China Multi Centre holiday - Hong Kong, Shanghai, Yangtze Cruise & Beijing

Day 1 UK

• Depart London Heathrow on British Airways for overnight flight to Hong Kong
   

Day 2 Hong Kong

• On arrival private car transfer to hotel
• Stay at the Langham hotel for three nights in a Grand room on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 3-4 Hong Kong

• Full day private tour of Hong Kong Island including lunch
• The tour starts with the drive to Hong Kong Island past the world renown Victoria Harbour and then through the busy streets of Wanchai. It continues with a tram ride to Victoria Peak for a breath-taking 360-degree view of the bustling harbor, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The next stop is Aberdeen village to see the many fishing junks, floating restaurants and the multi million dollar yachts moored in the marina. The tour continues passing by the scenic resort areas of Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay and finishes with a visit to HK's largest jewellery factory where artists are at work to create some of the best prize winning designs using semi precious stones.

Day 5 Hong Kong - Shanghai

• Departure private car transfer to Hong Kong Airport
• Flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai on Shanghai Airlines
• On arrival private car transfer to hotel
• Stay at the Four Seasons hotel for three nights in a superior room on a bed and breakfast basis
   

Day 6 Shanghai

• Full day private Shanghai City Tour including lunch
• Begin with a visit to the Bund, well reputed as a permanent worldwide architecture exhibition. Then transfer to the Yuyuan Garden, a classic creation of the Ming Dynasty, and Shanghai Old Street, that originated in the Qing Dynasty. This is then followed by a visit to the Shanghai Museum of Ancient Chinese Art. After lunch, drive along the former French Concession and visit Shanghai Arts and Crafts Store. The tour continues with a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple with its priceless jade statues from Burma. The last stop will be Xin Tian Di, a stylish nightlife district with many boutiques, pubs, and restaurants.
   

Day 7 Shanghai

• Full day private tour to Suzhou, Zhou Zhuang & the Water Village including lunch.
• Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze river delta, often referred as "The Venice of the East", with its interconnected waterways and beautiful environment. Visit the Master of Nets Garden, Panmen Ancient City Wall, Grand Canal and the Silk Factory. Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China, is situated 30 kilometers southeast of Suzhou. It is reputed for its profound cultural background and glorious past of rich merchants that traded along the waters, the well preserved ancient residential houses with classic courtyards and carved-brick archways, the elegant watery views and the strong local coloured traditions and customs. Visit the picturesque town on foot and take a boat ride.

Day 8 Shanghai - Yichang

• Departure private car transfer to Shanghai Airport
• Flight from Shanghai to Yichang on Shanghai Airlines
• On arrival private car transfer to cruise ship port
• Four nights aboard the MS Yangtze Explorer in a deluxe cabin.
   

Day 9 Yichang - Three Gorges

• The ship will pass through the ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam Project and continue westward to Chongqing.  The average passage time for a ship through this lock system takes approximately 3-4 hours. After lunch, you will be transferred overland to the site of the Three Gorges Dam Project, currently the largest dam construction project on earth. Your visit to the dam will include a stop at the highest point above the project for some panoramic views of the site. Continue on to the scale model where a comprehensive description of each phase of construction is given. Finally a stop will be made near the ship locks for a look at how this phase of the project is proceeding. Following your visit to the Dam Site you will return to the pier and re-board your ship. The vessel will then set sail on her upstream course through the Three Gorges region. The ship will pass through the western part of the Xiling Gorge. The longest of the Gorges, the Xiling is 76 kilometres (47 miles) in length. One of the most memorable passages in the Xiling Gorge is through the Yellow Ox Gorge (Huangniu Xia) where the river widens and sweeps under the Huangling Temple. The temple stands amid groves of orange and pomelo trees (a variety of citrus related to the grapefruit)

Day 10 The Three Gorges - Qutang Gorge

• This morning, the ship will reach Badong, a bustling river port which lies at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Shennong Xi, an important tributary river. You will disembark from the ship (at Badong) and will board local longboats poled by Tujia boatmen, the traditional mariners of the great junks, which once plied the waters of the Yangzi above the Xiling Gorge. The scenery is unrivaled anywhere along the middle course of the River - crystalline waters, rich forest and towering rock formations - the original landscape little altered for thousands of years. The Shennong region is home to several species of endangered flora and fauna including the elusive Golden Hair Monkey and many varieties of medicinal plants. Your longboat will travel for approximately two hours before beaching on a bend in the river and allowing you some time to explore the shore before returning to its confluence with the Yangzi. After arriving back at Badong, you will disembark from your long boat and return to the ship. You will spend the balance of the day sailing through the last two gorges, the Wu Gorge and the Qutang Gorge

Day 11 Qutang Gorge - Wanzhou

• Disembark this morning, for a shore excursion to Wanzhou. Located 360 kilometers downstream from Chongqing, spreading out over both banks of the river, this mountain city is known as the gateway to the East Sichuan Basin. The city received its name during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and became a Foreign Treaty Port in 1902. A visit to the village is a shore excursion that will provide a unique glimpse into one of China's remote communities. Gain insight, mingle with the locals and see how school children receive their early education. Gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the Three Gorges Dam Project on the local farm families - the relocation process, their feelings upon being informed of the program, compensation issues and their current livelihood.
   

Day 12 Wanzhou - Chongqing - Beijing

• This morning, the Yangzi Explorer will reach Chongqing where, after breakfast, you will disembark
• Departure private car transfer to Chongqing Airport
  Flight from Chongqing to Beijing on Air China
• On arrival private car transfer to hotel
• Three nights at the Peninsula Hotel in a deluxe room on a bed and breakfast basis
   

Day 13 Beijing

• Full day private tour to Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Summer Palace including lunch. The Beijing tour begins with a stop at Tiananmen Square and then continues to the Forbidden City, known as the Imperial Palace Museum. After a stop for lunch the tour moves on to the Temple of Heaven which is China's largest temple and altar complex. The final attraction is the famous retreat of emperors for 800 years, the famous Summer Palace, here you can explore the grounds, the temples and the world's longest art gallery.
   

Day 14 Beijing

• Full day private tour to Great Wall at Badaling and Ding Tomb including lunch. The Great Wall is surely China's most iconic image, stretching from China's eastern seaboard to the arid wastes of the Gobi desert. The tour visits the Badaling section of the Great Wall, one of the best preserved sections of this 2,000 years old architectural wonder.
   

 Day 15 Beijing - UK

• Departure private car transfer to Beijing Airport
  Flight from Beijing to London Heathrow on British Airways

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All tours are based on a minimum of 2 people