www.jasmineholidays.co.uk FEB 2019 - MAR 2021 ENCOMPASSED 17 NIGHTS FROM £3,995

A comprehensive and varied China Journey including a luxury Three Gorges Cruise on the Yangtze River. CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 1:

Overnight flight from the UK to Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel in Beijing.

An interesting way to spend the evening is to take a stroll down Wangfujing Street, one of the most famous shopping streets in China where international brand outlets stand close to traditional exotic street food stalls.

Overnight: Beijing Meals: Breakfast included With iconic sights such as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven, it is no wonder that Beijing tops most people’s lists on a tour of China... CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 3: Beijing

Enjoy a full day privately guided tour of Beijing.

Visit Tiananmen Square and prepare to be overwhelmed by the sheer size of one of the world’s largest public squares. Pass several monuments, including Chairman Mao’s mausoleum on the way to the entrance the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City was completed in 1420, and was home to 24 emperors, the last of which left Beijing in 1924. Stroll through what is arguably the best- preserved example of classical in the world.

Enjoy an easy walk up Jingshan Hill, for a birds-eye view of the Forbidden City.

Finally, recapture the feeling of Beijing’s past from the wooden seat of a traditional rickshaw, and visit a local family’s courtyard home along the way during a tour of Beijing's traditional Hutong district.

Overnight: Beijing Meals: Breakfast included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 4: The Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world.

Explore the much quieter Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which was first begun in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557) and finished in the 17th century.

The 2.5-kilometer stretch of the Wall allows you to walk along its storied length for over an hour and visit twenty-two watchtowers, should you so choose.

Also enjoy a cable car ride to the top.

Once a complex that manufactured electronics, Factory Number 798 was divided, rented out, and converted into galleries, artist studios, design companies, restaurants and bars at the turn of the 20th century.

Pay a visit to this art district of Beijing where Maoist slogans still adorn the walls, to experience a different side of Beijing.

Overnight: Beijing Meals: Breakfast included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 5: Beijing - Pingyao

Enjoy the morning for some independent explorations of Beijing before transferring to the railway station for your afternoon fast train to Pingyao (about 4 hours) where you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Overnight: Pingyao Meals: Breakfast included

Day 6: Pingyao

Drive to The Chang Family Compound, a great example of the family compounds that existed in this part of China and which pay testament to the trading prowess and substantial wealth of these families.

After lunch, enjoy guided tour around the fascinating and well preserved walled town of Pingyao.

Imagine yourself in the noisy business atmosphere on Ming-Qing Street when Pingyao was the financial capital of China.

Overnight: Pingyao Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 7: Pingyao - Xian

Transfer to the Railway Station for your morning high speed rail journey to Xian (about 3 hours).

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Central Xian is fairly compact and we recommend a visit to the old Muslim Quarter in the centre of town, a fun area to explore on your own.

Enjoy a stroll around the busy streets, great for people watching, photography and for getting a taste of this great city at the start of the famous Silk Road.

Sample some of the many exotic dishes on offer in the various food stalls lining Huimin Street.

We have left this free for your own independent exploration, although if you prefer, a half day guided excursion can be included so just let us know your preference.

Overnight: Xian Meals: Breakfast included Explore the magnificent city walls of Xian.

Visit the city of Xian, see the famous Terracotta Warriors and explore this famous city at the start of the great Silk Road, famous for its colourful Old Quarter & grand ... CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 8: Xian

One of the world’s greatest archaeological finds, the Terracotta Warriors were discovered quite by chance in 1974 by a group of peasants digging a well outside of Xian.

These sculptures of soldiers, chariots and horses were funerary statues made to accompany China’s first emperor to the afterlife over 2100 years ago.

Legend has it that it took 100,000 men 38 years to create the soldiers, which all vary in rank, posture, height, uniform and facial features.

Spend the morning on a visit to the Terracotta Warriors and after lunch transfer back to Xian.

In the afternoon there will be the chance to explore Xian's City Walls which are easily done independently.

A great way to experience the City Walls is to rent bicycles and cycle the ramparts.

Overnight: Xian Meals: Breakfast included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 9: Yangtze Cruise

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Xian.

Transfer to the Airport for your afternoon flight to Chonqing where you will be met and transferred to board your Yangtze River Cruise on one of Victoria Cruises fleet of luxury modern river cruisers.

Victoria Cruises are an American owned company who have been operating on the Yangtze for several years and have a high reputation for quality and comfort.

Victoria Cruises 7 vessels has each been specifically designed to navigate the Yangtze.

All cabins are air con and en-suite and all have private balconies and a sitting area.

The cruise offers on board lectures and plenty of facilities including a gym & spa.

The cruise will depart at around 9 pm on your journey to Yichang along the Yangtze.

Overnight: On Board Meals: All Meals included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 10: Yangtze Cruise

Enjoy a Shore Excursion to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden .

An additional shore excursion is available to Fengdu, visiting the Ghost City, known for its statues of ghosts and devils.

Overnight: On Board Meals: All meals included Day 11: Yangtze Cruise

Enter the Three Gorges, one of China's most extraordinary sights.

Today pass through the first two gorges, Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge.

Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most dramatic.

The 25-mile long Wu Gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 11 cont: Yangtze Cruise

Transfer to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Goddess Stream.

Finally enter Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles), and the deepest of the Three Gorges.

In the evening, sail through the Three Gorges Dam ship locks and enjoy an additional Shore Excursion to White Emperor City (river conditions permitting), an ancient city overlooking the western end of Qutang Gorge.

Overnight: On Board Meals: All meals included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 12: Yangtze River -

Disembark this morning and take a specially-designed sightseeing boat through the recently-completed unique ship lock with a ship lift, the world’s largest.

The lock will be transited in about 40 minutes to an hour.

From here visit the Three Gorges Dam, which spans the Yangtze River at Sandouping; it is the world’s largest power station.

After the tour in the late morning, transfer to Yichang where you will be able to have lunch on your own.

You will be collected mid afternoon for your late afternoon flight to Hangzhou where you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Overnight: Hangzhou Meals: Breakfast included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 13: Hangzhou

In the morning visit Lingyin Temple, founded in 328 AD and one of the largest Buddhist temples in China.

Between the 10th and 14th centuries, monks carved over three hundred Buddha statues into the peak of the mountain in front of the temple.

Wind your way through the rocky crags and caves to explore the hundreds of stone statues dating back to the 10th through 14th centuries.

At the southwestern end of the lies the Dragon Well Village. See tea leaves at various stages of being processed; cut, sorted and dried, before being packaged to be shipped and sold as one of China’s finest green teas.

Enjoy lunch before taking a cruise on beautiful West Lake, passing numerous temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, islands, and ornamental trees on this lake which has inspired artists and landscape designers over the centuries.

Overnight: Hangzhou Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 14: Hangzhou -

Transfer from Hangzhou to Shanghai by high speed rail (about 1 hour).

On arrival in Shanghai you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

In the afternoon experience something unique and quite a change from the normal tourist sights.

In the 1950's the Chinese government set up new communal villages of which Caoyang is the most well-known in Shanghai. The concept was to provide 'model homes for model workers'.

Spend the afternoon discovering the life of ordinary residents here.

During the visit, you'll head to local residences, wet markets and retirement communities to meet the people of this vibrant community which should provide a different perspective on modern China.

Overnight: Shanghai Meals: Breakfast included Shanghai is China's most dynamic and commercial city with some of the world's tallest buildings.

Shanghai is China’s economic power house – where China is most blatantly heading full tilt into the new millennium. Monumental new skyscrapers, glittering department stores, buzzing nightlife – it’s all happening in Shanghai, making it China’s most exciting city by far... CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 15: Shanghai

Enjoy a full day tour of Shanghai, visiting some of the most important landmarks and locations in Shanghai, including the , the Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai Old Street, the French Concession and Xintiandi.

The Jade Buddha Temple is an active temple, with 70 resident monks, and the centerpiece is a sitting Buddha carved out of white jade and encrusted with jewels, measuring over two meters tall and rumored to weigh over 1000 kilograms.

From the Jade Buddha, head over to the Yu Yuan Gardens, a classic creation of the Ming Dynasty. Nearby is Shanghai Old Street which had its origins in the .

After a Shanghainese lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Bund, Shanghai's waterfront, known for its grand display of colonial-era architecture and the wonderful views of both sides of the Huangpu River. CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 15 cont: Shanghai

Visit Xintiandi, a stylish nightlife district with many boutiques, pubs, and restaurants and on to Shanghai's Art District.

Xintiandi is a good place to return to for dinner this evening and your guide might want to suggest good options for eating out.

Finally visit the Shikumen Open House Museum, a well-preserved Shikumen house from the 1920's that displays furniture and articles for daily use during that time.

Overnight: Shanghai Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 16: Shanghai -

Today enjoy a full day in Suzhou. You will be collected from your hotel by your driver and guide for a private excursion to Suzhou, one of China's famous water towns.

Visit the Garden of the Master of the Nets, the smallest of the Suzhou residential gardens, yet the most impressive because of its use of space and the feeling of tranquility and harmony that it instills on visitors.

After lunch visit the Suzhou Institute of Embroidery and see some of the most valuable pieces of embroidery ever made, including several priceless court gowns.

Finally visit the superb Suzhou Museum, itself an architectural masterpiece, containing over 15,000 ancient pieces in its collection, including paintings, ceramics & calligraphy.

Overnight: Shanghai Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 17: Guilin

Transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Guilin where you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

This evening, transfer to the Li River and board a small vessel (30-60 seats) for a slow and gentle ride. Fishermen standing on bamboo rafts with cormorant birds will be fishing the waters, and you will be able to watch closely and take amazing photos.

Overnight: Guilin Meals: Breakfast included Day 18: Li River Cruise

Enjoy a cruise on the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo where every bend in the river brings a new and even more beautiful sight into view.

There will be an opportunity to disembark at a small village, where you will have the chance to visit a local family’s home.

After lunch on board, disembark and enjoy a walk through West Street in Yangshuo before transferring back to Guilin.

Overnight: Guilin Meals: Breakfast included CHINA ENCOMPASSED

Day 19: Guilin - UK

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Day 20: UK

Arrive back in the UK.

A Journey Into China Travelling to China

This comprehensive China Tour covers Fly to Chonqing and board your luxury Beijing, Pingyao, Xian, the Yangtze, Yangtze River Cruise for a 4 day river Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou and Guilin cruise including the stunning Three Gorges. and covers the great cities, plenty of history, the mighty Yangtze River and the Fly to Hangzhou and discover iconic and iconic landscapes of Guilin. beautiful West Lake, tea production and an ancient . Begin your Classic China Journey in Beijing with Tiananmen Square, the Explore Shanghai, including a unique visit Forbidden City, a cyclo tour of the Hutong to the most famous planned village from District and a spectacular visit to a quieter the 1950's. Also visit Suzhou, one of China's section of the Great Wall. famous old water towns, with its willow-lined canals and superb gardens Step back in time in Pingyao, one of and museum. China's best preserved historic towns, before travelling on to Xian, at the start of Your China Encompassed journey the Silk Road. See the Terracotta Warriors culminates in Guilin with a scenic cruise and explore the magnificent City Walls down the Li River to Yansghuo - China at and the Old Muslim Quarter. its scenically most inspiring. Accommodation in China ranges from Beijing in particular has a good selection uber-luxurious to far more simple local of traditional courtyard style hotels style hotels. Although China is dominated which can be a great way to experience by larger hotels catering to big groups, we something of the ambience of old-style try to suggest more boutique style hotels China. Rooms are usually set around a in most of our itineraries but the choice small courtyard, with 4 poster beds and of accommodation for your trip can be traditional Chinese furnishings. totally guided by you.

The Duge Boutique Hotel in Beijing adds a bit of luxury and modernity to the traditional Courtyard Hotel style in Beijing. China is the fourth largest country in the China also has an increasingly world and covers an enormous area. comprehensive high-quality high-speed China's aviation industry has grown rail network making rail travel an enormously over the last 2 decades and attractive option, particularly between flying is an excellent way of travelling Shanghai, Beijing and Xian. The fastest around China. The advent of Low Cost train in the world is the Maglev service airlines and fares has made flying even from Shanghai Airport into the city, better value in recent years. travelling at 460 km-h.

Tokyo can be a little bit daunting on arrival but with a little bit of guidance and planning, it's a wonderful city to explore. Spring and Autumn can be excellent A visa is required for all UK passport times of year to visit China with holders travelling to China. These can be temperatures more reasonable in Beijing, obtained easily and in a few days from Shanghai and Xian. Winters can be very the Chinese Visa Service Centre in cold in Beijing, and Xian and London via post or in person - we can July and August can be hot, humid and assist by providing details. rainy in Shanghai. The Yangtze is especially hot in July & August. Beijing is considered as perhaps the When visiting the Great Wall it's highlight of a journey to China. important to consider which part of the wall to visit. Mutianyu is the grandest We suggest consider staying in one of and most well-restored section (normally Beijing's traditional courtyard style our preferred option). Jinshanling is ideal hotels, at least for one night in order to for hikers whilst Badaling is great if you experience something of the old-style of prefer the scrum of 1000's of local Beijing. visitors.

A visit to The Great Wall is one of the highlights of a trip to China but is best done to one of the quieter sections. EXTEND YOUR TRIP

SEE GIANT PANDAS Chengdu is probably most well-known for the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Centre which offers an amazing chance to see these endangered animals up ADD ON close and learn about efforts to keep the species alive.

CHENGDU Chengdu is also famous for its tea-houses, always alive with the sound of Mahjong table. ‘Mala’ is the flavour of Chengdu – meaning ‘tingly-hot’ – reflecting the pepper and chili, which form the base of cuisine.

2 nights from Discover the best of Chengdu including a visit to the Giant Panda Breeding £ 3 4 5 p p Centre on this 2 day Classic China extension.

NOMADIC | 2 4 EXTEND YOUR TRIP

DISCOVER THE FRAGRANT Hong Kong is one of Asia's most exciting H A R B O U R and vibrant cities with bustling street markets, towering skyscrapers and shopping and restaurants galore.

ADD ON Built around one of the world's great harbours (Hong Kong means 'fragrant harbour'), Hong Kong is compact enough to allow visitors to get around quickly, HONG KONG from the shopping malls of Hong Kong Island to the soaring heights of Victoria Peak or the markets of Kowloon.

Surprisingly Hong Kong offers plenty of 3 nights from opportunity to get active, including hiking on some of the outer islands. £ 2 5 0 p p Hong Kong is very easily added on to this China Encompassed journey. NOMADIC | 2 4 DATES & PRICES

Travel Dates Guide Price Call us Today

0333 7000 747 Nov - Feb: from £3,995 pp 9 until 6 Mon-Sat Mar - Jun, Sep - Oct: from £4,155 pp Jul - Aug: from £4,295 pp

Please contact us for confirmed prices as prices are all subject to change, dates and availability. Remember that all of our China Holidays can be tailored to suit your interests and dates. JASMINE HOLIDAYS Jasmine Holidays Limited, is a fully ATOL bonded UK Tour Operator, operating since 2007.

We are based in Petersfield in Hampshire and have a small team of dedicated holiday experts.

Call us today and speak to a China Expert.

Call: 0333 7000 747 Email: [email protected]

18 College Street, Petersfield, GU31 4AD www.jasmineholidays.co.uk