Grand China Odyssey

A vast nation, rich in sights and history, China offers a range of contrasting attractions.

Our grand tour offers a chance to experience the country’s highlights - the famous imperial attractions of Beijing and Xi’an; Sichuan province, home of the giant panda; a cruise along the mighty Yangtze River; the lakeside city of Hangzhou; and vibrant, modern Shanghai.

Tour overview
•   Tour Beijing's imperial attractions
•   Visit the Great Wall of China
•   See giant pandas in Chengdu
•   Stop at historic village Huanglongxi
•   Tour Chongqing old town
•   Cruise the Yangtze River and see the Three Gorges
•   Tour the city of Hangzhou
•   Explore Shanghai

Meal plan
•   Prices include breakfast from Day 3 to Day 10, lunch on Days 3, 4, 7, 10, and 12 to 17 and dinner on Days 9, 11, 12 and 13.

Taxes
•   Prices include pre-paid government taxes
•   Prices do not include departure taxes payable locally

Accommodation
•   3 star accommodation is used throughout
•   We've chosen comfortable, great value properties, allowing us to include the real highlights

Gratuities
•   Tips are often the main source of income for those working in the travel industry. Tipping for drivers, guides and porterage is at your discretion

Travel tips
•  Vegetarian diets cannot be adequately provided throughout China.
•  China celebrates The National Week Holiday, beginning on National Day (Oct01). Domestic travel increases dramatically and transport availability is limited. Many

markets, shops and restaurants close, although hotels remain open.

NB: Prices do not include China visa and travel insurance

DAY 1 - LONDON TO BEIJING
Overnight flight from London to Beijing. Upon arrival in China’s capital you'll be met and transferred to Novotel Beijing Xin Qiao for 4 nights.

DAY 3 - BEIJING
Enjoy a half day tour discovering the imperial attractions of Beijing, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

DAY 4 - GREAT WALL
Full day tour to the magnificent Great Wall of China at Badaling. Also visit the Spirit Way and Chang Ling Ming Tombs.

DAY 5 - OLYMPIC VILLAGE
The 2008 Olympic Games gave China the chance to showcase itself to the world. This morning explore Olympic Beijing on our guided cycle tour, visiting some of the striking stadia including the Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube (entrance fee not included).

DAY 6 - BEIJING TO XI'AN
Continue by air to Xi’an, home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and one of China's oldest cities, for 2 nights at Mercure Xi'an.

DAY 7 - XI'AN & THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS
Full day tour visiting the Terracotta Warriors, Grand Mosque and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

DAY 8 - XI'AN TO CHENGDU
Fly south to Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan province, for 3 nights at Minshan Hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 9 - CHENGDU & PANDAS
Sichuan’s bamboo-clad mountains are the natural habitat of the endangered giant panda, and one of the undoubted highlights of a visit to China is seeing these magnificent creatures.

Visit Chengdu’s Giant Panda Base, where you can watch the animals as they eat, play and interact. There'll also be a short tour of the city and an opportunity to sample the region’s fiery cuisine.

DAY 10 - HUANGLONGXI
Enjoy a taste of traditional China, visiting the historic village and heritage centre of Huanglongxi. In a charming riverside setting, the village's cobbled streets are lined with traditional wooden shophouses and temples.

DAY 11 - CHENGDU TO CHONGQING
Continue by rail from Chengdu to the port of Chongqing on the Yangtze River, and enjoy a tour of the old town before boarding our vessel President 3 or Victoria Star for a 3-night cruise.

DAY 12 - YANGTZE CRUISE
The mighty Yangtze is the longest river in China, with beautiful and dramatic scenery. Our cruise passes through its most scenic part from Chongqing to Yichang, taking in the magnificent Three Gorges.

Shore excursions are included to the ghost city of Fengdu (or a relocation village) and the Three Gorges Dam project.

DAY 14 - HANGZHOU
Upon arrival in Yichang, transfer to Wuhan for a short flight to the city of Hangzhou, a beautiful city located in the Yangtze River delta.

Spend 2 nights here at Ramada Plaza Hangzhou, including a tour of the city - visiting Lingyin Temple, a local tea farm and Flowery Harbour, and taking a short cruise on the beautiful West Lake.

DAY 16 - HANGZHOU TO SHANGHAI
Continue to Shanghai via the ancient water town of Xitang. Water towns are synonymous with this part of eastern China, where houses and gardens were built along canals rather than roads.

There will be time to explore before travelling onward to Shanghai for 2 nights at Jiulong Hotel.

DAY 17 - SHANGHAI
Half day introductory tour, including vists to Yu garden, the old town, Nanjing Road and the famous waterfront bund.

DAY 18 - SHANGHAI TO LONDON
Transfer to the airport for your return flight or choose from our optional extensions.

YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS:

HONG KONG
Add a 3 night stopover in the vibrant city of Hong Kong

SANYA
Extend your holiday with time on the beach on Hainan Island