAY 3: BEIJING (Tues. 10 Sept)
Stroll through the famous Tiananmen Square, passing Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, and visit the treasure-filled Forbidden City. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the traditional Hutong area. This evening sample the local delicacy, Peking Duck.
DAY 4: BEIJING (lau's birthday)
Walk along the Great Wall and reflect on the immensity of the material and labour required for its construction. Later you will see the unique 15th-century Temple of Heaven, one of the most perfect examples of Ming architecture.
DAY 5: BEIJING (thurs. 12 sept)
This morning you will have some free time for shopping at the copy markets. Later, explore the landscaped beauty of the Summer Palace. Your evening entertainment will be an exciting acrobatics performance.
DAY 6: BEIJING TO XIAN
Fly to Xian this morning for a two night stay. Upon arrival visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. This evening feast on a traditional Shui Jiao Dumpling banquet while enjoying a performance of music and dance dating back to the Tang Dynasty.
DAY 7: XIAN (Sat 14 sept)
See one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century, the life-sized Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Next visit the ancient City Wall, one of the best preserved in all of China. Stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter and explore the Islamic food markets.
DAY 8: XIAN TO WUHAN – YANGTZE RIVER
This morning visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda before flying to Wuhan. Upon arrival you will be transferred by coach (approximately 4-5 hours) to Yichang to board your cruise for the next four nights along one of the world’s greatest waterways, the Yangtze River.
DAYS 9-11: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Tour the Three Gorges Dam before continuing your cruise along the mighty Yangtze River. You will pass some of the most beautiful scenery in China at the Three Gorges and take shore excursions to explore the fascinating historic and tranquil landscape of the tributaries.
DAY 12: CHONGQING TO CHENGDU
Disembark your cruise in Chongqing this morning and drive to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.
DAY 13: CHENGDU – LESHAN (fri. 20 sept)
Travel to Leshan to view the Grand Buddha. This enormous statue is carved into the side of the Lingyun Mountain; it is over 71m tall and wide enough for more than 100 people to sit between its feet. Later you will visit Huanglongxi, an ancient town dating back to the Qing Dynasty, before returning to Chengdu for an overnight stay. This evening you will feast on sumptuous Sichuan cuisine.
DAY 14: CHENGDU TO GUILIN
Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see these famous animals in surroundings similar to their natural habitat. This evening you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Guilin, one of China’s most beautiful cities, for an overnight stay.
DAY 15: GUILIN TO YANGSHUO
This morning cruise along the stunning Li River to Yangshuo for an overnight stay. Your journey takes you past tranquil farming and fishing villages and picturesque scenery. Spend the evening walking through the cobblestone streets or relax in a streetside café and enjoy the colourful atmosphere of this town.
DAY 16: YANGSHUO TO GUILIN (mon. 23 sept)
Stroll through the local markets and wander the streets of this charming town before returning to Guilin. Later this afternoon you will visit the stunning Reed Flute Caves and Mt. Diecai. This evening watch a display of traditional cormorant fishing.
DAY 17: GUILIN TO SUZHOU
Fly to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. Upon arrival travel to the garden city of Suzhou, which has a history dating back 2,500 years.
DAY 18: SUZHOU TO SHANGHAI
This morning visit a traditional silk mill, which is still operational. Later you will cruise on a section of the ancient Grand Canal and see classical oriental gardens, before returning to Shanghai. This evening enjoy traditional Shanghai cuisine for dinner.
DAY 19: SHANGHAI (thurs. 26 sept)
See the antiques and fine arts at the Shanghai Museum. Walk through the Yu Gardens and the Old Town, then stroll along the famous Bund to see its collection of neoclassical buildings.
DAY 20: SHANGHAI (fri. 27 sept)
Visit the Pudong area and travel across town to explore the Xintiandi area with its 1920s-style ‘shikumen’ buildings unique to Shanghai. This evening you will enjoy a cruise along the stunning Huangpu River as your farewell celebration.
DAY 21: DEPART SHANGHAI for hong kong for 6 nights
This morning is free at leisure before transferring to Shanghai airport for a lunchtime flight to Hong Kong to meet up with Adam, Jess & Matt for a 6 day holiday in HK & Macau.
