China Tours, Yangtze River Cruising, Mekong River Cruises, Vietnam Tour, Cambodia Travel
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43 YUNNAN PROVINCE Shangri-La Lijiang Chengdu Kunming Stone Forest CHINA Coach Cruise Flight (included) No. of nights stay Shanghai Chongqing Yichang Xi'an Beijing Yangtze River YUNNAN PROVINCE Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer 4 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 After some time to look around you will transfer to the World Heritage-listed Summer Palace, built by Empress Dowager Cixi following the destruction of the Old Summer Palace by French and British troops in 1860. Explore the gardens with a local guide then board a traditionally styled boat for a private cruise along the shores of the Summer Palace. Following dinner at leisure back in Beijing, choose to attend a Peking Opera show at Qianmen Liyuan Theatre, watch an exhilarating Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre or explore the bustling Silk Alley market. BL EXPERIENCE THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA Day 12. Beijing, Great Wall of China. Set out for the Great Wall of China, which winds its way from the Yellow Sea up into the Gobi Desert for more than 6,000 kilometres. Be captivated by the magnitude of this 8th-century monument as you wander along an unrestored and rarely visited stretch of the Badaling section. Later, enjoy a chef-prepared buffet lunch and free-flowing beverages overlooking the wall, prepared just for APT guests. Back in Beijing this evening, indulge in an authentic Peking Duck banquet with all of the traditional accompaniments. BLD YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE Day 13. Beijing, Yichang, Embark Ship. After the morning at leisure, transfer to the airport and fly to Yichang. On arrival, transfer to your luxury river ship and settle in for your cruise along the Yangtze River. Four Night Stay: the luxurious Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer. BLD Day 14. Xiling Gorge, Three Gorges Dam. Cruise along the Yangtze River through China's most picturesque area, the Three Gorges region. Pass through the longest of the Three Gorges, Xiling Gorge, cruising through Yellow Ox Gorge and under Huangling Temple. This afternoon, arrive at the Three Gorges Dam and take a tour of the world's largest engineering project. After the Captain's Welcome Reception this evening, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner with your fellow guests. BLD region and visit the pretty Bita and Shudu Lakes. Alternatively, visit a local monastery for a traditional Tibetan Buddhist blessing. Another option is to relax with an authentic foot reflexology treatment. A form of traditional Chinese therapy, reflexology is said to help improve circulation and aid the immune system. BLD Day 8. Shangri-La, Chengdu. Enjoy this morning at leisure to relax or explore Shangri- La's idyllic Old Town at your own pace. Later, visit the home of a Tibetan family. This afternoon, head to the enormous Fortunate Victory Prayer Wheel in the heart of Lijiang's Old Town. The largest Tibetan prayer wheel in existence, the gilded structure depicts China's 56 ethnic groups working together in fabled harmony. It takes a number of people to turn. This evening, board a flight to Chengdu. Two Night Stay: Chengdu, Sofitel Wanda Chengdu. BL Day 9. Chengdu. This morning you'll visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Here, you can get up close to the Giant Panda and learn about the breeding program that has been set up to protect this lovable icon. It's been estimated that there are only 1,000 to 1,500 Giant Panda left in the world today, with around 80% of those in the Sichuan Province. After lunch, visit Chengdu's Jinli Old Street, one of the oldest commercial streets in the country. While Jinli provides a window into China's past, it also offers a diverse blend of ancient and modern China. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. BLD Day 10. Chengdu, Beijing. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing. Check in at your luxurious hotel and spend the day at leisure. You may like to simply relax at your hotel or perhaps step out for a wander along nearby Wangfujing Street before dinner. Three Night Stay: Raffles Beijing, in a Business Room. BD Day 11. Beijing, Freedom of Choice. Your sightseeing begins with a tour of Tiananmen Square. Enlarged to four times its original size in the 1950s, Tiananmen is the world's largest city square. After the tour, head to the World Heritage-listed Forbidden City, the largest surviving palace complex on earth. Be awed by the Impression Lijiang Show, played before the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Take an excursion to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding 30 MAX. GUESTS G U A R A N TE E D S M A L L G R O U P S