China Encompassed

26 Days China

TRI-CE

Beijing - Great Wall - Xian - Nanjing - Shanghai - Wuzhen - Hangzhou - Guilin - Longsheng - Li River - Yangshuo - Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Zhongdian

This exciting journey combines some of China’s most famous sights with forays into more remote and beautiful regions – from the contrasting cities of Beijing and Shanghai and the awesome Great Wall to the ancient history of Xian’s Terracotta Warriors, Longsheng’s impressive rice terraces and more. Experience China’s immense history, culture and geographic diversity on a truly memorable journey.

Suitable for travellers with an average to above average level of fitness and mobility. This tour involves a cycling trip, one overnight train and one day train with flights between major centres. Some long distance road travel into remote areas and high altitude regions (Yunnan).

Available dates:
Mar 19 - Apr 13, 2006 Apr 9 - May 4, 2006 May 7 - Jun 1, 2006 Jun 4 - Jun 29, 2006 Jul 2 - Jul 27, 2006 Jul 30 - Aug 24, 2006 Sep 3 - Sep 28, 2006 Oct 15 - Nov 9, 2006 Nov 5 - Nov 30, 2006

Costs

From $3885.00 USD / $4999.00 CAD
No Single Supplement

$200 USDLocal Payment

Itinerary

Download Detailed Trip Dossier (DOC - 748KB)

Days 1 - 5 - Beijing. , Start your journey to China with its most formidable city, Beijing, the historical and cultural heart of the Middle Kingdom. On arrival in Beijing, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to meet your group and tour leader for a welcome drink and tour briefing. We then commence our exploration of Beijing with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square. We also take time to explore the classic lanes and hutongs in the backstreets of the city. Travel to the amazing Great Wall of China, visit the dramatic Temple of Heaven, learn about Tibetan Buddhism at the Lama Temple, walk the streets of Dazhalan, Liulichang and parts of Beijing's Underground City, and wander through the vast grounds of the Summer Palace. There will be time for shopping, night market visits and opportunities to enjoy some of Beijing’s most famous dishes before experiencing a comfortable overnight train trip to Xian.

Days 6 - 9: Xian & Nanjing. In Xian we explore the ancient, fortified city walls, Wild Goose Pagoda, the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter. We see Xian’s greatest treasure, and one of China’s most awesome, the Terracotta Warriors, buried for over 2000 years and uncovered in the 1970s. We also have time in Xian to visit the Drum Tower and take a stroll along calligraphy lane before flying to Nanjing. This city has a long and rich history dating back to the early years of the Ming dynasty and covering significant periods of prosperity, obscurity and atrocity. On arrival from Xian, we tour the impressive Ming City Wall, and learn more about the 300,000 lives lost during Japanese occupation in 1937-38 at the confronting Nanjing Massacre Memorial. We’ll also see the mausoleum and museum of Dr Sun Yat Sen, as well as the tomb of Emperor Hong Wu.

Days 10 - 14: Shanghai, Wuzhen & Hangzhou. We journey on to Shanghai, Asia’s most amazing modern city – with its soaring skyline dwarfing the grand colonial structures of old. Shanghai’s energy and momentum is unmatched anywhere. We explore the Bund, the Shanghai Museum – China’s finest – the bustling Chinese Quarter, Yu Yuan Garden and Bazaar. Using Shanghai as a base we head out to explore the beautiful water town of Wuzhen, and the garden city of Hangzhou. These towns provide a distinct contrast to the pace of Shanghai as we experience a great mix of history, cruising, cobbled streets, temples, beautiful gardens and peaceful lakes.

Days 15 - 18: Guilin, Longsheng, Li River & Yangshuo. Leaving contemporary China behind, we fly to Guangxi Province, an area that has inspired artists and poets for centuries with its unique natural beauty. Here we discover the extraordinary Reed Flute Caves and take a day trip out to Longsheng to admire the spectacular Dragon’s Backbone rice terraces.
From Guilin we board our boat for a leisurely cruise along the Li River, renowned for its stunning limestone mountain scenery. We finish at the charming town of Yangshuo where you can take time to walk the narrow cobblestone streets and absorb the enchanting atmosphere.

Days 19 - 20: Kunming & Dali. Journey on to the diverse and captivating province of Yunnan via the capital city, Kunming. Early the next morning we fly to Dali, an ancient town set amongst spectacular mountains near the shores of Erhai Lake. We visit a local village and market, stroll the streets of the old town, see the impressive Three Pagodas, cruise Erhai Lake, and take a chairlift up the mountainside for panoramic views of the town and lake.

Days 21 - 22: Lijiang. We drive to Lijiang and take time to explore the enchanting town and its rich Naxi minority culture. Outside of Lijiang, we stroll through a traditional Yunnan village and see the Yufeng Monastery. We visit the former home of Joseph Rock, famous botanist and expert on Naxi culture. We then head to the scenic Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum of Naxi Culture.

Days 23 - 24: Tiger Leaping Gorge & Zhongdian. From Lijiang, we travel north by road into the mountains stopping at the first bend of the Yangtze river and the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge where the mighty Yangtze has carved one of the world’s deepest chasms. We continue on to Zhongdian, a town set high in the mountains on the remote Tibetan border and home to numerous ethnic minority people including a large Tibetan community. We spend some time exploring this fascinating town, its 300 year old Songzanlin Monastery, and a local Tibetan village.

Days 25 - 26: Kunming. From Zhongdian, it’s back to Kunming where you have time to explore the bustling Flower and Bird Market, and Green Lake before joining your fellow travellers at a dinner to reflect on your experiences over the last three and half weeks and to celebrate the end of an incredible trip. On Day 26 your journey concludes with your airport transfer.