• Escorted Small Groups
• Private / Tailor-made Packages
• Business Travel
• School & Social Clubs

• Escorted Small Groups

Spring Peach Bloosom, Tranquil Gardens & Cruising

Tour Itinerery

19 March: UK - Beijing

Our adventure begins as we board our flight at London Heathrow to Beijing. (regional departure available).

20 March: Beijing

Arrival in Beijing. You will be greeted by Oriental's Tour Manager. Take the time to relax and settle in our hotel before enjoying a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: 4* Qianmen Hotel

21 March: Beijing

Our day begins with the sacred Temple of Heaven, a place of solitude, contemplation and where once the emperor's spoke in hushed whispers to the gods in heaven to pray for continuing prosperity & good harvests. Move onto the Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, before retracing the steps of the great emperors of China and wander amongst the imperial splendour of the Forbidden City. Later we walk through the imperial Jingshan Park and climb up to the Jingshan Hill, time is matched to catch the panaroma sunset over the golden rooftop of the 999 rooms of Forbidden City!

22 March: Beijing

An exciting day awaits you as we head to the Great Wall (Mutianyu Section) where you will have plenty of time to climb up to the top of this magnificent structure.
Stop by a Cloisonne Workshop on our way back to city and pass by the Bird Nest Stadium & Water Cube Stadium the two ultra-modern stadiums hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

23 March: Beijing - Xian

You can't help being impressed with the majestic and beautifully landscaped Summer Palace, an extensive assembly of temples, pavilions and halls nestling on the banks of Kunming lake and re-built for Empress Dowager Cixi just before the time of the "last Emperor".

Later in the afternoon, fly to Xian, a veritable treasure trove of China's former glory. We shall stop by the 14th century built Drum Tower whose rich beat once signal the closure of the city gates, before checking into our hotel.
Accommodation: 4* Grand New World

24 March: Xian

This morning journey out to the World Heritage Site of the Terracotta Warriors. Here you will have plenty of time to personally inspect the eternal guard of the First Emperor.We will also stop at a workshop to view the production of Terracotta figurines by local craftsmen and perhaps purchase a 6 ft replica warrior for you garden or home!
After lunch and a chance to sample local specialty of "hand-pulled noodles", we find ourselves admiring the beautifully preserved Big Goose Pagoda.

25 March: Xian - Chongqing

A leisurely morning is followed by a stroll along the massive Ancient City Walls and the South Gate.

A short flight takes us to Chongqing, where we will see the giant pandas at the Panda House before boarding our deluxe vessel for a 3 nights voyage on the mightly Yangtze River.
Accommodation: 5* Victoria Cruise (cabin with private balcony)

26-27 March: Three Gorges & Yangtze River Cruising

It is hard to describe the joy of waking up each morning to what seems like an endless procession of magnificent views slowly unfolding before you. Highlights include Fengdu's Ghost City "entrance to the underworld" and the "Lesser Gorges" whose towering walls of rock seem impenetrable and whose beauty is inspirational. In fact the final section of this clear water tributary is so secluded that it can only be reached by Sampan!

28 March: Yichang - Suzhou

On the verge of completion, the enormous achievement of the Three Gorges Dam Project proves that man's legacies continue...
From here we will make our way to the airport and fly to the garden city of Suzhou. Dinner will be served upon our arrival in hotel.
Accommodation: Pingjiang Lodge Boutique Hotel (heritage mansion converted into a charming boutique hotel)

29 March: Suzhou

Historically the cultural capital of China, this traditional city is famous for fine gardens, canals & silk. We start the morning with a stroll along the city's well preserved quarter, Pingjiang, with its cobbled lanes and courtyard houses, giving you an excellent opportunity to discover what local life is really like, followed by a boat trip along the city's oldest water canal to Humble Administrator Garden. For those with an interest to discover how important Feng Shui is to traditional Chinese garden design, the garden visit will be an enlightening experience.

Adjoins the garden lies the newly built Suzhou Museum designed by the internationally acclaimed architect I.M. Pei. The museum itself is a piece of art. Architecture and landscape become interrelated as a series of gardens and courts flow in and from the building itself. On display is a rich treasure of ancient Chinese art, brush paintings on rice paper, calligraphies and hand-made crafts.

This evening we will pay a special visit to the Master Net Garden, a smaller and more intimate garden and as we walk through the small lanes we will be presented with a host of cultural performances, including Kun Opera, flute and pipa.

30 March: Suzhou - Hangzhou

Following a leisurely breakfast, the impressive seven-storey and 1,000 year old leaning pagoda on top of Tiger Hill, is quite remarkable...after all, are buildings really supposed to lean that much? Continue onto a silk workshop to discover the fasinating world of the silk worm and perhaps even indulge yourself in the factory shop!

Later in the afternoon we travel by a comfortable modern train (approx. 2.5 hours) through the countryside to Hangzhou where we stay for two nights.
Accommodation: Pingjiang Lodge Boutique Hotel (heritage mansion converted into a charming boutique hotel)

31 March: Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a beautiful city blessed with an eye-popping kaleidoscope of visionary delights. Our days begins with a relaxing boat trip on the famed West Lake and explore its landscaped islets before discovering the Buddhist treasure arts at the Lingyin Temple and the stunning architecture of Six Harmonies Pagoda. For those with an interest, there is an option to visit the Hangzhou Botanical Garden.

1 April: Hangzhou

Ever wondered what true Chinese tea really tastes like, smells like and of how one tea's taste compares to another? Then enter tea heaven as you will learn all about the Chinese tea culture at the best Tea Museum in the country, and probably in the world! Head to the lush greenery hill of tea plantation and sip down the "Longjing" tea and feel the fragrance travel through your nose...

Later we travel by air-conditioning coach (1.5 hours) to Shanghai. After freshen up in our hotel and dinner, conclude the day with a marvellous Shanghai acrobatics show.
Accommodation: 4*+ Rendezvous Hotel or Ramada Plaza

2 April: Shanghai (Peach Blossom Festival)

Today is a day of anticipation. We will attend the wonderful Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival in suburb of Shanghai. Little known to western travellers, the annual festival which helds between late March to early April, is much anticipated by the Chinese all over the region. We will be greeted by tens of thousands of charming peach trees as well as tulip and core flowers in their full blossom covering a huge over a thousand hectares of an orchard park. The peach is a species of Prunus originated in China and were introduced to Persia and the West along the Silk Road before Christian times. The Chinese have a special love for peaches, which symbolizes love & romance, and the subject of many poems, drama and paintings.

After spending a wonderful morning in the orchard villages, we will embark on a city tour highlighting the Bund, Yuyuan Bazzar and Old French Concessionary.

3 April: Shanghai - UK

Today bid a fond farwell to China as we board our return flight home. Arrival is scheduled for the same afternoon.

......................................................................................................................................................................
Post-Tour Hong Kong Extension 2 Nights 3 Days -- £340 per person / extra night at £45
Price include:
- Your choice of domestic flight or overland train (deluxe soft sleeper 2-berth) from Shanghai to Hong Kong
- 2 nights at 4*+ Harbour Plaza Metropolis Hotel or L' Hotel Causeway Bay (room basis only)
- Half day city coach tour in Hong Kong

* Note: the train departs on alternative dates only and takes 25 hours
........................................................................................................................................................................

Tour Price includes:

• Escorted holiday with English speaking guides (plus Tour Manager for size above 12)
• Return international flights
• 11 nights hotel accommodation as listed above
• 3 nights 5-star Victoria Cruise (private balcony cabin) including all shore excursion fee
• Daily buffet breakfast and most lunches & dinners - 14 breakfast, 13 lunch/refreshment, 12 dinner
• Tour program as mentioned including local transportation, entrance fee

Tour Price exclude:

- Chinese visa fee (we can arrange this for you)
- Travel insurance (we can arrange this for you)
- Gratuities to tour manager/guide
- Airline fuel surcharge

Dates	Price (per person)	Availability
March 19	£1,985	Good	Book