18 Day Gems & Cruise

Including Return Airfares

Xi'an Suzhou Shanghai Yangtze River

www.inspiringvacations.com.au From $1,999 pp twin share

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Departure Dates 2018 117 September 8 October 15 October 22 October 29 October 5 November 12 November 19 November

2019 18 March 25 March 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April Day 1 6 May 13 May Australia Xi'an 20 May 27 May Board your international flight to China and get ready 3 June 22 July * to be inspired by China and its ancient past. On arrival 29 July in the 3,000 year old city of Xi’an, you’ll be met and 12 August transferred to your hotel. 19 August 26 August 2 September * Hotel: 4 ★ Xi'an Grand Noble Hotel or Similar 9 September * 16 September 7 October Day 2 14 October Xi'an 21 October 28 October 11 November Today enjoy your first day of sightseeing in China. Your 18 November guide will begin by taking you to Wild Goose Pagoda. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Pagoda was used by * $200 Surcharge scholars to translate buddhist scriptures into Chinese. After, we make our way to the City Wall. An ancient fortification that surrounds inner Xi’an, it is the best preserved city wall in China and one of the finest examples worldwide. Day 2 (cont.) Optional Tour: Tang Dynasty Show - The show is a living testament to the old art forms that existed in Xi’an around 600AD. A dumpling banquet is included along with the performance.

Hotel: 4 ★ Xi'an Grand Noble Hotel or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Xi'an

Being the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Terracotta Army is no doubt a must-see for every visitor to Xian. Considered the eighth wonder of the world and discovered by accident in 1974, we’ll drive to the excavation site to explore the army of over 7,000 soldiers individually created by one of China’s emperors to guard him in the afterlife. After lunch, wander Moslem Street, a laneway with a smorgasbord of food made by skilled street vendors in front of your eyes. Dare to test your taste buds with a variety of local snacks.

Hotel: 4 ★ Xi'an Grand Noble Hotel or Similar Meals: Breakfast

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." Lao Tzu Day 4 Day 5 Xi'an Beijing Beijing

This morning your guide will transfer you Today is a full day at leisure to get to to the train station to board the ultra- know Beijing at your own pace. modern bullet train to Beijing. With history stretching back almost 3 Optional Tour: - The millennia, the nation's ancient and largest royal park in China that looks modern capital holds China’s most over the stunning and, for treasured history and some of the hundreds of years, the summer world's biggest tourist attractions. Your residence of Chinese royalty and their guide will meet you at the station and families. Today it is a UNESCO world transfer you to your hotel. The remainder heritage site and, being the largest and of the day is at leisure. most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture Hotel: 4 ★ Beijing Holiday Inn Temple of and landscape with its famous natural Heaven or Similar views and cultural interests, which also Meals: Breakfast has long been recognised as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'.

Hotel: 4 ★ Beijing Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven or Similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Beijing

Today, your guide will take you to one of the nation's most beloved treasures, the . Surrounded by a 52- metre-wide moat and a 10-metre-high wall of more than 8,700 rooms. The Palace for the emperor on earth was called the Purple City. It was forbidden to enter without special permission of the emperor. Hence its name, 'The Forbidden City'. Until 1924 when the last emperor of China was driven from the Inner Court, fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here. Having been the imperial palace for some five centuries, Forbidden City houses numerous rare treasures and curiosities. Day 6 (cont.) Optional Tour: Hutong Tour - In the modern city of Beijing lies a place where you can still see the authentic old Beijing. The place is known as Shichahai Area where most local residents still live in traditional courtyard-styled houses dotted along old hutongs. Your Beijing trip is not complete without visiting Shichahai Area. You will go around those existing hutongs by rickshaw and enjoy a meal with a local family

Hotel: 4 ★ Beijing Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven or Similar Meals: Breakfast

"Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still." Chinese Proverb Day 7 Beijing

Travel inland to the rugged hills outside of Beijing. Here, we’ll walk one of the greatest structures ever built by man, the Great Wall of China. Marvel at the construction as we walk between the ramparts and learn about the history of this defensive structure. As we return to Beijing, we stop to learn about the precious stone Jade and how it is crafted into ornate jewellery. On arrival in Beijing, we stop at the Olympic area where the architectural icons, the Bird Cage and Water Cube were constructed for the Olympic games. After your day of exploring, enjoy a complimentary oriental foot massage while learning about traditional Chinese medicine.

Hotel: 4 ★ Beijing Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

Day 8 Beijing Hangzhou

Enjoy the morning at leisure or to explore Beijing one last time. This afternoon, you will be transferred to the station to board the bullet train to the southern city of Hangzhou. Hangzhou is one of China's seven ancient capitals and endowed with natural scenery and a rich cultural heritage. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Optional Tour: Temple of Heaven - tour the Temple of Heaven and practice the martial art of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an internal martial art system which places emphasis on the development and control of Chi energy (consciousness) within the body. The Temple of Heaven is a sprawling complex of religious buildings located in the south- eastern section of central Beijing. The site was constructed by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties who would host annual ceremonies of prayer for good harvest here.

Hotel: 5 ★ Hangzhou International Expo Center North Star Hotel or Similar Meals: Breakfast Day 9 Hangzhou

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of beautiful Hangzhou. Long a major hub for trade and political influence over the course of China’s history, Hangzhou is considered one of the country's richest cultural centres. The city has abundant temples, pagodas and pavillions dotted around the central . Later today we visit a local tea plantation and learn about the harvesting and processing of one of the nation's favourite beverages.

Optional Tour: Romance of the Song Dynasty show - Boasting brilliantly colorful costumes, blinding laser lights, excellent stage props, and magnificent dancers and actors.

Hotel: 5 ★ Hangzhou International Expo Center North Star Hotel or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 Hangzhou Suzhou

Today you will be transferred to Suzhou, considered by many as the “Venice of the East” due to its magnificent canals and waterways. On arrival, enjoy time at the Master of the Nets Garden. A typical Suzhou residential garden that is recognised as a UNECO World Heritage Site, is a stunning example of the exquisite gardens during the Song Dynasty. Explore the garden and admire the effortless cohesion of art, nature and architecture that has attracted thousands of visitors since 1140CE.

Optional Tour: Grand Canal - After lunch, you will have the option to take a boat trip along the longest canal in the world - Suzhou’s Grand Canal. Some sections date as far back as the 5th century BC and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site - there are many beautiful homes to admire along this impressive waterway.

Hotel: 4 ★ Suzhou Holiday Inn Huirong Plaza or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 11 Suzhou Shanghai

This morning we begin our journey to Shanghai, however not before we learn about the art of Silk Weaving. Witness the ancient process of tiny silkworms and their silk cocoons, all the way to silk weaving. After, we continue the drive to Shanghai, China’s beating economical heart. On arrival in the “Pearl of the Orient” we enjoy a walking tour of Nanjing District and discover the history and culture of Shanghai. We then continue to The Bund, famous for its Paris like colonial architecture before visiting the banks of the Huangpu River.

Optional Tour: Huangpu River cruise - Enjoy an evening on the river allowing you to take in the famous sites of Shanghai including; the People’s Hero Monument, the Bund, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the dramatic skyline of the Pu Dong business district.

Hotel: 4 ★ Shanghai Baoshan Delta Hotel by Marriott or Similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Shanghai

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Shanghai at your own pace.

Optional Tour: Ancient Water Town - Journey to an ancient water town on the outskirts of Shanghai. It is well endowed with waterways, 36 ancient bridges, and traditional Chinese- style residences.

Hotel: 4 ★ Shanghai Baoshan Delta Hotel by Marriott or Similar Meals: Breakfast Day 14 Day 13 Yangtze River Shangh Yichang Yangtze River

Enjoy your first day on the Yangtze River as Today we reboard China’s bullet train your ship winds its way through network and travel inland to Yichang, the spectacular scenery. Enjoy breakfast on gateway to the Yangtze River. On arrival, board before opting to participate in a you will be transferred to the port to board shore excursion to the Three Gorges your Yangtze River cruise ship, your home Project. One of the largest construction for the next four nights. The Yangtze River projects undertaken by man, it is the is the largest river in Asia and the third biggest hydro project in the world. You largest in the world. The river begins in the may also choose to visit the Tribe of the remote mountainous regions and winds its Three Gorges, the only large scenic spot way through stunning gorges to bring life that has not been influenced by the Three to millions of people. Gorges Dam project, which showcases the abundant Ba Culture and Shu Culture. In Hotel: 4 ★ President 6 or similar the evening, you will return to the ship and Meals: Breakfast, Dinner attend the Captain’s Welcome Banquet “Everything I was I carry with me, and enjoy an evening of dancing. everything I will be lies waiting on the Hotel: 4 ★ President 6 or similar road ahead.” Ma Jian Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 Yangtze River

Choose to relax on board or enjoy an optional shore excursion to the mesmerising Shennong Stream. Here the Yangtze flows through 3 beautiful gorges, each renowned for its 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. Another optional shore excursion is to visit the White Emperor City. It’s an ancient temple that is located atop Baidi Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in Fengjie County. Return to the ship in time for lunch.

Hotel: 4 ★ President 6 or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 16 Yangtze River

Today’s optional shore excursion is to the legendary Shibaozhai. Built into the cliff, the sight has over 400 years of history and at 200m high, the striking 9 storey red pagoda allows people to reach the buddhist temple perched on top of the hill. Alternatively you may partake in an optional visit to Fengdu Ghost City, also known as the ‘City of the Ghosts’. Artwork here depicts the Chinese people’s imagination of hell. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner while on-board your ship.

Hotel: 4 ★ President 6 or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17 Yangtze River Chongqing Australia

After breakfast, you will disembark and be transferred to Chongqing to begin your journey home.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 18 Australia

Take this opportunity to recollect the great gems that you’ve discovered during your travels. We say farewell until your next inspiring vacation!

"He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left." Chinese Proverb

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