Grand China - 21 days

Drifters Price: £1363.25

RRP: £1435.00

Trip Code: INTGC

Local Payment: USD$400.00

Day 1 Hong Kong

Your transfer will be available at the VIGOR Airport Shuttle Desk at Counter B13 on the arrivals level of Hong Kong International Airport, and will drop you off at our joining-point hotel. Travellers will be arriving at all times during the day, from all corners of the world. There are no arranged activities on Day 1, but we will have a group meeting in the evening, followed by dinner.

Note that your group leader will collect your local payment (USD400) at the group meeting on Day 1. Please bring new USD bills/notes in large denominations.

For those who arrive early, it's a great opportunity to enjoy Hong Kong. You can explore Stanley Market, go up Victoria Peak, take the Star Ferry across the harbour or do some great shopping. You may wish to book extra accommodation prior to the trip to take full advantage of this great city.

Days 2-4 Yangshuo

In the afternoon of Day 2 we take a comfortable overnight train to Guilin. We transfer by bus to the picturesque countryside town of Yangshuo where we base ourselves for a few relaxing days.The region around Yangshuo has some of the most well-known scenery in all of China - the Li River winds its way around thousands of limestone karst mountains here. Each karst is impressively named, in true Chinese tradition!

There are many options for our time here. We can take a boat trip up the Li River and come back through the countryside on bicycles, stopping at local markets and villages along the way. We have free time to take in a cooking or calligraphy class, relax, shop or take a tour through the surrounding countryside with a local guide to gain an insight into rural Chinese life. You will also have the opportunity to discover some of the gastronomic delights of this region on your own, as there are plenty of fabulous restaurants here. It is also a wonderful area for individual exploration, as every turn in the road brings you to another picture-postcard location and illustrates why Yangshuo is a firm favourite with Intrepid travellers.

Days 5-6 Chengdu

On Day 5, we fly from Gulin to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Chengdu has managed to preserve some of its traditional flavour and today we still find famous teahouses, numerous markets and some of the most interesting and spicy food (including hot pot) in China.

On the morning of Day 6 we visit the Giant Panda Reserve, witnessing the conservation efforts being made to save this endangered species. In the afternoon, there is free time to sample tea with locals in one of the many traditional teahouses scattered in parks across the city. We also have the opportunity to attend a performance of the Sichuan opera in the evening.

Days 7-9 Yangzi River

A 4-hour bus ride takes us from Chengdu to Chongqing, where we stay overnight before transferring onto our Yangzi boat. We spend 2 nights on board on our way through the spectacular Three Gorges. Our superior boat cabins are clean, twin-share with private toilet and shower facilities. We travel the first and second gorges and take a sidetrip through a tranquil Yangzi River tributary. Take plenty of film - the scenery is spectacular!

On Day 10 we cruise through the third gorge, ending in the port city of Yichang. In the morning we have a tour of the dam construction site before taking an afternoon flight to Shanghai (approximately 2 hours).

Days 10-12 Shanghai

There is so much to see and do in Shanghai: strolling along the Bund with its art deco architecture, visiting the old city or shopping in the old French Concession area. Shanghai is a vibrant, fast-moving city with a fantastic variety of markets and restaurants for eating out. A visit to the Shanghai Museum, renowned as one of the best in the country, is included in our itinerary. On one of our nights here we will catch a performance of the famous Shanghai Acrobats. We also take a day trip to one of Shanghai's nearby water towns, famous for its canals and stone bridges.

Days 13-14 Hangzhou

On Day 13 we make our way to Hangzhou for 2 nights. This is a city famous for its beautiful West Lake, its tea, temples and food. From here we take a flight to Xi'an (approximately 2 hours).

Days 15-17 Xi'an

Xi'an is most famous for its Terracotta Warriors, but as terminus of the Silk Road, this rich and cosmopolitan city offers many other attractions. Impressive city walls, which can be climbed for a small fee, enclose Xi'an and are fabulous for watching the sun set in the early evening. There is also a vibrant Muslim Quarter for eating and souvenir shopping, the Great Mosque and other sites such as the Bell and Drum Towers. In the evening we will enjoy a traditional dumpling banquet.

On Day 16 we take a trip to the Terracotta Warriors who have been buried for over 2000 years. Over 6000 life-size warriors have now been discovered, lined in battle formation to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang, and we take a guided tour to explore this archaeological wonder. On our return to Xi'an, we visit the famous 'Big Wild Goose Pagoda'. You will have free time for independent exploration on Day 17 before boarding our overnight train to Beijing (approximately 14 hours).

Days 18-21 Beijing

There is simply so much to see and do in Beijing that it's well worth staying 3 nights. We spend one full day at the Great Wall. An incredible piece of engineering, it stretches westwards over 6000km from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect the Chinese empires from the Mongolian 'barbarians' of the north. Beijing itself is the capital of all capitals and we take time to visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. We'll also take a day to visit the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace.

There is free time to go shopping at one of the many fabulous markets around town, rent a bike and venture onto the streets, getting lost in the alleyways of the Old City. Eat, relax and explore this great city.

We have a final night Beijing Duck dinner in one of the great restaurants and you are free to depart at any time on Day 21.

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