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Home , Bezeklik Caves, Chefoo Convention, Chengde Mountain Resort, Chengjiang, Dongguan Mosque, East Lake (Wuhan)

Exceptional Tours to Exceptional Places

CTS Horizons’ care and commitment not the best in the selected range. Private journeys and tailor-made travel Continued endeavours are made to ensure CTS Horizons is the trading name of that we search out the best hotels to offer a Any of our group tours can be adapted so Travel Service, the world’s leading unique and enjoyable experience. Over the that you can travel independently in a car specialist tour operator to China. Although past few years, some wonderful heritage with your own driver and guide. This gives part of a large, world-wide organisation, hotels have been created from the you greater flexibility in terms of travel dates CTS Horizons has retained high standards of conversion of ancient properties – we strive and the convenience of suiting yourself more personal service with a small, knowledgeable to ensure that these are featured in our tours. in your daily itinerary. Should you wish to and passionate team. Our reputation rests on Hotels as written in the itineraries are only tailor-make your own tour our staff are the quality of our service and tours and our suggested and might change depending on experienced in offering suggestions based honest and caring approach to our clients. your preference or seasonal price on your preferences and requests. The high standards we maintain in the fluctuations operation of our tours are reflected in the China - Evening performances fact that so many of our clients book on the Group size basis of personal recommendation, or return There are many evening activities that can to travel with us again. Here are some of the All our tour are tailor-made, so the group size be taken on most of our group tours to China. hallmarks of a CTS Horizons’ tour, and the starts from at least 2 people, no tour is Guideline prices are listed below. reasons why we believe we really do offer the operated for a single person. most exceptional tours to some of the world’s Service most exceptional places. City Performance GBP

Imaginative and in-depth itineraries Our office staff and local ground agents will Beijing Opera £42pp always ‘go the extra mile’ to ensure that your Acrobatics £42pp We strive to carry out meticulous research holiday is perfectly arranged. Our Kung Fu Performance £42pp when planning our tours. Our Product team Reservations and Operations staff are to produce the most imaginative itineraries enthusiastic and knowledgeable Xi’an Show offering the most memorable experiences. professionals who have travelled on our _without dinner £33pp Acting also on feedback from our clients, we tours so that they are better able to advise continue to adapt our programmes to ensure you. Our local ground agents are carefully _with dinner £44pp that our clients are offered the best and this selected, and are usually small companies Guilin Cormorant fishing £26pp attention to detail is the key to our continued who value our business and consequently, Impression of Liu San £40pp success. value our clients as much as we do. In many cases, they have become trusted friends Jie Son et Lumiere Show Distinctive hotels and valued members of the extended CTS family. Face Changing Opera £41pp There is no such thing as a typical CTS Impressions of West £42pp Horizons hotel. From swish city centre Lake towers in the Far East to traditional houses in Beijing, from quaint colonial homes Suzhou Creek Night £26pp in to old palaces in , we Cruise have selected a range of accommodation Evening Huangpu £44pp that reflects the diversity of the places we River Cruise visit. Though we own hotels and resorts in Chinese Acrobatic £42pp mainland China and , we would Show not normally use our own hotels if they were

2 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] China’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites with CTS Horizons No surcharge guarantee Price policy

Anhui - Mount , , We guarantee that the price of your Our tours are honestly and fairly priced. Beijing – , The Great , holiday will not be subject to any We do not inflate our prices simply to , . Peking surcharges. This means that you offer huge reductions to boost sales Man Site, Ming and Qing Tombs, Grand are fully protected no matter what later on. Nor do we have to calculate - happens to the price of fuel or to travel agents’ commission into our - Tulou, Kulangsu variations in currency exchange rates. prices, since we work directly with our - in , Once a contract exists between us, then clients rather than through a middle- - Kaiping the cost of your holiday cannot be man. Hence, our loyalty discounts for - site increased. Whilst we reserve the right returining clients represents a - Mountain Resort & Outer to change prices from time to time, any genuine saving. Temples changes will be confirmed to you before With their imaginative itineraries, - , Yin Xu, you make your booking. The price of hand-picked accommodation and in your holiday as shown on your invoice will wealth of included features, CTS - Ancient Building Complex in Wudang not be increased unless you amend the Horizons tours are not produced for the Mountains, booking. mass market and our prices therefore - Scenic and Historic Tips are not included in the tour price, and cannot be compared to those of many should be paid to the tour guide locally Interest Area , Tusi site other apparently similar tours. We are Inner - Xanadu confident that you will find our tours offer excellent value-for-money. - Classical gardens of Suzhou Leading the trend for better tour operations - Lushan National park, Mount Wuyi, Sanqingshan In our 30 years of operation in the UK, we can Your financial protection - Capital Cities and Tombs of Koguryio proudly say that despite being a small tour Kingdom operator, we lead the trend for quality tour The air holiday packages and flights in this - Qinghai arrangements. Our innovative itineraries are brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil - Mausoleum of Emperor and copied, characterful hotels and retreats Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 2947. Terracotta Warriorsin Xi’an, adopted, hidden gems become widely Please see our booking conditions for more - in Tai’an, Temple and featured. We are excited that our efforts information. The prices of our air holiday cemetery of and Kong Mansion in are contributing to the industry and would packages include the ATOL Protection be glad to continue to act as the main Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. - , , Mount driving force. Arrangements other than air holiday Wutai packages and flights are protected under our - Huanglong Scenic Area, Jiuzhai- Flights - China tours ABTA bond, membership number Y1580. gou Valley Area, Buddha, , Giant Panda Sanctuaries, For our tours to China your flights will be - , Temple, with Air China, Hainan Airline or British Airways Where Air China or Hainan Airline is used you - Xinjiang Tianshan will get discount on your dometic flights within - , , the tour (reflected in the price). For tours fossil site, Landscape Honghe including Hong Kong, Air China cannot be hani Rice terraces offered and you will fly with British Airways - Hangzhou, instead. All flights are subject to availability and a supplement may apply.

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 3 Pick & Mix

Choose between various destinations to create your ideal tour. Great cities, wonderful scenic areas and culturally meaningful locations. Our mini-itineraries are carefully designed to show you the best of your chosen destinations. Pick your favourite locations and Contact our experts and create your dream holiday today!

Pick & Mix Important Information regions among many other beautiful Day 4 Visit the ornate Lama Temple and the destinations. serene Confucius Temple with its cypress Single mini-itinerary duration The three Northern Provinces of , trees and large stone tablets, explore the According to your specific request, each one Jilin and are especially nearby Hutongs and spend the rest of the of our suggested mini-itineraries in every fascinating and worth going to during the day at leisure. (BL) destination of your choice may last between winter when it is possible to participate in 4 to 6 days. exceptional events like the Ice Lantern Festival Day 5 Transfer to the airport in (present also in the dedicated tour), Transportation so we suggest you keep in mind during This tour-design mode does not include which period you wish to travel if you are international flights. In line with your planning to include one of these Provinces. preference though, we will include in the tour the transportation from each city to another. Remainder Whether you prefer to fly or to sit on a For this kind of short-term tour it is not possible comfortable and modern bullet train. to take advantage of the 72/144 Visa Free Transit permit policy, unless you have flight Tour Beginning and Ending tickets to a third country already booked and The only pre-requisite that will be arranged meet all the other requirements as discussed for the whole tour is for you to arrive and in details in the section 72/144 Hours Visa leave at the end from a city equipped with an Free Transit Permit at page 40. international airport in order for you to directly Yunnan - starts from £513 connect your tour with the international Pick & Mix Tour Suggestions Day 1 Arrival in Kunming, private flights. transfer from airport to Hotel for check in, visit Beijing - starts from £425 Flowers & Birds market and . (D) Destinations List Day 1 Arrive in Beijing and transfer to the Here is the list of destinations that you can Hotel. Visit the quaint hutong quarter by Lake Day 2 Kunming Depart to Stone for choose to include in your tour: Municipalities Houhai. Enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) visit. Many visitors travel to Kunming just of Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing, to see the which consists of or the Provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Day 2 Morning visit to Tiananmen Square thousands of narrow, fantastically-shaped Jiangsu, Zhejiang, , Fujian, Shanxi, en-route to the Forbidden City, the complex pillars of rock scattered over an area of more Guangdong, Hainan, , Sichuan, of imperial palaces which were home to the than 100 sq miles. Visit Yuantong Temple and Yunnan, Gansu, Shaanxi and Hunan. Emperors for over 500 years. Grand halls Park. (BLD) and courtyards gradually give way to more Region with special requirements intimate domestic quarters, giving a glimpse Day 3 Kunming, Lijiang Morning flight to The Western Provinces of Xinjiang, Qinghai into the pampered isolation of the Emperors. Lijiang, visit Lijiang Old Town, Black and Tibet, can be included in the tour only Afternoon visit to the beautiful Summer Pool Park and Dongba Museum. Visit Mu by meeting specific requirements. Also, since Palace where the Emperors went to escape Mansion. (BLD) they are particularly big regions we don’t the heat of the city. (BL) suggest to include them in the Pick & Mix Day 4 Lijiang Visit Dragon Snow Tour selection, as they usually require around Day 3 Drive north to the less-crowded and mountain (up to Yunshan Meadow by cable 10 days for a proper visit. If you are especially more scenic part of the Great Wall at car), visit Yufeng and Baisha interested in these Provinces though, don’t . Afternoon visit to the Ming-era Fresco. (BLD) forget our dedicated themed tour The Temple of Heaven where the Emperors Road Expedition and Across the Roof of the performed annual sacrificial rituals for good Day 5 Lijiang Transfer to airport and morning World, which include these wonderful harvests. Enjoy a Peking Duck dinner. (BLD) flight to next destination. (B）)

4 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Sichuan - starts from £522 Hainan - starts from £328 Day 1 Chengdu Met on arrival and Day 1 Sanya Met on arrival and transferred to the Hotel. (D) transferred to the Hotel. Go through the 20-km long coconut landscape belt. Then Day 2 Chengdu, Leshan, Chengdu Drive to drive to the beach, enjoy the clear water and Leshan. Take a walk along the street market great weather the whole year. In the evening, before a short cruise along the river to view taste the Chinese tradition and some typical the magnificent Giant Buddha, hewn from Hainan dishes. (D) the mountainside in the 8th century and 233ft high. After lunch return to Mount Day 2 Sanya After breakfast, first visit the Emeishan. (BLD) Tianya Haijia site, a shore covered in large rocks with historical Chinese inscriptions dat- Day 3 Chengdu Visit the Sanxingdui Fujian - starts from £928 ing back hundreds of years. Next, visit Nan- Museum, the famous Temple of Wuhou and Day 1 Xiamen Visit the Beach Island Road. shan Buddhist Culture Park.Nanshan and the Jinli Street. (BLD) The road that runs around the island to the 108-meter-high bronze . In beach, from a historical, human and natural the evening Visit Sanya bay by boat. (BL) Day 4 Chengdu Depart to the Panda perspective, with its nearly 470 thousand Research Centre. During the day you will square meters of green subtropical scenery, Day 3 Sanya Free time to explore Sanya on stop at the People’s Park, Visit Narrow &Wide it is a symbol for Xiamen. Later visit Wuyuan your own. Try the typical hot spring spas and Alley. (BLD) Bay, , Nanputuo temple. (L) visit the markets.

Day 5 Chengdu Met and transferred from Day 2 Xiamen, , Xiamen, Wuyi Day 4 Sanya Met and transferred to the the hotel to the airport. (B) Mountain Transfer to Nanjing and visit airport. (B) Nanjing Tianluokeng Tulou, famous for its history and uniqueness. Return to Xiamen and N.B. If you desire to spend more time in one transfer to airport. Flight to Wuyi Mountain (BL) location in order to visit more attractions, all these short tours can be prolonged by a few Day 3 Wuyi Mountain Arrived in Wuyi days. Mountain, World natural and cultural heritage, visit the Nine-twist Stream, Song Street and the Tea Culture Museum. (BLD)

Day 4 Wuyi Mountain, Xiamen Visit Wuyi Mountain Tianyou Peak, Dahongpao Scenic Spot. In the evening fly back to Xiamen. (BL)

Day 5 Xiamen, , Xiamen Transfer to Quanzhou and visit The Kaiyuan Temple & The East and the West Twin , Minnan old street, Shaolin and Bridge. (BL)

Day 6 Xiamen, , Xiamen Transfer to Gulangyu. Your guide will take a leisure stroll around the island up to the highest peak of Gulangyu. Then transfer to the airport.(BL)

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 5 Follow our updates on website and on all major social media

Come and visit us at www.ctshorizons.com CTS Horizons Blog on our website is a very on each location instead, subscribe to our We constantly publish new interesting useful tool that is being updated as a proper Instagram and Pinterest pages to enjoy a contents for everyone passionate about journal with real news and informative vast collection of high-quality photos of all travelling in Asia. insights for travellers to know their potential the best attractions and landscapes of these destination better. Every week we upload magical countries. New Tours new articles on a range of different topics. Suggestions for new destinations, small travel Newsletter, if you want to personally receive Our experts have developed creative guides related to our tours, new policies or news about our updates, promotions and itineraries that are guratanteed to suit your lists of the best activities and locations that opportunities for holidays and tours, you can taste. Among our favourite are our Chinese a place has to offer. Following our blog is a subscribe to our newsletter through the tours, and special themed itineraries. great way to stay up to date, discover new website. We will send you e-mails on a These tours bring you to majestic and wonderful places that you might not even regular basis containing only great quality internationally renowned locations. know about yet and get new ideas for your contents about our itineraries and blog articles. Looking to go off the beaten path? next holiday.

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6 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Classic Journeys of China e are specialists in travel to China, Wand our superb range of tours to China takes you into the heart of this fascinating country. Walk the Great Wall, explore the Forbidden City, marvel at the Terracotta Warriors or cruise along the River on many of our China cultural tours. Stroll through classical Chinese gardens or quaint water towns, visit Giant Pandas, admire breathtaking lakes and mountains, take the ‘roof of the world’ train to Tibet. Your tour to China will be filled with iconic images and unique experiences when you travel with CTS Horizons. Golden China

Imperial treasures and glorious landscapes including stays in stunning Yangshuo and Suzhou ith our expertise in China we seek to show our guests not just Wthe main sights but aspects of the country that are beyond the reach of more conventional tours. The splendours of imperial Beijing, the astonishing Terracotta in Xian, the sophistication of cosmopolitan Shanghai, the renowned Mandarin gardens of Suzhou and the elegant and serene beauty of Hangzhou are naturally included in this comprehensive itinerary. Added to this is a splendid excursion to the provincial market town of Chengde, the summer resort favoured by the Manchu Emperors. Its magnificent temples and Bangcui Peak are sights not to be missed. At the Great Wall we take you to the section, a remote and spectacular stretch well away from the crowds, that has proven to be overwhelmingly popular with our clients. In Guilin, following the River cruise, we spend two nights at the stunning Yangshuo Resort with its paradise-like setting, and explore one of China’s most beautiful regions.

20 Days Day 1 London Depart Heathrow at around Day 6 Chengde Visit the magnificent Beijing (3 nights) 16:30 on the non-stop British Airways flight to temples of Puning and Putuozongcheng, Chengde (2 nights) Beijing. built in imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Xian (2 nights) Visit the ‘Mountain Resort’, the summer Guilin (1 night) Day 2 Beijing Arrive Beijing and transfer residence of the Qing Emperors. After lunch Yangshuo (2 nights) to the 4-star Jianguo Hotel described as ‘an enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Bangcui Hangzhou (1 night) Englishman’s club’ by a frequent visitor. Visit Peak from a relaxing chair-lift ride as we pass Suzhou (2 nights) the quaint hutong quarter by Lake Houhai. over the roof- tops of the Pule Temple. (BLD) cruise Enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) Shanghai (2 nights) Day 7 Xian Drive to Beijing and fly to Xian Hong Kong (2 nights) Day 3 Beijing Visit the Summer Palace where and the 4-star Grand New World Hotel. (BL) the Emperors went to escape the heat of the Mongolia Harbin• city. Set around the beautiful , Day 8 Xian The tomb of is the flowering arbours and delightful pavilions one of the greatest archaeological finds of create a tranquil setting. Back in the city visit •Chengde the last century. Guarding the burial place is •Beijing the ornate Lama Temple and the serene a vast of life-sized figures, Korea Confucius Temple. Evening optional Beijing individually-crafted and complete with Opera performance. (BLD) chariots and horses. Also visit the Grand Xian• , the lively Muslim quarter and the •Hangzhou Suzhou••Shanghai Day 4 Beijing Morning stroll in Tiananmen Big Wild Goose . Optional evening Square followed by a visit to the Forbidden Tang era music and dance dinner show. (BL) Guilin• City, the complex of imperial palaces which •Yangshuo were home to the Emperors for over 500 Day 9 Guilin Visit the Ming City Wall and Hong Kong• years. Grand halls and courtyards gradually Hanyanling Museum where the ‘Lady give way to more intimate domestic quarters, Warriors’ are displayed, before flying to Guilin giving a glimpse into the pampered isolation and the 4-star Bravo Hotel. (BL) of the Emperors. Visit the Temple of Heaven, an exquisite example of Ming architecture. Day 10 Yangshuo Take the scenic Li River Tonight enjoy at a traditional Peking Duck cruise to Yangshuo and drift gently through dinner. (BLD) magical landscapes which have inspired some of the most famous Chinese poetry Day 5 Chengde Morning drive to the and paintings. Browse through Yangshuo’s Jinshanling area of the Great Wall, one of the colourful shops and stay at the superb most spectacular and least visited sections. Yangshuo Resort. Admire impressive scenery We admire this stunning scenery, an experi- at the sunset view point. Optional spectacular ence that can rarely be enjoyed by visiting son et lumiere show performed on the river other parts of the Great Wall. On arrival in by a cast of 600 people. (BLD) Chengde, transfer to the4-star Jiahe International Hotel. (BLD)

8 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Day 11 Yangshuo Explore the countryside shops selling herbal medicines, handicrafts, Private Journey Price from £3680 per around Yangshuo and the lovely Yulong River. Chinese tea and a variety of tantalising person twin shared (minimum 2 Visit a local farmer’s house and continue to snacks. We offer a Shanghai ‘Dim Sum’ passengers). The price decreases as the Jiuxian village. After lunch visit the lunch at the quarter’s most famous restaurant passengers’ number grows. extraordinary Silver Cave. (BL) and visit the bazaar. Ascend the for bird’s eye views (weather • Tipping payable locally £80 per person. Day 12 Guilin, Hangzhou Return to Guilin permitting). (BLD) • Guaranteed to operate with minimum 2 and fly to Hangzhou and stay at the Zhejiang passengers Grand Hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. Day 17 Shanghai, Hong Kong Visit the Optional ‘Impressions of Hangzhou’ show. (B) excellent . Fly to Hong • British Airways Upgrades: World Traveller Plus Club World from. Kong and stay at the Metropark Causeway Day 13 Hangzhou, Suzhou Take a boat trip Bay Hotel. (BL) Price includes • Domestic flights and private ground on West Lake surrounded by idyllic gardens. transfer Visit the delightful garden and manor of Day 18 & 19 Hong Kong Enjoy the many • Twin-shared accommodation, a former Qing nobleman, and explore the attractions of this city at your own pace. transfers, transportation and sightseeing colourful shops along Cultural Street. Drive to (Optional full-day sightseeing available on as listed(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Suzhou for an exclusive stay at the charming Day 18 bookable locally). Board the late • Services of English-speaking local tour Scholars Hotel Suzhou Pingjiangfu. (BD) evening non-stop British Airways flight back guides to London on Day 19. (B) No t included Day 14 Suzhou Visit the ancient city gate at • International Flights Panmen and the Garden of the Master Day 20 London Arrive at London of the Nets. Explore the bustling old town Heathrow at around 0455. • Travel insurance and continue to a silk mill to see the ancient Tour without Hong Kong • Gratuities technique involved in producing the region’s . Enjoy an evening cruise on the Grand On Day 1 fly to Beijing with Air China. On Day • Chinese visa 17 spend a third night in Shanghai at the Canal to Bridge to admire the • Any government taxes or compulsory Central Hotel. Homeward flight with Air China prettily illuminated waterways. (BL) charges introduced after brochure on Day 18 via Beijing arriving London publication Heathrow around 17:45 on the same day. Day 15 Shanghai Drive to Shanghai, stopping en route at the pretty canal town of Zhujiajiao. Enjoy lunch by the waterside. Arrive Shanghai and the 4-star Central Hotel, a stone’s throw from . Optional evening cruise on the Huangpu River. (BL)

Day 16 Shanghai Visit the elegant Yuyuan Garden. Opposite is the Huxing Teahouse and quarter of Shanghai where cobbled streets are lined with traditional

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 9 The Very Best of the Middle Kingdom

A Great Journey through the Lengeds of China here is so much to recommend this great Tjourney through China, that offers an in-depth exploration of its best-loved highlights and less- known treasures, combined with an unforgettable cruise along the Yangtze River. Travelling in style for 3 nights aboard the excellent Century Paragon, one of the Century Cruises’ acclaimed fleet, you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy some of China’s most spectacular scenery. Guests also enjoy a 2-night stay in a wonderfully scenic and luxurious setting at the exceptional Yangshuo Resort.

21 days Day 3 Beijing Visit Tiananmen Square Day 9 Chengdu This morning see the world’s Beijing (3 nights) en-route to the magnificent Forbidden City, beloved Giant Pandas at the Panda Research Xian (2 nights) the vast complex of palaces and pavilions Base. Take the train to Chongqing and board Chengdu (2 nights) which were home to successive Emperors for the Century Paragon for your 3-night cruise more than 500 years. Afternoon visit to the to . (BD) Panda Research Centre beautiful Summer Palace, the imperial lakes Yangtze Cruise (3 nights) and resort created for Empress Cixi. (BL) Day 10 Yangtze Cruise Optional excursion Shanghai (3 nights) to Fengdu. the ‘City of Ghosts’. Afternoon Suzhou Day 4 Beijing Admire the less-crowded and shore visit to the quaint wooden temple of Guilin (1 night) more scenic part of the Great Wall at Shibaozhai. Captain’s welcome dinner. (BLD) Yangshuo (2 nights) Mutianyu. Afternoon visit to the Ming-era Hong Kong (2 nights) Temple of Heaven. In the evening enjoy a Day 11 Yangtze Cruise Pass through the traditional Peking Duck dinner. (BLD) shortest and narrowest gorge, Qutang Xia (8km). Cruise through the second gorge, Wu Day 5 Xian Visit the ornate Lama Temple and Xia, 44km long with its peaks rising to dizzy •Beijing the serene Confucius Temple with its cypress heights above the river. Visit the Daning River trees and large stone tablets. Fly to Xian and or Stream. (BLD) the 4-star Grand New World Hotel. On arrival •Xian visit the Ming City Wall. (B) Day 12 Yangtze Cruise Enterthewestern Shanghai section of . Moor at Yanjiawan Yichang • Day 6 Xian Visit one of the greatest for a shore visit to the Dam Chengdu• • • Chongqing• Hangzhou archaeological finds of the 20th century construction site, one of mankind’s greatest the Terracotta Warriors interred with the engineering feats to date. Resume sailing Guilin••Yangshuo Emperor Qin Shi Huang over 2000 years ago. through Xiling Gorge, which, stretching 75km, •Hong Kong After lunch visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, is the longest of the gorges and known for Grand Mosque and intriguing Muslim quarter. its swift current and dangerous shoals. Arrive Optional Tang era music and dance dinner Yichang and fly to Shanghai to stay at the performance. (BL) Central Hotel for 3 nights. (B)

Day 7 Chengdu Fly to Chengdu and visit the Day 13 Shanghai Visit the elegant Yuyuan People’s Park where the locals congregate Garden. Opposite are the Huxing Teahouse for serious tea drinking and practice Tai Chi, and the old Chinese quarter of Shanghai ballroom dancing and singing. Optional where cobbled streets are lined with Day 1 London Depart Heathrow at around performance after a dinner traditional shops selling herbal medicines, 16:20 on British Airways’ non-stop flight to of typical . Stay at the stylish handicrafts, Chinese tea and a variety of Beijing. 5-star M HotelChengdu. (BD) tantalising snacks. We sample a Shanghai ‘dim sum’ lunch at the quarter’s most famous Day 2 Beijing Arrive Beijing and transfer to Day 8 Leshan Drive to Leshan and take restaurant and explore the quaint bazaar. the 4-star Jianguo Hotel, described as ‘an a cruise to marvel at the magnificent Giant Afternoon admire bird’s eye views from the Englishman’s club’ by a frequent visitor. Visit Buddha, hewn from the mountainside in the Oriental Pearl Tower. This evening there is a the quaint hutong quarter by Lake Houhai. 8th century, and 233ft high. Back in Chengdu cruise on the Huangpu River to see the Enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) visit the quaint old quarter at Jinli. (BLD) illuminated Bund and . (BD)

10 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Day 14 Suzhou Enjoy a day trip to Suzhou to Stanley Market. Round off the day with the explore the city’s classical gardens. Explore famous ferry ride to view the spectacular Private Journey Price from £3800 per the old town, see a silk mill and enjoy a cruise skyline on both sides of the harbour. (BL) person twin shared (minimum 2 on the Grand Canal. Return to Shanghai. (BL) passengers). The price decreases as the Day 20 Hong Kong, London Enjoy the many passengers’ number grows.

Day 15 Guilin Fly to Guilin and visit the Tea other attractions of this city at your leisure. • Tipping payable locally £75 per person Research Institute, surrounded by limestone Board the late evening non-stop British • karsts. Overnight at the Bravo Hotel. (B) Airways flight home, arriving at Heathrow at Victoria Cabin upgrades: Superior cabin £140; Excecutive Suite from £600; around 05:25 on Day 21. Presidential Suite from £1500. All prices Day 16 Yangshuo Take the world-renowned per person twin shared. Li River cruise to Yangshuo and drift gently Victoria • Service charge of RMB150pp (approx £17) through magical landscapes. Browse through Please see page 16 for details. The exact cruise depends on your departure payable on board Victoria. Yangshuo’s colourful shops and stay at the Gratuity to River Guide and Cruise Director date. Yangshuo Resort. Admire impressive scenery at guest’s own discretion. Please note this tour runs together with the at the sunset view point. Evening spectacular China Panorama tour for Days 2-6. Price Includes son et lumiere show on the river by a cast of 600. (BLD) • Economy class domestic flights • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, Day 17 Yangshuo Morning visit to the transportation and sightseeing as listed extraordinary Silver Cave. Lunch is taken at a (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) riverside setting. This afternoon admire the • Services of English-speaking local Tour magical scenery along the Yulong River with Guides free time to relax and enjoy the resort. (BL) Not Included

Day 18 Yangshuo, Hong Kong Return to • International flights Guilin and take the train to Shenzhen. Drive • Travel insurance onwards to Hong Kong and transfer to the • Gratuities Metropark Causeway Bay Hotel. (BL) • Chinese visa • Any government taxes or compulsory Day 19 Hong Kong A short walk in the charges introduced after brochure Central district shows how feng shui publication influences local architecture. Ascend to the middle-levels on the longest outdoor escalator, known as the ‘Heavenly Ladder’, to observe local life in the high-rise neighbourhoods with buildings dating back to Pre-World War II. Ascend the Peak by the one-hundred-year-old tram for a birds-eye view of the Pearl of the Orient and enjoy lunch at the superb Peak restaurant . Afternoon scenic drive to Repulse Bay. Continue to the Aberdeen Fishing Village and

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 11 China Panorama

The quintessential tour of China’s Ancient cities and scenic highlights wealth of experiences await you on this Aglorious tour that takes you to many of China’s well known and most beloved highlights. As well as visiting Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian, you spend time amidst the poetic landscapes of Yunnan, explore the ancient towns of Dali, Lijiang and Kunming, visit Leshan’s Giant Buddha see giant pandas at Chengdu’s renowned Panda Research Centre, and walk along the Great Wall. During your journey you stay in hand-picked hotels including the Gurong Hotel in the heart of the old town in Dali, converted from traditional local houses.

15 days Day 1 London Fly from London Heathrow at music and dance dinner performance. (BL) Beijing (3 nights) around 16:45 aboard the British Airways non Xian (2 nights) stop flight to Beijing. Day 7 Lijiang Morning flight to Lijiang, Lijiang (2 nights) nestled in a beautiful valley against the Dali (2 nights) Day 2 Beijing Arrive Beijing and transfer backdrop of the Jade Dragon Snow Kunming (1 night) to the 4-star Jianguo Hotel. Visit the quaint Mountain. Ascend Lion Hill for panoramic Stone Forest Chengdu (3 nights) hutong quarter by Lake Houhai. Enjoy a views of the old town. Stay at the Garden Leshan Giant Buddha Panda welcome dinner. (D) Hotel, located in the heart of the old town. Research Centre Afternoon visit to Mu’s Mansion and explore Day 3 Beijing Morning visit to Tiananmen the old town. (B) Mongolia Square en-route to the Forbidden City, the complex of imperial palaces which were Day 8 Lijiang Take a short chair-lift ride to •Beijing home to the Emperors for over 500 years. the beautiful Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Grand halls and courtyards gradually give and admire the wonderful panorama. Visit a way to more intimate domestic quarters, nearby village. Rest of the day free for own •Xian giving a glimpse into the pampered isolation exploration. (BL) of the Emperors. Afternoon visit to the •Chengdu beautiful Summer Palace where the Emper- Day 9 Dali Visit the Park, ors went to escape the heat of the city. (BL) an iconic sight of Yunnan. Drive to Dali, lying Lijiang• between the Cangshan Mountain range and Dali• • Kunming Day 4 Beijing Drive north to the less vast , a relaxed place, popular for •Hong Kong crowded and more scenic part of the Great its charming landscape, mild climate and the Wall at Mutianyu. Afternoon visit to the Ming hospitality of its people. Enjoy a 2-night stay era Temple of Heaven where the Emperors at the traditionally-styled Gurong Hotel with performed annual sacrificial rituals for good its charming courtyard, home to an ancient harvests. Enjoy a Peking Duck dinner. (BLD) Banyan tree. (BL)

Day 5 Xian Visit the ornate Lama Temple and Day 10 Dali Morning visit to some local the serene Confucius Temple with its cypress villages. Continue to the famous Song trees and large stone tablets, before flying to Dynasty , dating from the 9th Xian. On arrival visit the Ming City Wall. Trans- century. Return to the walled old town. Free fer to the 4-star Grand New World Hotel. (B) time for own exploration. (BL)

Day 6 Xian Visit the world-renowned Ter- Day 11 Kunming Depart for Kunming by racotta Army – individually crafted life-sized road, visiting the Dinosaur Museum en route. figures, complete with chariots and horses. Overnight at the New Era Hotel. (BL) Afternoon visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Grand Mosque and Muslim quarter. This Day 12 Stone Forest Many visitors travel to evening there is an optional Tang era Kunming just to see the Stone Forest

12 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] which consists of thousands of narrow, Private Journey Price from £2850 per fantastically- shaped pillars of rock scattered person twin shared (minimum 2 over an area of more than 100 sq miles. Flight passengers). The price decreases as the to Chengdu and the Tibet Hotel. (BD) passengers’ number grows.

• Tipping payable locally £70 per person. Day 13 Chengdu Admire the Giant Buddha at • Guaranteed to operate with minimum 2 Leshan on a cruise. Back in Chengdu visit the passengers People’s Park and join the locals for afternoon • British Airways Upgrades: World traveller tea, then continue to Jinli. Optional Sichuan Plus, Club World Plus. opera performance. (BL) Price includes Day 14 Chengdu Morning visit to the Giant • Economy class domestic flights. Panda Research Centre. Back in the city visit • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, the quaint old quarter and the Brocade transportation and sightseeing as listed Institute. Enjoy a hot pot dinner. (BD) (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) • Services of English-speaking local tour Day 15 Chengdu, London British Airways guides flight to Beijing and then to London Heathrow Not included later the same day. (B) • International flights Tour with Hong Kong • Travel insurance Fly from Chengdu to Hong Kong and stay • Gratuities at the Metropark Causeway Bay Hotel for 2 • Chinese visa London on Day 17 arriving at around 04:50 on • Any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after brochure Day 18. publication

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 13 China Interlude

ith our intimate knowledge of China and years Wof expertise in designing tours, we have chosen some of China’s best-loved highlights and combined them with many off-the-beaten-track visits to create an outstanding tour. The climax may well be the visit to beautiful Yangshuo where the magical landscapes have inspired some of the most famous Chinese poetry and paintings.

14 days Day 8 Guilin Fly to Guilin and visit the Tea Tour with Hong Kong Beijing (4 nights) Research Institute surrounded by limestone Note: Outbound flight to Beijing will be with Tianjin karsts. Transfer to the 4-star Bravo Hotel. (BD) British Airways. Price on request. Xian (2 nights) Guilin (1 night) Day 9 Yangshuo Take the magical Li River Day 14 Shanghai, Hong Kong Transfer to the Yangshuo (2 nights) cruise to Yangshuo and drift gently through airport for a flight to Hong King. Stay at the Shanghai (3 nights) enchanting landscapes. Browse through Metropark Kowloon Hotel for two nights. (B) Day 1 London Depart Heathrow at around Yangshuo’s colourful shops and visit scenic 16:20 on British Airways to Beijing. Gaotian township. This evening optional son Day 15 Hong Kong Enjoy the many et lumiere show performed on the river by a attractions of this city at your own pace. Day 2 Beijing Arrive Beijing around 13:10 cast of 600. Stay at the Yangshuo Resort (BL) (Optional full-day sightseeing available and transfer to the 4-star Shangri-La Traders bookable locally). (B) Hotel. Afternoon visit to the quaint hutong Day 10 Yangshuo Explore the countryside quarter by Lake Houhai. Enjoy a welcome around Yangshuo, passing through villages Day 16 Hong Kong, London Day at leisure dinner. (D) to the Yulong River. Visit a farmer’s house before transferring to the airport and and continue to Jiuxian village. Afternoon at boarding the late evening British Airways Day 3 Beijing Morning visit to Tiananmen leisure. (BL) flight to London arriving on Day 17. (B) Square en-route to the Forbidden City, the complex of imperial palaces which were Day 11 Guilin, Shanghai This morning visit Extensions to Suzhou, Hangzhou or home to the Emperors for over 500 years. the Silver Cave before returning to Guilin. Fly Wuzhen West In the afternoon visit the beautiful Summer to Shanghai and stay at the 4-star Central Details on request. Palace. (BL) Hotel. (BL) Pri vate Journey Price from £2660 pe r Day 4 Beijing This morning visit the Ming Day 12 Shanghai Visit the Yuyuan Garden, person twin shared (minimum 2 era Temple of Heaven. Drive north to the Huxing Teahouse and the old Chinese 2 passengers). The price decreases as less- crowded and more scenic part of the quarter with its colourful bazaar. A ‘dim sum’ the passengers’ number grows. Great Wall at Mutianyu. Evening Peking Duck lunch is arranged to sample these famous • Tipping payable locally £65 per person. dinner. (BLD) delicacies. Admire birds’ eye views from the • Guaranteed to operate with minimum 2 Oriental Pearl Tower. Visit the quaint passengers Day 5 Beijing, Tianjin, Beijing Take a short concession area and the famous Bund bullet train journey to Tianjin. Enjoy a guided before dinner. Optional cruise on the • Air China Business Class upgrades British Airways upgrade: World Traveller adventure tour of the city by public transport. Huangpu River to admire the beautifully Plus, Club World. Visit the former Italian concession area of the illuminated Bund and Pudong District. (BLD) city before visiting the towering Tianjin Eye Price includes for stunning aerial views of one of China’s Day 13 Shanghai, Zhujiajiao, Shanghai This • Economy class domestic flights fastest growing cities. Afternoon visit to morning visit the pretty watertown of Tianjin’s ancient cultural street before Zhujiajiao (around 40 minutes from • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, enjoying a cruise along the Haihe River. Shanghai). There are small waterways, shops, transportation and sightseeing as listed Return to Beijing. (BL) unusual museums, cafes and restaurants. (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Enjoy a boat trip on the lake and take lunch • Services of English-speaking local tour Day 6 Xian Morning flight to Xian. Visit the in a local restaurant before returning to guides Han Ling Museum. Continue to the Ming Shanghai. Afternoon at leisure. Optional Not included City before transferring to the Grand evening Shanghai acrobatic performance. • International flights New World Hotel Xian. (BL) (BL) • Travel insurance Day 7 Xian Visit the world-renowned Day 14 Shanghai, London Fly to Heathrow • Gratuities Terracotta Army – individually crafted life- arriving in London at 11:00 am the • Chinese visa sized figures, complete with chariots and same day. (B) horses. Afternoon visit to the Big Wild Goose • Any government taxes or compulsory Pagoda, the Grand Mosque and Muslim • Charges introduced after brochure quarter. Optional dinner and excellent Tang publication era music and dance performance. (BL)

14 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Through The Yangtze Gorges

Including Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshuo and a 4-night Yangtze cruise his ever-popular tour combines the imperial splendours of WBeijing and Xian, the cosmopolitan delights of Shanghai, the Giant Panda Research Centre at Chengdu and the magical scenery at Guilin, with the timeless magnificence of the Yangtze River. Enjoy an extra-special 4-night cruise aboard the excellent river vessel, the Victoria Selina.

18 days such as steamed garlic scallops, spicy crayfish Tour with Hong Kong Beijing (3 nights) and fried beancurd. (BL) On Day 17 transfer to the Metropark Cause- Xian (2 nights) way Bay Hotel for 2 nights. On Day 19 late Shanghai (2 nights) Day 9 Shanghai, Yangtze Cruise Fly to evening British Airways flight to London Yangtze cruise (4 nights) Yichang and board the Victoria Selina for your arriving at around 0450 on Day 20. Chengdu (1 night) unforgettable 4-night cruise along the Yangtze Please note this tour runs together with the Guilin (1 night) River. (BD) Beijing, Xian and Yangtze Cruise tour for Yangshuo (2 nights) Days 2-4. Day 10 Yangtze Cruise Sail through Xil- ing Gorge. Afternoon excursion to the Three Day 1 London Depart London Heathrow at Gorges Dam, followed by sailing through the around 1630 on the British Airways non-stop enormous Ship locks.(BLD) flight to Beijing. Day 11 Yangtze Cruise Sail through , Day 2 Beijing Arrive Beijing and transfer to . Visit the Shennong Stream or the Goddess the Shangri-La Traders Hotel for 3 nights. Stream. (Subject to river conditions). Sail Afternoon visit to the quaint hutong quarter through the shortest and narrowest gorge, by Lake Houhai. Enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) (8km). Optional afternoon tour to White Emperor City. (BLD) Day 3 Beijing This morning visit the Temple Pri vate Journey Price from £3195 per of Heaven and the more scenic part of the Day 12 Yangtze Cruise Morning excursion person twin shared (minimum 2 Great Wall at Mutianyu. Traditional Peking to the Shibaozhai Pagoda. Captain’s farewell passengers). The price decreases as the Duck dinner. (BLD) dinner. (BLD) passengers’ number grows.

Day 4 Beijing Take a stroll in Tiananmen Day 13 Chongqing, Chengdu Disembark in • Tipping payable locally £65 per person. Square and visit the magnificent Forbidden Chongqing and take the train to Chengdu. Visit • Guaranteed to operate with minimum 2 City. Continue to the beautiful Summer the People’s Park. Enjoy a traditional dinner of passengers Palace. After dinner there is an optional Sichuan hotpot. Optional evening Sichuan • British Airways upgrades: World Traveller Beijing Opera performance. (BLD) opera performance (BD) Plus, Club World. • Victoria Selina Amenity Package from Day 5 Xian Visit the Lama and Confucius Day 14 Chengdu, Guilin Morning visit to the £60 pp, further details on request. Temples before taking the bullet train to Giant Panda Research Centre. Visit Jinli, the • Service charge of RMB150pp (approx £17) Xian. Stay at the Grand New World Hotel Xian Tibetan Quarter and the Shu Brocade institute. payable on board Victoria Selina. for 2 nights. (B) Fly to Guilin and stay at the Bravo Hotel. (B) Gratuity to River Guide and Cruise Director at guest’s own discretion Day 6 Xian Visit to the world- renowned Day 15 Yangshuo Take the magical Li River Price includes Terracotta Army. Continue to the Grand cruise to Yangshuo and drift through • Economy class domestic flights Mosque, lively Muslim quarter and the Big enchanting landscapes. Browse through Wild Goose Pagoda. Optional Tang era music Yangshuo’s colourful shops and visit scenic • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, and dance dinner show in the evening. (BL) Gaotian township. Evening optional son et transportation and sightseeing as listed lumiere show. (BLD) (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Day 7 Shanghai Visit the Ming City Wall • Services of English-speaking local tour before flying to Shanghai and the Central Day 16 Yangshuo Explore the countryside guides Hotel. Visit before a cruise on the around Yangshuo, To the Yulong River. Not included Huangpu River to admire the beautifully Visit a farmer’s house and continue to Juxian • International flights illuminated Bund and Pudong District. (BD) village. Afternoon at leisure. (BL) • Travel insurance Day 17 Guilin, Hong Kong, London Return to Day 8 Shanghai Visit the Yuyuan Garden • Gratuities and the old Chinese quarter Enjoy a dim-sum Guilin, take the train to Shenzhen and drive lunch, then continue to the Oriental Pearl onwards to Hong Kong. Homeward flight • Chinese visa Tower and admire the view from the to London with British Airways, arriving the • Any government taxes or compulsory observation decks. In the evening explore following morning (Day 18) at around 04:45. • Charges introduced after brochure Shanghai’s food stalls on a night street snack Victoria Selina publication food adventure. See vendros offering snacks See page 16 for details.

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 15 The Yangtze River

CTS Horizons is proud to introduce our partners on the Yangtze River. As the UK’s foremost China specialist with unrivalled expertise, we have an excellent knowledge of Yangtze river cruise ships, and are able to identify and offer only the very best.

Large fleet and expert crew cuisine is served on board. Superior cabin The Victoria fleet offers a range of Victoria Cruises own and operate one of the guests can book the A La Carte Restaurant at itineraries from 3-nights up to 8 nights Yangtze’s largest five-star fleet which is a supplement of USD 45 (£34,5) per meal, and Further details on request. regularly refurbished and upgraded. There are enjoy exquisite dining in an intimate setting. Cabin Upgrade to any suite (Executive Suite, seven ships, the Victoria Anna, Grace, Jenna, Deluxe Suite and Shangri La Suite) or pay a Katarina, Lianna, Selina and Sophia, each supplement for the amenity package and managed by an experienced western cruise The signature style of all Victoria’s ships is one enjoy an extra range of wonderful facilities director supported by a team of expert river of luxury and elegance with Asian accents. and services, including: guides and a well-trained, multi-lingual crew. Tastefully-appointed cabins, striking atriums Guests may attend lectures on the Yangtze, and immaculate public rooms and polished - Choice of 2 dining rooms Chinese history, culture and traditional woods create a delightful ambience. The medicine. Calligraphy, painting and Tai Chi open sun deck has 360-degree views and - Access to the Executive Lounge (with daily lessons are also available. cabins have wide panoramic windows. beverage service) Surprisingly, all cabins also have a bathtub as Cuisine well as a shower unit, so you can enjoy a good - Complimentary house wine and beer Each Victoria cruise ship features a Dynasty soak after some exciting sightseeing. There is with dinner Dining Room where buffet breakfast, lunch also a beauty salon, clinic, fitness room, and dinner are served whilst the captain’s mini-spa, reading room, gift shop and a - Private shore excursions with 6 or farewell dinner will be a grander sit-down spacious lounge for lectures and more passengers banquet. All vessels also boast an A La Carte performances, as well as full air conditioning, Restaurant and both Western and Chinese internet access and BBC channels. - Afternoon happy hour

Century Cruises Newest fleet Cuisine Century Cruises boast one of the newest The onboard restaurants offer an intimate fleets on the Yangtze River with all of their atmosphere and serve a selection of Chinese seven ships built after 2003. They are proud and Western Cuisine to a high standard. All to offer the largest cabins of any Yangtze fleet vessels have a panoramic restaurant, an and all cabins have a ceiling to floor sliding elegant atmosphere in which to enjoy fine doors that open onto private balconies. dining. The Century Legend and Century Paragon also have an A La Carte Restaurant. Facilities on board A five-star service is provided on board with Cabin upgrades European hospitality experts providing Higher deck cabin upgrades available. personal management on every ship. Cabins Further details on request. are finished with high-quality furnishings and bathroom products and offer a range of amenities including satellite tv, tea and coffe making facilities, safety deposit box and fridge. All ships have grand atrium lobbies, stylish public areas and spacious observation lounges with panoramic windows. There is also a sundeck with bar, a beauty salon, fitness centre, library and internet cafe. The Century Paragon also has a stunning indoor swimming pool and a cinema.

16 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Beijing, Xian and

Yangtze Cruise

his fabolous tour offers some of TChina’s most well-known highlights in a compact time frame and at a great price. Starting in Beijing, we visit such iconic sights as the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Summer Palace. A 4-night cruise aboard one of the Victoria Cruises’ acclaimed vessels showcases the majestic beauty of the Yangtze River and its Gorges. In Xian we visit the remarkable sight of the Terracotta Army, then take a fantastic bullet train ride to Beijing.

12 days Gorges shore excursion (river conditions Please note with this tour runs together Beijing (3 nights) permitting). (BLD) with the Through the Yangzte Gorges tour Yangtze cruise (4 nights) for Days 2-4. Xian (2 nights) Day 7 Yangtze Cruise Take an excursion Bullet train through the Goddess Stream Small Gorges, Post-tour extension to Shandong Beijing (1 night) which are narrower than the Three Gorges, Further details on request but very impressive. Enter Wu Gorge, then Day 1 London Depart Heathrow at around sail through Qutang Gorge, the shortest Private Journey Price from £2095 20:25 on Air China’s flight to Beijing. (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most per person twin shared (minimum 2 dramatic gorge. Afternoon shore excursion to passengers). The price decreases as the Day 2 Beijing Arrive Beijing and transfer to White Emperor City (river conditions passengers’ number grows. the 4-star Shangri-La Traders Hotel. permitting). (BLD) Afternoon visit to the quaint hutong quarter • Tipping payable locally £40 per person. by Lake Houhai. Enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) Day 8 Yangtze Cruise Shore excursion to • Guaranteed to operate with minimum 2 either Fengdu, the “Ghost City”, known for passengers Day 3 Beijing Morning visit to the Ming Era its of ghosts and devils on Mingshan • Air China upgrades: Business class on Temple of Heaven before driving north to the Hill, or to Shibaozhai (river conditions request. permitting), with its impressive wooden less-crowded and more scenic part of the • Victoria Selina Amenity Package from Great Wall at Mutianyu. Enjoy a traditional pagoda, appropriately named “The Pearl of £60 pp, further details on request. Peking Duck dinner. (BLD) the Yangtze”. (BLD) • Service charge of RMB150pp (approx £17) payable on board Victoria Selina. Day 4 Beijing Morning visit to Tiananmen Day 9 Chongqing, Xian Disembark and visit Greatuity to River Guide and Cruise Square and the Forbidden City, the complex the Three Yangtze Gorges Museum and Director at guest’s own discretion covered market. Fly to Xian for two nights of imperial palaces which were home to the Price includes Emperors for over 500 years. Grand halls at the Grand New World Hotel. Optional • Economy class domestic flights and courtyards gradually give way to more evening Tang- era music and dinner dance intimate domestic quarters, giving a glimpse performance. (BL) • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, into the pampered isolation of the Emperors. transportation and sightseeing as listed Continue to the beautiful Summer Palace Day 10 Xian Visit the world-renowned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) where the Emperors went to escape the heat Terracotta Army – individually crafted • Services of English-speaking local tour of the city. Optional evening Beijing Opera life-sized figures, complete with chariots and guides performance. (BLD) horses. Afternoon visit to the Big Wild Goose Not included Pagoda, the Grand Mosque and Muslim

Day 5 Beijing, Yichang Morning at leisure. quarter. (BLD) • International flights Fly to Yichang and transfer to the pier to join • Travel insurance Day 11 Xian, Beijing Visit the City Walls a 4 night cruise with Victoria Cruises. (BD) • Gratuities before taking a bullet train to Beijing. Return • Chinese visa Day 6 Yangtze Cruise Morning visit to the to the Traders hotel for one night. (B) Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping, the • Any government taxes or compulsory Day 12 Beijing, London Homeward Air China largest in the world. Later sail through the • Charges introduced after brochure Three Gorges Dam ship locks and through flight to London departing at around 14:10 publication Xiling Gorge. Afternoon Tribe of the Three arriving later the same day. (B)

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 17 Sacred Soul of China

trategically located between the ancient imperial Scapital of Beijing and the eastern terminus of the , Xian, the province of Shanxi has always been at the heart of China’s trade, and consequently, at the heart of her culture. Nowadays the region boasts an extraordinary array of well-preserved ancient temples, statues, holy places, quaint towns and glorious manor houses. This tour benefits further from visits to the ancient capital of Luoyang with its breath-taking grotto, and Kangbaiwan Manor, almost the size of a small town and one of our recent discoveries, as well as venturing into Shandong province to visit the fascinating areas of Tai’an and Qufu.

13 days Day 5 Overnight train Drive to one of the largest and best-preserved archi- Beijing (1 night) stopping to visit the Wang Courtyard. tectural complexes in China. (BLD) Pingyao (2 nights) Continue to the Temple, a masterpiece Overnight train (1 night) of ancient architecture with halls, pavilions, Day 11 Tai’an Take the cable car up to the Luoyang (1 night) bridges and ancient trees in its grounds, viewing point and explore the views (1 night) including a cypress that has reportedly and temples. (BLD) Qufu (2 nights) grown at an angle of 30 degrees for 900 Tai’an (2 nights) years. Take a train to Luoyang (soft sleeper Day 12 Tai’an, Beijing Take a bullet train to Beijing (1 night) in 4-bed cabin). Overnight in the train (BL Beijing and spend a final night at the Shangri Packed Supper) La Traders Hotel. (BL)

Day 6 Luoyang Arrive in Luoyang and Day 13 Beijing, London Transfer to the admire the Longmen Grottoes, 1,300 airport for your homeward flight to London man-made caves along a cliff, crammed with arriving later the same day. (B) thousands of Buddha statues. Overnight at 4 star New Friendship Hotel (BL) Private Journey Price from £2280 pe r person twin shared (minimum Day 7 Luoyang, Shaolin Temple, Kaifeng 2 passengers) Heading east pause at the Shaolin Temple, • Tipping payable locally £65 per person. known as the birthplace of Kung Fu, which • Air China Business Class upgrades on was originally conceived as a healthy form of request for the monks. Drive to the city of Price includes Kaifeng, one of China’s 8 great ancient capitals. Stay at the New Century Grand • Second class train Day 1 London Depart Heathrow at around Hotel Kaifeng for 1 night. (BLD) • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, 20:25 on Air China’s non-stop flight to Beijing. transportation and sightseeing as listed Day 8 Kaifeng, Qufu Visit the beautifully Day 2 Beijing Arrive in Beijing and transfer preserved iron pagoda, the dragon pavilion, (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) to the 4-star Shangri-La Traders Hotel. After where the emperors of the ancient Norther • Services of English-speaking local Tour a chance for a rest, visit the area of Shishahai Song and Jin resided and the Millennium City Guides near Houhai Lake, where there are lots of Park where you can get a glimpse of ancient little bars and restaurants. Continue to the China and see some fantastic martial arts • Not included pedestrian hutong area of Nanluoguxiang performances. In the afternoon take a bullet • Travel insurance and take dinner at a traditional courtyard train to Qufu and transfer to the 4-star Queli • Gratuities restaurant. (D) Binche Hotel for two nights. (BLD) • Chinese visa Day 3 Pingyao Take the train to the ancient Day 9 Qufu Qufu is the birthplace of China’s • Any government taxes or compulsory city of Pingyao and stay at the stunning Yun- greatest philosopher, Confucius. Visit the • Charges introduced after brochure jincheng Folk Guest House for 2 nights. Enjoy Confucius Temple and mansion. Witness the publication a walk in the old town. (BLD) morning Confucius memorial show. (BLD)

Day 4 Pingyao Pingyao offers visitors a Day 10 Qufu, Tai’an Continue your visit fascinating glimpse of old China. Here is to Qufu and the Confucius Forest before de China’s first bank, the Rishengchang, built departing to Mount Tai’an, a source of spiritual in 1823. See too the City Wall complete with inspiration and religious belief for thousands battlements, a moat and drawbridge, of years. Stay 2 nights at the 5-star Ramada and gates. (BL) Plaza Tai’an. Afternoon visit to Dai Temple,

18 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Landscapes of China

his unique tour combines two of China’s most Tfascinating regions, Sichuan and Guizhou, along with the dazzling metropolitan city of Hong Kong and the beautiful landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo. This tour encompasses so many highlights from the buzz and excitement of Hong Kong to the beauty and serenity of the enchanting landscapes in Guilin and Yangshuo, along with the fascinating minority people and stunning waterfalls of Guizhou and the popular city of Chengdu with its beloved Giant Pandas.

16 days Day 6 Anshun, Huangguoshu Waterfalls, Day 13 Yangshuo, Shenzhen, Hong Kong Chengdu (3 nights) Morning visit to the Huangguoshu Take the fast train to Shenzhen. On arrival Anshun (1 night) Waterfalls which stand 243ft high and up to transfer to your vehicle for the drive to Hong Guiyang (1 night) 330ft wide. There are several viewing points Kong and the Metropark Causeway Bay Kaili (2 nights) for the falls, one where you can view the Hotel where you stay for 2 nights. (B) Day Train complete panorama of the waterfall, another Longsheng (1 night) offering a bird’s eye view and a third offering Day 14 Hong Kong Time at leisure to enjoy Guilin (1 night) close up views. Drive to Guiyang and stay this fascinating city at your own pace. (B) Yangshuo (2 nights) overnight at the Kempinski Hotel. (BLD) Day Train Day 15 Hong Kong, London Time at leisure Shenzhen Day 7 Guiyang, Kaili Drive to Kaili visiting before transferring to the airport for the Hong Kong (2 nights) the Textile museum en-route. This excellent British Airways flight to London (B) museum houses many beautiful examples of Day 1 London Depart from London Heathrow clothing. This area is rich in minority people Day 16 London Arrive at around 04:55. on the British Airways flight to Shanghai then with examples of their traditional textile skills, transfer to Chengdu with domestic flight. paper making and local markets. Stay at the Grand Metropark Hotel for 2 nights. (BLD) Day 2 Chengdu Arrive at around 10:45 and Private Journey Price from £2995 per transfer to the Tibet Hotel for 3 nights. Day 8 Kaili Drive to Xijia and visit Matang, person twin shared (minimum 2 Afternoon visit to the vibrant area of Jinli. then continue to Chongan Town, exploring passengers). The price decreases as the Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling the local area. (BLD) passengers’ number grows. some of the regions’ favourite dishes. (D) • This tour is escorted by local guides Day 9 Kaili, Duyun, Sangjiang, Longsheng • Tipping payable locally £65 per person. Day 3 Chengdu Drive to Leshan. Take a Take the train to Sangjiang Nan before walk along the street market before a short heading to Longsheng and staying at the • Guaranteed to operate with minimum 2 cruise along the river to view the magnificent Longji Star Wish Resort for the night. (BD) passengers Giant Buddha, hewn from the mountainside • British Airways Upgrades: World traveller in the 8th century. The 234ft high Buddha Day 10 Longsheng, Guilin Enjoy a Club World one way. morning walk in the terraced countryside in the Lingyun Temple guards the boatmen Price includes on the treacherous rivers below. Enjoy the before driving to Guilin and the Bravo Hotel • Economy class domestic flights. The flight from for the night. (BD) surrounding areas of forest and temples Shanghai to Chengdu is not included as our before returning to Chengdu. Enjoy a hot pot service starts at your arrival in Chengdu. dinner en-route to your hotel. (BLD) Day 11 Guilin, Yangshuo Take the magical • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, Li River cruise to Yangshuo and drift gently transportation and sightseeing as listed through enchanting landscapes. Browse Day 4 Chengdu This morning see the (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) world’s beloved Giant Pandas at the Panda through Yangshuo’s colourful shops and • Services of English-speaking local tour Research Base. Stop in the People’s Park for visit scenic Gaotian township. After dinner in guides tea. Within the main city visit the Shu Brocade idyllic surroundings enjoy a spectacular son Institute and Embroidery Museum. (BL) et lumiere show performed on the river by a No t included cast of 600. Stay at the Green Lotus Hotel for • International flights Day 5 Chengdu, Guiyang, Anshun Take a 2 nights. (BLD) • Travel insurance morning flight to Guiyang and drive to the Dragon Palace Cave (around 2.5 hours), an Day 12 Yangshuo Morning visit to the • Gratuities Silver Cave. Pay a visit to a farmer’s house, extensive cave system which is visited by • Chinese visa boat. There are underground chambers, one continue to Jiuxian Village and enjoy lunch • Any government taxes or compulsory of which can also be explored on foot. there. (BL) charges introduced after brochure Continue to Huangguoshu, and stay publication overnight at the Hilton Hotel. (BLD)

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 19 Themed Tours Some of our tours have been designed to incorporate a special reason to travel and to explore. We have now arranged these tours in their own category so you can choose your holiday to fit the theme of your choice.

Our team of experts designs a wide variety of tours to match the unique interests of every traveller.

You can choose amongst a number of special tours, all designed and focused on a specific interest and still including the most renowned and famous attractions.

From cooking to hiking, to visiting gardens or temples you will dive into a fascinating experience discovering the many perspectives of the best that China has to offer. Eastern Hawaii Sanya

Visit the unique “Sunshine City” anya is superior in geography climate and Snatural resources. It is known as “the oriental Hawaii” because of its special tropical scenes as well as its attractive nature. Sanya’s tourist resources, richly endowed by nature, are not only special in China, but also rare in the world. It is a most fashionable place where tropical marine tourist resources are closely concentrated and lovers of swimming can enjoy their holidays in winter. Besides these attractions Sanya also preserves many ancient traditional locations, relics and .

7 days the rocks on the shoreline. On the west side, Private Journey Price from £1185 per Hong Kong (1 night) there is a small beach and you will find person twin shared (minimum 2 Sanya (4 nights) everything is more relaxed, brighter and gay passengers). Price decreases as the Hong Kong (1 night) on this perfect beach with clean white sand and palm trees. The intense hues of the passengers’ number grows. South Sea wil definitely leave an indelible • Tipping payable locally £20 per person impression on your mind. Price includes • Twin-shared accomodation Day 1 London, Hong Kong Flight from London Day 5 Sanya Enjoy free leisure time. (B) • Services of professional English-speaking to Hong Kong. Arrive in Hong Kong, meet the guide local guide and transfer to your hotel. Day 6 Sanya, Hong Kong Transfer to the • Meals as specified on itinerary Check-in. Free time. (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) airport. Flight from Sanya to Hong Kong. Activities can be arranged during the day Meet the guide and transfer to your hotel. • Escorted sightseeing; Attractions and tour in Hong Kong according to the flight Cultural Shows Admissions Free time. (B) schedule (Optional). • Luxurious tourist car/bus Activities can be arranged during the day tour in Hong Kong according to the flight • Economy class Domestic flights Day 2 Hong Kong, Sanya Transfer to the schedule (Optional). Not included airport. Fly to Sanya, Pick up from airport and transfer to your hotel. Check-in. Free time. (B) • International airfare to/from China, visa Day 7 Hong Kong, London Transfer to the processing fees, travels insurance. airport and fly to London. (B) Day 3 Sanya Tour at Yanoda Tropical • Personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, excess luggage fees, Rainforest and Li & Miao Minority Village. (BL) The Province of Hainan offers a Visa-free telephone charges, room service and Yanoda Rainforest Zone is situated entry for tourists from 21 countries if they laundry charges apart from 18km to the high way of Sanya- are with tour group (minimum 5 pp) of • Gratitude to the guides, drivers and Haikou, and only 35 km from the downtown agencies and the holiday lasts less than porters in China of Sanya City. The site has a total planning 15 days. Hong Kong has visa-free access. The entire tour can thus be visa-free. area of 45 square kilometers encircled by an ecological protection area of 123 square kilometers. Enter the fascinating world of Hainan’s ethnic minorities in these two recreated villages built as a theme park in a superb tropical mountain setting. During this fully interactive tour, you will, among other things, watch the elegantly clad performers as they sway to their original bamboo dance, play music with traditional instruments, learn about fascinating traditions and customs, admire the weaving of superb colourful brocades, visit traditional houses and much more.

Day 4 Sanya Tour at Wuzhizhou Island. (BL) Wuzhizhou Island is a pretty small island which is located in the South Sea. The eastern part of the island features sheer cliffs and white waves and foams dashing over

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 21 A Tale of Art and Porcelain

A fascinating exploration of Chinese arts, porcelain tradition and ancient history he artistic evolution of China, and especially its fine Tporcelain manufacture techniques are a perfect expression not only of China’s ancient art history but also of its recent past. It is thanks to large scale porcelain manufacture that became even more famous worldwide. Through this amazing journey, you will see the most important places and pieces of art representing this long tradition while exploring astonishing scenic spots, unique architectures and world-famous archaeological sites.

16 days Day 4 Beijing, Taiyuan, Pingyao Have an Beijing (3 nights) early breakfast so that you will leave on time Pingyao (2 nights) for the transfer to Beijing West station for Taiyuan (1 night) the D2005 scheduled to depart at 08:52 and Xian (3 nights) arrive at 13:00. On arrival, you will be met by Nanchang (1 night) your local guide and go for a lunch first. Visit Jingdezhen (2 nights) the Jinci Temple, located at the foot of the Huangshan (1 night) Xuanweng Mountain at the Jin Springs. The Shanghai (2 nights) temple contains a diverse collection of more than 100 sculptures, buildings, terraces, and Beijing• bridges. The best-known structure at Jinci is

Taiyuan the Hall of the Holy Mother, which was • constructed in 1032. Continue south to Pingyao• Pingyao, a walled city around 2 hours away. No traffic other than bicycles is allowed Xi’an• within the walls of Pingyao. At the nearest gate to the hotel and you will be met and will be transported to the hotel to leave the Mount Huangshan• •Shanghai luggage. Continue to Pingyao and stay at the •Huangshan City Financiers Club for two nights. This hotel is a •Jingdezhen • Nanchang converted traditional building. (BLD)

Day 5 Pingyao Time this morning for a from the museum. Later, return to the hotel to leisurely breakfast and to go outside to collect your luggage and transfer to the sta- Day 1 London, Beijing Depart from Terminal explore the streets. Rejoin with your guide tion to get the n. 2669 overnight train to Xi’an 5 at around16:35 with British Airways. to visit some of the museums or walk right scheduled to depart at 20:29. (BL) around the City Walls. In the afternoon take Day 2 Beijing Arrive in Beijing around 10:25. the short 6km trip to the Shuang Temple. This Day 8 Xi’an Arrive at 06:18. Met on arrival and Met by the guide for transfer to the Hotel. En complex is a World Heritage site. Return later transferred to the Hotel for 2 nights with route visit the National Centre for Performing to Pingyao. Rest of the evening at leisure (B) immediate occupancy. After time to check-in Arts (from the outside). The check-in time is have breakfast and rest in your room. You by 14:00, no immediate check-in will be nec- Day 6 Pingyao, Taiyuan This morning depart will see the City Wall surrounding the original essary, take some refreshments at the hotel from Pingyao to return to Taiyuan. Stop en heart of Xi’an – You can decide to visit its top and explore some of the local Hutong areas route to visit the Qiao Mansion, dating from for a stroll independently. Around 11:00 rejoin before going to your room. The guide will the 18th century, much of the original your guide for a visit to the Big Wild Goose confirm with you the time they will return for features of carving and tile work remain. Pagoda. The temple that stands here now is your transfer to take you on an afternoon visit On arrival, you will be transferred to the from the although it has been to Houhai Lake and take dinner at Li Family Hotel for a stay of one night plus a late built in the Ming style. Continue to the Grand Restaurant(D) check out (BLD) Mosque which is interesting fusion of Chinese and Islamic architecture and calligraphy. Day 3 Beijing Rejoin your guide and visit the Day 7 Taiyuan, Xi’an This morning rejoin Enjoy a traditional hot pot dinner. (BD) Museum of Ancient Pottery . The your guide for a visit to the Shanxi Museum museum preserves big collections of ancient which has a superb collection of items Day 9 Xi’an This morning visit the Terracotta pottery symbolising China’s artistic evolution, covering the whole period from Chinese Warriors site, one of the greatest along with many other art-pieces. The rest of ancient history to the more recent one. An archaeological finds of the last century. The the afternoon will be free at leisure (B) English speaking guide will be requested statues guarding the three pits of the burial

22 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] site are still being unearthed. There is no Day 13 Huangshan City, Mount Huangshan Private Journey Price from £2900 per 2 time limit here as there is only one other visit This morning you will depart by road to the people (minimum 2 passengers). The planned on this day. After lunch visit the Han foot of Mount Huangshan. After arriving, from price decrease as the passengers’ Yan Ling Exhibition Centre, an underground Huangshan City, you will take one of the number grows. exhibition centre which houses a display of cable cars to the top of the mountain for a relics discovered in the mausoleum of the day tour. There are around 1000 steps and it Price includes Han Emperor Liu and his Queen. The finds is a long walk – around 45 minutes from the • Economy class domestic flights vividly show the life of the royal families. The top of the cable car to the Hotel. (BL) • New high-speed train (1st class): Beijing- exhibitions are well curated and the Taiyuan, and soft sleeper train Taiyuan- atmosphere is calmer than that of the main Day 14 Mount Huangshan, Huangshan City, Xi’an Terracotta Army display. The rest of the Shanghai See the sunrise from the mountain • Twin shared accommodation afternoon is at leisure. (BL) Note: We suggest top (weather permitting). After breakfast • Transportation in private vehicle with a popular sound and light show that takes descend by cable car and rejoin your driver English speaking guide place in the evening near the Big Wild Goose for a visit to the local village of Hongcun. The Pagoda. No ticket needed to watch the show. preserved houses are thought to be amongst • Entrance fees to all stated sightseeing, the best examples of Ming & Qing Dynasty • Meas as specified: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, Day 10 Xi’an, Nanchang Take a very early architecture and carving. One of the largest D-DinnerNot included breakfast before morning transfer to the houses, the Chenzhen Hall also contains a Not Included MU2281 at 10:35 arriving at 12:10 in Nanchang. museum. Continue to the airport at • Visa (we offer free support for the Visa On arrival, you will be met and brought to the Huangshan City and take the FM9268 leaving application to returning clients, contact us!) Hotel for a one night stay. In the afternoon at 22:30 and arriving 23:30. On arrival, you visit the Tengwang Pavilion, a 1000 years will be received and transferred to the Hotel. • International flights old temple on the shore of the Kan river. A (BD-arranged before boarding the flight) • Sightseeing not specified nine-zigzag bridge leads across to it and it is • Drinks, Personal expenses, ie. Laundry, surrounded by lakes and rock gardens. In the Day 15 Shanghai Day at Leisure (B) communication, internet usage, evening try a traditional Gan meal – the local souvenirs etc. cuisine. (BD) Day 16 Shanghai, London Transfer to the airport for the BA168 leaving at 11:00 and Day 11 Nanchang, Jingdezhen In the arriving 16:30 (B) morning, depart by road with your guide to Jingdezhen which is considered the Capital of Chinese Porcelain. On arrival, you will be received and transferred the Hotel. In the afternoon visit the 3-storey Longzhu Ge (Dragon Pearl Pavilion) that offers an amazing view of the city. After dinner visit the night market with the guide. (BD)

Day 12 Jingdezhen With your guide visit the Museum of Ceramic History. Visit also some workers’ home and a kiln that is still in use to observe the porcelain creation process. The city offers many attractions related to the city’s historic and precious production but also some incredibly well preserved old buildings and scenic spots. (BLD)

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 23 The Spiritual Heart of China

Discover the spiritual heart of China. Home to Confucius. Explore China’s most sacred fascinating and mystic natural landscapes. handong is a land deeply permeated by Buddhist and STaoist philosophy. With a more than 5000 years-long history is considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilisation. It has also been the home of a large number of historical figures, whose important influences are still evident in contemporary China. Confucianism, founded by Confucius, the great thinker, educator and statesman is the pillar of traditional and has exerted great influence in the World. Shandong offers also glorious scenery, towering granite peaks and a wild yet welcoming coastline. You will have the opportunity to experience its great variety. Shandong is a land where the spiritual soul coexists with social development and rapid technological growth as in , Shandong’s biggest city, which is at the forefront of modernisation and where you will also retrace events of more recent Chinese history.

15 Days Day 1 Tianjin Arrival in Beijing, and buildings at the foot of China’s most holy Tianjin (1 night) transfer to Tianjin. Tianjin is only 120 km/75 mountain, mystical Taishan and the starting (2 nights) miles from Beijing, We can manage the point for pilgrimages up to the peak. Qufu (2 nights) transfer for you at an extra cost with train. Overnight in Tai’an. (BL) Tai’an (2 nights) or bus. Overnight in Tianjin. (B) (1 night) Day 7 Tai’an Take the cable car over Qingdao (2 nights) Day 2 Tianjin, Jinan Exploration Visit of The Taishan’s slopes dotted with ancient temples, (2 nights) Porcelain house, Jingyuan Garden (Pu Yi), bridges and gates and view the Azure Clouds (2 nights) Dabei Yuan (monastery), Antique Street (time Temple also known as Bixia Temple. permitting). High speed train from Tianjin Overnight in Tai’an. (BL) west to Jinan west by G215 14:38/15:56 which Beijing• travels the 301 km in 1hour 18 min. Overnight Day 8 Tai’an, Zibo Coach to the ancient •Tianjin in Jinan, capital city of Shandong. (BL) village of Zhujiayu for a couple of hours where the Canadian film on the Chinese Yantai Day 3 Jinan In Jinan there are many Labour Corps, Tricks on the Dead, was Zibo • • •Weihai attractions to explore including the Great filmed and then continue to Zhoucun a key Jinan• Southern Mosque, the Five Dragon Pool, CLC recruitment centre. Zhoucun was once •Tai’an •Qingdao Park, temples and museums. a major trading centre and the refurbished •Qufu Opportunity to climb Qianfo Shan (Thousand buildings in the “”, including Buddha Mountain) with its glorious views and Japanese, German and British banks and temple. Overnight in Jinan. (BL) companies, bear witness to this. Overnight in Zibo. (BL) Day 4 Jinan, Qufu Coach to Qufu, Birthplace and hometown of Confucius and his Day 9 Zibo, Qingdao Train to Qingdao. On descendants. The town is the testament to arrival there maybe time for an initial the importance of Confucian philosophy exploration such as Park, named over the centuries and in China to this day. after Sun Yat Sen, the founder of modern Opportunity to view the main sites within the China, a vast area of lakes, gardens and ancient city walls of Qufu, a Unesco World walking paths. From the park which has Heritage Site. Overnight in Qufu. (BL) many varieties of the flowering trees can be seen Qingdao’s largest temple, Zhanshan Temple. Day 5 Qufu Visit The Confucius Temple, Overnight in Qingdao. (BL) Confucius Family Mansion and Family Graveyard – the largest imperial building Day 10 Qingdao Explore Qingdao, a great complex after the Forbidden City. Overnight combination of German architecture, breezy in Qufu. International Hotel. (BLD) seaside and the Tsingtao Beer Factory which produces beer using spring water from Day 6 Qufu, Tai’an Coach to Tai’an. Visit the LaoShan () and which we intend to magnificent Dai Temple with its 150 ancient visit. Overnight in Qingdao. (BL)

24 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Day 11 Qingdao, Yantai LaoShan stands can be arranged which is 83 miles as the 3,700 feet above Qingdao. Hike over a lovely seabirds fly from South Korea. Overnight in Private Journey Price from £2520 per jumble of granite slabs and thickets of Weihai. (BL) person twin shared (minimum 2 bamboo and pine and visit some of the passengers). The price decreases as the temples on Lao Shan. This is the only sacred Day 14 Weihai Visit Liugong Island, 20 mountain in China with a sea view. An minutes by boat from downtown Weihai to passengers’ number grows. alternative to anyone not wanting to hike visit a) the half-dozen 1894-95 Sino-Japanese • Options: Including the Fengchan Ceremo would be to relax and follow in the footsteps museums, b) the Museum detailing when ny and one of the two temples. of discussing party policy and Weihai was leased to the British which has a From £ 15.00 visit Bathing Beach 2. Coach to Yantai, the good reputation for historical accuracy and c) largest fishing seaport in Shandong: Yantai the National Forest. Overnight in Weihai. (BL) Pri ce Includes was formerly incorrectly known as Chefoo • 3/4 star Hotel accomodation in specified in the West. Stroll along the promenade to Day 15 Weihai Morning flight to Beijing, and hotels and room types with BBF (except watch the fishermen repairing the nets. If in the afternoon Beijing-London. arrival day). open, there will be time to visit Changyu • Service of a professional English-Speaking Wine Company Museum or the Yantai guide. Museum. Overnight in Yantai. (BL) • Train tickets: Tianjin-Jinan, and Zibo- Qingdao on normal class (2nd class). Day 12 Yantai, Penglai, Yantai Drive along • Transportation in private vehicle with the coast to Penglai to see the 14th-century English speaking guide. Fortress built to be out of sight of Japanese pirate ships active on the coast at that time. • Entrance fees to all stated sightseeing, with services of a local English speaking Stroll through the wooded hills of Penglai guide. Pavilion where there are many temples and beautiful views. If lucky, you will see the • Meals: Fine Chinese cuisine (per clients’ request: various ) Dinner Penglai mirage. Overnight in Yantai. (BL) daily except day 1 and day 15.

Day 13 Yantai, Weihai Coach to Weihai Not Included (formerly called Weihaiwei) in the morning • Visa. In 1917 this port was used to transport • International flights. Chinese labourers/farmers to England and • Meals not specified. France after joining the China Labour Corps • Sightseeing not specified. to assist in the war efforts against • Drinks, Personal expenses, ie. Laundry, until the larger port at Cangkou took over this communication, internet usage, role. The city still has British-era architecture souvenirs etc. and has for many years been twinned with • Optional tours. Cheltenham. The cuisine here is famous for • Gratitude to guides/drivers. its seafood which has a fresh and light taste. If the weather is fine, a visit to Chengshantou

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 25 Water Towns & Gardens of China

A picturesque Journey through Chinese traditional waterways hina throughout the centuries has always had a Cclose relationship with water for its commerce and communications. But water also plays a crucial role in its traditional culture. Each ancient garden in China preserves lakes and ponds that convey a peaceful atmosphere. The same feeling surrounds many locations of the so-called water towns, places built on water and carefully preserved as they have always been, where people live as their ancestors used to as well. Wander in these small and old streets breathing their oneiric peace is a one-of-a-kind experience.

8 Days Day 1 London, Shanghai Depart with Virgin Pingjiang Lodge for a stay of 2 nights. After Shanghai (2 nights) Atlantic on the VS250 at 15:15 from Terminal 3 check-in and tea in the room join your Zhujiajiao guide for a visit to the ‘Garden of the Humble Suzhou (2 nights) Day 2 Shanghai Arrive 0935. Met on arrival Administrators’. Dinner included this Luzhi by an English speaking guide. They will assist evening (BLD) Hangzhou (2 nights) to the Maglev station for the high-speed train Wuzhen (1 night) towards central Shanghai. At the station join Day 4 Suzhou This morning visit the Silk Shanghai your private vehicle for the transfer to the Factory to see how the silk is created, from hotel. Take a drink or meal (payable locally) the feeding of the silk worms on mulberry before rejoining your guide in Reception leaves to being unwound from each cocoon around 3.00 With your guide visit the Yuyuan and to the creation of the famous silk duvet. Garden. These gardens were started almost Continue to the Silk Embroidery Institute 400 years ago. They occupy some five acres to see the intricate handiwork behind the within which they contain the region’s delicate double-sided quintessential elements of a embroideries. After lunch take a cruise on the Suzhou• - pavilions, rockeries, pools, moon gates, canal to Shangtang Street and see some of •Shanghai Wuzhen West• latticed windows and small cloisters. this lively shopping and café area. Your day •Hangzhou Opposite the gardens is the Huxing Teahouse concludes with a visit to the ‘Garden of the and the old Chinese quarter of Shanghai Nets’ and dinner (BLD) where cobbled streets are lined with traditional shops selling herbal medicines, Day 5 Suzhou, Luzhi, Hangzhou Depart handicrafts, Chinese tea and a variety of today to the lesser known but charming tantalising snacks. In the early evening visit Watertown of Luzhi. The town has a history of the Bund, the main area of Shanghai famous some 1400 years and is known for its for the colonial buildings and the illuminated and bridges, some of which date back to the buildings of Pudong across the Huangpu (970-1279). The town is River, take a one-hour boat trip along the recognised as a UNESCO site. During today Huangpu River Dinner arranged this evening take a cruise along the waterways here and at the Yè Shanghai (D) wander the streets before commencing the drive to a tea plantation towards Hangzhou. Day 3 Shanghai, Zhujiajiao, Suzhou Around Stop to try some of the Longjiang Green Tea. 10 am depart from the hotel by road, leave On arrival in Hangzhou stay for two nights at the main area of Shanghai to visit the the Shenanbei Boutique Hotel (BLD) picturesque canal town of Zhujiajiao. There are interesting waterways, and lively streets Day 6 Hangzhou Visit the Manor House of with colourful shops, tea houses and the Qing Nobleman and visit the Ancient eateries. Take tea in a tea house overlooking Pharmacy as you visit the busy Cultural a waterway (payable locally). You may visit Street. Continue to the West Lake, the Zhuxi Garden with of bamboo or undoubtedly the most renowned feature the Bao Guo Temple with its grand halls. Visit of Hangzhou which has been painted and the Qing-dynasty Post Office and the Xi praised in poetry for centuries. West Lake Family Mansion. After lunch of local is up against a range of hills on the western specialities continue to Suzhou and the side. In the humid, misty weather for which

26 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] the area is famous, the of the lake Private Journey Price from £1380 per can almost disappear. Take a shared cruise person twin shared (minimum 2 on the lake. Walk through the Guozhuang passengers). The price decreases as the Garden offering lovely views over the lake. passengers’ number grows. Returning to the shore visit a tea garden and the . Drive out to the Song Price Includes Dynasty Theme Park which offers an evening • Twin/Double shared accommodation in show. (BL) specified hotels and room type. • Transfers in private vehicle. Day 7 Hangzhou, Wuzhen Depart today for the water town of Wuzhen West. At Wuzhen • English speaking local guides for all transfers and specified sightseeing West there is the main entrance area. Vehicles are left there and golf buggies take • The entrance fees to all specified visitors around the edge of the sightseeing accommodation are to their hotels. Once • Meals as specified B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, inside the main Watertown area, there are no D-Dinner vehicles. Take a walking tour to the Qing Post Not Included Office and the 150-year-old pharmacy. A stop • International Flights included at the Golden Lilies Museum (where • Chinese Visa they record the practice of foot binding with • Any entrance fees for sightseeing not displays of tiny shoes, some no more than 3 specified. inches). There is a working factory here, a silk • Travel Insurance display – with a double weaving frame – very • Gratuities impressive to see, two people are needed to • Meals not specified work the enormous loom. There is a bed • Sightseeing not specified museum which contains a display of • Personal expenses, ie. Laundry, traditional techniques of hand manufacture communication, internet usage, and carving. A pretty cruise in the evening on souvenirs etc. the illuminated canals would be included. (BLD)

Day 8 Wuzhen West, Shanghai, Heathrow Meet early at the hotel and drive for around 2 hours along the main road to Shanghai Airport. Arrive home the same day (B)

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 27 Across the Roof of the World

An overland journey from Beijing to Tibet and Kathmandu via the highest railway on earth n epic journey perfectly constructed for those who yearn to Adiscover the and which offers guests the exciting opportunity to travel on the railway line between Qinghai and Tibet. This 2500-mile-long railway is the highest in the world, reaching 16,640ft above sea level at the , and crosses the breathtaking landscapes of the with the snow-capped Himalayas in one of the remotest corners on earth. From Lhasa we journey by road to Kathmandu, taking in the most celebrated sights of Tibet – stunning lakes, ancient and the mighty . Accommodation en- route is the best available, and the comfortable pace of the tour is such that acclimatisation to the region’s high altitudes is made much easier.

17 days Day 1 London (Friday) Depart London visit Jokhang Temple, built in the 7th century Beijing (2 nights) Heathrow at 1635 aboard the British Airways by the 33rd King. Wander through Barkhor (1 night) flight to Beijing. Street, the middle pilgrimage circuit around Train (1 night) Jokhang Temple. (BLD) Lhasa (4 nights) (12,087FT) Day 2 Beijing Arrive Beijing and transfer to Shigatse (2 nights) (12,870FT) the 4-star Shangri-La Traders Hotel. Day 8 Lhasa Today enjoy Potala Palace,the New Tingri (2 nights) (15,510FT) Afternoon visit to the quaint hutong area winter palace of the Dalai Lama, originally Mount Everest near Lake Houhai and enjoy a rickshaw ride. built in the 7th century by King Sotsen Base Camp (17,160 FT) Evening welcome dinner. (D) Gampo and rebuilt in the 17th century. Visit Gathi (1 night) Norbulingka Museum, formerly the Dalai Kathmandu (1 night) Day 3 Beijing Morning visit to the Lama’s Summer Palace, covering a huge area magnificent Great Wall at , Afternoon with palaces, pavilions and a zoo. (BLD) Russia visits to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the complex of imperial Day 9 Lhasa Depart for the biggest Gelupa palaces which were home to the Emperors monastery in the west suburb of Lhasa, for over 500 years. (B) Mongolia Drepung, built in 1416. Afternoon free. (BLD)

Day 4 Beijing, Xining Visit the Summer Day 10 Shigatse Scenic drive across the • Palace. Stop by the Olympic sites, the Birds plateau to Shigatse and the Tashi Choton Beijing Xining• Nest and Water Cube before an early evening Hotel. (BLD) flight to Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, and the San Wang Hotel Xining. (BD) Day 11 Shigatse Tour the Tashihunp New Tingri • Zhangmu • •Lhasa monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, •• Shigatse Kathmandu• Mount Everest Day 5 Xining, Train Visit the imposing the Dalai Lama’s second-in-command. See Dongguan Mosque. Afternoon transfer to the the 86ft-high Buddha statue, made railway station for the pioneering train journey from 600lbs of . (BLD) across the Roof of the World to Lhasa. This train reaches Tibet’s capital in just under Day 12 New Tingri Drive towards New Tingri 24 hours, and accommodation on board is over the Tsuo La and Lhakpa La passes, and sharing ‘soft sleeper’ 4-berth compartments. see the snow-capped peaks of the Please note twin and single compartments Himalayas ahead as the road descends. Stay are subject to availability and extra cost, and at the modest Zhufeng Hotel. (BLD) no meals are included on board. (BD) Day 13 Mount Everest An excursion to Day 6 Train, Lhasa Traverse magnificent Mount Everest, at 29,035ft the world’s highest landscapes of mountain peaks, desert, ice mountain. Visit the Base Camp, then return to rivers and glaciers. Arrive Lhasa this evening New Tingri. (BLD) and transfer to the Brahmaputra Hotel. (D) Day 14 Zhangmu, Gathi Drive to the Day 7 Lhasa Visit the Sera Monastery which of Tibet and , through the deep valley is the second biggest Gelupa Monastery in of the Bhote Kosi where waterfalls can be the north suburb of Lhasa, built in 1419. At seen along the roadside. Head for the the heart of the oldest section of the city bustling mountainside town of Zhangmu and

28 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] cross the Friendship Bridge into Nepal. Private Journey Price from £3695 per Overnight at the Borderland Resort. (BLD) person twin shared (minimum 2 passengers). The price decreases as the Day 15 Kathmandu Drive to Kathmandu for passengers’ number grows. an overnight stay at the 5-star Radisson or

Yak & Yeti Hotel. (BLD) • Tipping payable locally £78 per person. • British Airways upgrades: World Traveller Day 16 London (Saturday) Transfer to the Plus, Club World. airport for the return flight to London Heathrow via Delhi with British Airways, Price includes arriving at 06:40 the following day. (B) • Economy class domestic flights NB: This is an exciting and inspiring • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, adventure with some long drives. During transportation and sightseeing as listed the rainy season in the summer months (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) there may be landslides between New • Services of English-speaking local tour Tingri and Mount Everest Base Camp. You guides should be prepared for more basic accommodation in the remoter parts of Not included Tibet, however this would be compensated • International flights for by the incredible scenery in the region • Travel insurance and the knowledgeable and passionate • Gratuities local guides who are native Tibetans. • Chinese visa Kathmandu extension 3 nights in Kathmandu with breakfast • Any government taxes or compulsory including a one-day sightseeing tour with • Charges introduced after brochure lunch and dinner, from £340 per person twin publication shared, £195 single supplement.

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 29 Sichuan Discovery

The homeland of civilisations where modern and ancient, nature and technology coexist in a unique country ichuan is known mostly to the West for its spicy Scuisine, its shy, gentle pandas and its skillful and fascinating ‘mask-changing’ opera. However this, ‘the land of abundance’, is not only a rich agricultural region but also home to some of China’s precious ancient wonders as well. Only here it is possible to start from Chengdu, one of the most famous emerging metropolises of whole China and end up in the uncontaminated wild nature between and scenic areas of rare diversity and beauty. In these more remote places the ancient cultural heritage of this region is still preserved in charming villages and temples, making Sichuan one of the most colorful and rich .

13 days Day 1 London, Chongqing Depart from Day 5 Chengdu Visit the People’s Park. This Chongqing (1 night) London Heathrow to Chongqing. Overnight is a busy square popular for tea houses and is Leshan in Chongqing home to one of the last statues of Mao. Head Emeishan (2 nights) further into the city and stop to explore the Chengdu (3 nights) Day 2 Chongqing, Leshan, Mt Emei Drive to thriving areas of Wide Alley & Narrow Alley. Maoxian (1 night) Leshan and visit the 8th century 234ft high These are two rows of traditional courtyard Huanglong (2 nights) Buddha in the Lingyun Temple hewn from buildings that have been saved and turned (2 nights) the mountainside that guards the boatmen into hotels, restaurants and shops. Stay at the Chengdu (1 night) on the treacherous rivers below. Take a boat Tibet Hotel for 2 nights. journey for around 20 minutes along the river at the foot of the Buddha. Continue to Day 6 Chengdu See the world’s beloved Jiuzhaigou• Emeishan, 35km away and the 4-star Century Giant Pandas at the Panda Research Centre. Huanglong• Sunshine Hotel for two nights. (BL) Afternoon visit to the beautifully carved and painted Wenshu Monastery founded in the Maoxian• Day 3 Mt Emei Early morning rise to take a 6th century during the Tang dynasty and Chengdu• cable car to visit the summit of Mt Emei. renowned for its many precious works of art Towering in the Southwest of the Chengdu • •Leshan and hundreds of Buddhist statues. Nearby is Plain, Mt Emei has been considered holy by China’s tallest cast iron pagoda with bells all both Daoists and Buddhists since the Eastern the way up, a tranquil garden and • Chongqing• and it was here that Buddhism atmospheric tea house. Continue to Jinli and first gained ground and spread through the Tibetan Quarter before a visit to the Shu • (Burma) China. Around 20 temples dot the slopes, Brocade and Embroidery Museum. sometimes hidden amongst an amazing variety of trees and shrubs. At the summit Day 7 Chengdu, Maoxian Depart for Mount (3,079 m) is the opulent Golden Temple Qingcheng, stopping en-route to visit the where sunrise, cloud seas and other ingenious irrigation system, built atmospheric phenomena are admired. Return in 256 BC to bring water to an otherwise dry down the mountain to your hotel (B) plain and control regular flooding. Nowadays it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Day 4 Mt Emei, Chengdu considered to be ‘Sichuan’s treasure’ by the Return to Chengdu pausing en-route at the Chinese. Continue east to the beautiful and traditional village of Huanglonxi, a rustic evergreen Mount Qingcheng dubbed “the riverside village where you can see half a most peaceful and secluded mountain under dozen Qing Dynasty narrow flag-stoned the heavens”. Enjoy a shared cruise on the streets with their rickety wooden shops. Once scenic Yuecheng Hu (Moon City Lake) and an important market town, it is now busy with ascend by cable car to see the 4th-century visitors. Along the main street, you can visit Shangqing Gong Temple and Laojin Pavilion. the Gulong Temple before taking some tea Drive (approx. 2 hours) through the in one of the many teahouses. Return to the countryside to Maoxian and overnight at the Tibet Hotel for an overnight stay. (B) 3-star Maoxian International Hotel or Guibinlou Hotel (best available). (BL)

30 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Day 8 Maoxian, Huanglong Visit the Day 11 Jiuzhaigou Full day sightseeing at Munigou Scenic Area, belonging to the Jiuzhaigou Valley. Farewell dinner in the western part of Huanglong Scenic and evening. (BLD) Historic Interest Area and listed as a World Natural Heritage site. Drive to the Tibetan Day 12 Jiuzhaigou, Chengdu In the morning town of Songpan which stands at 2200m take the bullet train to Chengdu and spend the on the plateau. Once a Qing-era garrison rest of the day at leisure. (BLD) town protecting a mountain pass with stone walls, gateways and a bridge across the Min Day 13 Chengdu, London In the morning take River. Tibetan and Qiang villagers visit the the bullet train to Chongqing and at 15:05 take town to buy supplies, shops are stocked with the flight back to London. handmade woven blankets, jackets, ornate knives and jewellery – amber, silver and coral. Private Journey Price from £2500 per You can climb the wall in some places for person twin shared (minimum 2 views over the town. Drive the final distance passengers). The price decreases as the to Huanglong and stay for two nights at the passengers’ number grows. Seercuo International Hotel (BLD). • British Airways upgrades on request.

Day 9 Huanglong Today is dependent on • Extensions to Xian and Beijing, and to the weather. If it is fine cross the 4000m Yunnan Province. Further details and prices on request. Xuebaoding pass to reach an area of alpine habitat. The road parallels the flanks of the Price includes 5000m Xuebaoding massif and with good • Economy class domestic flights weather the views could be excellent. If the • Twin-shared accommodation with weather is not hospitable to this high country breakfast then instead travel east to visit the forest • Transfers, transportation, meals and habitat of the Dan Yun Xia Valley. (BLD) sightseeing as listed

Day 10 Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou Travel 2 • This tour is escorted by local guides hours to Jiuzhaigou. The name means ‘valley Not included of the nine Tibetan villages’ which sit amidst colourful lakes, dozens of waterfalls, • International flights snow-capped mountains and forests. • Tipping payable locally £65 per person According to the legend, a Tibetan goddess • Optional excursions, travel insurance, shattered her mirror into a hundred pieces personal expenses and gratuities which were transformed into the lakes. • Chinese visa Check-in to the Resort for 2 nights. Depart for the park entrance then switch to a shared • Any government taxes or compulsory sightseeing coach (private vehicles are not charges introduced after brochure publication permitted in this scenic area), which stops at various ‘scenic spots’ within the park. (BLD)

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 31 Yunnan Discovery

emote, mysterious and blessed by a year-round spring climate, Yunnan Rhas long evoked images of an unspoiled paradise where people live in harmony with nature. It is home to 25 different minority tribes, many originally descended from Tibetans, who cling onto their traditional way of life, colourful costumes, dialect, religion and history. The province of Yunnan is at its southernmost tip just a few dozen miles from the paddy fields and jungles of Burma and Laos, and at its nothernmost reaches to the Himalayan foothills of Tibet. Its location at the crossroads of Asia gave rise to its so-called ‘tea-horse’ trading route, a local branch of the Silk Road where tea from Yunnan was traded with horses from Tibet. We capture the more well-known parts and people of Yunnan but venture to more remote places whose very isolation has ensured the preservation of their culture and architecture. Shaxi, once an important staging post on the ‘tea-horse’ trading route, is perfectly preserved whilst the long-ago prosperous lakeside village of Xizhou boasts a unique collection of exemplary Bai-style architecture – here you will stay 2 nights at an exquisite hotel converted from an elegant Bai manor house. This tour is further enriched by a visit to Tang-era grottos at Mt Shibaoshan which command spectacular vistas.

14 days Day 1 London Depart London Heathrow descended from Tibetan nomads and whose Chongqing (1 night) at 21:45 on the Tianjin Airlines direct flight to society is matriarchal. (BLD) Chengdu (1 night) Chongqing. Shangri-La (2 nights) Day 7 Lijiang This morning take an escorted Day 2 Chongqing Arrive in Chongqing at morning walk within the old cobbled streets Lijiang (3 nights) 16:40 then transfer to the Hotel. of Lijiang. Visit Mu’s Mansion to see how Shibaoshan Grotto grand families once lived. Continue to Black Shaxi tea-horse trade Day 3 Chongqing, Chengdu Morning take Dragon Pool. Depart the main city to visit route ancient village the bullet train to Chengdu. Spend the rest of quaint Shuhe village. Optional evening per- Xizhou (2 nights) the day visiting the Giant Panda research formance of Dongba music played on ancient Dali (2 nights) Centre. (BL) wind and string instruments. (BL) Chongqing (1 night) Day 4 Chengdu, Shangri-La See the Day 8 Lijiang In the morning visit the stun- People’s Park and join in one of Chengdu’s ning outdoor theatre home to the renowned favourite pastimes, drinking tea. Continue to show “the impressions of Lijiang”. Take a short •Chengdu the interesting Wide Alley and Narrow Alley. chair-lift ride up to the Naxi’s mythical ‘Third • Fly to Shangri-La and transfer to the 4-star Kingdom of the Jade Dragon’ also called Shangri-La• Chongqing Paradise Hotel. (BLD) Spruce Meadow, a hidden fairyland of rich Lijiang• pasture and flowers surrounded by dense Dali• Day 5 Shangri-La (11,000ft) Visit the forest and mountain peaks (10,890ft). (BL) magnificent, trasure-filled Songzanlin Myanmar monastery that resembles Lhasa’s Potala Day 9 Shibaoshan, Shaxi, Xizhou Admire (Burma) Palace and drive out to the picturesque Bita delicate 1,300-year-old grotto carvings and Shudu lakes. Visit a Tibetan village and of Buddha and eminent foreign visitors of later enjoy a traditional dinner. (BLD) the day at picturesque Shibaoshan, Stone Treasure Mountain. Continue to Shaxi, a Day 6 Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge, delightfully authentic ancient village and Lijiang Morning visit to Dukezong, an historically one of Yunnan’s major hubs on the important staging post on the old tea-horse tea-horse trading route, but almost forgot- trading route. Drive to the first bend of the ten by the outside world for over 50 years. Yangtze and the dramatic Tiger Leaping Drive onwards to Xizhou on the banks of Lake Gorge. Steps lead down to the dizzyingly Erhai, and stay deep and narrow . Continue to Lijiang at the exquisite Linden Centre, a protected and the Zen Garden Hotel. Nestling in a Bai-style courtyard manor that offers beautiful valley against the backdrop of the charming accommodation. (BLD) Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, this town is home to the Naxi minority people,

32 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Day 10 Xizhou Take a guided walking tour through Xizhou visiting local temples, markets, homes and shops. The town is home to the Bai minority, a famously romantic and innovative people. Their elegant and highly decorative style of architecture reached its apogee here during the Qing dynasty and has been well preserved since. Visit the typical courtyard mansion of a prosperous merchant. (BLD) Private Journey Price from £2650 pe r person twin shared (minimum 2 Day 11 Xizhou, Dali Visit Dali’s old town. passengers). The price decreases as the Explore around the water’s edge of Lake passengers’ number grows. Erhai visiting some local villages. Visit the • Tipping payable locally £70 per person. beautiful Song Dynasty Three Pagodas dating back to the 9th century. Stay at the • Tianjin Airline business class upgrade on request 4-star Landscape Hotel. (BL) • This tour is escorted by local guide Day 12 Dali This morning take a cable car • Guaranteed to operate with minimum 2 up the Cangshan Mountain. The first part of passengers the trip takes you up to 1800m. The second Price includes part (which is optional) goes on up to 3500m. • Economy class domestic flights Weather permitting there are good views • Twin-shared accommodation, from here and the mountainside itself is transfers, transportation and sightseeing dramatic as you ascend. Afternoon at leisure. as listed(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) (BL) • Services of English-speaking local tour guides Day 13 Dali, Chongqing Morning at leisure. Fly to Chongqing for a final night. Not included Enjoy a traditional Hot Pot dinner and Sichuan • International flights Opera arranged this evening. (BD) • Travel insurance • Gratuities Day 14 Chongqing, London Fly to London with Tianjin Airlines arriving at around 18:40 • Chinese visa the same day. (B) • Any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after brochure

Note: This tour reaches altitudes of over publication 3000 metres (at Shangri La).

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 33 Discovering the Great Wall

No Extraordinary Experience is Obtained Ordinarily! reat Wall hiking is truly the best way to Gappreciate this colossal engineering effort; by trekking its sections, the story of the comes alive! The wall passes over mountains. Its towers perch precariously atop rugged ridges, which when climbed will surprise and leave astonished even the most consumed trekking veteran.

6 Days Day 4 Beijing Visit Tiananmen Square and Water town (2 nights) the magnificent Forbidden City. Explore the hutong area of Nanluoguxiang and have Jinshanling lunch. In the afternoon visit the Summer Simatai Palace, the imperial lakes and resorts created Beijing (3 nights) for Empress Cixi. (BLD)

Day 5 Beijing Free day in the morning. Lunch on clients own. Peking duck dinner in the Day 1 Beijing, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, Water evening. (Private room reserved) (BD) Town Arrive in Beijing, will be met at the airport by our English Speaking guide and Day 6 Beijing, Home Country Transfer to transferred to Great Wall at Gubeikou Section airport for flight back home (B) (81 miles from Beijing), and then hike from Gubeiou Section to Jinshanling Section (up It is always possible to arrange and to 5hours - 6,2 miles). In the later afternoon, extension of this trip and take a second bus meet group at Great Wall at Jinshanling flight to another destination. Section, and transfer to Water Town. Alternatively, the client can hike only within Private Journey Price from £950 per Great Wall at Gubeikou Section for several person twin shared (minimum 2 hours depending on their time and strength. In the later afternoon, bus meet group at passengers). The price decreases as the Great Wall at Gubeikou Section, and transfer passengers’ number grows. to Water Town, a rare combination of Great Pri ce Includes Wall, Mountains, Lakes and Ancient Villages. • Service of professional English-speaking Dinner and stay overnight in Water Town (LD) guide

Day 2 Water Town, Simatai Enjoy the sunrise • One Luxurious tourist bus or car with professional drivers in Beijing on the Great Wall in the morning Whole day hiking on Great Wall at Simatai Section. Both • Meals as specified in itinerary Simatai West and Simatai East (5-6 hours). • Escorted sightseeing; Attractions and Picnic sandwich lunch box will be prepared. cultural shows admissions as specified on Later afternoon, walk back to Water Town itinerary and take a little break before dinner. Dinner • Ground transportation including and stay overnight in Water Town. (BLD) arrival/departure transfers as specified on itinerary Day 3 Water Town, Beijing Day tour in Water • Hotel accommodations with breakfast Town: clients can experience the local unique daily for the trip except for the arrival day folk customs at the foot of Great Wall, i.e. living Not Included in the farmhouse; roaming the prosperous • International airfare to/from China, North Region Shopping Street; tasting visa-processing fees, travels insurance. barbeque and other typical cuisine and snacks • Personal expenses such as alcoholic, in ; visiting Yongshun Dye House, excess luggage fees, telephone charges, Zhenyuan Escort Agency, Sima Liquor, Eight- room service and laundry charges Banner Chamber and many other scenic spots of the Ancient Town. Later afternoon, • Gratitude to the guides, drivers and porters in China transfer to Beijing, have dinner. Overnight in Beijing. (BLD)

34 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] China By Rail

his fascinating tour explores some of China’s most Tinteresting cities by train. The extensive rail network in China is fast, modern, and comfortable and offers a unique way to see this intriguing country We start our journey in Beijing, exploring the capital’s wealth of Imperial treasures, then travel southeast to Tianjin to explore this city and its European influenced architecture. From here we venture south to the historic city of Nanjing, then following the course of the Yangtze River travel in a westerly direction to and Chongqing, and finishing our journey in the popular city of Chengdu, visiting the renowned Panda Research Base. For anyone who enjoys train travel this tour is not to be missed!

14 days Day 6 Nanjing Board your train this morning Day 13 Chengdu Morning visit to the Beijing (3 nights) for the journey to Nanjing and transfer to the renowned Panda Research Centre and enjoy Tianjin (1 night) Crowne Plaza Nanjing Jiangning for a 2 night lunch at a typical Sichuan Restaurant. Late Nanjing (2 nights) stay. (BD) afternoon visit to the lovely Shu Brocade Wuhan (2 nights) Institute. Optional evening Sichuan opera Chongqing (2 nights) Day 7 Nanjing Explore the city visiting the performance. (BL) Chengdu (2 nights) Ming-era city walls, Nanjing Confucian Temple, the , the Massacre of Day 14 Chengdu, London After breakfast Nanking Memorial Museum, and the transfer to the airport for the Air China Day 1 London Depart London Heathrow on Yueliang Tower scenic area. (BL) flight to London Heathrow with a layover the direct Air China flight to Beijing. in Beijing. (B) Day 8 Wuhan Morning departure by train Day 2 Beijing Morning arrival in Beijing and for the city of rivers, Wuhan. Upon arrival Private Journey Price from £2390 pe r transfer to the Red Wall Garden Hotel for a 3 transfer to the Howard Johnson Pearl Plaza person twin shared (minimum 2 night stay. Visit the vast Tiananmen Square Wuhan Hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon visit to and the quaint hutong quarter by Lake the beautiful Yellow Crane Tower. (BD) passengers). The price decreases as the Houhai. Enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) passengers’ number grows. Day 9 Wuhan Enjoy a city tour, visiting the • Tipping payable locally £65 per person. Day 3 Beijing Morning visit to the Forbidden , Guiyuan temple, the Baotong • Air China upgrades: Business class on City, the complex of imperial palaces which temple, and the interesting Hubei Provincial request. were home to the Emperors for over 500 Museum. (BLD) Price includes years. Grand halls and courtyards gradually • Economy class domestic flight and give way to more intimate domestic quarters, Day 10 Chongqing Departure by train for second class train tickets. giving a glimpse into the pampered isolation the city of Chongqing. Upon arrival transfer • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, of the Emperors. Afternoon visit to the to the Glenview ITC Plaza Hotel for a 2 night transportation and sightseeing as listed beautiful Summer Palace where the stay. After dinner explore the neon glowing (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Emperors went to escape the heat of the lights that illuminate the city at night. (BD) city. (BL) • Services of English-speaking local Tour Guides Day 11 Chongqing Morning visit to the Day 4 Beijing Drive north to the less crowd- impressive Dazu rock carvings. Afternoon Not included ed and more scenic part of the Great Wall at return to Chongqing and visit the Liqikou • International flights Mutianyu. Afternoon visit to the porcelain village. (BLD) • Travel insurance Ming era Temple of Heaven where the • Gratuities Emperors performed annual sacrificial rituals Day 12 Chengdu This morning take a ride for good harvests. Enjoy a Peking Duck on the Yangtze river cableway for • Chinese visa dinner. (BLD) comprehensive views of the city clinging to • Any government taxes or compulsory the cliffs of the river. Transfer to the station • Charges introduced after brochure Day 5 Tianjin Take the train to Tianjin and to take the train to the neighbouring city of publication transfer to the Pan Pacific Tianjin Hotel. Enjoy Chengdu. Upon arrival transfer to the M a tour of the city and its many sights Hotel Chengdu. Afternoon visit to the including the impressive Tianjin Eye, the People’s Park to join in one of Chengdu’s European concession area and Tianjin favourite pastimes, drinking tea. Visit Jinli culture street. In the evening enjoy a dinner old quarter and take dinner in a local at the famous Nanshi food market. (BLD) restaurant. (BLD)

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 35 Flavours of China

A perfect culinary journey in China is the best for food and cooking lovers. hina is famous worldwide for the wide Cvariety of dishes in its cuisine. On this culinary trip, you will have plenty of time to freely explore wonderful sites in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, or just let the splendid Chengdu surprise you with the taste of its extraordinary local dishes. Enjoy the unique cooking lessons and understand the essence of Chinese culture!

13 Days ‘Lady Warriors’ are displayed, before flying to Beijing (4 nights) Price Includes Xian (2 nights) Chengdu and the Tibet Hotel. Enjoy Sichuan Dim Sum dinner tonight (BD) • Twin room in specified hotels and room Chengdu (3 nights) type specified Shanghai (4 nights) Day 8 Chengdu The main theme of the day • Domestic flights: Xi’an-Chengdu-Shanghai Day 1 Beijing Departure from Home country is a one-day cooking class at local Cooking in economy to Beijing. School-Longquanyi. There, you will learn the • Bullet train ticket: Beijing-Xi’an (first class) basic steps and try some local Sichuan • English speaking local guides Day 2 Beijing Arrival in Beijing and visit to cuisine. Then, visit Sichuan Cuisine Museum accompanying for all transfers and Tiananmen Square en-route to the 4-star to appreciate the history of this famous sightseeing Shangri-La Traders Hotel. After time to relax, regional cuisine. (BLD) • Transfers and all sightseeing on shared visit to the Ming Temple of Heaven where the basis with group Emperors performed annual sacrificial rituals Day 9 Leshan Drive to Leshan and take a • The entrance fees to all listed sightseeing for good harvests. Enjoy a welcome cruise to marvel at the magnificent Giant Mongolian Hotpot dinner at Donglaishun Buddha, hewn from the mountainside in the • Meals as specified B-Breakfast, L-Lunch D-Dinner Restaurant. (D) 8th century, and 233ft high. Back in Chengdu visit the quaint old quarter at Jinli. Enjoy a Not Included Day 3 Beijing Visit Jinsong Vocational Sichuan flavour Hotpot dinner at • International flights School-The top vocational school of China Huangchenglaoma followed by optional • Chinese Visa to learn how to cook Chinese cuisine. Cook Sichuan opera performance. (BLD) • Travel Insurance the Chinese lunch for yourself at school. • Gratuities Day 10 Chengdu This morning see the In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace, • Meals not specified & drinks the imperial lakes and resorts created for world’s beloved Giant Pandas at the Panda • Sightseeing not specified Empress Cixi. Evening enjoy Imperial cuisine Research Base. Visit the People’s Park where • Personal expenses, ie. Laundry, at Fangshan Restaurant which used to be the the locals practise singing, Tai Chi and • communication, use of the internet, favourite restaurant for Empress Cixi (BLD) Ballroom dancing, walking the Cat Walk, and souvenirs etc. congregate for serious tea drinking. Join the • Cost of tour manager: £ 1250/guide Day 4 Beijing Visit the magnificent Forbidden locals for a taste of afternoon tea. Take the City. Then Drive north to visit the Great Wall flight to Shanghai and the 4-star Equatorial at Badaling. Enjoy a traditional Peking Duck Hotel or similar. (BL) Uk depart over 10 6 to 9 sing dinner. (BLD) period pax pax sup Day 11 Shanghai Visit the Yuyuan Garden (hotel) Day 5 Beijing, Xian Morning explore the and the old Chinese quarter with its colourful Apr-Aug £ 1550/ £ 1800/ £ 450/ hutong area of Houhai Lake by rickshaw: visit bazaar. Enjoy Shanghai Dim Sum at Lvbolang 2017/18 pp pp pp local family and enjoy tea ceremony. Enjoy a Restaurant. Continue to the journey on the bullet train to Xian and transfer and the Observation decks to admire bird’s Sep-Nov £ 1565/ £ 1800/ £ 465/ to the 4-star Titan Times Hotel eye views of Shanghai. After dinner, there will 2017/18 pp pp pp or similar. Enjoy famous dumpling be an opportunity to take an optional cruise dinner at Defachang Restaurant (BLD) on the Huangpu River to admire the beautifully illuminated Bund and Pudong Day 6 Xian Visit the world-renowned District. Enjoy the farewell dinner at Terracotta Army – 7000 individually crafted Xiangqiangfang Restaurant (BLD) life-sized figures, complete with chariots and horses. Afternoon visit to the Big Wild Goose Day 12 Shanghai Enjoy a day of leisure in this Pagoda. Evening dinner and Tang- era music fabulous city, or join optional tours locally (B) and dance performance. (BLD) Day 13 Shanghai, London Transfer to the Day 7 Xian, Chengdu Visit the Ming City Wall airport for you homeward flight with British and the Hanyanling Museum where the Han Airways arriving later the same day. (B)

36 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Red China

Exploring China’s political History xplore China from a uniquely different angle Eon this innovative tour which offers a fascinating insight into China’s communist past. Beginning in Beijing, we visit Mao’s Mausoleum and tour other sites with connections to Chairman Mao and the Communist Party. Continuing to Nanchang we explore the city where the People’s Liberation Army was born and in we investigate the birthplace of Chairman Mao. Visit the must-see Terracotta Warriors in Xian and discover the city of Yan’an, Mao’s revolutionary base for many years.

13 days Day 7 Xian Take an early flight from Day 12 Beijing Drive north to the less Beijing (2 nights) to the ancient Tang capital of Xian. crowded and more scenic part of the Great Nanchang (2 nights) Upon arrival transfer to the Forest City Hotel Wall at Mutianyu. Located in Huairou County, Shaoshan for a 2 night stay. In the afternoon visit the 70km northeast from Beijing, Mutianyu is Changsha (1 night) world renowned Terracotta Army, one of the best preserved parts of the Great Xian (2 nights) individually crafted life size figures, Wall. It used to serve as the northern barrier Yan’an (2 nights) complete with chariots and horses. (BD) defending the capital and imperial tombs. (B) Beijing (2 nights) Day 8 Xian See the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Day 13 Beijing, London Fly to London Day 1 London Depart London Heathrow at the Grand Mosque and the Muslim quarter. Heathrow with Air China arriving at around around 2025 on the non-stop Air China flight Afternoon free at leisure to explore the city 1745 the same day. (B) to Beijing. at your own pace. (BL)

Day 2 Beijing Arrive Beijing around 1310 and Day 9 Yan’an Fly to Yan’an, the holy land transfer to the historic Jade Garden Hotel, of China’s Communist Party revolution. It famous for its connections to the Chinese was Mao Zedong’s revolutionary base area Communist party. Evening visit to the quaint when the Red Army arrived there at the end hutong quarter by Lake Houhai. Enjoy a of 1935 after the gruelling from welcome dinner at The East is Red Jiangxi. Many of the historical sites there restaurant. This restaurant is known for its are located in caves hollowed out from the over-the-top Maoist dining environment red local . Afternoon visit to the flags, slogans and large pictures of Mao. (D) Mountain - the site of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Day 3 Beijing Enjoy a tour of some of Baota Hill, and Yangjia Ling Revolutionary Beijing’s most famous sites including Private Journey Price from £2340 pe r Site. (BLD) Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, the Forbidden person twin shared (minimum 2 passengers). The price decreases as the City, The National Museum of China, and the Day 10 Yan’an Morning visit to the passengers’ number grows. Temple of Heaven. (BL) impressive Hukou Waterall on the famous • Tipping payable locally £65 per person. Yellow River. Returning to Yan’an visit the Day 4 Nanchang Fly to Nanchang and • Air China Business Class upgrades on Wangjiaping Revolutionary Museum, the request transfer to the Jiangxi Trilec International site of the Central Military Commission and Pri ce includes Hotel for a two night stay. Evening free at head office of the Eight Route Army during • Economy class domestic flights your leisure. (BLD) its Yan’an occupation, which lasted from 19th • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, October 1935 to 23rd March 1948. Take part in transportation and sightseeing as listed Day 5 Nanchang Explore the city where the or observe some of the daily re-enactments (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) People’s Liberation Army was born. Visit The of the red army’s battles in the area. (BLD) Peoples Square, the Bayi and the • Services of English-speaking local tour guides 1st August Uprising Museum. (BL) Day 11 Beijing Fly back to Beijing and transfer to the Jingshan Garden Hotel for a Not included Day 6 Shaoshan, Changsha Take the train final 2-night stay in China. Enjoy the • International flights from Nanchang to the city of Changsha, the afternoon free to rest or explore some of the • Travel insurance capital of Hunan province. Drive onwards to surrounding Hutong area before having the • Gratuities Shaoshan, the birthplace of Chairman Mao. opportunity to see one of China’s great • Chinese visa Explore the town that shaped the man who revolutionary musicals at the Chinese • Any government taxes or compulsory would change the face of China forever. In National Theatre. (B) charges introduced after brochure the evening drive back to Changsha for an publication overnight stay at the Hopesky Hotel. (BLD)

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 37 The Silk Road Expedition

Follow the route of the ancient Silk merchants For centuries the Silk Road was the thread that linked east and west. From as early as 200BC the silk merchants of Xian, China’s ancient capital, set off with their camel caravans on the long trek to distant Constantinople. They skirted the Gobi and the ferocious Taklamakan deserts, and crossed ‘the Roof of the World’, over the Pamirs and the . This tour allows you to follow their footsteps to trace the legendary route taken by Marco Polo from west to east, with the inclusion of exotic places like Xiahe, and the dramatically-located fortified town of Jiayuguan.

19 Days Day 1 London, Beijing Depart London that guards the mountain pass. Drive (4.5h) Beijing (1 night) Heathrow at around 20:25 on the non-stop Air to Dunhuang, a strategic staging post on the Xi’an (2 nights) China flight to Beijing. Silk Road, at the end of the Great Wall. (1 night) Stay 2 nights at the Silk Road Dunhuang Xiahe (2 nights) Day 2 Beijing, Xi’an Arrive Beijing around Hotel. (BD) Lanzhou (1 night) 13:30 and connect to your onward flight for Jiayuguan (1 night) Xian. Stay at the Grand New World Hotel for Day 10 Dunhuang Tour the Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang (2 nights) 2 nights. an art gallery in the desert. The caves are Urumqi (1 night) lined with Buddhist frescoes and sculpted (2 nights) Day 3 Xi’an Day at leisure. Enjoy a hotpot figures said to be the finest examples of Urumqi (1 night) dinner. (BD) in the world. Mixing Indian and (3 nights) Chinese styles, they are a remarkable record Lake Day 4 Xi’an, Lanzhou Take the train to of Silk Road civilisation. (BL) Beijing (1 night) Lanzhou, the ‘Golden City’ and an important citadel along the Silk Road. Stay at the Day 11 Dunhuang, Urumqi Visit Mingsha Legend Hotel. (B Packed Lunch D) Mountain and Crescent , set in an amphitheatre of sand dunes. For the Urumqi Mongolia Day 5 Lanzhou, Xiahe Visit White Pagoda Hill adventurous, the optional ascent of these • Turpan• Park with its 80ft high Buddha, and the sand ‘mountains’ by camel offers truly

• •Jiayuguan •Beijing Yellow River Mother Statue. Drive to Xiahe breath-taking vistas. Fly to Urumqi and • •Kashgar Dunhuang Lake across grasslands and into a beautiful valley, overnight at the Grand Mercure Hotel. (BD) Karakul Lanzhou• • • with an en-route visit to the Xiahe Xian on the Yellow River, and a ferry ride to Day 12 Urumqi, Turpan Visit the Xinjiang , known as the ‘thousand Museum then depart for Turpan (210km). This Buddha caves’. Stay 2 nights at the Labrang oasis town is famous for its melons and Aviation Hotel. (BLD) vineyards. Here Marco Polo first encountered people making noodles, an idea he took Day 6 Xiahe Nicknamed ‘Little Tibet’ Xiahe is home to Italy where they became famous. the site of Labrang Monastery, the Visit the , one of the finest largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery outside buildings on the Silk Road. Inspect the of that province. Also visit the Sangke remarkable 2000-year-old Karez underground grasslands, where Tibetan nomadic farmers irrigation system, and sample the ‘mare’s herd their and visit a local family in nipple’grapes which Turpan used to ship to their camp. (BLD) the Emperor’s court in Beijing. Stay at the Tuha Petroleum Hotel. (BLD) Day 7 Xiahe, Lanzhou Drive back to Lanzhou and stay overnight at the Legend Hotel. (BL) Day 13 Turpan Visit the ruined cities of Jiaohe and . Continue to the Day 8 Lanzhou, Jiayuguan Early morning Bezeklik Caves whose walls are adorned train to Jiayuguan. Transfer on arrival to the with Buddhist frescoes, and the legendary Plaza Holiday Inn. (B Packed Lunch D) , then see the underground Tombs of Astana. Evening Day 9 Jiayuguan, Dunhuang Visit the Great performance of traditional folk music and Fortress and the overhanging Great Wall dance. (BL)

38 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Day 14 Turpan, Urumqi Morning at leisure Private Journey Price from £3600 per to better explore the surroundings, before an afternoon drive back to Urumqi. Overnight at person twin shared (minimum 2 the Grand Mercure Hotel. (BD) passengers). The price decreases as the passengers’ number grows. Day 15 Urumqi, Kashgar Fly to Kashgar and • Air China Business class upgrade transfer to the Jin Jiang International Hotel. available on request Hemmed in by deserts and the Pamirs, Kashgar is a fabled city embracing a rich Price Includes mix of peoples and cultures, with • Economy class domestic flights and veiled women contributing to its Middle Eastern atmosphere. (BLD) • Twin-shared accommodation with break fast

Day 16 Kashgar No visitor to Kashgar • Transfers, transportation, meals and should miss the Sunday bazaar. In this sightseeing as listed teeming market, you can buy anything from • Services of English-speaking local Tour herbal medicines to carpets, from a cradle to guides a camel. Lunch with a typical Uygur family, • Most air taxes then walk through the old town, a warren Not Included of twisting alleys and white-washed walls. • International flights Visit the Tomb of Abakh Khoja, known as • Tipping payable locally £102 per person the ‘fragrant concubine’, and the vast Id Kah • Optional excursions, travel insurance, Mosque. (BLD) personal expenses and gratuities • Any government taxes or compulsory Day 17 Kashgar, Lake Karakul Excursion to charges introduced after brochure beautiful Lake Karakul, in the shadow of Mt. publication Kongur and Muztagh Ata. Return to Kashgar. • Chinese visa (BLD) Pre Tour Extension to Beijing and Xian Day 18 Kashgar, Urumqi, Beijing Fly to From £595 per person twin shared. Beijing. Stay a final night at the Langham Further details on request. Place Hotel. (B)

Day 19 Beijing, London Air China flight to London, arriving Heathrow at around 17:45 the same day. (B)

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 39 Chinese New Year in Pingyao

Celebrate The Chinese New Year e are delighted to invite you to join Wus and celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year in one of the country’s best preserved ancient Ming and Qing era towns, Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join in the Spring Festival here and feel the heartbeat of traditional China with its culture and traditions brought so vividly to life in authentic and sumptuous surroundings. We stay at the Yunjincheng Folk Guest House, elegant and stylish accommodation converted from Ming and Qing era courtyard manor houses, and decorated to an impressively high standard. You may combine this tour with the Ice Lantern Festival in Harbin. 9 days Day 7 Pingyao (New Year’s Day) Visit the world-famous buildings – even the footpaths Beijing (2 nights) complex just outside are made of ice and brightly lit from below. A Bullet train Pingyao. This complex is a World Heritage real winter wonderland! Taiyuan (1 night) site-the temple has its origins in the early Pingyao (3 nights) years of the Northern Dynasty (386 – 534) Day 1 London Depart Heathrow at around Taiyuan (1 night) and contains carvings from the Song, Yuan, 17:40 aboard Air China’s non-stop flight to Ming and Qing Dynasties. Afternoon at Beijing. leisure. (BL) Day 2 Beijing, Harbin On arrival in Beijing, Day 8 Taiyuan Drive to Taiyuan with an en connect onto onward flight to Harbin Day 1 London Non-stop flight from London route visit to Zhangbi village. Zhangbi is a and stay 3 nights at the Days Hotel Xinkailai Heathrow to Beijing at 1740 with Air China. cluster of buildings including remains from Harbin Hotel. the Xia and Shang Dynasties (2070 BC – 1046 Day 2 Beijing Arrive Beijing around 1200 BC), tunnels constructed in Sui and Tang, Day 3 Harbin Admire the Russian and and transfer to the 4-star Shangri-La Traders tombs from the , a theatre from European buildings along Central Street. Hotel. Afternoon visit to the vast Tiananmen Yuan,and residents buildings from Ming and Visit Snow World, where there are amazing Square and the quaint hutong quarter by Qing a remarkable site. Much is not exhibits of buildings and structures made Lake Houhai. Welcome dinner in the accessible but there is a section that is open entirely from ice and colourfully illuminated evening. (D) to visitors. Continue to the exquisite 17th at night. (BLD) Century mansion of the wealthy Wang Day 3 Beijing Visit the magnificent Great family. The luxurious and lavishly decorated Day 4 Harbin Visit the Snow Festival on Sun Wall at Badaling. In the afternoon continue to compound is considered to be the Forbidden Island. This evening visit Zhaolin Park and the the Forbidden City, the complex of Imperial City of Shanxi, and outshines the more well Ice Lantern Festival. (BLD) palaces which were home to the Emperors known Qiao Mansion. Overnight in Taiyuan at for over500years. (BL) the Shanxi Jinci Hotel. (BLD) Day 5 Beijing Fly to Beijing and the Traders Hotel to start the Chinese New Year Day 4 Taiyuan Morning visit to the Summer Day 9 London Fly from Taiyuan to Beijing in Pingyao tour. (BLD) Palace. Take the bullet train to Taiyuan and and connect to the Air China flight, arriving stay overnight at the Shanxi Jinci Hotel. (BD) Heathrow around 1555 the same day. (B) Price from £780 per person twin shared, single supplement from £155. Day 5 Taiyuan, Pingyao Morning visit to the NB: Allocation of rooms at Yunjincheng Folk lovely Jinci Temple, a masterpiece of ancient Guest House is at random. The Spring Festival in Pingyao architecture with halls, pavilions, bridges and Pingyao’s Spring Festival, or the Chinese New ancient trees in its grounds, including Pre-tour extension to Harbin’s Year, is a superb opportunity to witness a cypress that has reportedly grown at an Snow and Ice Lantern Festival age-old celebrations in their traditional angle of 30 degrees for 900 years. Drive to Rather than simply endure below-zero setting. Customs such as offerings to Buddha, the well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage temperatures for half of the year, the memorial services to one’s ancestors, paper site of Pingyao and stay at Yunjincheng Folk residents of Harbin celebrate them with cut-outs of the word for ‘good fortune’ (Fu) or Guest House for 3 nights. (BD) annual snow and ice festivals! The focal point of the 12 animals of the zodiac pasted of the snow festival is an amazing array of everywhere, slippers embroidered with tiger Day 6 Pingyao (New Year’s Eve) Visit the snow sculptures that have been traditional eyes, and kowtows are all highlights of the impressive ancient city wall, 30ft high and here since Manchu times, and every year, festivities in Pingyao, as well as dumpling 15ft thick, with watchtowers, battlements, they seem to get more elaborate and making in preparation for the great family a moat, drawbridge and six city gates. Visit spectacular. The Ice Lantern Festival takes feasts, and parades of lion and dragon the Rishengchang, China’s first private bank. place nearby, and its exhibits are primarily dances, stilt walkers, gongs, pipes and Stroll along the Ming- and Qing-era streets, buildings and structures made entirely from drums. All this takes place against a backdrop looking very much as they did in their heyday. ice and colourfully illuminated at night. One of one of the quaintest and best-preserved This evening there is a New Year’s Eve dinner year the Great Wall was actually a towns in the country, where red lanterns cast party, and celebrations include firecrackers giant ice-slide, there are ships, temples and a magical illumination over the Ming and and a great charcoal bonfire that will burn towers made entirely from ice, replicas of Qing era streets as darkness falls. all night to bring prosperity for the coming Beijing’s Forbidden City and Summer Palace, year. (BLD) the Louvre, cathedrals and many other Private Journey Price from £1530 per person twin shared (minimum 2 passengers). The price decreases as the passengers’ number grows.

Price includes • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, transportation and sightseeing as listed(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) • Services of English-speaking local tour guides Not included • International flights • Travel insurance Gratuities • Chinese visa • Any government taxes or compulsory

charges introduced after brochure publication

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 41 Ice Lantern Festival

e are excited to present this short Witinerary to enjoy the very magical spectacle of the Ice Lantern Festival. Rather than simply endure below-zero temperatures for half of the year, the residents of Harbin in the north eastern corner of China celebrate them with annual snow and ice festivals! A celebration that every year has become more and more recognised and attracts a large number of tourists eager to admire the impressive sculpture and buildings of snow and ice. As the sun sets countless colourful lights make the show even more special, a real wonder for the eyes.

6 days Chinese New Year in Pingyao Beijing (1 night) La Traders Hotel. (B) Combine with the Chinese New Year in Harbin (3 nights) and stay 3 nights at the Days Hotel Xinkailai Pingyao tour Beijing (1 night) Day 67 Beijing, London Homeward Air China flight to Heathrow arriving later the same Fly to Beijing on Day 5 and transfer to the Day 1 London, Beijing Depart Heathrow day. (B) 4-star Shangri La Traders Hotel to join on aboard Air China’s non-stop flight to Beijing. Day 2 of the Chinese New Year in Pingyao tour. Arrive back at Heathrow at around Day 2 Beijing, Harbin On arrival in Beijing, 15:55 on Day 12. Further details and prices on connect onto the onward flight to Harbin Private Journey Price from £960 per request. and stay 3 nights at the Days Hotel Xinkailai person twin shared (minimum 2 Harbin Hotel. passengers). The price decreases as the passengers’ number grows.

Day 3 Harbin Harbin is one of the most • Beijing 4-night extension From £205 unusual cities in China with a wealth of per person inclusive of twin shared beautiful Russian and European buildings accommodation at the Shangri La Traders which we admire today along Central Street, Hotel with breakfast and private airport transfers. Single supplement from £180. and visit the Orthodox St Sophia’s Church, the largest in the Far East, now a museum Price includes exhibiting the many varied architectural • Twin-shared accommodation with styles of Harbin. This evening visit Snow breakfast World, where there are amazing exhibits of • Transfers, transportation, meals and buildings and structures made entirely from sightseeing as listed ice and colourfully illuminated at night. A real • Services of English-speaking local guides winter wonderland! (BLD) Not included Day 4 Harbin Today enjoy the Snow • International flights Festival on Sun Island, an amazing array of snow sculptures that have been traditional • Tipping payable locally £20 per person here since Manchu times, and every year, • Optional excursions, travel insurance, they seem to get more elaborate and personal expenses and gratuities spectacular. This evening we visit Zhaolin • Any government taxes or compulsory Park and the Ice Lantern Festival. These ice charges introduced after brochure lanterns are magical, sculpted creations publication depicting mythical beasts, Chinese and European folk tales, waterfalls, temples and so on, and again, they are prettily illuminated at night. (BLD)

Day 5 Harbin, Beijing A free day for your own exploration. Optional return to the Ice Festival or perhaps visit the Siberian Tiger Park (please note that it is the custom here for live prey to be fed to the tigers). Evening

42 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Hong Kong Extension

Hong Kong was one a fishing village that Attractions Cuisine traded and produced salt before evolving There are many exciting things to see and into a military port of strategic importance do in Hong Kong. Perhaps take the tram up street-side stir-fried snacks and wonton and eventually one of the world’s largest to Victoria Peak to admire the views over the noodles to spicy crab and dim sum, as well international financial centres. Hong Kong harbour, explore Aberdeen Fishing village on as offering a fine selection of Michelin Starred was incorporated into China during the Qin a sampan ride, or take a ride on the Star Ferry restaurants. There is so much to explore and Dynasty (206 BC- AD220) which was further at night to admire the stunning night time there really is something for everyone! consolidated in subsequent years. Hong view of Victoria Harbour. There are also many Seat in coach half day island tour from £35 Kong became a British colony in 1841 and shopping opportunities in Kong Hong from per person. was eventually handed back to China in 1997. the large popular stores on Nathan Road in Seat in coach full day Lantau Island tour Hong Kong today comprises of an exciting Kowloon, to the many fascinating markets, with cable car and lunch from £85 per mix of old meets new, with many historical such as Stanley market, the Ladies Market person. buildings jostling for position amongst the and the interesting Temple Street Night city’s towering skyscrapers. Market. Seat in coach night time tour with harbour cruise and buffet dinner from £85 per person. Extension

Macau was the first European settlement on the South China Coast – the Portuguese sailed to Macau from their colony of Malacca in Malaya nearly five hundred years ago and their quest was to find a foothold on the China coast from where they could establish a trading post between China, Japan and Europe. More than four centuries of history has given Macau a unique culture and ambience, and the Historic Centre is now Cuisine Full-day excursion to Macau a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Grand Visitors will find many excellent Portuguese Full-day seat-in-coach excursion from Hong Portuguese style buildings stand alongside and Chinese restaurants but there’s also a Kong including transfers, sightseeing tour Chinese shop-houses and ancient Chinese Macanese cuisine which reflects the history with English-speaking local guide, lunch and temples. The iconic façade of the Ruins of St of the island. This was probably the world’s round trip turbojet tickets. Price from £80 per Paul’s stands atop a flight of steps first ‘fusion’ cooking - the combination of person. Overnight stays also possible, please overlooking winding streets choc-a-block Portuguese, Chinese, Indian and Malay contact us for further details. with antique and curio shops, boutiques and flavours make Macanese cuisine unique, and market stalls. Other noteworthy sights are the today other tastes have arrived with Korean, massive Mount Fortress (now with a Japanese and Italian restaurants amongst splendid museum inside), and the ancient others. In Taipa village a whole street is A-Ma Temple. devoted to food!

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 43 72/144 Hours Visa Free

Transit Permit

Why not take advantage of the 72/144 hours Transit Permit policy by spending a few days in China in one of these fabulous cities? Nowadays a simple Tourist or Business Visa to enter China costs around £200. No wonder many people (especially families) planning to travel abroad get discouraged by the prospect of spending a lot of time and money on a Visa, even for a short holiday. CTS Horizons offers the opportunity to tailor-make tours including to a trip to a third Asian country a 3 to 6 days Visa-free stay in China. It is possible to arrange up to two 72/144 hours permit in one tour. Let’s see how!

The policy introduced on January 1st 2013 For the 144 hours stay instead, the count CTS Horizons with this opportunity creates and including initially only Beijing and starts always, in all the three cities at the some interesting tailor-made itineraries Shanghai, has since been expanded. As of midnight following the arrival day in China. including a Chinese city plus another today, for a 72 hours transit, citizens of 53 The only other major difference between destination in Asia. Tours lenght might be nations under the right conditions, that we’re the two is that while with the 72 hours from 10 to 14 days with the possiblity to going to list can enter 18 Chinese cities: permit tourists cannot leave the city or designate the first visa-free stay and a Beijing, Shanghai, , Chengdu, municipality they are in, with the 144 hours second one, maybe in a different city after Chongqing, Harbin, Shenyang, Dalian, one, remaining in the administrative visiting the third country. If you are planning Xian, Guilin, Kunming, Wuhan, Xiamen, precincts of Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu your next holiday keep this in mind! Tianjin, Nanjing, Qingdao, Changsha and or Zhejiang Province, they can depart from Hangzhou. a different airport than the one of arrival as If you have any doubt or question regarding The 144 hours transit is limited to fewer long as it is included in the list. this process do not hesitate to contact us cities. People from the same 53 countries by e-mail or telephone. Our experts will be are eligible for this permit only if landing in The procedure to obtain the permit is fairly happy to answer all your questions! Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shanghai. simple. At the Check-in you must remember to declare your intention to use There are some important prerequisites to the 72/144 Visa-free Transit so that the Hainan Visa Policy be met to obtain the Visa-free transit though: Airline can communicate your request to Hainan Province grants tourists from 21 First, as mentioned this has to be just a the airport before landing. Do not forget countries, entering from Sanya a visa-free transit, which means the tourist in order to also to have a printed copy of all the stay for less than 15 days, provided that they access China has to demonstrate that the documents and flight tickets and a properly take part in a group tour of at least 5 people flight to a third country is already booked filled arrival/departure form that will be with an agency. and show a copy of the ticket. This includes given to you on the plane (if you happen to also Hong Kong and Macau that for lose it, don’t panic, you will find more once immigration purposes are not considered in the airport). Then, at the immigration part of China. Is Not possible to go back to access the special counter for people the same country, not even in another city. requesting the 72/144 hours transit. If you Second, when entering China from a city already have another unused visa remind and a specific airport, the permit holder must the immigration officer you are applying for leave China from the same airport in the the special permit in order to avoid the real same city where he/she landed. Is important visa to be invalidated. As long as you match also that the flights before and after the stay the requirements, there is no limitation to do not transit through other Chinese cities. the number of times you can apply for this How is the time for these two Transit permit transit. There are no restrictions regarding calculated? the airlines choice as well.

The 72 hours count for the major part of the Finally, while in China, if not staying in a included locations starts at the midnight Hotel or any other commercial facility but, for immediately following the arrival day in example, at friends or family place, it is China, making the whole period potentially necessary to register at the closest police longer than the actual 3 days. Few office within the first 24 hours, exactly in the exceptions are represented by Guilin, same way as for normal visa holders. People Kunming, Qingdao, Harbin and Shenyang who do not register on time might where the stay duration is calculated on incur in fine, temporary detention and arrival and departure time schedule. questioning.

44 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 72 Hours Tour Suggestion Chinese tea and a variety of tantalising a cruise on the Grand Canal to Marco Polo snacks. Sample a ‘dim sum’ lunch before Bridge and Pingjiang Road. Stay overnight in Beijing taking a stroll along Shanghai’s famous your hotel in Suzhou. (BL) Day 1 Beijing Arrive Beijing and transfer Bund, to admire the colonial buildings. Enjoy to the characterful Red Wall Garden Hotel, a boat trip along the Huangpu River. (BD) Day 3 Suzhou, Hangzhou After breakfast stopping at the vast Tiananmen Square transfer to Hangzhou. The cultural heritage en-route. Afternoon visit to the quaint Day 2 Shanghai Morning visit to the ancient of Hangzhou is best preserved in the hutong quarter by Lake Houhai. Enjoy a watertown of Zhujiajao. Explore the picturesque Temple of Inspired Seclusion, Beijing Duck dinner. (D) waterways and the interesting architecture one of the most important Buddhist temples that lines the rivers and canals, which dates in China. The colourful buildings are Day 2 Beijing Morning visit to the Summer from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Return surrounded by gardens, trees and rocky Palace, where the Emperors went to escape to Shanghai, visit the iconic Oriental Pearl outcrops carved with statues of Buddha. the heat of the city. Set around the beautiful Tower for bird’s eye views over the city. Also, visit the Six Harmonies Pagoda built Kunming Lake, the flowering arbours and Explore the trendy Xintiandi area. (BL) on a hillside overlooking the Qiantang River. delightful pavilions create a tranquil setting. Take a leisurely cruise across the tranquil This afternoon visit the magnificent Day 3 Shanghai Visit the excellent Shanghai waters of West Lake. Stay overnight in your Forbidden City, the complex of imperial Museum and explore some of the fascinating hotel in Hangzhou. (BL) palaces which were home to the Emperors art galleries in the Moganshan area. for over 500 years. Continue to Jingshan Continue to the . Day 4 Hangzhou, Wuzhen After breakfast Park for a panoramic view of the city. Explore Afternoon at leisure. (BL) transfer to Wuzhen. Wuzhen, a 1300-year- Nanluguoxing hutong area and take dinner in old water town on the lower reaches of a lovely courtyard restaurant. (BD) Day 4 Shanghai Depart. (B) the Yangtze River, is a national 5A scenic area and one of China’s top ten historical & Day 3 Beijing Drive north to the less Price starts from £395 per person twin cultural towns. Located on the Hangzhou- crowded part of the Great Wall at Mutianyu. shared -Huzhou Plain in northern Zhejiang Afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven a Province, it is at the center of the golden masterpiece of Ming architecture and where 144 Hours Tour Suggestion triangle consisting of Shanghai, Hangzhou the Emperors performed annual sacrificial and Suzhou. Visit Wuzhen West Gate Scenic rituals for good harvests. Optional Kung Fu Day 1 Shanghai On arrival into Shanghai, Spot for a day tour. Stay overnight in your Show this evening. (BL) you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Wuzhen hotel. (BL) Shanghai’s colonial past is elegantly Day 4 Beijing Depart. (B) displayed along the picturesque Bund. A Day 5 Wuzhen, Shanghai Transfer back walk along the waterfront past stylish to Shanghai. Experience the historical side Price from £425 per person twin shared buildings housing banks, hotels and the of the city on a stroll through the Old Town staying at the Red Wall Garden Hotel customs house offer an excellent viewpoint and visit the classically styled Yu Gardens. to understand the history of the city. Visit Then visit the Shanghai Tower. The Shanghai Shanghai the Shanghai Museum of Natural History and Tower is located in the central business Day 1 Shanghai Take the Maglev train to Nanjing Road. (L) district of Lujiazui, Pudong district of Pudong and continue your journey by car to Shanghai, close to the Shanghai World the Central Hotel for a 3 night stay. Afternoon Day 2 Shanghai, Suzhou After breakfast, Financial Centre and . (BL) visit to the elegant Yuyuan Garden. Opposite you will be transferred to Suzhou. Visit the the garden is the Huxing Teahouse and the ancient city gate at Panmen and Humble Day 6 Shanghai Transfer to airport. (B) old Chinese quarter of Shanghai where Administrator’s Garden. Explore the bustling cobbled streets are lined with traditional old town and continue to a silk mill to see Price starts from £695 per person twin shops selling herbal medicines, handicrafts, the ancient silk production technique. Enjoy shared.

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 45 Important information Pre-tour information Train Journeys suppliers (such as airlines, hotels etc) and other Once you have booked your holiday we will send Please note that trains may be subject to change at public authorities (such as customs and immigration) you a practical guide to help you prepare. This will short notice. For overnight journeys accomodation should this be required. Please note that the data provide further information on the region you are is usually in a 4-berth compartment shared with protection controls in some parts of the world may visiting, what to bring and what to expect on your other passengers. not be as strong as they are in the European holiday. It is essential that you carefully study this Economic Area. In making this booking, you consent and adhere to the guidance therein. High altitude to this information being passed onto the relevant Some of the regions we visit are at high altitude persons. We will not pass any information onto any Flight supplements and changes to listed flights which may affect you on your holiday. We have taken person not responsible for part of your travel All international flights featured in our tours are this into consideration when planning our tours to arrangements. You have the right to see any priced at special contract rates and are subject to ensure that you ascend slowly to help acclimatise. information that we hold about you, contact us in availability at the time of booking. Whilst every effort When this is not possible, we allow extra time for writing to do so. will be made to provide the seats we intend to offer, you to rest and acclimatise. However, you may still this may not always be possible. On occasion, we experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness Tipping may only be able to offer the same flight at a and shortness of breath. Plenty of water and rest can Tipping listed in each tour is to be shared by Tour supplement or book you onto another airline effectively reduce these symptoms. Areas of high Manager, local guides and drivers. To simplify whereby a supplement may also be required. You altitude include: Lhasa, Tibet- 3,650 metres, Jade matters, tips are collected by the Tour Manager at will have the choice of accepting the supplement Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang - 3,400 metres and the beginning of the tour for distribution on your or opting for an alternative departure date. In the Shangri La, Yunnan- 3,100 metres. behalf as the tour progresses. On checking in event that a private transfer is consequently required for your Yangtze river cruise, passengers will be instead of the group transfer, the cost will be met by Hygiene charged a fee to cover tips for the vessel crew at us. Should you request a change of airline, you will Hygiene is always a concern for most travellers to RMB 150 or approximately £15pp for cruises of 5 be responsible for the cost of any private transfer developing countries, but by sticking to a few rules, days and under, and RMB 300 or approximately in addition to the flight supplement. you can generally avoid the frequently encountered £30pp for cruises of 6days and over. This fee does irritation in some countries. not include a gratuity to the River Guide or Cruise Airline seats and other special requests Director, or gratuity for any additional special serv- Specific seat requests with most major airlines can Health ices, which can be offered at passenger’s discretion. now only be made if travelling in Business or First Tetanus inoculations are recommended for all Class. Every effort will be made to pass on requests countries featured in this brochure. No inoculations Visas to the airline concerned, however, they cannot be are compulsory with the exception of Yellow Fever When visiting the countries featured in this brochure, guaranteed as CTS Horizons does not have any if you have transited through a Yellow Fever zone. passengers should hold a full 10-year passport that control over the allocation of airline seats. Online Malaria is present in a number of the destinations is valid for at least 6 months from the return date. check-in is possible on many major airlines 24 hours we visit, please consult your GP for up to date health British passport holders can refer to our Visa chart before departure, and seating can be selected at advice. The Hospital for Tropical Diseases Travel for the latest requirements of the country you will be this stage. If you are a member of an executive flying Clinic Healthline also provides useful information travelling in. We have appointed Travcour UK Ltd to club please let us know the membership number so on vaccinations and malaria prophylactics for the process visas for our clients on our behalf. that we can enter it in your booking. Requests such countries visited on CTS Horizons tours. Tel: 0207 Visit www.travcour.com and follow the prompts: as diet, room allocation or a particular facility at a 950 7799. Select CTS Horizons from the drop-down menu, hotel must be advised to us in writing. We are happy select your required country and submit. Tick the to pass on your request to the suppliers concerned All tours organised by CTS Horizons are within the box to confirm that you have read Travcour’s terms but cannot guarantee it. capabilities of any reasonably active person and and conditions, then download the PDF file which no age limit is imposed. However, our tours are not shows an order form, instructions on what to do Changes to hotels suitable if you are confined to a wheelchair or have next, and a visa application form. A visa is required We monitor the standard of service provided by the reduced mobility. Please note that embarking and for China, although transit passengers do not require advertised hotels. Should this standard of service disembarking from boats and trains and exploring one. Passengers visiting Tibet are required to have a not be maintained to the satisfactory level, we will sites on foot could prove a strain for some travellers. permit in addition to the Chinese visa, which will be change the hotel to a more suitable alternative. On We will endeavour to take reasonable measures forwarded to you in China prior to arrival in Tibet and occasion, listed hotels may be unable to to accommodate travellers of special needs. this cost is included in your tour price. accommodate our group, in which case we shall stay However, due to the nature of the regions we at a suitable alternative. If changes to hotels occur, operate in we are unable to guarantee that we will Weather you will be notified at the earliest opportunity. be able to provide special assistance. If you have World weather is becoming more erratic and any doubts about your ability to participate fully in unpredictable and we cannot be held responsible Hotels any aspect of our tours, please forward your query in for disruption to your holiday due to bad or unusual It is common practice for hotel rooms to be vacated writing to our Reservations Department and we will weather conditions. Visit www. weather.com for at 12 noon and check-in is normally allowed after be happy to advise. CTS Horizons cannot be held up-to-date weather. this time. Ultimately we have no direct control over responsible for any circumstance arising out of a the daily management of the hotels and in the event failure of the client to disclose a disability or Travel advice that we have to change hotels, every effort will be pre-existing medical condition. Travellers aged 80 The Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit made to substitute hotels of the same standard. We and over will be required to submit a doctor’s letter provide information about travel to the destinations must stress that facilities of some hotels in more no later than 8 weeks prior to departure, confirming covered by CTS Horizons’ tours and extensions. This remote regions such as , Longsheng, that they are fit to undertake the tour booked. information is available on Teletext or on the Internet Xinjiang, Xinxia and Tibet can be basic. Also, profes- at www.fco.gov.uk. sional guides with good language abilities are rare, Data protection likewise, hotels, restaurants and service providers at In order to process your booking and to ensure that ancient water towns cannot be compared to those in your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet larger cities. Be prepared to accept lower standards your requirements, we need to use the information in return for experiencing the spectacular scenery you provide (such as name, address, any special and unique experiences in the area. needs etc). We must pass your information onto our

46 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Telephone and website details of Tourist Offices or Embassies Visa China Y £96 Beijing Max °C -4 -1 6 14 20 24 26 25 20 13 5 -2 http://www.cnto.org.uk/ Rain (mm) 3 5 8 21 34 78 185 160 46 22 7 3 020 7299 4049 Shanghai Max °C 8 8 13 19 24 27 32 32 27 22 17 11 http://www.cnto.org.uk/ Rain (mm) 76 44 118 63 85 212 142 230 76 64 43 34 020 7299 4049 Hong Max °C 19 19 21 25 29 30 32 31 30 28 24 21 http://www.cnto.org.uk/ Kong Rain (mm) 23 48 67 162 317 376 324 301 300 145 35 27 020 7299 4049 Lhasa Max °C 7 9 13 16 20 23 23 21 20 17 12 8 http://www.cnto.org.uk/ Rain (mm) 1 1 3 6 28 71 117 121 69 9 2 1 020 7299 4049 Chengdu Max °C 7 8 12 17 22 25 26 26 22 18 13 8 http://www.cnto.org.uk/ Rain (mm) 10 20 20 50 100 110 200 190 130 40 20 10 020 7299 4049 Xi’an Max °C 1 3 8 15 20 25 26 25 21 15 8 2 http://www.cnto.org.uk/ Rain (mm) 10 10 40 40 70 60 100 70 110 60 20 10 020 7299 4049 NB: All visa charges are approximate and based on single entry tourist visas for British Nationals. Always check entry requirements before travel.

Weather Travel advice World weather is becoming more erratic The Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit provide information about and unpredictable and we cannot be held responsible for disruption to your travel to the destinations covered by CTS Horizons’ tours and extensions. This holiday due to bad or unusual weather conditions. Visit www. weather.com for information is available on Teletext or on the Internet at www.fco.gov.uk. up-to-date weather.

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 47 Booking Conditions Your contract is with China Travel Services (UK) Ltd, a member of ABTA Your holiday contract that some prices in this brochure may change, and we reserve days of your return home by writing to our Customer Services When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the the right to alter the prices of any of the holidays as necessary. Department at the address below, giving your booking reference authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms However we guarantee that the price of your holiday, including and all other relevant information. Please keep your letter concise of these booking conditions. A contract will exist as soon as we any increases or reductions and as confirmed to you at the time and to the point. This will assist us to quickly identify your concerns issue our confirmation invoice. This contract is made on the terms of booking and shown on your confirmation invoice, is fully and speed up our response to you. It is strongly recommended of these booking conditions, which are governed by English Law, guaranteed and is not subject to any surcharges. that you communicate any complaint to the supplier of the and the jurisdiction of the English Courts. You may however, services in question as well as to our representative without delay choose the law and jurisdiction of Scotland or Northern Ireland if If you change your booking and complete a report form whilst in resort. If you fail to follow this you live there and wish to do so. If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to simple procedure we will have been deprived of the opportunity If you had not seen these terms and conditions when you made change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your to investigate and rectify your complaint whilst you were in resort your booking and you are not happy to proceed with the booking chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost and this may affect your rights under this contract. Please also see now that you have seen them please return all documentation to to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any details above on ABTA. us or to your travel agent, within 7 days of receiving these booking request for changes to be made must be in writing from the person conditions. Your booking will be cancelled and your monies will who made the booking or your travel agent. You will be asked to Our liability to you be returned in full, provided you have not commenced your travel. pay an administration charge of £50 per person and any further If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly This clause does not apply if your booking was made within 10 cost we incur in making this alteration. You should be aware that performed by us or our suppliers we will pay you appropriate weeks of travel. these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your travel changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. arrangements. However we will not be liable where any failure in Your financial protection Note: Certain travel arrangements (e.g. Apex Tickets) may not be the performance of the contract is due to: you; or a third party We provide full financial protection for our package holidays. In the changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration unconnected with the provision of the travel arrangements and unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA or ABTA will ensure that request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part where the failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or unusual and you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money of the arrangements. unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the you have paid to us for an advance booking. consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all For flight-based holidays this is through our Air Travel Organiser’s If you cancel your holiday due care had been exercised; or an event which we or our Licence number 2947. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrange- suppliers, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall. flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. ments at any time. Written notification from the person who made Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall This lists what is financially protected, where you can get the booking or your travel agent on your behalf must be received be limited to a maximum of 3 times the cost of your travel information on what this means for you and who to contact if things at our offices. Since we incur costs in cancelling your travel arrangements. Our liability will also be limited in accordance with go wrong. We will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL arrangements, you will have to pay the applicable cancellation and/or in an identical manner to the contractual terms of the Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where we charges up to the maximum shown on the table below. companies that provide the transportation for your travel aren’t able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL NB: If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms arrangements. These terms are incorporated into this contract; and holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will If we change or cancel your holiday respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money We plan travel arrangements many months in advance. by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that Occasionally, we may have to make changes and we reserve the accommodation, which limit the amount of compensation that you alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some right to do so at any time. Most of these changes will be minor and can claim for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, we will advise you or your travel agent of them at the earliest and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL possible date. We also reserve the right in any circumstances to of any limitation of compensation contained in these or any scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). If we are cancel your travel arrangements. For example, if the minimum conventions. unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, number of clients required for a particular travel arrangement through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of is not reached, we may have to cancel it or re-cost the tour You can ask for copies of the transport companies’ contractual insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a price and pass any extra costs on to you. However, we will not terms, or the international conventions, from our offices (see payment to (or confer a benefit on) your under the ATOL scheme. cancel your travel arrangements less than 8 weeks before your below). Under EU law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign departure date, except for reasons of force majeure or failure some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may by you to pay the final balance. If we are unable to provide the airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, booked travel arrangements, you can either have a refund of all Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card money paid or accept an offer of alternative travel arrangements of also be available from airlines. However reimbursement in such issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may comparable standard from us, if available (we will refund any price cases will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums difference in the alternative is of a lower value). If it is necessary to cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. When you buy a cancel your travel arrangements, we will pay to you compensation us is set out above. If any payments to you are due from us, any package holiday that doesn’t include a flight protection is provided as set out in this clause. payment made to you by the airline will be deducted from this by way of a bond held by ABTA. In accordance with EU Regulation 2111/2005 we are required to amount. advise you of the actual carrier operating your flight/connecting NB: This clause does not apply to any separate contracts that you ABTA flight/transfer. We do this by listing carriers to be used to likely to may enter into for excursion activities whilst on holiday. We are a Member of ABTA, membership number Y1580. We are be used on each tour itinerary. Any changes to the actual airline obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s after you have received your tickets will be notified to you as soon Prompt assistance in resort Code of Conduct. We can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Such a change is deemed to be a minor change. Other examples performed as a result of failures attributable to a third party Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go of minor changes include alteration of your outward/return flights unconnected with the provision of the services, or as a result of to www.abta.com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further by less than 12 hours, changes to aircraft type, change of failures due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving accommodation to another of the same standard. If we make a our control, the consequences of which could not have been disputes can be found on www.abta.com. major change to your holiday, or we need to increase your tour avoided even if all due care had been exercised, or an event which price because of low numbers, we will inform you or your travel we or our suppliers, even with all due care, could not foresee or How to book agent as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your forestall, and you suffer an injury or other material losses, we will offer First, please check availability with our Reservations Department. departure. You will have the choice of either accepting the change you such prompt assistance as is reasonable in the circumstances. Please note that fixed departure groud tours should be booked of arrangements, accepting an offer of alternative travel with us direct. Any other arrangements may be booked via your arrangements of comparable standard from us if available (we will Passport, visa and immigration requirements travel agent. When you buy a flight-based holiday, all money you refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value), or Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other pay to the travel agent are held by him on behalf and for the cancelling your booked holiday and receiving a full refund of all immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust at all times. This is monies paid. In all cases, except where the major change arises confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. subject to the agent’s obligation to pay it to us for so long as we due to reasons of force majeure, we will pay compensation as We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because do not fail. If we fail, any money held at that time by the agent, or detailed below. you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration subsequently accepted from you by him, is and continues to be NB: cancellation charges and notification periods listed above do requirements. held on behalf of and for the benefit of Trustees of the Air Travel not apply to Pandaw River Cruises. Details will be advised at the Trust without any obligation to pay that money to us. When you time of booking. The compensation that we offer does not exclude Excursions buy a holiday not including a flight, all money you pay to the travel you from claiming more if you are entitled to do so. Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for agent are held by him on our behalf at all times.You must then Force Majeure: We will not pay you compensation if we have whilst you are on holiday are not part of your package holiday complete the booking form, confirming on behalf of all members to cancel or change your travel arrangements in any way because provided by us. For any excursion or other tour that you book, your of your party, that you understand and accept the terms of these of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not booking conditions. When you make your booking, you must pay our control. These can include, for example, war, riot, industrial with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the excursion or a deposit, as detailed on the booking form, of £250 per person dispute, terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear tour or for anything that happens during the course of its provision unless advised at the time of booking that a higher deposit applies disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, epidemics and pandem- by the operator. (on some holidays we may charge a higher deposit to cover any ics, unavoidable technical problems with transport. This brochure is our responsibility, as your tour operator. It is not costs we have to pay immediately to secure your booking with issued on behalf of, and does not commit the airlines mentioned our suppliers). If you are making a reservation within 8 weeks of If you have a complaint herein or any airline whose services are used in the course of your departure we will require the full payment of the holiday cost at the If you have a problem during your holiday, please inform the travel arrangements. Please note that in time of booking. relevant supplier (e.g. your hotelier) and our resort representative accordance with Air Navigation Orders in order to qualify for infant immediately who will endeavour to put things right. If your status, a child must be under 2 years of age on the date of its Balance of payment complaint is not resolved locally, please follow this up within 28 return flight. Balance of payment is due 8 weeks before departure. Please note that the balance due date will appear on your invoice and NO If we make a major change If we cancel your holiday If you cancel your holiday REMINDER for settlement of this will be sent. Receipts for payment to your holiday of balance are only issued upon request. If the deposit and/or balance is not paid in time, we shall cancel Period before departure within which Amount you will receive Amount you will receive Amount of cancellation your travel arrangements. If the balance is not paid in time we shall notice of cancellation or major change from us from us charge retain your deposit. is received by ys or notified to you

Insurance More than 56 days £0 Deposit Only Deposit Only We strongly recommend that all participants on our tours have adequate travel insurance. If you require travel insurance from 42-56 days £20 100% of holiday cost +£20 40% of holiday cost us please see page 80 for details. On your booking form please give us full details of your insurance company, policy number and 28-41 days £30 100% of holiday cost +£30 70% of holiday cost emergency contact number. 7-27 days £40 100% of holiday cost +£40 90% of holiday cost

Price policy and no surcharge guarantee Less than 7 days £50 100% of holiday cost +£50 100% of holiday cost Tours are planned many months in advance. It is inevitable

48 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] Booking Form Booking Form Before completing this form, please study the Booking Conditions and Email [email protected] / www.ctshorizons.com BImportaefore complnt Infeormtinga thistion f orm,care fulpleasely. Compl studye thete dBookingetails in Conditions block lett ersand and EWmaieelk [email protected] 9:00amcom - / 5:00pm www.ctshori / Saztuons.rdcaomys 10:00am - 1:00pm Importareturn tnot usInf ormtogeationther ca withreful youly. Complr remittanete cde.etails Group in block tours le canntters oandt be re booturnk tedo WClosedeekda yons 9:00am Sunda y- s,5:00pm Christmas / Satu Evrde,a yNse 10:00amw Year’s - E 1:00pmve and public holidays through travel agents. us together with your remittance. Group tours cannot be booked through travel Closed2 London on SundWalla Buildings,ys, Christmas London Eve, N Wewall, Year London’s Eve andEC2M public 5UU holid ays ageINSnUts.RANCE It is strongly recommended that all participants on our EEnquiriesnquiries and and reser reservavtions:ations: 020 020 3750 37 165550 1655 Fax: 020 Fax: 7256 020 9 7767256 9776 tours have adequate holiday insurance. Please give details of your travel INSUinsurRanANCEce poli It isc yst inrong thely insu recommendedrance section tha tbel allo participaw. nts on our tours have adequate holiday insurance. Please give details of your travel insurance policy Y1580 in the insurance section below.

Tour Code/Name Departure Date CTS Advisor CTS Booking Ref

Room Type  Single  Twin  Double Cabin Type Smoker  Yes  No Media Ref

Title Surname Forename(s) as in passport Date of Birth Passport No. Expiry date in full Nationality Occupation

Address Postcode Email

Postcode

Day Telephone Code No. Evening Telephone Code No.

Emergency Contact Name Contact Telephone Code No.

EXTENSIONS Please specify e.g. Angkor Wat, Amazon extensions etc. BOOKING HISTORY WITH CTS HORIZONS I/we travelled with you on the following group tours in the past:

UK REGIONAL FLIGHTS Tour name Year

FLIGHT UPGRADES Tour name Year

VIP LOUNGE PASS Please send me passes at Airport Tour name Year

OTHER REQUIREMENTS Any special requests will be noted but cannot be guaranteed Tour name Year

Tour name Year

PAYMENT INSURANCE Deposit £250* pp x = £ A donation of £15£15 per per person person in in support support of of Conservation Conservation myself and all members of my £50 extra required for booking from outside UK (£50 per booking form) InteInternational,rnational, China ’s’s pandapanda protection protection initiative, initiative, can can be be added to your invoice.invoice. If Ifyou you would would like like to to opt opt into into this this party that we have arranged holiday contribution, please tick here insurance, details as follows: contribution, please tick here  Total £ On behalf of the above-named persons, I accept the Booking Conditions as set Insurance company *Unless*Unless otherwise otherwise advised. advised. out in this brochure and enclose cheque If your reservation is made less than 8 weeks prior to departure, If your reservation is made less than 8 weeks prior to departure, made payable to CTS Horizons. thethe full full amount amount is payable.is payable. Cheques Cheques should should be made be made payable payable to CTS to Horizons.CTS Horizons. Payment from overseas should be made by telegraphic transfer to: *Must bebe signedsigned by by person person travelling travelling (18 (18 years years plus), plus), not not Payment from overseas should be made by telegraphic transfer to: travel agent. Policy number China Travel Service (UK) ltd travel agent. China Travel Service (UK) ltd SIGNED* Sterling Account No. 50019364, Sort code: 40-03-40 ✗ Sterling Account No. 50019364, Sort code: 40-03-40 Swift code: MIDLGB22 Swift code: MIDLGB22 Name HSBC , 17 Gerrard Street, London W1D 6HB HSBC , 17 Gerrard Street, London W1D 6HB Insurer’s emergency contact There is a 2% bank charge which should be added to the total amount payable by There is a 2% bank charge which should be added to the total amount payable by customers Date number whocustomers choose whoto pay choose directly to into pay our directly bank account into our f rbankom overseas. account BACSfrom overseas. payments BACSin the UK canpayments also be inmade the toUK the can above also account.be made to the above account

Debit/Credit Card (Please tick as appropriate) Visa Mastercard AE 3-digit security code    Signed Card No Issue number (debit card only) Start day Expiry date Card holder’s name ✗ Please charge £ to my card account to cover Deposit Full amount Insurance premium Name Note:Note: Transaction Transaction charge charge of of2% 2% will will apply apply to to paymentspayments made made by by credit credit card cards and and Signature non-UKnon-UK debit debit cards. cards. Charge Charge will will be be waived waived if youif you Date ✗ paypay by by UK UK debit debit card. card.

Please specify how you heard about us

Book direct, call 020 3750 1655, fax 020 7256 9776 or email [email protected] 75 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 49 Your Stories We are pleased to share feedback that we received from some of our valued clients.

A wonderful experience - thanks to CTS’s This is the third occasion we have travelled with reliable organisation. Comfortable hotels, nice CTS; you have never failed to deliver a quality Absolutely perfectly organised. Could not fault resturants, good guides and transport - you did holiday. Particular mention on this occasion to holiday. Superb hotels, tours, guides, other your ground agents in India whose services guests. We were made to feel we each end! Thank you! mattered. Congratulations! - Mrs Simpson - Mr & Mrs Cox - Mr & Mrs Howard Pagodas and the Perfume River The Golden Triangle The Original Paradise

We had a truly memorable holiday and one which will be remembered and talked about for many years to come. The organisation was One of the best holidays we have ever been good and the guides we had were eager to on. Everything was organised down to the last please and willing to alter the itinerary slightly detail. We were really well looked after excellent and made our holiday in China if requested. We are looking forward to another throughout and only had to concentrate on fantastic. Thank you. CTS holiday in the future. enjoying ourselves. Thank you. - Mr Kempster - Mrs Gawthorne - Mr & Mrs Eggleton Through the Yangtze Gorges China Interlude A Lost City & the Enchanted Islands

Once again we have enjoyed an extremely well organised and full holiday. Everything worked perfectly and our guides were always willing to put things in or drop things out if we all wanted A great taster at a fantastic value for money. The to. Our request for a double bed was met National Guide was exceptionally good and the everywhere (except Hong Kong) as were the requests for twin rooms from other members of An amazing and brilliant experience. Absolutely use CTS Horizons again. Thank you for a great superb. holiday. restaurants on really good food. No complaints!! - Mrs Medhurst - Mr Gay - Mr & Mrs Irving Chinese New Year in Pingyao Chinese New Year in Pingyao Golden China

Our holiday with CTS was excellent. All our

local guides went out of their way to ensure that everything went smoothly and that our enjoyment was paramount. Our holiday overall This was one of the most enjoyable and was very well managed. Thank you for a I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The best holiday interesting holidays that we have ever wonderful holiday full of many happy memo- I have ever had! experienced. - Mrs Bosworth - Mrs Woods - Mr & Mrs Butler Golden China Golden China China Panorama

50 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] The pre-holiday organisation was very good. All Best tour I have been on. Amazing value for of our guides spoke good english and were friendly and helpful and allowed us to spend as sightseeing and entertainment. I hadn’t We had an absolutely brilliant holiday. William much or as little time as we wished at the places expected the hotels to be so good. Often was a super guide and looked after us really we visited. We had a wonderful trip. I would operators cut corners with the level of hotels, well. All the hotels were really good. Thank you recommend CTS Horizons as a tour company but hotels on this trip were better than ones I for such a great time. for this part of theworld would use if I went on my own. - Mr & Mrs Kent - Mr Watson - Ms Smith China Panorama China Interlude China Interlude

I e-mailed immediately on my return from holi- We have had the most fantastic day to say what a fantastic time I had - I have with CTS Horizons. The logistics were faultless, never done this after going on any other the hotels and food excellent, so much was holiday!! I would thoroughly recommend this Thank you and your colleagues for all you did to included, it was great value for money. We will trip to anyone. I am a single travller, and was make it so special. We will certainly talk of CTS treasure our memories of this holiday for a long very well looked after throughout. This tour is in glowing terms to anyone who wants to listen. time to come. worthy of the “trip of a lifetime” label. - Mr Watson - Mr & Mrs Hamston - Mr Kemp China Interlude The Very Best of The Middle Kingdom The Very Best of The Middle Kingdom

exceeded all expectations. The tour manager, local guides, hotels and food were all faultless. All in all a marvellous holiday. I was particularly Nothing was too much trouble. An excellent impressed with the seamless operation of your tour all the way through - we were sorry to impressed with how well organised the trip was. organisation in terms of arranged transports, Our tour manager was excellent, very caring but it will not be our last. and considerate. - Mr Redford - Mr Hamilton - Mrs Smith The Very Best of The Middle Kingdom The Very Best of The Middle Kingdom Across the Roof of the World

The trip from Tibet to Nepal was an adventure in itself. Our holiday was a trip worth experienc- ing. I have nothing but praise for Tibetan and I enjoyed the entire trip and would not have Chinese guides. I would recommend it to missed a minute of it...I would never do this trip I expected this trip to be a once in a lifetime visit anyone. with anyone other than CTS. and I wasn’t disappointed. - Mr Coy - Mr Hailwood - Mr Hickford Across the Roof of the World The Silk Road Expedition The Silk Road Expedition

Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected] 51 Responsible Tourism our pledge to you:

t CTS Horizons, we strive to ensure that our tour Aoperations leave a positive impact on local communities and the environment. We believe that those of us involved in the travel industry have exciting opportunities to support sustainable tourism projects, from collaborating with environmentally aware ground operators to community outreach programmes to saving endangered animals. As a responsible tourism operator, we understand our grave responsibility to ensure we tread lightly on our travels, by reducing the carbon footprint of our trips and enhancing the environment around us.

Here are the key aims of CTS Horizons in our situation is made worse by the impact on the climate. ClimateCare uses effort to become a more responsible tour which hit Sichuan Province hard in 2008. funds to reduce emissions through energy operator: Climate change poses a further threat to efficiency and renewable energy projects panda habitat. As temperatures and rainfall around the world. Should you wish to make • We cap most of our group travel at a patterns change, so will the availability of a payment to offset carbon emission from maximum of 16 persons to limit any adverse bamboo. If food becomes unavailable in the your tour, visit www. climatecare.org. impact on communities and the environment. isolated patches where pandas live, they have nowhere else to go. We have been awarded the AITO three star • We aim to foster international exchange Pandas could forever disappear from the responsible tourism status. To gain the three and understanding by immersing clients into wild. This fact forces all of us who have been stars the company must successfully local culture. touched by the serene beauty of these implement and continually improve a majestic animals to ask ourselves, what kind responsible tourism policy, and must also • We actively promote Responsible Tourism of world we are leaving for future undertake a specific project which practices to our suppliers around the world. generations? Can we really do nothing contributes to the economy, culture or We work closely with hotels, guides, while an animal this precious vanishes? environment of a destination. transportation firms and other travel-related Conservation International (CI) has an companies, setting high standards and ambitious but achievable agenda for ensuring our partners do their best to meet protecting the wild panda. CI’s China program our expectations. is working with panda guardians – scientists, nature reserve staff, and local communities • We invite all our clients to spread the to join hands in securing and connecting message of Responsible Tourism practices panda habitat so that the pandas will have a by discussing ideas directly with our guides healthy and vibrant wilderness to call home. and hoteliers, and offering constructive In partnership with Conservation International comments on local questionnaires. we offer all our customers the opportunity to support their panda protection project by making a voluntary donation of £15 per Panda Protection Initiative person which will be added to the tour Pandas are perfectly adapted to do two invoice. You may opt out by ticking the box things: eat bamboo and steal hearts. Wild on your booking form, which will remove this pandas live in only one place on Earth: the sum from your invoice. The donation will be mountains of , where the allocated to the initiative’s Infra-red Camera one food that guarantees their survival, Project, one of the most effective means bamboo, grows in abundance in Sichuan. to help detecting and protecting the much Pandas share this area with numerous other adored Pandas amongst other habitat in plants and animals unique to the region. Sichuan Province. Unfortunately this special place is subjected For more information on CI and its program, to many threats and pandas are losing their please visit their websites at www. conserva- home. The remaining population of wild tion.org and www.conservation.org.cn pandas – perhaps as few as 1,600 adults – live in scattered patches of bamboo forest that have been isolated by farming, logging, ClimateCare is a company that reduces road construction, dam building, urban ex- greenhouse gases on behalf of individuals pansion, and tourism development. The and organisations, to compensate for their

52 Book direct, call 020 3570 1655 or email [email protected]