China Explorer
18 Day Tour to Beijing, Xian, 5* Yangtze Cruise, Shanghai, Suzhou, Yellow Mountain & Hangzhou
18 day tour to Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, 5* Yangtze Cruise, Yichang, Shanghai, Suzhou, Yellow Mountain & Hangzhou
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This tour starts in the bustling city of Beijing where we'll visit the Forbidden City and walk along the Great Wall. Then tour the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which are considered to be one of the greatest archaeological finds of the last century. Chongqing is a vibrant and rapidly growing city known for its unique geographical and cultural characteristics; we then board our deluxe cruise ship, home for the next 3 nights on one of the world's greatest waterways - the Yangtze River. Shanghai, the New York of the Orient. Here, we take a stroll along the Bund and the famous Nanjing Road, visit the beautiful Yu Garden and lively Yuyuan market. As the Chinese saying goes - "Heaven Above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below". Relish in the serene beauty of West Lake surrounded by Longjing Tea plantations in Hangzhou and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of stunning Chinese gardens in Suzhou. You will also visit the famous Yellow mountain.
Depart on your flight to Beijing. Your tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Today’s visit includes Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. From Tiananmen Square enter the Forbidden City. This massive complex was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With almost 10,000 rooms, this well-preserved imperial palace is the largest in the world. After lunch, you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would make offerings to heaven and pray for good harvests.
Today you experience the splendour of the Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is an amazing manmade structure built over 2000 years ago to protect China from northern invaders. In the afternoon visit Summer Palace, the largest and best preserved of all imperial palace gardens. Be amazed with fascination at the Marble Boat and the ornately painted Long Corridor.
This morning you are transferred to the train station and take high speed train to Xian. You will experience the high speed train which runs 300 km per hour and takes around 4.5 hours for this 1,216 kilometer long journey. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Xian is the most historic city in China and the capital of ancient China for 11 dynasties.
Today’s touring is to the vast treasure of the underground army of the Terracotta Warriors. They are to be found at an archaeological site which so far has yielded some 8000 ancient terracotta soldiers and horses, each a unique, finely detailed sculpture. This afternoon, you visit the ancient city wall which is one of the best persevered in China. Evening enjoy famous dumpling banquet.
Today you are transferred to the railway station for the bullet train to Chongqing about 5-6 hours. Chongqing, located in southwestern China, is a vibrant and rapidly growing city known for its unique geographical and cultural characteristics. It's a great place to explore with a mix of modern and traditional elements. Overnight in Chongqing.
This morning you will tour around this mountain city, including Erling Park and Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street etc, you will also visit Panda at Chongqing Zoo. Transferred to board the cruise 5* MV Century Oasis in Chongqing between 16:30 -- 21:00. Embarkation buffet dinner onboard. Take part in the Safety Briefing, cruise around the ship at your leisure. Ship departs from the port around 22:00.
Remarks: 3 off-shore excursions to Fengdu Ghost City, Shennv Stream, and Three Gorges Dam Site are included. Other optional tours please book direct with the cruise when on board.
You will enjoy free morning tea and coffee in the bar. If the weather permits, you may practice Tai Chi with a professional trainer on the sunshine deck. After breakfast, take the excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (about 2 hours). It's known for the culture of ghosts and integrating of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism with diverse of Chinese traditions. There are varieties of on-board activities & lectures will be available in the afternoon.
After breakfast, either takes part in the optional shore excursion to the historical and cultural site of White Emperor City or at your leisure on-board. The ship will sail through the spectacular Qutang Gorge, followed by the magnificent Wu Gorge. The guide will introduce the unique scenery on both sides of the sun deck.
After lunch, join the excursion at the Shennv Stream (about 3 hours). From your Century Ship transfer to a smaller boat, you will cruise up the newly created waterways between well-wooded hills and sheer cliffs where you can enjoy spectacular scenery and see the most famous hanging coffins. Return to cruise.
After an early breakfast, you will join in the shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site (about 3 hours), which is the largest water conservancy project in the world.
*Optional tour of the Three Gorges Dam Ship Elevator: Disembark at Maoping pier of Yichang and change to a smaller boat to experience the Three Gorges Dam Ship Elevator; then disembark at Sandouping pier of Yichang and join the tour to the Three Gorges Dam.
In the afternoon you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Shanghai, one of the largest city in China where east meets the west. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Shanghai.
After breakfast, the day begins with a grand city tour of Shanghai – the classical Ming Dynasty Yu Yuan Gardens with pavilions, towers and terraces and Pudong, the new economic district across from the Bund. The tour continues after lunch with a stroll along the spacious promenade of the Bund and some window shopping along bustling Nanjing Road; then followed by a visit to Xintiandi, where “yesterday meets tomorrow in Shanghai today.” As a re-creation born out of the sprawls of Shikumen housing, which is the architectural symbol of Shanghai in the 20th century, Shanghai Xintiandi, “the City’s Living-room” is a place to unwind and relax after a long day. You can enjoy your shopping at the local market.
Today you take a day excursion to Suzhou. Suzhou, referred to as the “Venice of the East” because it was built around a network of canals and bridges which fan out from the Grand Canal. Suzhou is also famous for its charming gardens. Visit the picturesque Humble Administrator’s Garden, the most famous garden in Suzhou, then visit Panmen Gate and see the Grand Canal, followed by a stop at the Number One Silk Factory to witness the production of the finest silk in China. Late afternoon, board your coach back to Shanghai. Overnight in Shanghai.
Today you will take high speed train to Tunxi, the township of Yellow Mountain, the train ride takes 4.5 hours. After lunch, take a city orientation tour. Check in at your hotel in Tunxi.
This morning take cable car to the top of Yellow Mountain, also called Mt. Huangshan, and is well known as "the loveliest mountain in China", famous for its magnificent scenery made up of many granite peaks and rocks emerging out of clouds. Overnight at local hotel at Xidi Village.
This morning visit Xidi Village, more than 200 houses were built in Ming and Qing Dynasty with many of them decorated with stone carvings and wood carvings. The village was listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1999. This afternoon take the high speed train to Hangzhou.
This morning take a leisurely cruise along the beautiful West Lake before going to Flower Harbour (Huagang) Park to see Red Carp. Then you will visit a tea plantation to sample some of the best green tea in China and to see the ancient process of refining tea. This afternoon, you can wander through the Qinghefang as well as the Huqingyutang Pharmacy where Chinese medicine is practiced.
Today is at leisure in Hangzhou until your transfer to the airport for your flight home bound.
Arrive in Australia this morning.
Single supplement (hotel + Cruise): $1480
Pre / Post Stay Hotel: $198 (Beijing) / $190 (Hangzhou) - per room per night for 2 persons with breakfast
Remarks
- This tour is a guaranteed departure based on a minimum of 4 people. Full package prices above include airport taxes and fuel surcharges.
- Land Only price: Tour starts from Arrival Transfer in Beijing and Departure Transfer in Hangzhou, including 2nd class high speed train Beijing - Xian - Chongqing; Shanghai - Tunxi - Hangzhou; economy air travel Yichang - Shanghai but excludes any International air tickets.
- Train upgrade: 2nd class high speed train from Beijing - Xian - Chongqing; Shanghai - Tunxi - Hangzhou included. Upgrading to 1st class with surcharge total $240 pp subject to availability.
- China Visa: All travellers need visas to visit China. Please click here for details https://cbtholidays.com.au/faqs/
- Package prices of Singapore Airlines are for departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth. Any cost including hotel or meals incurred due to the connecting flight in Hong Kong or Singapore will be at your own expenses.
- Package prices of China Eastern Airlines are for departures from Sydney only.
- Stopover in Singapore permitted if flying with Singapore Airlines; extra airport taxes may apply. Land arrangement in Singapore can be arranged at additional cost.
- Fly other airliines? Yes you can fly any other airlines, just simply use LAND ONLY price + relevant International air tickets to Beijing and exit from Guilin / Guangzhou.
- Hotel references or similar:
- 4* Beijing Park Plaza Science Park
- 4* Xian Grand Noble Hotel
- 4* Chongqing Ramada Encore by Wyndham
- 5* Century Oasis Cruise
- 4* Shanghai Park Inn Downtown by Raddison
- 4* Huangshan Tiandu International
- 4* Xidi Hotel
- 4* Hangzhou Meiyuan Best Western Hotel
Inclusions
- Return economy class airfares departing from Australia with selected airlines and all domestic flights (unless specified), including ticketed airport taxes & fuel surcharges as at October 2023 (CBT reserve the right to charge extra if airlines increase their fuel surcharge).
- Fully inclusive tour with all transfers between airports / piers / stations and hotels in each city; daily sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary; evening entertainment; professional English speaking local guides and cruise etc. Most meals - breakfasts are Western / local cuisine style buffet at hotel, while lunches and dinners are mostly local cuisines served at selected restaurants, please refer to meal code on itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner, BD=buffet dinner, SD=specialty dinner, WD=western dinner).
- Most of our hotels are 4 star international standard hotels with twin share superior class accommodation. All rooms have private facilities, telephone, colour TV and in-room internet facilities. Many hotels have a swimming pool.
- Professional English speaking National guide will accompany the group throughout the trip, in association with the local tour guides. This is subject to the minimum of 10 clients for each tour. Should the group be less than 10 people, the local guide will meet you at the airport / station upon your arrival and return you to the station / airport for your next destination.
- CBT Holidays travel wallet and travel kits.