SPLENDOURS OF CHINA
15 days | US$5500 | Imperial Journey in China
Splendours of China boasts an exceptional blend of natural and man made wonders that will leave you feeling like you have seen it all. Experience the buzz of China's most cosmopolitan cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, then soothe your soul in the countryside of Yangshuo, a rustic and bucolic landscape that has inspired artists and poets for centuries. Learn to cook at an exclusive hands-on cooking school,immerses youself in China's rich and fascinating culture, from cycle tours through rice paddies and rustic villages to inclusions such as the Shanghai Acrobats, and the extraordinary Army of Terracotta Warriors in Xian.
Days 1 - 3 Shanghai
Resonate to the buzz of Shanghai, new and old, as you discover why this Yangtze delta city is still the Paris of the East.
From glamorous dining experiences in the old Taipan trading houses along the Bund with their panoramic views of the space age Pudong riverbank to browsing for antiques or modern artworks in the former French Concession - Shanghai oozes old world charm mixed with contemporary style.
The mixture is exciting. Take in the sights and smells as you stroll the elegant chinois-deco streetscape up to the bazaar in "Old Town" where the classical Yuyuan Gardens provide a respite from the bustle of the street. Dragon-Well tea served in an ancient teahouse (protected from demons by a moat and a nine zigzag bridge) will energise you for your foray into China's rich cultural heritage at the Shanghai Museum. Masterpieces of porcelain, lacquer, silks, and scroll paintings make up one of the greatest art collections on earth.
Premium seats at an evening performance of the internationally acclaimed Shanghai acrobats, and a side trip to see the old stone bridges and canals of Xitang, a quaint (undiscovered) Yangtze delta water town, are included over the three days as not-to-be-missed 'Shanghai' experiences.
Day 4- 7 Yangtze Three Gorges (Yichang - Chongqing)
Cruise the river at the centre of the world* for four days on luxurious Century Diamond Yangtze River cruise ship. Likened to a sinuous dragon whose head is Shanghai, and tail is Tibet, The Yangtze River has at its heart the ruggedly spectacular Three Gorges through which you will sail.
Trackers with long ropes once pulled junks up the boiling stretch of rapids between the Xiling, Wu and Qutang Gorges, beautiful but treacherous passages which have now been subdued by dams, including the recent first stage of the controversial Three Gorges Dam. Visit the site and get an overview of this new 'Great Wall' from an elevated vantage point to make up your own mind about the project.
The scenic highlights - Fairy Peak, the Qutang opening, and the Lesser Three Gorges -are still stunning, if a little closer, and life still goes on in relocated villages and temples that are now also a little nearer to the water line. Stop off in towns along the way or simply relax until your final disembarkation in the city of mountains, Chongqing.
* Simon Winchester's book of the same name about travels up the length of the Yangtze is a great read for this trip.
Day 8- 9 Chongqing - Guilin, Yangshuo
Fly to Guilin and transfer to the beautiful town of Yangshuo nestled in lime stone hills that bring to life those misted enshrouded paintings from Chinese ink-brush scrolls.
Cafes, therapeutic massage, bamboo pole punt rafting and restaurant after restaurant of delicious local and international cuisine will ensure that you truly relax in this rustic paradise that has attracted artists, poets, and lovers of the good life for centuries.
Recharge your soul as you let the spectacular karst scenery overwhelm you in an active back roads cycle tour into the country where farmers still plough rice paddies using water buffalo. Learn to cook Chinese food-Yangshuo style with delicious fresh ingredients from the local market. All pat of the activities that are planned for you over the next two days.
Day 10 -11 Xian
Fly to Xian to see the life-size army of Terracotta Warriors that guard the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (as depicted in Zhang Yi Mou's recent blockbuster Hero.) Twelve imperial dynasties ruled China from this western capital, which you will discover was as grand as Rome in its heyday.
Starting point of the Silk Road, Xian still retains the romance of this famous desert route in its bustling markets, Wild Goose Pagoda, Chinese mosque and Muslim Quarter. A handful of kebabs, spiced flatbread and sour plum juice in the night market is not to be missed.
Xian is one of the few walled cities remaining in China. An included bicycle (or walking) tour along the top of the city walls will give you a birds eye view of life on the streets in this ancient capital.
Day 12 - 15 Beijing
Be seduced by the imperial splendour of Beijing as every ruler from Mongol invader, Kublai Khan, to the last Manchu emperor, Puyi, have been by the city known as the earthly abode of the Son of Heaven.
Beijing is a city designed to awe. Witness the power of the modern State as your English proficient guide takes you across Tiananmen, the largest square in the world, passing under Chairman Mao's gargantuan portrait, then through the Gate of Heavenly Peace, and into the Forbidden City. This 9000 room palace was once home to 70,000 Eunuchs, thousands of concubines, and all the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. As the power centre of the Chinese universe, your guides will explain the significance of this architectural wonder and how the fengshui symbols written into every stone, statue and porcelain tile are designed to maintain the Emperors mandate and the peace, harmony and abundance of the kingdom.
Then it is a rickshaw tour through the narrow walled Hutong lanes, the arteries of old Beijing where the lifestyle and folk customs of a different age survive the cities recent modernization frenzy.
It is said that you can only truly experience the vastness of China and the essence of Chinese spirit when you stand on the Great Wall. A day trip to the excellently preserved Mutianyu section provides you with a close up of this phenomenal achievement of human endeavor as well as the most stunning vistas of the "wild" wall as it snakes its way atop the jagged Yanshan mountain range.
Tour Inclusions
Tripcode: IECH1508
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