CHINA 219 CHINA& FAREAST Colours of China Imaginative Facts Tour code: ASCC • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 13 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night sleeper train ( soft class) • Transport: Private bus, taxi, plane, sleeper train ( soft class) • Flights: Xi'an to Kunming, Kunming to Zhongdian, Lijiang to Guilin ( via Kunming), Guilin to Hong Kong • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and professional photographer DAY 1: BEIJING- Arrive and transfer to the hotel. DAY 2: BEIJING- Our exploration of China begins with a visit to the Temple of Heaven and the ancient observatory that dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Combine fascinating architecture and equipment to be explored from various angles, with fine detail for great close- up shots. ( BLD) DAY 3: GREAT WALL- Possibly the most photographic icon in China - visit the Great Wall and take a cable car up to one of the less visited sections. Take shots of this mesmerising structure as it snakes over a dramatic ridge. ( BLD) DAY 4: BEIJING - XI'AN - Visit atmospheric Tiananmen Square, packed full of colour and life and the magnificent Forbidden Palace. Plenty of unique architectural details for interesting shots. Overnight train to Xi'an. ( BLD) DAY 5: XI'AN- Arrive in Xi'an. The rest of the day is free to explore this ancient capital. Perhaps take some time to visit the nearby Muslim quarter. The bustling streets and markets contain many opportunities for action and people photos and the city walls provide the perfect vantage points for panoramic city scenes. ( BLD) DAY 6: XI'AN - KUNMING- This morning we visit the Terracotta Warriors. Contrary to what the guidebooks say - photos are now allowed! In the afternoon we fly to Kunming. ( BLD) DAY 7: KUNMING- Visit Shilin Stone Forest, an area of unusual rock formations with great photo opportunities. ( BLD) DAY 8: ZHONGDIAN- Fly to Zhongdian on the vast, windswept Tibetan Plateau. Free time to explore the town and perhaps shop for souvenirs. ( BLD) DAY 9: ZHONGDIAN- We visit the atmospheric Tibetan Buddhist monastery and the nearby countryside. ( BLD) DAY 10: LIJIANG- We travel to Lijiang via Tiger Leaping Gorge, surrounded by fantastic scenery. ( BLD) DAY 11: LIJIANG- A free day in this quaint town with its UNESCO registered Naxi Old City, home to the Naxi minority group and full of beautiful buildings and parks. Browse the many galleries or sit in the local square and enjoy the Naxi people singing and dancing. More than enough action to fill hours of happy snapping. ( BLD) DAY 12: YANGSHUO- Fly to Guilin and then transfer to Yangshuo, a pretty town surrounded by amazing limestone karst scenery. ( BD) DAY 13: YANGSHUO- We take an excursion out into the surrounding countryside, giving us great opportunities for both people and landscape photography of the stunning rice terraces. ( BLD) DAY 14: HONG KONG- Fly to Hong Kong where the rest of the day is free. Take a trip up Victoria Peak or to one of the many themed markets - whatever your interest, you are sure to find something special here in this unique setting. ( B) DAY 15: HONG KONG- Tour ends. ( B) Note: Our photography trips will be accompanied by one of two professional photographers ( Sharon Hickey or Aubrey Wade). Capture the country's many amazing scenes on this photographic tour China's incredible scenic diversityoffers endless opportunities to photograph some amazing panoramas, landscapes and snapshots of life. In the company of a professional photographer you will learn some worthwhile photographic techniques at various iconic sights. Bring home fantastic memories AND stunning photos! Single Supplement £ 225 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 21.14 * Price includes tour price of £ 1799and local payment of US$ 480All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 2049pp Land Only * special interest Tour duration 15 days Starts SunEnds Sun Beijing Hong Kong 2009 03- May- 09 17- May- 09 13- Sep- 09 27- Sep- 09 08- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun Beijing Hong Kong 2010 02- May- 10 16- May- 10 12- Sep- 10 26- Sep- 10 14- Nov- 10 28- Nov- 10 Sharon Hickey Sharon Hickey brings over twenty years experience as a professional photographer. Her work captures the personality of her subjects, the essence of a mood and thrives in discovering new people and places. Combined with her love of adventure, people and places, her passion comes from stimulating others to find their own inspiration. Note: Our photography trips will be accompanied by one of two photographers ( Sharon Hickey or Aubrey Wade). Photographer Profile Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

CHINA& FAREASTCHINA 220 " My favourite parts were the village stay and the rice terraces. That to me is what China is really about. The tour allowed you to open your eyes and see what China is about." Tamara Whittaker china & far east Yunnan Revealed Imaginative Facts Tour code: AAYR • Activities: Extensive hiking through Tiger Leaping Gorge, optional hiking in Xishuangbanna, optional horse trek near Haba Mountain. Trek grade - Moderate • Accommodation: 8 nights simple hotels, 4 nights local guesthouses, 1 night sleeper train, 1 night sleeper bus • Transport: Private and public bus, taxi, train, plane • Flight: Jinghong to Kunming • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader DAY 1: KUNMING- Arrival day. DAY 2: KUNMING- A free day in this lakeside city surrounded by limestone hill landscapes. Perhaps take a trip up into the hills to see the Bamboo Temple. Later we board the overnight bus for Jinghong at the centre of the Xishuangbanna region. DAYS 3 & 4: XISHUANGBANNA- Today we take an excursion to Menghai, centre of the tea growing area of the famous Pu'er tea, and starting point of the original Tea Horse Trail. We also visit the lush Elephant Valley, a nature reserve offering the chance of seeing wild elephants as well as a 2km cableway to view the rainforest from the air. DAY 5: XISHUANGBANNA - KUNMING-Free time in Jinghong until we fly back to Kunming. There we catch the overnight train to Dali. DAYS 6 & 7: DALI - Morning arrival and transfer to the old town, home of the Bai people. The rest of the time is free. It is an ideal place to explore by bike. Or perhaps take a cable car up Mt Cong and walk along a section of the new ' Cloud Way' for magnificent views back down over Dali and Erhai Lake. Option to visit the colourful Shaping markets. DAY 8: DALI - 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 minority guesthouse inside the gorge. DAY 9: TIGER LEAPING GORGE TREK-Trek through this impressive gorge with superb views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Yangtse River. DAY 10: HABA VILLAGE- We follow the modern road around Haba Mountain to the pretty village of Haba. There is an opportunity for a short horse trek along the way for those who want to experience some of the original route in traditional style. Ride or walk, as you please. Haba village is actually three villages in a row, each with its own ethnic group and well worth a wander to compare and contrast the different lifestyles. DAY 11: HOT SPRINGS- We continue north through stunning mountain scenery to the outskirts of Zhongdian where we stop at some hot springs for the night. These feed two large pools so you can swim in bath-warm water and relax. With no worries about the heating costs the water is on all night - so stay up late and soak beneath the heavens! DAY 12: ZHONGDIAN - It's only a short drive to Zhongdian, one of the claimants to the title ' Shangri- La'. In the afternoon there is the chance to visit the atmospheric Tibetan Buddhist monastery. DAY 13: ZHONGDIAN - LIJIANG- We take a bus down to Lijiang, home of the Naxi minority with its UNESCO registered Naxi Old City. The rest of the day is at leisure. DAY 14: LIJIANG- A full free day to explore the old town with its beautiful buildings, canals and parks. Time to browse the many galleries or to sit in the local square and enjoy the Naxi people singing and dancing. DAY 15: LIJIANG- Tour ends. Note: This tour starts in Kunming and ends in Lijiang for maximum flexibility. We can offer connecting flights with other cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Please contact us for details. Journey through Yunnan - where China, Tibet and SE Asia meet • Experience Yunnan's ethnic diversity, remote geography and rich culture • Explore Xishuangbanna's tea plantations and the UNESCO site of Lijiang • Spot wild elephantsand take an aerial cableway over the rainforest • Visit the incredible Tibetan monastery in Zhongdian or ' Shangri- La' • Trek through Tiger Leaping Gorgewith views over the Yangtse River China Yunnan Revealed Haba Village Zhongdian Kunming Dali Tiger Leaping Gorge Lijiang Xishuangbanna China Sichuan Explorer Beijing Hong Kong Xi'an Mt QingchengChengdu TagongKangding Danba Langmusi Grasslands Xiahe Lanzhou Guilin Yangshuo Great Wall Barkam Single Supplement £ 155 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 20.15 * Price includes tour price of £ 635and local payment of US$ 200All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 740pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative TravellerStarts SunEnds Sun KunmingLijiang 2009 01- Feb- 0915- Feb- 09 01- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0912- Apr- 09 11- Oct- 0925- Oct- 09 08- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 06- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun KunmingLijiang 2010 07- Feb- 1021- Feb- 10 07- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 04- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 10- Oct- 1024- Oct- 10 07- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 05- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Trek grade - Moderate Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243