CHINA& FAREASTCHINA 210 " My favourite place was Yangshuo. I loved the karst scenery and the village itself - very friendly and relaxing." Kathleen May china & far east China Explored Imaginative Facts Tour code: AACE • Activities: 3- 5 hour walk along the Great Wall, optional cycling in Yangshuo, extensive walking at sights • Accommodation: 7 nights simple hotels, 3 nights cruise boat, 4 nights sleeper train • Transport: Public and private bus, air- conditioned Yangtse cruise boat, train and taxi • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guide in Xi'an and on Yangtse cruise DAY 1: BEIJING- Arrive and check in. DAY 2: BEIJING - GREAT WALL- A day at the Great Wall with a 3- 5 hour hike along one of the less visited sections. DAY 3: BEIJING - XI'AN- Visit atmospheric Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City. Overnight train to Xi'an. DAY 4: XI'AN- Morning guided tour of the amazing Terracotta Warriors. Free afternoon to explore the Great Mosque and other sights. DAY 5: XI'AN - CHENGDU- A free day to explore the many fascinating sites of this ancient capital before taking the overnight train to Chengdu. DAY 6: CHENGDU- Afternoon arrival in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. This evening there's the chance to see the fascinating Sichuan variety performance. DAY 7: CHENGDU - CHONGQING- A morning visit to the famous Giant Panda Research Base. In the afternoon we take a short train journey to Chongqing where we board our cruise boat. DAYS 8 & 9: YANGTSE RIVER CRUISE-We cruise down the Yangtse River, passing through the spectacular Three Gorges. Along the way we stop for various excursions to places of interest. ( BLD) DAY 10: YICHANG - GUILIN- We disembark in Yichang and transfer to Wuhan for the overnight train to Guilin. ( B) DAYS 11 & 12: YANGSHUO- Early arrival in Guilin and transfer to the scenic town of Yangshuo. There are two full days free here - perhaps take a lesson in Tai Chi, calligraphy or Chinese cooking or hire a bike and explore the beautiful countryside cycling along small tracks through the rice terraces and amazing karst scenery. DAY 13: YANGSHUO - SHENZHEN-Afternoon transfer back to Guilin. Overnight train to Shenzhen. DAY 14: HONG KONG- Arrive in Shenzhen before taking the train through the New Territories to Kowloon. DAY 15: HONG KONG- Tour ends. An active trip you'll never forget through the heart of this vast country • Hike the Great Walland explore Beijing's many famous sights • Visit Xi'an's Terracotta Warriorsand Chengdu's Panda Sanctuary • Cruise the spectacular Three Gorges section of the Yangtse River • Witness the stunning limestone and terrace landscapes around Guilin • Opportunity to hire a bike, learn tai chior practise calligraphyin Yangshuo China China Explored China Discovery Journey Across China Beijing Hong Kong Xi'an Chengdu Chongqing Yichang Yangshuo Longsheng Kunming Dali Tiger Leaping Gorge LijiangShenzhen Great Wall Kaili CongjiangChengyang Shanghai Guilin • Seasonal Supplement £ 25 Single Supplement £ 150 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 21.14 * Price includes tour price of £ 965and local payment of US$ 330All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1135pp Land Only * adventurer A unique experience and one to be savoured. The mighty Yangtse River threads its way through some of China's most dramatic landscapes. Many of our tours include a three day cruise from Chongqing downriver through the famous Three Gorges - the most spectacular section of the river. These cruises include excursions usually to a site of interest and up one of the Yangtse's many tributaries in a smaller boat. We use only Tourist class boats because these offer the following advantages: • They generally have a maximum capacity of 120 passengers ( domestic boats carry up to 400) • They have more inclusions and superior facilities • Excellent viewing decks • Itineraries that pass through the gorges in daylight • Twin- share cabins with windowsthat face the river • Bathrooms with western- style toilets • Air- conditioned public areas, as well as cabins • A large dining room • They allow us to book ahead for the whole season • They are certified by the National Tourist Administration according to international standards You will probably only cruise the Yangtse once and deserve to enjoy that experience in comfort. Cruising the Yangtse Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SunEnds Sun BeijingHong Kong 2009 01- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 15- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0912- Apr- 09 • 12- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 • 26- Apr- 0910- May- 09 10- May- 0924- May- 09 31- May- 0914- Jun- 09 21- Jun- 0905- Jul- 09 05- Jul- 0919- Jul- 09 19- Jul- 0902- Aug- 09 02- Aug- 0916- Aug- 09 16- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 30- Aug- 0913- Sep- 09 06- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 13- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 20- Sep- 0904- Oct- 09 27- Sep- 0911- Oct- 09 04- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0915- Nov- 09 * 29- Nov- 0913- Dec- 09 * 27- Dec- 0910- Jan- 10 *• * Winter itinerary applies - see dossier for more details Starts SunEnds Sun BeijingHong Kong 2010 24- Jan- 1007- Feb- 10 * 21- Feb- 1007- Mar- 10 * 07- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 21- Mar- 1004- Apr- 10 • 04- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 • 18- Apr- 1002- May- 10 02- May- 1016- May- 10 16- May- 1030- May- 10 30- May- 1013- Jun- 10 13- Jun- 1027- Jun- 10 27- Jun- 1011- Jul- 10 11- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 25- Jul- 1008- Aug- 10 08- Aug- 1022- Aug- 10 22- Aug- 1005- Sep- 10 05- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 19- Sep- 1003- Oct- 10 03- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 17- Oct- 1031- Oct- 10 * 14- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 * 12- Dec- 1026- Dec- 10 *• • Seasonal supplement applies Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

CHINA 211 CHINA& FAREAST Imaginative Facts Tour code: AACD • Activities: Extensive walking at sights, optional hiking in Longsheng and along the Great Wall, optional bike riding in Yangshuo • Accommodation: 6 nights simple hotels, 1 nights guesthouse, 3 nights cruise boat, 4 nights sleeper train • Transport: Public and private bus, air- conditioned Yangtse cruise boat, train and taxi • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides in Xi'an and on cruise boat excursions DAY 1: HONG KONG- Arrival day. DAY 2: HONG KONG - GUILIN- Free morning in Hong Kong before a short afternoon train ride to Shenzhen. Overnight train to Guilin. DAY 3: YANGSHUO- Morning arrival in Guilin and transfer to Yangshuo. Explore the beautiful limestone landscapes on foot or by bike. In the afternoon we have a Chinese lesson to get you ready for the trip ahead. DAY 4: YANGSHUO- A full free day to explore. Perhaps hire a bike and cycle along small tracks through the fields amidst the amazing karst scenery. DAY 5: YANGSHUO - LONGSHENG-Transfer to Longsheng. Late afternoon is a great time to take walks in the rice paddies with spectacular views of the terraces. DAY 6: LONGSHENG - CHONGQING- A free morning for further exploration before we return to Guilin for the overnight train to Chongqing. DAY 7: CHONGQING- Arrive in Chongqing where we board our cruise boat. DAYS 8 & 9: YANGTSE RIVER CRUISE-We cruise down the Yangtse River, passing through the spectacular Three Gorges section. Along the way we stop for various excursions to places of interest. ( BLD) DAY 10: YICHANG - XI'AN- We disembark in Yichang and take the overnight train to Xi'an. ( B) DAY 11: XI'AN- Morning arrival in Xi'an and guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors. A free afternoon to wander through the markets haggling for souvenirs or try some delicious northern Chinese cuisine with a bowl of steaming dumplings or noodles. DAY 12: XI'AN - BEIJING- The day is free for you to explore this ancient city and its many amazing sites. In the evening we catch the overnight train to Beijing. DAY 13: BEIJING- Morning arrival in Beijing. Today we visit Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City. DAY 14: BEIJING - GREAT WALL- A day at the Great Wall. We have the option of hiking along one of the less- visited but most beautiful sections. DAY 15: BEIJING- Tour ends. All the highlights of China in a two week trip • Relax on a Yangtse river cruisethrough the famous Three Gorges • Explore Yangshuo's stunning limestone scenery and learn Chinese • Marvel at the 2,000- year- old Terracotta Warriorsat Xi'an • Discover Beijing's famed sights and hike along the spectacular Great Wall • Stay at the guesthouse of a delightful Zhuang minority family China Discovery Journey Across China Imaginative Facts Tour code: AAJI • Activities: Optional visit to see the spectacular Shanghai Acrobats, optional hikes to visit the local communities in Chengyang and around Kaili. Trek in Tiger Leaping Gorge, extensive walking at sites. Trek grade - Moderate • Accommodation: 17 nights hotels and guesthouses, 2 nights hard sleeper train • Transport: Plane, private coach, public bus, sleeper train ( hard sleeper), taxi • Flights: Xi'an to Shanghai, Shanghai to Guilin • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guide in Xian DAY 1: BEIJING- Arrival day. DAY 2: BEIJING - GREAT WALL- The chance to hike one of the less visited sections. DAY 3: BEIJING- Visit atmospheric Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City. Overnight train to Xi'an. DAY 4: XI'AN- Guided tour of the incredible Terracotta Warriors. In the afternoon you can explore Xi'an's fascinating Muslim quarter. DAY 5: XI'AN - SHANGHAI- Explore the many sites of Xi'an before we fly to Shanghai. DAY 6: SHANGHAI- A full free day to take in this bustling city. Perhaps take a river cruise or visit the tallest building in China, the Jinmao Tower. In the evening you can visit the spectacular Shanghai Acrobats. DAY 7: GUILIN - CHENGYANG- Fly to Guilin and then continue by bus to Chengyang, famous for its beautiful ' wind and rain' bridge. DAY 8: CHENGYANG- The chance to hike to other villages in the valley, relax or explore the local handicrafts. DAY 9: CONGJIANG- Today we catch a local bus to Congjiang. The route through this remote region follows a series of river valleys with views that few travellers get to see. DAY 10: KAILI- We take a morning bus from Congjiang and arrive for a late lunch in Kaili. The afternoon is free to explore the markets. DAY 11: KAILI ( Miao Village Stay)- A full day' s exploration of the surrounding countryside and villages, each with its own unique handicrafts. We finish the day in a Miao village, where we spend the evening in a local guesthouse. DAY 12: KAILI- A free morning before we transfer back to Kaili and take a local bus to Guiyang for an overnight train to Kunming. DAY 13: KUNMING- Arrive in Kunming, the ' City of Eternal Spring'. The rest of the day is free to visit the Yuantong Temple, Bamboo Temple or Tang Dynasty Pagodas. DAYS 14 & 15: DALI- Morning bus to Dali where we stay in the old town, home of the Bai people. The rest of the time is free to sample the delights of Dali - it is an ideal place to explore by bike or you can take a boat ride on Lake Erhai. Option to visit the colourful Shaping markets. DAYS 16 & 17: TIGER LEAPING GORGE TREK- A bus journey takes us to Qiaotou, the start of our trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge. We spend the first night at a Naxi guesthouse inside the gorge. The next day trek through this impressive gorge with superb views of Jade Dragon Mountain and the Yangtse River. DAY 18: TIGER LEAPING GORGE - LIJIANG- A morning to relax or further explore the gorge, before travelling to the lovely old town of Lijiang with its UNESCO registered Naxi Old City. DAY 19: LIJIANG- Full free day to explore Lijiang, home of the Naxi minority group. Time to browse the many galleries or to sit in the local square and enjoy the Naxi people singing and dancing. DAY 20: LIJIANG- Tour ends. Hiking, cycling and cruising in popular and lesser known settings • Explore the main sites of Beijing including the Forbidden City and Great Wall • Tour Xi'an's Terracotta Warriorsand Shanghai's bustling modern streets • Visit China's remote rural villagesaround Chengyang and Congjiang • Trek the impressive Tiger Leaping Gorgewith views of the Yangtse River • Enjoy the stunning attractions of Kunming, Kaili, Dali and Lijiang • Seasonal Supplement £ 25 Single Supplement £ 125 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 21.14 * Price includes tour price of £ 935and local payment of US$ 330All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1110pp Land Only *• Seasonal Supplement £ 35 Single Supplement £ 170 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 19.41 * Price includes tour price of £ 899and local payment of US$ 250All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1030pp Land Only * adventureradventurer Tour duration 15 daysTour duration 20 days Starts SunEnds Sun Hong KongBeijing 2009 08- Mar- 0922- Mar- 09 22- Mar- 0905- Apr- 09 05- Apr- 0919- Apr- 09 • 19- Apr- 0903- May- 09 03- May- 0917- May- 09 31- May- 0914- Jun- 09 28- Jun- 0912- Jul- 09 12- Jul- 0926- Jul- 09 26- Jul- 0909- Aug- 09 09- Aug- 0923- Aug- 09 23- Aug- 0906- Sep- 09 06- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 20- Sep- 0904- Oct- 09 04- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 18- Oct- 0901- Nov- 09 15- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 * 13- Dec- 0927- Dec- 09 *• * Winter itinerary applies - see dossier for more details Starts SunEnds Sun Hong KongBeijing 2010 10- Jan- 1024- Jan- 10 * 07- Feb- 1021- Feb- 10 * 07- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 21- Mar- 1004- Apr- 10 • 04- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 • 18- Apr- 1002- May- 10 02- May- 1016- May- 10 16- May- 1030- May- 10 30- May- 1013- Jun- 10 13- Jun- 1027- Jun- 10 27- Jun- 1011- Jul- 10 11- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 25- Jul- 1008- Aug- 10 08- Aug- 1022- Aug- 10 22- Aug- 1005- Sep- 10 05- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 19- Sep- 1003- Oct- 10 03- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 17- Oct- 1031- Oct- 10 31- Oct- 1014- Nov- 10 * 28- Nov- 1012- Dec- 10 * 26- Dec- 1009- Jan- 11 *• • Seasonal supplement applies Starts MonEnds Sat BeijingLijiang 2009 02- Mar- 0921- Mar- 09 30- Mar- 0918- Apr- 09 • 27- Apr- 0916- May- 09 25- May- 0913- Jun- 09 22- Jun- 0911- Jul- 09 20- Jul- 0908- Aug- 09 17- Aug- 0905- Sep- 09 31- Aug- 0919- Sep- 09 14- Sep- 0903- Oct- 09 Starts MonEnds Sat BeijingLijiang 2010 01- Mar- 1020- Mar- 10 29- Mar- 1017- Apr- 10 • 26- Apr- 1015- May- 10 24- May- 1012- Jun- 10 21- Jun- 1010- Jul- 10 19- Jul- 1007- Aug- 10 16- Aug- 1004- Sep- 10 30- Aug- 1018- Sep- 10 13- Sep- 1002- Oct- 10 • Seasonal supplement applies Trek grade - Moderate Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243