CHINA 213 CHINA& FAREAST China in Style Imaginative Facts Tour code: ACCH • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 3 nights at the Beijing Grand Hotel, 7 nights in 4* hotels • Transport: Plane, catamaran ferry ( super class), private coach, taxi • Flights: Shenzhen to Lijiang, Lijiang to Xi'an, Xi'an to Shanghai, Shanghai to Beijing • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides at major sites DAY 1: HONG KONG- Arrival transfer to the hotel. DAY 2: HONG KONG - LIJIANG- We transfer to the most suitable airport for our flight to Lijiang, located in beautiful Yunnan province. In the evening we attend a performance of the world famous Naxi Orchestra. ( BD) DAY 3: LIJIANG- In the morning we have a guided tour of this UNESCO registered Naxi Old City. A free afternoon to browse the many galleries or to sit in the local square and enjoy the Naxi people singing and dancing. ( B) DAY 4: LIJIANG - XI'AN- Today we fly to Xi'an, an ancient capital of China. ( BD) DAY 5: XI'AN- A morning visit to the amazing Terracotta Warriors, dating back more than 2,000 years, and originally built to protect the Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. In the afternoon we explore further the wealth of historic sites Xi'an has to offer. ( B) DAY 6: XI'AN - SHANGHAI- We fly to Shanghai, the nation's largest and most dynamic city. This evening there's the chance to stroll along The Bund - evocative of the city's glorious heyday, and still its main attraction. ( BD) DAY 7: SHANGHAI- A tour of some of Shanghai's amazing attractions, giving an insight into historical and contemporary life. There will also be some free time for you to explore sites of your own special interest. In the evening we visit the incredible Shanghai Acrobats. ( B) DAY 8: SHANGHAI - BEIJING- Fly to Beijing where we stay at the Beijing Grand Hotel, with stunning views over the Forbidden City. In the afternoon we visit the Summer Palace - the tranquil holiday resort of the Qing Emperors. ( BD) DAY 9: BEIJING- This morning we stroll across to the Forbidden City for our guided tour of this incredible complex with seemingly never- ending ' layers' to explore. There will also be time to absorb the atmosphere in nearby Tiananmen Square - site of so much history and memories and a constant scene of pedestrians vying with cyclists. The afternoon is free to follow your own interests. In the evening we enjoy a lavish Beijing Opera performance. ( BL) DAY 10: BEIJING - GREAT WALL- We take a day excursion to a unique section of the Great Wall, possibly the highpoint of a trip full of highlights. ( B) DAY 11: BEIJING- Tour ends. ( B) Travel from South to North - see the best of this fascinating country • Enjoy the picturesque mountain sceneryin Lijiang's UNESCO Old Town • Visit Xi'an with its incredible Terracotta Warriorsand old walled city • Contrast ancient and modern beneath the skyscrapers of Shanghai • Discover Beijing's Imperial past from the Forbidden City to the Great Wall • Using stylish accommodationfrom Hong Kong to Beijing Imaginative Facts Tour code: ATCI • Activities: Optional hike along the Great Wall, extensive walking at sites, optional cycling in Yangshuo • Accommodation: 9 nights tourist class hotels, 2 nights soft sleeper train, 3 nights private cabins on Yangtse cruise boat • Transport: Plane, ferry, private coach, sleeper train ( soft class), boat on the Li River, air- conditioned cruise boat, taxi • Flights: Pearl River Delta to Guilin, Guilin to Chongqing and Wuhan to Shanghai • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guide at major sites DAY 1: HONG KONG- Arrival day. DAY 2: HONG KONG - GUILIN- We transfer for our flight to Guilin. On arrival perhaps take an evening stroll along the riverfront with the mesmerising limestone karst scenery in the background. ( B) DAY 3: LI RIVER CRUISE - YANGSHUO-Cruise down the Li River through beautiful landscapes to Yangshuo. In the afternoon we have a Chinese lesson to learn the basics of this fascinating language. ( BL) DAY 4: YANGSHUO- A free day to explore on foot or by bike. Pass through beautiful rural scenes with farmers working away in the fields and lovely old stone buildings. ( B) DAY 5: YANGSHUO - YANGTSE CRUISE-Return to Guilin and fly to Chongqing. Board our cruise boat. ( B) DAYS 6 & 7: YANGTSE CRUISE- Cruise the spectacular Three Gorges section of the Yangtse River in air- conditioned comfort. Daily excursions. ( BLD) DAY 8: YICHANG - SHANGHAI - Disembark and visit the impressive dam site. Transfer to Wuhan for the flight to Shanghai. ( BL) DAY 9: SHANGHAI- A full free day to explore this vibrant city. In the evening we visit the spectacular Shanghai acrobats. ( B) DAY 10: SHANGHAI - XI'AN- A tour to the Bund and some of Shanghai's other famous sites. Overnight train to the walled city of Xi'an. ( BL) DAY 11: XI'AN- A full day to discover the many fascinating sights of this ancient capital. Perhaps visit the Muslim quarter, history museum or one of the many temples. DAY 12: XI'AN - BEIJING- Guided tour of the incredible Terracotta Warriors. Overnight express train to Beijing. ( B) DAY 13: BEIJING- Arrive in Beijing and visit atmospheric Tiananmen Square, the magnificent Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven. This evening you can visit the colourful Beijing Opera. ( LD) DAY 14: BEIJING - GREAT WALL- A day at the Great Wall with the option to hike for 3- 5 hours along one of the less visited sections. ( B) DAY 15: BEIJING- Tour ends. ( B) Travel through the heart of some of China's most stunning landscapes • Sail both the Yangtse and Li Rivers through incredible gorge scenery • Explore Guilin's photogenic countrysideand learn Chinese in Yangshuo • Visit vibrant Shanghai and see the spectacular Shanghai acrobats • Discover Beijing's historic sitesand walk along the Great Wall • Time in Xi'an to visit the Terracotta Warriors China Insight • Seasonal Supplement £ 40 Single Supplement £ 555 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 21.14 * Price includes tour price of £ 1599and local payment of US$ 500All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1860pp Land Only *• Seasonal Supplement £ 65 Single Supplement £ 995 ( compulsory) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 21.14 * Price includes tour price of £ 1975and local payment of US$ 600All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 2290pp Land Only * travellerconnoisseur Tour duration 15 daysTour duration 11 days Starts SunEnds Sun Hong KongBeijing 2009 01- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0912- Apr- 09 • 26- Apr- 0910- May- 09 24- May- 0907- Jun- 09 21- Jun- 0905- Jul- 09 19- Jul- 0902- Aug- 09 16- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 30- Aug- 0913- Sep- 09 13- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 11- Oct- 0925- Oct- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun Hong KongBeijing 2010 07- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1011- Apr- 10 • 25- Apr- 1009- May- 10 23- May- 1006- Jun- 10 20- Jun- 1004- Jul- 10 18- Jul- 1001- Aug- 10 15- Aug- 1029- Aug- 10 29- Aug- 1012- Sep- 10 12- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 10- Oct- 1024- Oct- 10 • Seasonal supplement applies Starts SunEnds Wed Hong KongBeijing 2009 15- Mar- 0925- Mar- 09 12- Apr- 0922- Apr- 09 • 10- May- 0920- May- 09 07- Jun- 0917- Jun- 09 05- Jul- 0915- Jul- 09 02- Aug- 0912- Aug- 09 30- Aug- 0909- Sep- 09 27- Sep- 0907- Oct- 09 Starts SunEnds Wed Hong KongBeijing 2010 14- Mar- 1024- Mar- 10 11- Apr- 1021- Apr- 10 09- May- 1019- May- 10 06- Jun- 1016- Jun- 10 04- Jul- 1014- Jul- 10 01- Aug- 1011- Aug- 10 29- Aug- 1008- Sep- 10 26- Sep- 1006- Oct- 10 • Seasonal supplement applies Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

CHINA& FAREASTCHINA 214 " Lovely hotels and enjoyed the train rides! I very much enjoyed the cruise, cooking course, cycling - Yangshuo and Beijing were great. You give a great spread of what China has to offer!" Judy Woodward china & far east The Great China Adventure Imaginative Facts Tour code: AAGC • Activities: Optional cycling in Nanjing, Hangzhou and Yangshuo, farm stay, extensive walking at sites - especially along the Great Wall, climbing Mt Tai and trekking along Longsheng. Trek grade - Easy • Accommodation: 12 nights simple hotels, 3 nights village guesthouse, 1 night farm stay, 4 nights sleeper train • Transport: Train, private bus, taxi and plane • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides in Xi'an and Tai'an ( including the farm stay) DAY 1: BEIJING- Arrival day. 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 arrival and guided tour of the amazing Terracotta Warriors. Afternoon at leisure. DAY 5: XI'AN - TAI'AN- A free morning for more sightseeing before boarding the overnight train to Tai'an. DAY 6: TAI'AN - FARM STAY- Get a glimpse of life for some of the farmers in China. Although things are changing fast elsewhere, the way of life here remains simple. ( LD) DAY 7: TAI'AN- After breakfast return to Tai'an where there is the opportunity to climb Tai Shan, one of China's holiest mountains. Overnight train to Nanjing. ( B) DAYS 8 & 9: NANJING- Free day in one of China's most delightful cities. There is the option to take bicycles to the mausoleum of revolutionary leader Dr Sun Yat Sen and continue via the Ming city walls to Lake Xuanwu. DAYS 10 & 11: HANGZHOU- We take a local train for the short ride to Hangzhou, a lovely lakeside city famous for its natural beauty. Here there is the option to follow the classic ' Nine creeks and eighteen gullies' route by bike through the famous tea plantations of Longjing. Relax by the lakeside or take your bike and explore further the many historical sites around West Lake. DAYS 12 & 13: SHANGHAI- Another short local train journey brings us to Shanghai. There is the opportunity to take a river cruise and explore this bustling city at leisure. In the evening of Day 13 we see the famed Shanghai acrobats. DAY 14: SHANGHAI - LONGSHENG- A morning flight to Guilin and transfer to Longsheng, the ' Dragon's Backbone' rice terraces. The scenery in this area is outstanding with rice terraces cascading down the hillside and stretching in all directions. We stay in small wooden guesthouses as guests of a local family. DAYS 15 & 16: LONGSHENG- We trek along the ridge to another picturesque village and stay there for the night. On Day 16 we return to our start point by another scenic route. DAYS 17- 19: YANGSHUO- Transfer to Yangshuo for three days of exploring the amazing karst scenery and enjoying as many activities as you feel able to manage. Try cooking, calligraphy or Tai Chi and cycle through the mesmerising limestone landscapes. In the late afternoon of Day 19 we catch an overnight train to Shenzhen. DAY 20: SHENZHEN - HONG KONG-Arrive in Hong Kong. Free afternoon. DAY 21: HONG KONG- Tour ends. A combination of famous cities and rural towns • Visit the iconichighlights of Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing including the Great Wall • Experience rural life on a Tai'an farmstay • Trek Longsheng's famous rice terraces and perhaps climb Tai Shan • Free time in the incredible limestone countryside around Yangshuo • Explore the hidden delights of lesser- known Nanjing and Hangzhou China Shanghai Nanjing Tai'an The Great China Adventure The Road to Shanghai Beijing Hong Kong Xi'an Hangzhou Guilin Yangshuo Longsheng Shenzhen Great Wall China Nepal In Search of Shangri- La Kunming Lijiang Zhongdian Lhasa Gyantse Kathmandu Dali • Seasonal Supplement £ 35 Single Supplement £ 220 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 21.14 * Price includes tour price of £ 975and local payment of US$ 380All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1175pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 21 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SunEnds Sat BeijingHong Kong 2009 11- Jan- 0931- Jan- 09 08- Feb- 0928- Feb- 09 08- Mar- 0928- Mar- 09 05- Apr- 0925- Apr- 09 • 03- May- 0923- May- 09 31- May- 0920- Jun- 09 28- Jun- 0918- Jul- 09 26- Jul- 0915- Aug- 09 23- Aug- 0912- Sep- 09 06- Sep- 0926- Sep- 09 20- Sep- 0910- Oct- 09 18- Oct- 0907- Nov- 09 15- Nov- 0905- Dec- 09 13- Dec- 0902- Jan- 10 • Starts SunEnds Sat BeijingHong Kong 2010 10- Jan- 1030- Jan- 10 07- Feb- 1027- Feb- 10 07- Mar- 1027- Mar- 10 04- Apr- 1024- Apr- 10 • 02- May- 1022- May- 10 30- May- 1019- Jun- 10 27- Jun- 1017- Jul- 10 25- Jul- 1014- Aug- 10 22- Aug- 1011- Sep- 10 05- Sep- 1025- Sep- 10 19- Sep- 1009- Oct- 10 17- Oct- 1006- Nov- 10 14- Nov- 1004- Dec- 10 12- Dec- 1001- Jan- 11 • • Seasonal supplement applies We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Trek grade - Easy Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243