China Gourmet Traveller - 15 days

Drifters Price: £1054.50

RRP: £1110.00

Trip Code: INTCGT

Local Payment: USD$250.00

Days 1-2 Hong Kong

Travellers will be arriving at all times during the day, from all corners of the world. There are no arranged activities on Day 1. For those who arrive early, check at hotel reception for information and ideas on what to do for the day. Check for a notice from your leader detailing the time and place for the group meeting.

Note that your group leader will collect your local payment (USD250) at the group meeting on Day 1. Please bring new USD bills/notes in large denominations.

Hong Kong is a dynamic, corporate Asian city and a great place to explore. We get our taste buds going in Cantonese style at a yum cha brunch and a guided walk through local makets on Hong Kong Island, where we sample a variety of dim sum with the locals. In the afternoon there is free time for your choice of activities in Hong Kong - explore Stanley Market, shop on Nathan Road or take a cruise across the harbour on the famous Star Ferry and admire the views from Victoria Peak.

Days 3-5 Yangshuo

On Day 3 we take a short flight to Guilin and transfer by bus to Yangshuo (approximately 1.5 hours). Set amid towering limestone karsts, Yangshuo is a relaxing riverside town. Small lanes and old houses in local villages are visible alongside breathtaking scenery.

During our free time you can explore the Li River and its surrounds. Southern Chinese cooking is typified by an abundance of fresh produce and exotic ingredients available from the surrounding river and lush agricultural areas. A hands-on cooking demonstration gets us out in the market, buying ingredients and then cooking up a storm! We can relax in one of the many cafes or take to the surrounding countryside on bicycles.

Days 6-7 Shanghai

On Day 6 we travel back to Guilin (1.5 hours) for a flight to Shanghai (approximately 2 hours), a booming, cosmopolitan city boasting a decadent history and remnants of glory. A stroll along Shanghai's famous Bund offers visitors an amazing sight - magnificent art deco-style buildings to one side of the river and the futuristic skyscrapers of the Pudong on the other. Included in our itinerary is a visit to the Shanghai Museum and there is plenty of free time to check out the sights, shop in Nanjing Lu, get lost in backstreets or stroll along the Bund. You could also see a performance of the famous Shanghai Acrobats.

Days 8-9 Hangzhou

On Day 8 we journey out to beautiful Hangzhou (approximately 2 hours by train). One of the city's main attractions is the West Lake, surrounded by hills and gardens, its banks dotted with temples and pavilions. Hangzhou is also the centre of one of China's best known tea-growing areas and home to numerous traditional teahouses. The city is also known for its superb food. We can sample famous local dishes such as West Lake Fish or Beggar's Chicken.

In the evening of Day 9 we board a flight to Xi'an (approx 2 hours).

Days 10-11 Xi'an

At the beginning of the Silk Road, this interesting city was the political heart of China until the 9th Century. We have plenty of free time for checking out sights like the Great Mosque, city walls, pagodas and museums.

At great street stalls in the Muslim Quarter we can sample dishes like kebabs and hot pots. We take a day trip to the Terracotta Warriors (approximately 45 minutes from Xi'an). This incredible stone army has stood still for over 2000 years, guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang.

In the late afternoon of Day 11 we board an overnight train for the trip to Beijing (approximately 14 hours).

Days 12-15 Beijing

In Beijing we explore the ancient palaces of the Forbidden City (off-limits for 500 years), and the impressive site of Tiananmen Square. There are plenty of diverse eateries for sampling northern specialties such as Mongolian hot pot, Royal banquets, dumplings and handmade wheat noodles. And of course, we sample China's most famous dish - Beijing Duck, in one of the traditonal duck restaurants tucked away in the old city.

We take a tour of Beijing's old city or hutongs where we take part in a handmade dumpling demonstration in the traditional house of one of the local resident families in the area.

From the grand metropolis of the capital city, we take a day trip to the Mutianyu section of the 2000-year-old Great Wall, China's most famous historic site. Known locally as the '10,000 Li Wall', the crumbling structure stretches 6000km across northern China.

You may depart at any time on Day 15 as there are no activities planned.

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