FREE'N'EASY 2016-2017

KEY DESTINATIONS XI'AN SHANGHAI GUILIN & YANGSHUO CHENGDU

QUICK GETAWAYS AND SPECIAL EXPERIENCES INSIDE! Your Road, Your Way

AFL Asia are excited to partner with an Australian owned and Shanghai based Destination Management Company (DMC), Freedom Road Destinations to provide all members, their friends and families with a selection of travel experiences within China and throughout the Asia region.

We have negotiated some great rates that also include competitive airfares to/from Australia. This exciting partnership is about providing members, family and friends not only with a reliable booking platform for all your travel needs but also it will provide AFL Asia with some additional revenue and create a sustainable way for us to grow and develop both local players and the game within the greater Asia region.

Yours sincerely Grant Keys, AFL President

2 | China Free'n'Easy Ulanbataar

Beijing

Seoul Tokyo

Xi'an

Shanghai

Taipei Hong Kong

Bangkok

Ho Chi Minh

Introduction to China

China is a vast country, a kaleidoscope of people, culture in the world. Her rich history of trade, arts cultures, customs and landscapes. Although the and culture, combined with the diversity of ethnic present day People’s Republic of China only dates groups and their individual food and customs, back to 1949, records spanning 5000 years show makes China one of the most interesting places that China has had a long economic and cultural on earth to visit. Travel through China and you history, with warring states unifying and dividing will not only re-live its history, you will understand multiple times. However throughout its turbulent how this immense country was born from small history this country has had periods of immense tribal states with their own languages and lives, cultural learning, artistic creativity and religious how it evolved through centuries of upheaval, and philosophical development. Importantly unification, and then liberation in 1949, to China also expanded early continental trade become the People's Republic of China. routes, with the Han Dynasty (207 BC - 220 AD) breaking ground for what would become the From the immense modern city of Shanghai to famous trade route to India. the culturally rich Beijing, from the mountains in Xinjiang to the rice terraces of Guilin, China is a Wangjianglou Pagoda China’s culture is considered to be the oldest living world in itself just waiting to be explored.

A Pedestrian Street in Chengdu Terracotta Warriors

China Free'n'Easy | 3 am not , Beijing the same, I having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world." MARY ANNE RADMACHER

4 | China Free'n'Easy CEO Welcome

Welcome to Freedom Road Travel Free & Easy,

As a 100% foreign owned travel company in China, we constantly strive to provide above and beyond international service standards through our intuitive and innovative approach. We believe it is important to make sure all of our customers feel like VIPs throughout their journey, whether they be travelling with family, friends or a new acquaintance they have met along the road.

Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai are three of China’s most visited destinations, but they still hold much to be discovered. Go from hiking along the pristine Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, to learning local dishes in Beijing’s bustling markets. Or take a water cruise through Shanghai’s ancient water towns, before taking a tai chi class under expert tutelage. At Freedom Road Travel, we want to show you the real China that’s beyond the typical destinations. We look forward to seeing you on our intriguing Free & Easy tours.

As an Australian who has lived in China for more than 20 years, I am still constantly surprised by this awesome country; by the stunning places you can visit and the amazing people you can share experiences with. There’s a variety of landscapes, cultural richness and history in China, more than what most of us would imagine, that’s just waiting to be uncovered. This is the goal of Freedom Road Travel - to share China and all its wonder with the rest of the world.

This is my Freedom Road --- What’s Yours?

David Keir

Shanghai at sunset

China Free'n'Easy | 5 CONTENTSTable of BEIJING 1Ɩ SHANGHAI XI'AN GUILIN& YANGSHUO

Ŀ 1ĉ 1ƅ LIJIANG CHENGDU

22 Responsible Travel 23 FRT Style 26 Terms & Conditions

Ŏí ƖLj 6 | China Free'n'Easy wo roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the Tone less traveled by, and that has made all the diference." ROBERT FROST

7 | China Free'n'Easy China Free'n'Easy | 8 2 Nights and 1 SHANGHAI PACKAGES Half-Day Tour PREFFERED ACCOMODATION Included

12 @HENGSHAN FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL PARK HOTEL

Package Price: AUD 573/PP Package Price: AUD 585/PP Package Price: AUD 325/PP

PENINSULA HOTEL THE PULI THE LANGHAM

Package Price: AUD 790/PP Package Price: AUD 662/PP Package Price: AUD 688/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Best of Shanghai

PACKAGE INCLUDES: tart the morning with a walk on Te • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast Bund, a popular waterfront surrounded • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide by stunning views of the modern skyline, who will take you from and to your hotel soaring over one bank of the serene Huangpu River, and the old world Art Deco Sbuildings standing at your back, curving with the bend of the river bank.

Ten, take a tour through the Shanghai Museum, which has a collection of over 120,000 pieces of ancient , ranging from bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, jades, paintings, minority and foreign art and so much more. Its halls even hold several works of rare, national importance, such as one of the three existing “transparent” bronze mirrors from the Han Dynasty.

End the tour with some time spent exploring Yuyuan Garden and the Old Town area around it. Yuyuan Garden, dating back to 1559, is one of the restored The published price is per person, based on 2 people, features of Shanghai’s Old Town. Te Garden, heavily twin sharing. The published prices are NOT valid for infuenced by classical Suzhou garden design, holds more high seasons and public holidays. The prices stated can than 40 traditional halls, towers, pagodas, and pavilions. only be indicative and may be adjusted based on the Many are surrounded by jade ponds and lush trees, all travelling period and the number of travellers in your connected by stone walkways cut through rock gardens group. Please indicate your preferred travelling dates and set above water. and number of travellers,we will be happy to provide you with the exact prices.

10 | China Free'n'Easy OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

HUANGPU CRUISE & BUND TOUR LOST SHANGHAI CORNERS CLASSIC FRENCH CONCESSION See Te Bund glitter in the Huangpu River as darkness On this unique walking tour, discover the storied past Get a vivid picture of a neighborhood that’s been falls and the lights turn on in Shanghai’s premier of Shanghai that’s tucked away in the city’s small streets changing since its old world villas were new world cultural district. When you’re back on Te Bund, and old neighborhoods. Te guides are experts on villas. Explore Art Deco apartments, boutique cafes you can take a guided stroll through the waterfront’s Shanghai’s storied families and famous expats. on small main streets, and even smaller alleys where cosmopolitan history. some have lived for generations.

Price: AUD 180/PP Price: AUD 140/PP Price: AUD 77/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

TRANQUIL HANGZHOU VENICE OF THE EAST ZHUJIAJIAO & QIBAO Find Hangzhou’s peace and quiet at a secluded Suzhou, founded in 514 BC, earns the nickname Cruise through Shanghai’s ancient water towns, Zen temple retreat full of pagodas and grottoes, a “Venice of the East” with its meticulously laid and Zhujiajiao and Qibao, and enjoy the sound of sofly Longjing tea plantation, and the world famous West tended canals, gardens, stone bridges, and pagodas, splashing water as you glide beneath quiet, old stone Lake, which has been admired for more than 2,000 all in traditional style, all amidst a modern jewel of bridges and wooden balconies. Ten, taste and see years as a site of year-round beauty. a city. the town's local culture on its historical streets.

Price: AUD 418/PP Price: AUD 306/PP Price: AUD 223/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

EXPERIENCE TAI CHI VINTAGE SIDECAR TOUR WET MARKET & COOKING CLASS Zhang Yi has studied Chinese martial arts his whole Discover Shanghai’s storied backroads and alleys Learn the fundamentals of Shanghainese favors and life and now teaches out of his Wu Kung Fu Centre. from the sidecar of a purring vintage motorcycle. Just ingredients, how to pick them and how to bargain Let his wealth of knowledge, experience and passion tell the driver what you’re interested in, or tell them for them. Ten head to the kitchen for a hands-on guide you through the ancient world of Chinese to surprise you, and they’ll tailor the tour specifcally workshop on Chinese cooking techniques and martial arts. to you. methodologies.

Price: AUD 191/PP Price: AUD 242/PP Price: AUD 89/PP

China Free'n'Easy | 11 2 Nights and 1 BEIJING PACKAGES Half-Day Tour PREFFERED ACCOMODATION Included

CROWNE PLAZA WANGFUJING PENTAHOTEL BEIJING RAFFLES BEIJING

Package Price: AUD 437/PP Package Price: AUD 398/PP Package Price: AUD 546/PP

RED WALL GARDEN HOTEL REGENT BEIJING HOTEL SHADOW ART HOTEL

Package Price: AUD 474/PP Package Price: AUD 501/PP Package Price: AUD 386/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Tiananmen, Forbidden City &

PACKAGE INCLUDES: • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel uilt in 1651, Tiananmen Square has a long history that intersects with many major moments in the country’s history. Just beyond Tiananmen Square is the Forbidden City, encircled by breathtaking moat and full of stunning ancient architecture and artifacts.

Stand in the central courtyard of the Forbidden City and you will see nothing but elegantly sloped buildings among a breathtaking landscape that looks more fantastic than anything a movie might recreate.

Right behind Forbidden City is Jingshan Park, an artifcial hill made with the soil dug out to make the moat. In the park, you’ll not only get great elevated The published price is per person, based on 2 people, views of the Forbidden City and Beijing, but also a twin sharing. The published prices are NOT valid for great look into the lives of locals who go to the park high seasons and public holidays. The prices stated can every day to socialize, enjoy nature and above all else only be indicative and may be adjusted based on the relax. travelling period and the number of travellers in your group. Please indicate your preferred travelling dates and number of travellers,we will be happy to provide you with the exact prices.

12 | China Free'n'Easy OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

ANCIENT BEIJING ACADEMICS HUTONG TOUR & LAMA TEMPLE Explore the city’s ancient history of academics in old In Beijing’s old neighborhoods, traditional courtyard Temple of Heaven is a masterfully landscaped lecture halls, archery ranges, and tree-lined courtyards. houses connected by narrow stone-paved alleyways and ornately designed 15th century structure that Lama Temple, Confucius Temple and the Imperial have been transformed from residences to hubs of embodies the same architecture of the Forbidden Academy were iconic in shaping Beijing’s brainscape, history and culture for visitors and locals alike. Enjoy City. Lama Temple holds a Buddha (18m) from Tibet, and they each hold their own uniquely Chinese markets, browse handicrafs, and learn some local carved from a single piece of white sandalwood. philosophy. history. Price: AUD 180/PP Price: AUD 153/PP Price: AUD 180/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

CHUANDIXIA VILLAGE GREAT WALL ONE DAY HIKE MUTIANYU GREAT WALL & Explore 14th century courtyard houses, sacred Te Great Wall One Day Hike will give you an temples, and stone lanes from the Qing and Ming unprecedented journey along the untouched and See pristine parapets lining the ridges of sloping, dynasties. Interact with some of the local villagers to untoured parts of the wall, all to yourself, as it forested hills that are crossed with deep blue streams. learn about the historical enclave frsthand. gracefully snakes up and down hillsides that stretch Ten, visit the lakeside Summer Palace, a vacation as far as the eye can see. house made for China's last empress.

Price: AUD 246/PP Price: AUD 229/PP Price: AUD 214/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

CHAOYANG ACROBATICS MARKET TOUR & COOKING CLASS NIGHT AT THE BEIJING OPERA THEATRE SHOW An expert chef and tour guide will take you on a Beijing Opera combines elegant stylings with At the Chaoyang Acrobatics Teatre Show, you’ll see fun and educational market tour of China’s unique exaggerated expression and symbolic meaning jaw-dropping contortionists, lion dancing, fre eaters, ingredients and condiments. You’ll see and taste through singing, action, dialogue, acrobatics, mime, and more than your fair share of circus acts, daredevil new favors that you can to add to your own kitchen and costume/makeup. It all makes for a very bright, feats, and artistic acts that bridge the gap between the repertoire. and vivid audio-visual experience that will be hard past and present. to forget. Price: AUD 64/PP Price: AUD 102/PP Price: AUD 64/PP

China Free'n'Easy | 13 2 Nights and 1 XI'AN PACKAGES Half-Day Tour PREFFERED ACCOMODATION Included

SOFITEL ON RENMIN SQUARE SHERATON CROWNE PLAZA

Package Price: AUD 366/PP Package Price: AUD 358/PP Package Price: AUD 394/PP

THE WESTIN HILTON XI'AN ZUOYOU KE

BOUTIQUE

Package Price: AUD 379/PP Package Price: AUD 392/PP Package Price: AUD 367/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Terracotta Warriors & Big Wild Goose Pagoda

PACKAGE INCLUDES: • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel ee one of the world’s greatest archaeological fnds: an entire army, from foot soldiers to cavalry and generals, recreated 2,200 years ago as lifelike, life-sized and individually unique clay . Te Terracotta SWarriors in Xi’an still stand in a vast formation of more than 8,000 statues, waiting in their pits for the emperor they were buried with, who they were to follow into the aferlife. Instead, they just stand, astoundingly well preserved, spectacular to look at, even with their decayed paintjobs.

Ten explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China and an architectural marvel of cement-less brick construction that soars to 64 meters. It remains a holy place for The published price is per person, based on 2 people, Buddhists, since it’s history goes back to 652, and holds a twin sharing. The published prices are NOT valid for great number of religious artifacts from India. Te square high seasons and public holidays. The prices stated can around the pagoda is expansive and beautiful, making only be indicative and may be adjusted based on the for a great sight and a great place for people to gather. travelling period and the number of travellers in your group. Please indicate your preferred travelling dates and number of travellers,we will be happy to provide you with the exact prices.

14 | China Free'n'Easy OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

CITY WALLS & MUSLIM XI'AN CITY WALLS & HAN YANGLING MAUSOLEUM Rent a bike and cruise along one of the world’s oldest, largest (14km long), and Afer the City Walls, explore the Han Yang Ling Mausoleum, where Emperor longest surviving ancient defense structures while enjoying spectacular city views. Jing and his Empress Wang were buried around 2,000 years ago. All the excessive Ten learn about the city’s Muslim population, revolving around the Muslim riches and ritual they were buried with have been excellently preserved. Quarter and Grand Mosque. Price: AUD 80/PP Price: AUD 116/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

LONGMEN GROTTOES & SHAOLIN TEMPLE HUASHAN NATIONAL PARK Explore the treasure-flled cave network of the . Its largest cave Cable car up to Mt. Hua’s stunning North Peak, then explore its four other main holds its tallest Buddha (17m), looking over the calm Luo River in stoic grace. peaks, home to a number of temples, shrines and pavilions amidst sweeping Ten visit the worldwide symbol of martial arts: the Shaolin Temple. yellow stone slopes draped with carpets of thick forest.

Price: AUD 355/PP Price: AUD 300/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

MORNING MARKET & EVENING FOOD TOUR SIDECAR TOUR - CRAFTSMEN BREAKFAST TOUR If the Morning Market & Breakfast Tour wasn’t Cruise along rural roads and through Xi’an’s Taste a Xi'an morning on this Morning Market & enough for you, you can dive from there right into beautiful plateau scenery. Your tour guide will Breakfast Tour with an expert tour guide taking you the Evening Food Tour. Ride in a private tuk-tuk introduce you to a master of paper-crafs and a through 5-6 authentic tasting locations while they to 4-5 authentic tasting locations, all while getting traditional blacksmith who forges ancient weapons give you a rundown of the unique Xi'an favors and unlimited beer and soda. and farm tools, so you can learn a bit of their craf ingredients. while he shares some history. Price: AUD 77/PP Price: AUD 89/PP Price: AUD 286/PP

China Free'n'Easy | 15 2 Nights and 1 GUILIN & YANGSHUO Half-Day Tour Included PREFFERED ACCOMODATION

SHERATON GUILIN BRAVO HOTEL THE WHITE HOUSE HOTEL

Package Price: AUD 428/PP Package Price: AUD 351/PP Package Price: AUD 555/PP

SHANGRILA LIJIANG WATERFALL GUILIN SHUIYUEGE BOUTIQUE HOTEL

BOUTIQUE

Package Price: AUD 479/PP Package Price: AUD 402/PP Package Price: AUD 313/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Guilin Halfday

PACKAGE INCLUDES: • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel

ake a guided tour through Guilin’s best city sights, from the luminous stalactites like an overgrown monolith with a tearoom, shrines, The published price is per person, based on 2 people, and refecting waters of Reed Flute Cave to Buddhist statues, and a cloister carved right into its sides. twin sharing. The published prices are NOT valid for unique rock formations with panoramic Next is a walk through the Reed Flute Cave, which is high seasons and public holidays. The prices stated can city views. estimated to be 180 million years old. Ten the tour ends only be indicative and may be adjusted based on the T with a panoramic city view at the top of Elephant Hill, a travelling period and the number of travellers in your Te frst stop of the tour is Fubo Hill, also called Wave- weathered rock formation that looks like an enormous group. Please indicate your preferred travelling dates Subduing Hill, which stands high and alone, one fat elephant with one foot in the river. and number of travellers,we will be happy to provide side over water and the other rounded side over land, you with the exact prices.

16 | China Free'n'Easy OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

DAXU ANCIENT VILLAGE AND CROWN CAVE YAO MOUNTAIN & TEA PLANTATION Wander on stone paths through traditional courtyards and over arched stone From Mount Yao’s summit, the highest peak in all of Guilin, you can see the bridges in Daxu Village, one of China’s best preserved ancient villages dating back sun break through clouds and against mountains for miles. Afer the cable car to 200 AD. Ten, explore the Crown Cave’s glowing, watery, and unforgettably ride down, see a tea plantation to learn what goes into every cup of Longjing or beautiful depths. jasmine tea. Price: AUD 193/PP Price: AUD 129/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

LONGJI RICE TERRACES LI RIVER CRUISE BAMBOO RAFT TO THE ANCIENT Te Longji Rice Terraces embody a unique Te Li River is a source of life and beauty that has VILLAGE OF XINGPING harmony between humans and nature, making for a lef an indelible mark on ancient folklores. Hear Glide just over the Li River’s tranquil waters on an magnifcent sight of graceful, curving slivers of water, its jade waters gently splash against the cruise ship elegantly simple bamboo raf as sof green peaks pass all coiled and stratifed around verdant mountainsides, as it winds through lush jungle and among sof, high above you, until you foat your way around the like shining scales on a green dragon’s back. curvaceous mountains. bend to the historic Xingping Ancient Village for lunch. Price: AUD 306/PP Price: AUD 273/PP Price: AUD 446/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

YANGSHUO BIKE TRAILS COOKING CLASS IN YANGSHUO LI RIVER KAYAKING With your hands on the handlebars, this might Take a tour of Yangshuo market to learn the local Tour the Li River’s bends and banks as you follow the be the best adventure Yangshuo has to ofer. Take favors and ingredients. Ten learn fve local dishes current to Liugong Village. Idle in the sun, before a a beautiful ride through of Yangshuo’s famous, either in a traditional farmhouse, right out in the breathtaking vista, or cool of with a swim. Take your paradisiacal bike trails as they wind along rivers, beautiful countryside, or right on the scenic Li River. time, because the cold beer or snack in Liugong will villages, mountains, past terraces, plains, and much wait for your arrival. more. Price: AUD 64/PP Price: AUD 77/PP Price: AUD 56/PP

China Free'n'Easy | 17 2 Nights and 1 LIJIANG PACKAGES Half-Day Tour PREFFERED ACCOMODATION Included

LIJIANG LIMAN WENZHI NO.1 HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL INDIGO

Package Price: AUD 403/PP Package Price: AUD 551/PP Package Price: AUD 577/PP

BANYAN TREE THE BIVOU LUX TEA HORSE ROAD LIJIANG

Package Price: AUD 673/PP Package Price: AUD 444/PP Package Price: AUD 487/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR (OPTION 1): Lijiang Old Town and Black Dragon Pool

PACKAGE INCLUDES: • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel

The published price is per person, based on 2 people, twin sharing. The published prices are NOT valid for high seasons and public holidays. The prices stated can njoy this grand tour of Lijiang’s best sights, from Mufu only be indicative and may be adjusted based on the Mansion, Lijiang’s ‘Forbidden City’, to the clear waters of travelling period and the number of travellers in your Black Dragon Pool Park. As you take in these sights and group. Please indicate your preferred travelling dates more, learn about the historic Naxi and Dongba cultures. and number of travellers,we will be happy to provide E you with the exact prices.

18 | China Free'n'Easy All excursions include private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel. PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR (OPTION 2): Baisha Village

Go deep into Baisha Village’s culture and history on this tour. Te Baisha murals, which took 300 years to fnish, are a stunning fusion of Naxi, Han, and Tibetan culture that are not to be missed. Ten, learn about traditional Chinese medicine from Dr. Ho.

All excursions include private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel. OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

JADE SNOW DRAGON MOUNTAIN & BELOW Witness the surreal Spruce Meadow, a clearing of turquoise water with magnifcent Lose yourself in Tiger Leaping Gorge—the “Grand Canyon of Yunnan”—with its mountain and valley views at 3000m altitude. Admire Baisha Village’s murals, twisting teal river that snakes between verdant terraced mountain sides, decked painted over 1,000 years ago, blending Tibetan, Han, and Naxi culture. with an abundance of misty waterfalls and beautiful vistas.

Price: AUD 245/PP Price: AUD 204/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

NAXI MUSIC PERFORMANCE Cap of a Lijiang evening with a traditional show of Taoist temple music inside a beautiful old town building. Hear songs from the Han, Song and Tang dynasties in their original forms and with their original instruments.

Price: AUD 117/PP

ChinaFree'n'Easy ||1 9 2 Nights and 1 CHENGDU PACKAGES Half-Day Tour PREFFERED ACCOMODATION Included

BUDDHA ZEN HOTEL THE HOTEL ZEN URBAN RESORT SOFITEL

Package Price: AUD 374/PP Package Price: AUD 362/PP Package Price: AUD 367/PP

SHANGRILA THE TEMPLE HOUSE SHERATON

Package Price: AUD 464/PP Package Price: AUD 644/PP Package Price: AUD 367/PP

PACKAGES INCLUDED HALF DAY TOUR : Panda Breeding Centre

PACKAGE INCLUDES: • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast • Half day city tour with private car and personal guide who will take you from and to your hotel

The published price is per person, based on 2 people, twin sharing. The published prices are NOT valid for high seasons and public holidays. The prices stated can our a panda breeding center with a professional panda keeper who will show you the adult and only be indicative and may be adjusted based on the baby pandas while teaching you about panda health, behavior, mating habits, and of course how to travelling period and the number of travellers in your properly handle them. group. Please indicate your preferred travelling dates and number of travellers,we will be happy to provide T you with the exact prices.

20 | China Free'n'Easy OPTIONAL HALF DAY CITY TOURS

HALF DAY CITY TOUR - OPTION 1 HALF DAY CITY TOUR - OPTION 2 WALKING TOUR + TEA TASTING First, visit the thousand-year-old Qingyang Palace, Explore Chengdu’s oldest temples and streets, from Take a guided tour through Chengdu’s most bold, and admire its Eight Trigrams Pavilion, built without the Wuhou Temple, built during the Tree Kingdoms modern buildings. Ten explore the historic Kuan- nails or wedges. Ten visit the home and museum of Period (220-280), to Old Jinli Street, dating back to Zhai Lane before relaxing in People’s Park at Heming Du Fu, a famous poet. 221BC as the city’s commercial hub and the place to Tea House, a beautiful, open air tea house in classical buy ornate fabrics. Chinese style.

Price: AUD 158/PP Price: AUD 156/PP Price: AUD 99/PP

OPTIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

LESHAN GIANT BUDDHA BIFENG GORGE: TREKKING & HIKING & HUANGLONGXI Take in the colossal Giant Buddha, carved PANDAS Stretch your legs while treating your eyes with a out of a riverside clif almost two thousand years ago. Te Bifeng Gorge is flled with beautiful forest, scenic 1-hour hike to Chen Jia Xiang Village. Afer It sits 71-metres high, nestled in an overgrown nook, waterfalls, a beautiful river snaking through it all, enjoying a homemade lunch and the company of casting a red stone stoic expression over tranquil well-maintained paths all along the way, and pandas. local villagers, head to Huanglongxi Ancient Town. waters. Visit a panda reserve that’s home to more than 20 giant pandas. Price: AUD 227/PP Price: AUD 238/PP Price: AUD 179/PP

SOMETHING SPECIAL

COOKING HISTORY CLASS CHENGDU EVENING FOOD TOUR Tis unique cooking class will not only give you hands-on learning experience on Tis gastro tour takes you through Chengdu’s local, family-owned favors via how to mix your own -Tibetan favors and dishes, but also a rich, personal private tuktuk with an experienced guide. Te tour also includes unlimited beer story-driven history of China from your instructor, born in 1950s China. and drinks.

Price: AUD 77/PP Price: AUD 89/PP

China Free'n'Easy| |2 1 A Delicious Peking Duck Meal

Rafting against the landscapes of Guilin

Wuhou Temple in Chengdu RESPONSIBLE Travel

aintaining integrity and upholding principles of sustainable The Summer Palace in Beijing development is core to our travel company ethos and to us. Our values are ingrained in the culture of our business and in the design of our private and group tours. The people, their customs and the local environments at each destination are all Mconsidered when planning itineraries and conducting tours. Freedom Road Travel expects the same level of standards from all our travel partners across China.

Our mission statement “to make the world a better place by enabling wonderful experiences” extends to everyone in the Freedom Road Travel environment; our clients (before, during and after travel), our staf, travel partners and, importantly, the people and destinations we visit.

Here at Freedom Road Travel we support local communities and businesses by engaging local tour guides, businesses and experts wherever possible, Yuyuan Garden at Night contributing to local employment as well as ensuring our travellers gain a true insight into the local lives, customs and values of the places they visit.

We ask all visitors to respect the diferent cultures and customs, to be aware of the environment, and to take the time to try the foods or locals goods unique to the area. Our travel tours are, by design, low impact on the environment due to keeping groups smaller allowing us to focus on providing an immersive experience with small vehicles and local accommodation.

Freedom Road Travel strongly believes in giving back to the communities that we are a part of. We are proud to be a platinum sponsor of the Australian Shanghai Association, a volunteer organisation that raises funds and resources for those in need in Shanghai and rural areas of China. For details go to www.australian-shanghai-association.org

22 | China Free'n'Easy WHAT MAKES US Diferent?

Landscape of the Li River

We really listen to you when we ask: “What is your Freedom Road?”

t Freedom Road Travel, we Whether you are travelling in a group, as a family take pride in our experiential or on your own, we respect your preferences approach to travel. We and objectives. We listen to our customers and understand that every one make sure all their needs are catered for, and of our clients is different. everyone is treated as a VIP. AThey are each on a unique journey, have their own preferences, and set their own goals for Our respect for the ‘individual’ extends to the travel. amazing places we go and people we meet along the way, each being an important element of We are passionate about travel and your journey. Freedom Road Travel focuses on sharing the best experiences from our own making each day a new exciting experience, be adventures. This is why we put our personal it a guide explaining the history and customs, a touches into the journeys we tailor for our chef presenting the regional specialty, or a local Wild Goose Pagoda clients. craftsman showing his trade.

China Free'n'Easy | 23 Giant Buddha of Leshan ravel makes one modest. TYou see what a tiny place you occupy in the world." GUSTAVE FLAUBERT

24 | China Free'n'Easy A GUIDE to cuisines around China

or those who haven’t taken a holiday of food), congee, and roast meats are popular to China, it can be easy to fall into the examples of cuisine. The popular ‘yum trap of believing that Chinese cuisine cha’ method of dining – to eat many small dishes is as we’ve experienced it at home: while drinking tea - originates here. Cantonese beef & black bean, , cuisine is widespread in China but has its roots in Fspring rolls, and prawn crackers served up in plastic southern cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Tupperware containers when you’re feeling too lazy to cook. In truth, Chinese cuisine is as diverse SICHUAN as the people who call this sprawling country home. Famed for its tongue-numbing peppercorn and The food you sample is influenced not only by the spicy flavours, Sichuan (sometimes known as people who prepare it and their cultural background Szechuan cuisine) is rich in ginger, peppers, and bold but also by the ingredients and cooking techniques flavours. that are prevalent in the area. It is here that well-known dishes such as Kung While it would be impossible to catalogue the Pao chicken, Sichuan hotpot, twice-cooked pork, width and breadth of Chinese cuisine, below and mapo tofu can be experienced as they were we’ve highlighted a few of the most distinctive and intended. interesting. Not for the faint of heart, the intense flavours of CANTONESE are almost at odds with the serenity For many people, Cantonese cuisine comes closest of the province that is home to adorable pandas to what they’re familiar with. True Cantonese and beautiful national parks. cuisine takes into account the region’s importance as a trade port, with meats both traditional and HUNAN non-traditional being a big part of the region’s Like Sichuan cuisine, Hunan’s cuisine is famed palette. If you want to try snake, chicken’s feet or for its fiery heat and intensity but prides itself on frog – Cantonese food is for you. being ‘truly hot’ with a dry heat rather than the contrasting flavours of Sichuan’s foods. Stir fries, dim sum (small, bite-sized portions

China Free'n'Easy | 25 Mutianyu section of The Great Wall

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