Glories of the Yangtze

 

Beijing	International Hotel	3 nights
Xi'an	Golden Flower	2 nights
Chongqing	JW Marriott Hotel	1 night
Yangtze	Victoria Prince	6 nights
Shanghai	Crowne Plaza Hotel	3 nights

Click on the name of the hotel or cruise ship for details

17 days from £2096  

excluding international flights

Includes a 6 night cruise on the Yangtze from Chongqing to Shanghai aboard the Victoria Prince

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: British Airways from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 – Arrive Beijing.  Hutongs tour by cycle rickshaw.

On arrival in Beijing in the morning you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel.  Enjoy some leisure time and maybe a short sleep after your long flight, and then in the late afternoon your guide will collect you from your hotel for a tour by cycle rickshaw through the narrow streets, or hutongs, of Old Beijing, including a visit to a local family home.

DAY 3 – The Forbidden City.  Temple of Heaven.

In the morning visit Tiananmen Square before passing through the Gates of Celestial Peace to enter the astonishing Forbidden City of the Chinese Emperors.  In the afternoon continue to the exquisite Temple of Heaven.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 – The Great Wall.  Ming Tombs.

Full day excursion to see one of mankind's greatest achievements - the Great Wall of China.  A visit is also included to the Ming Tombs.  In the evening there is the option of sampling a sumptuous Peking Duck Banquet.
Meals included:  Full breakfast.

DAY 5 – Summer Palace.  Fly to Xi'an.

Morning excursion to the Summer Palace of the Chinese Emperors beside Kunming Lake.  In the afternoon fly to Xi'an, capital of China under the Tang, Sung and Ming dynasties.  Enjoy a gentle introduction to this historic city with a late afternoon guided walk along the ancient City Wall (you may choose to do this excursion by bicycle or electric car).
Meals included:  Full breakfast.

DAY 6 – The Terracotta Warriors.

Full day excursion to the site of the incredible Terracotta Warriors.  In the evening there is the option of attending the famous Tang Dynasty Dance performance with dinner.
Meals included:  Full breakfast.

DAY 7 - Xi'an.  Fly to Chongqing to begin your Yangtze Cruise.

After breakfast discover the highlights of the Old City of Xi'an. In the afternoon fly to Chongqing and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAYS 8 TO 13 - Cruising on the Yangtze.

Embark on the Victoria Prince for an exciting six days of cruising downstream to Shanghai, with a full programme of shore excursions.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

 

Pictured: Huang Shan or 'Yellow Mountains', visited on a full day excursion from the Victoria Prince on DAY 12.

DAY 14 - Disembark in Shanghai.

After breakfast disembark in Shanghai, China's largest and most cosmopolitan city and transfer to your hotel.  The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 15 - Shanghai.

Morning tour of Old Shanghai.  The afternoon is free to explore the city, perhaps walking along the famous 'Bund' waterfront with its elegant colonial architecture, or shopping in busy Nanjing Road.  In the evening there is the option of enjoying a Dim Sum Banquet and Acrobatics Show.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 16 - Wuzhen.

Step back into the past with a full day excursion to the canal town of Wuzhen, which still retains its traditional wooden waterside houses, arched stone bridges and narrow cobblestone streets, and is famed for its local handicrafts.  You will visit this pretty town, enjoy lunch and take a boat ride on the canals before returning to Shanghai.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 17 – Depart for home.

Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Meals included:  Full breakfast.

International Flights.

We recommend the direct services of British Airways from London Heathrow to Beijing, returning from Shanghai.  Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Beijing. Depart at 16.40; arrive Beijing at 09.30 (next day)
Shanghai/Heathrow. Depart at 11.00; arrive Heathrow at 16.25

China Holidays: Glories of the Yangtze (Tour Reference: WDCH005)
2013 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Mondays	Price
15, 29 Apr; 13, 27 May; 2, 16, 30 Sep; 14 Oct	£2450
10, 25 Jun; 8, 22 Jul; 5, 19 Aug	£2096
2, 16, 30 Sep; 14 Oct	£2360

Supplements may be charged during Chinese New Year and other Chinese National Holidays.

Single Room Supplements on request

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flights between Beijing and Xi'an, and Xi'an and Chongqing, including airport taxes.
• Hotel and cruise ship accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms/cabins with private facilities.
• 15 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners as shown in the itinerary.
• Private transportation in Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai.  During the Yangtze cruise you will share the transportation with other English-speaking passengers.
  
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as 'optional'), including entrance fees.
• Private English-speaking guides for included sightseeing (except during the Yangtze cruise when you will share the guides with other passengers).

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter.
• Chinese visa. This must be obtained prior to departure from the United Kingdom. We recommend that you obtain your visa through CIBT in London - www.uk.cibt.com.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your China holiday must be paid at least 3 months before your departure date.