聯誼假期/ Nexus Holidays Golden Triangle 11 Day Tour

Beijing  Xi’an  Xi’an Tour Highlights Beijing Walk on the incredible Great Wall CHINA  Unfold the mystery of the Forbidden City Shanghai Stroll in the exquisite Summer Palace Amaze at the marvellous Terracotta Warriors Immerse yourself in the hustle and

bustle of cosmopolitan Shanghai

Guaranteed Package Single Day 1  Friday  /ShanghaiBeijing Departure Dates Price Supplement Start your trip with a China Eastern Airlines flight from Sydney/Melbourne to Beijing, the capital city of China. Your 2012: Nov 2 tour guide will warmly greet you at the airport arrival hall and 2013: Feb 22 Mar 15, On Sale Now! then transfer you to your hotel for a good night’s sleep. Apr 26 May 17, 31 Jun 14 Jul 19, $1,999 $450 Day 2  Saturday  Beijing  (B,L,D) Aug 30 Sep 13, Beijing served as the capital of five dynasties over a period of Oct 18 Nov 1 $3,350 800 years. Start your city tour with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the second largest public square in the world. Next Package Inclusions: Package Exclusions: stop is the Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace for  International and domestic airfare  China visa more than 500 years. In the afternoon, continue to the (economy class) and taxes departing  Tipping Temple of Heaven, one of the best examples of Ming Dynasty SYD/MEL; BNE/ADL $250 surcharge ($10/day/person-total $90) architecture in China, and also an ornate sanctuary where  9 nights hotel accommodation  Travel insurance Chinese Emperors prayed for good harvest in ancient times. For  Daily meals as indicated (B/L/D/S) (recommended) tonight’s welcome dinner, feast on the emperor’s cuisine -  Coach transportation  Personal expenses The Peking Roast Duck Banquet.  Sight-seeing admission fees  English speaking tour guide Tiananmen Square Temple of Heaven

Hotel Accommodation

Beijing Jade Palace Hotel 5 Stars Xi’an Titan Times Hotel 5 Stars Shanghai Minya Hotel 5 Stars Suzhou Gusu Jinjiang Tower Hotel 5 Stars Hangzhou Braim Canal Hotel 5 Stars Day 3  Sunday  Beijing  (B,L,S) The highlight today is an excursion to the wondrous *Hotel ratings based on Chinese local ratings Great Wall, at Juyong Guan Pass, where you will have the chance to climb a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. Zigzagging create a breathtaking panoramic view for your camera. After from East to West along the undulating mountains, the Great lunch, see skilled artisans at work at a Cloisonné Factory. Later, Wall was built to hold off tribal invaders from the north. The visit the Changling Exhibition Hall of the Ming Tombs. Return dramatic descents, steep ridges and narrow valleys will surely to the city and visit one of the largest Jade Exhibitions in Asia. After dinner, return to your hotel to rest or attend an optional large scale dramatic musical - “The Golden Mask Dynasty” at Xi’an your own expenses. Day 4  Monday  Beijing  (B,L) Shanghai In the morning, tour the exquisite Summer Palace, the largest preserved ancient garden in China, and a former summer resort Day 8  Friday  Xi’anShanghai  (B,L,D) for Emperors and the chosen few, with a boat ride on Lake In the morning, fly to Shanghai, the modern metropolis and (weather permitting). Lunch will follow a visit to the commercial centre of China. Walk along the famous Bund, a renowned Chinese Herbal Institute - Tong Ren Tang. In the mile-long stretch along the Huangpu River. Lined by the afternoon, you may choose to join an optional Experience the colonial architectures of European design, this area is the best Hutong Life Tour: a special journey exploring the ancient place to capture the western influences of the old days. Beijing Alley District by rickshaw, plus a visit to a local family Continue on to the Ming Dynasty Yu Garden which is and a local market; or just stroll by yourself in the Wangfujing considered to be one of four greatest Chinese gardens. The Business Street at your own leisure. Tonight’s dinner will be at final stop will be the bustling shopping district, Road. your own expense. Later in the evening, cap off the day by After dinner, you may join an optional tour, the Night Cruise on attending a superb and thrilling Chinese Acrobatic Show. the Huangpu River, at your own expense.

Day 5  Tuesday  BeijingXi’an  (B,L,D) Today visit the Beijing Zoo to see one of China’s national Nanjing-Road Bund treasures - the Giant Pandas. Then visit a Silk Spinning Mill where you’ll learn how silk is created from mulberry-munching silkworms to produce the finest thread and cloth. In the afternoon, walk along the New Qianmen Street and get an outside view of the beautiful Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, purposely built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. After dinner, in the evening, fly to Xi’an, the first Chinese city to open its doors to the world during the Tang dynasty and capital for eleven dynasties over a period of more than 2,000 year. Day 9  Saturday  Shanghai  (B) Today will be free for you to enjoy at your leisure. You may use Qianmen Street SummerPalace the time to do some last minute souvenir and gift shopping or further explore the city on your own.

Day 10  Sunday  ShanghaiSydney/Melbourne  (B) You are free and easy in the morning. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your homebound flight. The trip may be over but the experiences and memories will certainly last a lifetime.

Day 11  Monday  Sydney/Melbourne Day 6  Wednesday  Xi’an  (B,L,S) Arrive in Sydney/Melbourne in the morning. The Eastern terminus of the fabled Silk Road and one of the ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is home to the Terracotta Army, *Post-Tour Extension designed to follow the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221- A post-tour extension is available to the surrounding water towns 206 BC) into eternity. Visit the excavation site of the life-sized and garden cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou for 3 days and 2 nights defenders, Terracotta Warriors and Horses, followed by a at an additional $399 per person twin share; $100 single supplement visit to a Ceramics Art Factory. Tonight enjoy a special Imperial (the $150 stay behind surcharge does not apply in this case). Dumpling Banquet and spectacular music and dance show reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), a period Day 10  Sunday  ShanghaiSuzhou  (B,L,D) generally considered a golden era of the Chinese civilization. Travel by coach to Suzhou, which has been praised as “Paradise on Earth” since ancient times. As a large area of the city is Day 7  Thursday  Xi’an  (B,L,D) covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and Visit the Shanxi Provincial History Museum in the morning. streams, Suzhou is also known as “Venice of the East”. Suzhou Enjoy a special local noodle lunch including a Noodle Making is also known as the “Garden City”, due to its many classical Demonstration. After lunch visit the Ancient City Wall, which gardens known for their charming natural beauty and not only is the most complete city wall that has survived in harmonious construction. Take a cruise on the Grand Canal China, but also one of the largest and most complete ancient and visit the Liu Garden, one of the four greatest Chinese military defense systems in the world. Then visit the Big Wild gardens and a UNESCO world heritage site. Goose Pagoda, the symbol of the city. Day 11  Monday  SuzhouHangzhou  (B,L,D) Travel by coach to Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”. Upon arrival, take a boat ride on the magnificent West Lake, undoubtedly Suzhou Hangzhou the most renowned feature of Hangzhou, noted for the scenic beauty that blends naturally with many famous historical and Beijing cultural sites. Later on experience oriental tea-tasting at the Dragon Well Tea Plantation. After dinner, enjoy an optional open-air performance - “Impression West Lake”, a master- Child Price piece created by Zhang Yimou, the director of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Games Opening Ceremony. Child below 12 years, sharing existing bedding with their parents, Day 12  Tuesday  HangzhouShanghaiSydney/Melbourne  (B) pay 75% of the regular adult price. Child below 12 years, who You are free and easy in the morning. In the afternoon, travel by require additional/own bedding in the same room as their parents, coach back to Shanghai and get transferred to the airport for pay 90% of the regular adult price. Infant below 2 years (at the time your homebound flight. of travel) pay $250.

Day 13  Wednesday  Sydney/Melbourn Arrive in Sydney/Melbourne in the morning. China Visa B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, S = Special Banquet Australian passport holders must have a valid visa to enter China. The *Nexus Holidays reserves the right to adjust the itinerary as it sees fit to ensure the smooth running of the tour and to substitute hotels of a similar standard if the hotels China visa is only valid for 3months from the date it is issued so you listed in our brochure are not available. Flights are also subject to airline schedule cannot apply for it too early inadvance (otherwise it will expire by the change. Passengers must remain with the tour group at all times and must not time you travel). It is typically done 1-2 months before departure and deviate from the set itinerary unless otherwise stated such as “free at leisure”. normally takes 4-5 working days to process. Required documentation for China visa application: 1) Original Passport (within at least 6 months validity) International Flights 2) Photocopy of your passport photo page 3) Photocopy of your China visa page (If you have been to China before) China Eastern Airlines departs from SYD/MEL at 12:00 noon 4) Photocopy of your driver's licence (midday) and returns to SYD/MEL at 10:00am (If you have never been to China) 5) 1 passport size photo 6) Completed China Visa Application Form Please feel free to contact us if you would like assistance with the Stay Behind processing of your China visa application.

If you wish to extend your stay in Shanghai, there is a stay behind surcharge of $150 (ticket validity is 35 days) Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended - please Post-Tour Accommodation enquire if you would like a quote. Nexus Holidays clients are entitled to 20% discount off normal rates. Nexus Holidays recommends QBE travel insurance. If you wish to continue to stay at the same Shanghai hotel at the Below are some indicative rates based on up to 13 Days in China & conclusion of the tour, the hotel rate is $60 per person (twin share) Asia (excluding any existing medical conditions). or $120 (single share). 0-59 years - $100 60-64 years - $130 65-69 years - $137 70-74 years - $188 Peak Season 75+ years - please enquire Please note that all accompanying children below 21 years old are A $150 peak season surcharge applies to the months Apr, May, Sep and Oct. included in the adult policy at no additional cost. Special rate for Annual Multi-Trip policy - $399 per person. Add an additional $150 premium to upgrade to include accompanying spouse, de facto, child or children. Xi’an Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Shanghai

Which Airline will we be flying for international and domestic flights? We will be flying directly from Sydney or Melbourne to China with China Eastern Airlines. Domestic flights from Brisbane and Adelaide will be with either Virgin or Qantas.

When is the best time to visit China in terms of climate? Spring and autumn is generally the best time to visit China when the weather is mild – not too cold and not too hot. Normally, the most comfortable season of the year is early autumn (September to early October). During that period, temperatures are reasonable throughout China with a limited amount of rain. Spring (March to May) can also be delightful with the average temperatures roughly the same as in autumn. Regardless of the time of the year, a visitor will always be rewarded with charming scenery throughout China.

What is the local currency in China? Chinese money is called Renminbi (RMB) which literally means "The People's Currency". The popular unit of RMB is “yuan”. One Australian Dollar is currently worth around 6.5 Chinese Yuan.

What is the current local time in China? China is 2 hours behind Australian EST.

What language is spoken in China? The official national language in China is Mandarin/ In addition, there are several ethnic minority languages in the western and southern most provinces.

What are the entry requirements for China? Passports must be valid for at least six months prior to entry. Visas are required for Australian travellers.

Are any vaccinations required for travel to China? No vaccinations are required for a trip to China (except for Yellow Fever if you're arriving from an infected area), however, it is recommended that you consult your physician and preferably a doctor at least 4-6 weeks before you are scheduled to depart. There are some recommended vaccines and it's important that you take the necessary precautions and be up-to-date on your routine vaccines.

Are there any water and food safety concerns in China? It goes without saying you should be careful with food and water. Only drink bottled water and use it to brush your teeth. Nexus Holidays supplies complimentary bottled water everyday on the tour. Your hotel will also provide several bottles a day free of charge.

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