China Panorama
22 day tour to Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Yangtze Cruise, Chongqing, Chengdu, Le Shan, Mt Emei, Guilin, Li River & Kunming
22 day tour to Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Yangtze Cruise, Chongqing, Chengdu, Le Shan, Mt E’Mei, Guilin, Li River & Kunming
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This tour starts in the bustling city of Beijing where we'll visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Another fantastic highlight of this tour is to visit the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which are considered to be one of the greatest archaeological finds of the last century. After visit the modern city of Shanghai, we then board our cruise ship to experience one of the world's greatest waterways - the Yangtze River. Then you will visit southwest part of China where are with unique sceneries and minorities’ cultures. From famous panda home city of Chengdu to beautiful landscape of Guilin and then the spectacular Stone Forest in Kunming…
Depart on your flight to Beijing. Your tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Today’s visit includes Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. From Tiananmen Square enter the Forbidden City. This massive complex was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With almost 10,000 rooms, this well-preserved imperial palace is the largest in the world. After lunch, you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would make offerings to heaven and pray for good harvests.
Today you experience the splendour of the Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is an amazing manmade structure built over 2000 years ago to protect China from northern invaders. In the afternoon visit Summer Palace, the largest and best preserved of all imperial palace gardens. Be amazed with fascination at the Marble Boat and the ornately painted Long Corridor.
Today is at leisure. You can explorer more of Beijing at your own pace.
This morning you are transferred to the train station and take high speed train to Xian. You will experience the high speed train which runs 300 km per hour and takes around 4.5 hours for this 1,216 kilometer long journey. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Xian is the most historic city in China and the capital of ancient China for 11 dynasties.
Today’s touring is to the vast treasure of the underground army of the Terracotta Warriors. They are to be found at an archaeological site which so far has yielded some 8000 ancient terracotta soldiers and horses, each a unique, finely detailed sculpture. This afternoon, you visit the ancient city wall which is one of the best persevered in China.
This morning, you are transferred to the train station and take high speed train to Shanghai. It takes around 6 hours for this 1,503 kilometer long journey. Shanghai, one of the largest city in China where east meets the west. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Shanghai.
After breakfast, the day begins with a grand city tour of Shanghai – the classical Ming Dynasty Yu Yuan Gardens with pavilions, towers and terraces and Pudong, the new economic district across from the Bund. The tour continues after lunch with a stroll along the spacious promenade of the Bund and some window shopping along bustling Nanjing Road; then followed by a visit to Xintiandi, where “yesterday meets tomorrow in Shanghai today.” As a re-creation born out of the sprawls of Shikumen housing, which is the architectural symbol of Shanghai in the 20th century, Shanghai Xintiandi, “the City’s Living-room” is a place to unwind and relax after a long day. You can enjoy your shopping at the local market.
Today you are transferred to the train station for your high speed train to Yichang (takes 6.30 hours, flight option available), where you board your deluxe river vessel the MV Century Diamond Cruise. (3 off-shore excursions to Shibao Pagoda, Shennv Stream, and Three Gorges Dam Site are included. Optional tours to Tribe of the Three Gorges, Hometown of Quyuan and White King Town are not included please book direct with the cruise when on board).
Depart from Yichang on your voyage upstream. Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam site, passing through Xiling Gorge, followed by tonight’s Captains welcome dinner. (Optional tour to Three Gorges Tribes)
Today you pass through Wu Gorge in the morning and take a shore excursion to Shennv Stream or Shennong Stream(included). This afternoon pass through the Qutang Gorge. (Optional tour to White Emperor Town or you can relax on board).
This morning’s shore excursion to Shibao Pagoda. This afternoon relax on board. Tonight is a farewell dinner on the cruise.
After disembarking in Chongqing this morning, you will have short city tour if time permits, then onto Chongqing Zoo to see the Pandas. After lunch, take high speed train to Chengdu (2 hours), the provincial capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China, as well as a major city in Western China. You will stay 2 nights in Chengdu.
This morning, you visit Chengdu Panda Research Base to see the Pandas. The Base was founded in 1987. Today the Panda captive population has increased to 62 individuals from a founding population of only 6. This afternoon visit Jinli Street, the oldest shopping street in the area; experience the relaxing local life by visiting a local teahouse, where you can see the people chatting, playing cards and Mah-jong. This evening enjoy local Changing Masks show.
In the morning drive to Leshan and take boat ride to appreciate the Giant Buddha, a sitting stone statue of Maitreya carved on a cliff at the confluence of Min River, Qingyi River and Dadu River. Measuring about 233-feet high, this Buddha with serious expression is the largest stone Buddha in the world whose carving work took about 90 years. Afterwards, you will travel to Mt. Emei and check in at hotel for 1 night.
Today will visit Mt. Emei, as one of the four most famous Buddhist Mountains in China; Mt. Emei boasts temples and gathers Buddhist culture. Situated at the foot of Mt. Emei, Baoguo Temple is the largest temple and known as the No.1 scenic spot on the mountain. It is a magnificent architecture complex with a succession of four temple halls, which are shaded with green pines and luxuriant cypresses. The exquisite pavilions and beautiful gardens can also be seen here. Wannian Temple is one of the oldest temples on Mt. Emei which houses rich Buddhist cultural relics. Return to Chengdu in the late afternoon.
This morning is at leisure. At noon you will take high speed train to Guilin (takes 6.30 hours, flight option available). Upon arrival meet and transferred to check in at hotel for 2 nights.
The highlight of Guilin is the Li River cruise, a 5-6 hour cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo passing through various strange and wonderful mountain formations. Upon arrival Yangshuo you will have time to roam the local market.
This morning, you tour the Reed Flute Cave, a wonderful limestone cave with a dazzling variety of stalactites and stalagmites and Fubo Hill. After Lunch, you will be transferred to the train station for your high speed train to Kunming (4.30 hour). Kunming is well known as the "City of Eternal Spring" due to its cool summers and mild winters.
This morning you visit Western Hill, followed by the Bird & Flower market to experience the vivid life of Kunming. After lunch, visit Stone Forest Scenic Area, which is called the "No.1 Wonder under Heaven". The area is a deeply eroded limestone Karst area, and is the highest karst terrain in the world. The unique natural sights and Sani folklore are characteristics of the Stone Forest Scenic Area. Dinner will be local specialty of Crossing-the-bridge Rice Noodles.
This morning is at leisure, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight bound for Australia.
Arrive in Australia in the morning.
# Land Only: $5250 Single supplement: $1680
Pre / Post Stay Hotel: $198 (Beijing) / $165 (Kunming) - per room per night with breakfast
Remarks
- This tour is a guaranteed departure based on a minimum of 4 people. Full package prices above include airport taxes and fuel surcharges.
- Land Only price: Tour starts from Arrival Transfer in Beijing and Departure Transfer in Kunming, including 2nd class high speed train Beijing - Xian - Shanghai - Yichang; Chongqing - Chengdu - Guilin - Kunming but excludes any International air tickets.
- Triple share on cruise not recommended duo to the cabin size, a single cabin on cruise with surcharge of $380 can be arranged.
- Train upgrade: 2nd class high speed train included; upgrade to 1st class with surcharge $420 pp subject to availability.
- Flight Option Shanghai - Yichang: Extra $280 per person including transfers in Shanghai and Yichang.
- Flight Option Chengdu - Guilin: Extra $260 per person including transfers in Chengdu and Guilin.
- China Visa: All travellers need visas to visit China. For single entry visa, one visa application form, one recent photo & visa application fee of $110 per person are required for Australian passport holders.
- Package prices of China Southern Airlines are for departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth.
Inclusions
- Return economy class airfares departing from Australia with selected airlines and all domestic flights (unless specified), including ticketed airport taxes & fuel surcharges as at October 2019 (CBT reserve the right to charge extra if airlines increase their fuel surcharge).
- Fully inclusive tour with all transfers between airports / piers / stations and hotels in each city; daily sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary; evening entertainment; professional English speaking local guides and cruise etc. Most meals - breakfasts are Western / local cuisine style buffet at hotel, while lunches and dinners are mostly local cuisines served at selected restaurants, please refer to meal code on itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner, BD=buffet dinner, SD=specialty dinner, WD=western dinner).
- Most of our hotels are 4 star international standard hotels with twin share superior class accommodation. All rooms have private facilities, telephone, colour TV and in-room internet facilities. Many hotels have a swimming pool.
- Professional English speaking National guide will accompany the group throughout the trip, in association with the local tour guides. This is subject to the minimum of 10 clients for each tour. Should the group be less than 10 people, the local guide will meet you at the airport / station upon your arrival and return you to the station / airport for your next destination.
- CBT Holidays travel wallet and travel kits.