21 Day Explore & Cruise

Incl Return Airfares

Beijing Wuxi Yangtze River Xi'an Guilin Yangshou Longji

www.inspiringvacations.com.au From pp twin $2,999 share

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15-MAR-19 12-APR-19 26-APR-19 10-MAY-19 24-MAY-19 07-JUN-19 26-JUL-19 16-AUG-19 30-AUG-19 13-SEP-19 11-OCT-19 25-OCT-19 08-NOV-19 22-NOV-19

* Peak Season surcharge +$250pp

Day 1

Today begins your spectacular tour through China! Upon arrival at Beijing Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our professional tour guide and escorted to your hotel. Take the evening to relax and prepare for your first day of touring tomorrow.

Hotel: 5★ Shangri-La’s China World or similar

“The overdressed traveler betrays more interest in being seen than in seeing, while the true traveler knows that the novel world about her serves as the most appropriate accessory.” Gregory Maguire Day 2 Beijing

Today you will set out with your guide to discover the iconic imperial treasures of China’s massive capital, Beijing. Stand in Tiananmen Square, one of the largest and grandest public plazas in the world before progressing on to the Forbidden City. Enter the imposing walls of the Forbidden City, once the domain of the Ming Dynasty, for an exclusive tour through this vast complex of courtyards and lanes. This area was considered by the Emperor to be a divine place, and it was forbidden to ordinary people, hence the name, the Forbidden City. This is certainly not the case today, as it now plays host to over 14 million visitors per year. It also now houses the National Palace Museum, historically and artistically one of the most comprehensive museums in all of China.

After our tour, we will return to the hotel where you may relax or choose to enjoy one of our bonus Inspiring Sights options to enhance your experience.

Optional Tour - ‘The Golden Mask Dynasty’ show or ‘Kung Fu Legend’ show - The Legend of Kung Fu Show is a mix of traditional martial arts and modern theatre. Presenting stunning Kung Fu skills, exquisite ballet and music, this beautiful story in no doubt has become the most loved Kung Fu show in China.

Hotel: 5★ Shangri-La’s China World or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3 Beijing

Today’s highlight is one of the most anticipated - an excursion to the majestic Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World! We will be touring the Juyongguan Section, recognized by UNESCO and one of the three most famous passes along the Great Wall. Located 60 km from downtown Beijing, it used be a stronghold that protected the northern access routes to the city. Here you’ll get a chance to climb a portion of this 3,700 mile marvel. Enroute back to the city we will visit one of the largest Jade Exhibitions in Asia and learn all about China’s most precious and celebrated stone. Upon returning to Beijing, the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure or to participate in one of our suggested optional excursions.

Day 3 (Cont.) Day 4 Bejing Suzhou Optional Tour - Hutong Life Tour - On this tour you will explore the hutongs of Beijing on the This morning we will begin our day at a Chinese backs of rickshaws, a traditional mode of Herbal Institute where we will have the opportunity transport in Beijing. These rapidly disappearing to learn about traditional Chinese medicine. From traditional neighbourhoods offer a glimpse into here we then board the mind-blowing bullet train to the Beijing of the past. travel the city of Suzhou. China’s bullet train network is now the most expansive in the world and you’ll be Optional Tour - Peking Duck Banquet Dinner - rocketing towards Suzhou at speeds up to 300km/h. Enjoy an authentic Peking Duck Banquet served Upon arrival in Suzhou, our local representative will with all the traditional accompaniments. This meet and greet you at the North Suzhou Railway iconic dish has been served in Beijing since the Station. You will then be escorted to your hotel where imperial era. you may spend the rest of the day resting or spending time with newly made friends. Hotel: 5★ Shangri-La’s China World or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch Hotel: 4★ Holiday Inn Taihu Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5 Suzhou Wuxi

Welcome to beautiful Suzhou, the city of paradise! Suzhou is also known as the Oriental Venice for its exquisite canals, bridges, pagodas, and stunning gardens. This spectacular city is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the perfect place for those who are interested in learning more about Chinese culture. Following breakfast we will be visiting the Lingering Garden, a classic private garden with 500 years of history. After this we continue our journey to the Suzhou Silk Factory, the largest silk manufacturer in the country where we will discover the mysterious processing silk. We’ll enjoy a brief break for lunch, after which you will have the opportunity to participate in another optional excursion exploring the famous Grand Canal further. In the late afternoon, we will continue our journey to the charming city of Wuxi, sitting on the banks of Taihu, one of China’s largest freshwater lakes. Upon arrival we will visit the Street, famous for the way it expertly blends ancient and modern elements, and the peaceful waterside town-life with the passion of a contemporary itinerary.

Optional Tour - Grand Canal Cruise - After lunch in Suzhou, you may enjoy a cruise along the ancient canal and enjoy a unique perspective of the city and life of the locals. The Suzhou Grand Canal belongs to the Jiangnan Grand Canal, which starts at Zhenjiang in the north and ends at Hangzhou in the south.

Hotel: 5★ Swiss-Bel Liyuan Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6 Wuxi Hangzhou

This morning our day begins with a visit to the Brilliance of Lake Lihu, a branch of Lake Taihu. The lake is well known for its gorgeous park and many interesting features, but also due to the fact that scholars have written that notable historical figures Fan Li and Xi Shi boated here. We follow this with a special visit to a Freshwater Pearl Farm. In the afternoon we continue on to Hangzhou, once described by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”. Upon arrival in Hangzhou you will have the evening free to spend at your leisure. You may relax or choose to appreciate the symbolic performance of Hangzhou as an optional activity.

Optional Tour - The Romantic Show of Songcheng - This evening, join the symbolic performance of Hangzhou. It has been performed over 2,000 times, and entertained over 60 million audiences. It is regarded as one of the top three famous shows in the world along with the O Show in Las Vegas and the Moulin Rouge in .

Hotel: 4★ Holiday Inn Gongshu Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Hangzhou Shanghai

The magnificent city of Hangzhou is also known as the “Paradise on Earth”, has been immortalized by countless poets and artists. The most renowned feature here is the West Lake Cultural Landscape, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This morning we visit the West Lake, embraced by mountains on three sides and undisputedly the most beautiful lake in the country. During our visit, you may join the optional activity of taking a charming boat ride around the lake. After our visit here, we will continue to China’s no. 1 tea plantation to taste the well-known Dragon Well Tea. It has been scientifically proven that green tea such as this is excellent for maintaining your well-being, and today you will have the opportunity to learn more about the tea culture of the China’s best green tea. Following lunch, we will drive onwards to Shanghai on China’s central coast. This evening, you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of the dazzling and charming night view of Shanghai by joining the optional Huangpu River Cruise ride.

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” - Lao Tzu

Optional Tour - Boat Ride on the West Lake - During your visit to the beautiful West Lake, you can revel in most renowned feature of Hangzhou by joining the West Lake Boat Ride, noted for how its scenic beauty blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites.

Optional Tour - Huangpu River Night Cruise - At night, you may enjoy the Huangpu River Night Cruise and get a glimpse of the dazzling and charming night view of Shanghai.

Hotel: 4★ Mercure Hotel Royalton or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Shanghai

Today we enjoy a full day in Shanghai, the country’s biggest city and an important global financial hub. After breakfast, we will travel as a group to the Bund, a famous site in Shanghai lined by the colonial architecture of European design. This area is the best place to capture the Western influences of the old days, and is now called the “Wall Street of the East”. Following our tour here, the rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure. You are encouraged to join our suggested optional tours and activities that further your experience of Shanghai.

Day 8 (Cont.)

Optional Tour - Shanghai Insight Tour - This tour takes you to Lujiazui Financial & Trade Zone, where the Jinmao Tower is located. Jinmao is 88 stories high, reaching a height of 420.5 meters and covers a 290,000 square meter construction area. The name translated literally means “Gold Luxuriance Building” in Chinese. Here you can find the perfect combination of traditional Chinese architectural style and the world’s most modern architectural technology. After this, we will visit another famous site in Shanghai – Xi’tian’di. This is a historical and cultural character of the city tourism attraction and its unique Shikumen Shanghai-based urban construction attracts people from around the globe to explore this special leisure area.

Optional Tour - Chinese Acrobatic Show - This evening, treat yourself by seeing the amazing ERA The Intersection of Time acrobatic show.

Hotel: 4★ Mercure Hotel Royalton or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Shangahi Xi'an

Today we again board the innovative high speed bullet train to travel to Xi’an. Xi’an is an ancient city in China and has recorded the great changes of the country just like a living history book. It was the first Chinese city to open its doors to the world during the Tang dynasty and was capital for eleven dynasties over a period of more than 2,000 years.Our first visit here will be to the incredible Wild Goose Pagoda. This temple was originally used to keep the Buddhist scripts which were carried by the great monk Yi Jing from the Indian area and over time it has become a holy place for pilgrims. Afterwards you will discover the Ancient City Wall, built in 194 BC and one of the oldest and best preserved city walls in all of China. In the evening, you can treat yourself by joining our suggested optional activities.

Optional Tour - Dumpling Feast and Tang Dynasty Cultural Show - Xi’an was China’s capital city during the Tang Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty played a significant part in shaping today’s Chinese culture. You will be fascinated by the performance while enjoying the signature local Chinese dish – dumplings. You will be surprised at how many types of delicious dumplings are serving during the feast.

Hotel: 4★ Mercure Xian on Renmin Square or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Xi’an

Today another highly anticipated icon of the country awaits - the famous and awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors. We will visit the enigmatic ranks of the Terracotta Warriors in the company of our professional and experienced local guide. Be humbled as you stand among one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century. You may also have the opportunity here to meet the man who first discovered the Warriors and learn about the moment they were uncovered when he stumbled upon them in 1974. After lunch, enjoy a walking food tour through the famous Moslem Street, where your guide will help order a range of delectable dishes and snacks for the more adventurous.

Hotel: 4★ Mercure Xian on Renmin Square or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 11 Xi’an Yichang

Today we transfer by coach to Yichang, the gateway to the Yangtze River. This is the starting point of our Yangtze River Cruise, your home for the next four nights. The Yangtze River is the largest river in Asia and the third largest in the world. The river begins in the remote mountainous regions and winds its way through stunning gorges to bring life to millions of people. We board the luxury cruise in the evening and receive an introduction on cruise events and onboard activities. Take some leisure time in the evening to unpack and relax.

Ship: 5★ Victoria Grace or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Yangtze River Cruise

Enjoy your first day on the Yangtze River as your ship winds its way through spectacular scenery. Enjoy a beautiful breakfast buffet on board before joining a shore excursion to the Project. One of the largest construction projects undertaken by man, it is the biggest hydro project in the world. You may also choose an optional visit the Tribe of the Three Gorges, the only large scenic spot that has not been influenced by the project, which showcases the abundant Ba Culture and Shu Culture. In the evening you will return to the ship and attend the Captain’s Welcome Banquet and enjoy an evening of dancing.

Ship: 5★ Victoria Grace or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13 Yangtze River Cruise

Today you will enjoy a shore excursion to the mesmerising Shennong Stream. The stream flows through thre beautiful gorges including the Mianzhu Gorge, Parrot Gorge and Longcangdong Gorge. Each gorge is renowned for its unique and stunning scenery. The Shennong Stream is also home to the Hanging Coffins, which are ancient coffins containing the remains of descendants of the Tujia people. In the afternoon, you will return to the ship in time for lunch and enjoy the crew’s magnificent performance in the evening

Ship: 5★ Victoria Grace or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14 Yangtze River Cruise

Today’s shore excursion will take you to the legendary Shibaozhai. This site has a history of over 400 years when it was built into the side of a 200-metre-tall cliff. The striking nine story red pagoda was built in 1819 to make it easier for people to reach the Buddhist temple at the very top of the hill. This evening you enjoy a Farewell Dinner with the rest of the travellers and crew and prepare for disembarkation tomorrow morning.

Ship: 5★ Victoria Grace or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15 Yangtze River Cruise Guilin

This morning we disembark from our cruise in the port city of Chongqing. We transfer from the port to the train station to board another bullet train, this time on our way to Guilin, a city in southern China known for its dramatic landscape of limestone karst hills. Upon arrival in Guilin we will head to our hotel where you ma spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Hotel: 4★ Grand Bravo Guilin or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 Guilin Yangshou Guilin

Today we will take a scenic coach ride through the countryside, past lush green fields and rice paddies to Yangshou, a place celebrated for its picturesque karsts limestone pinnacles and meandering Li River. An old Chinese saying describes the landscape as “the best scenery under heaven”. We arrive at a local village and embark on a memorable Li River cruise, sailing upriver as we pass water buffalo, fishing boats, and the famous humpback mountains so notable in photographs of China. You’ll see the exact same view if you hold up your 20 yuan bill. Later this afternoon we’ll enjoy a lovely tour through this beautiful rural countryside. We’ll stop in at a charming local farmer’s home, where many have lived for generations. In the evening we’ll enjoy the spectacular cultural show that is staged on the Li River with 600 performers who enter and exit on floating stages against a background of 12 humpback mountains. Be amazed as you note that the cultural show’s producer also orchestrated the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. After the show we travel back to the hotel in Guilin.

Hotel: 4★ Grand Bravo Guilin or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 17 Guilin Longji

We begin our day with a stunning drive through the dazzling countryside to the Longji rice terraces, built over 600 years ago. This spectacular sight is the stuff of storybooks. From the rice terraces we depart on an exciting windy ride up the mountain to our hotel, built into the mountainside. This lofty hotel offers incredible vistas overlooking the rice terraces below. Here we will be able to meet a few of the Zhuang minority before spending the night in our magical mountain retreat.

Please note: This only way to access the rice terraces is by foot. The walk is up hill and takes approximately 40 minutes. For customers no wanting to walk, the local villagers offer a transport service for a small fee. The money paid goes to helping the locals.

Hotel: (Boutique) Starwish Resort or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 18 Longji Guangzhou

This morning enjoy some free time marvelling at your surroundings before we descend from our mountain top resort and travel to Guangzhou. The sprawling port city of Guangzhou was once better known to Westerners as Canton and is China’s busiest transport and trade hub and the country’s third-largest city. Upon arrival in Guangzhou, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

Hotel: 4★ Holiday Inn Shifu or similar Meals: Breakfast

u Day 19 Guangzhou

Today is a full day of leisure. You may choose to relax, to explore Guangzhou at your own pace or to join our Guangzhou Insight Tour, witnessing this exciting city as the locals do.

Optional Tour - Guangzhou Insight Tour - This tour incorporates both driving and walking, and typically includes sightseeing as well as trying delicious local dim sum. You will discover the traditional Canton culture by visiting the famous sites including Chen Clan Academy, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Temple of the Six Banyan Trees.

Hotel: 4★ Holiday Inn Shifu or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 20 Guangzhou Australia

Unfortunately your spectacular tour through China ends today. Enjoy some brief free time this morning until your transfer to the airport to board flight home or to begin your onward journey. We hope that you have had a marvelous time and are bringing home unforgettable memories of your tour.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 21 Australia

Arrive home today

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” - Lao Tzu

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