BOOK NOW at www.imaginative-traveller.com or CALL 0845 287 0769VIETNAM / CHINA123ItineraryDay 1-2 / Hanoi Our trip begins in Hanoi. Arrive early if possible - there's so much to see. Take a tour of the city and visit the ancient One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and the infamous 'Hanoi Hilton', the Hoa Lo Prison. Overnight to Hekou. Day 3-4 / Kunming Cross into China and witness the spectacular mountain scenery along the way. Kunming is a beautiful city with wide boulevards, picturesque lakes and tranquil gardens. In the evening of Day 4, we board a sleeper train to Dali. Day 5-6 / Dali There is so much to see around this traveller's Mecca. Ride into the countryside on bicycles and visit a local Bai village, catch a ferry across Erhai Lake or just relax in a sidewalk café and sip cups of jasmine tea. Day 7 / Lijiang Lijiang's Old Town is criss-crossed by a jumble of narrow streets and canals lined by rickety wooden buildings and bustling market squares. Stay in an authentic Naxi-style guesthouse and explore this beautiful part of town at your leisure. Day 8-10 / Tiger Leaping Gorge Over the next three days trek above the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and along the scenic trails of Tiger Leaping Gorge. There are some steep climbs, but plenty of mind-blowing views too. Day 11 / Kunming We return to Kunming for one last chance to look around this beautiful city we depart Yunnan Province. Be sure to try out the renowned local delicacy, 'Over the Bridge' noodles. Day 12-14 / Yangshuo A short flight and a bus trip away, Yangshuo's mythic landscape of limestone karsts and verdant rice paddies is truly stunning. Ride bicycles amongst them and between the villages dotted beneath. Day 15-18 / Yangtze River Cruise - Chongqing Over the following two days we'll make our way along the Yangtze, cruising past sheer cliff faces, large cities and small, lively villages. We leave the riverboat on the third afternoon to head to the bustling city of Chongqing. Day 19-21 / Chengdu - Giant Pandas - Giant Budha After spending the night in Chongqing, we head to Chengdu to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Afterwards, we travel to Leshan and another massive icon, the Giant Buddha, 'Da Fo'. Day 22-23 / Xian - Terracotta Warriors The army of Terracotta Warriors is one of China's greatest archaeological treasures. See this amazing sight then wander through the laneways of Xian's enchanting Muslim Quarter or walk along the top of the ancient city wall. Day 24-26 / Beijing - Great Wal During our stay in China's capital, we explore the majestic Forbidden City and visit Tiananmen Square. A visit to China wouldn't be complete without taking a walk along the Great Wall. Our overland journey ends in Beijing on the morning of Day 26.Hanoi to Beijing Overland 26 daysFrom Vietnam to China on this great trip.Explore the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, trek through spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge, ride bikes past limestone karsts rising from lush paddy fields, cruise down the Yangtze, and walk along ancient trade routes. China of course wouldn't be complete without taking a walk along the Great Wall!Trip InfoDeparture DatesGroup size: Maximum 16.Grade: Trekking Easy / Culture Moderate.Transport: Bicycle, Bus, Plane, Riverboat, Sleeper train, Trek.Accommodation: 2 nights cruise boat, 6 nights guesthouse, 12 nights budget/tourist class hotels, 5 nights sleeper train.Meals: 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners.Start Day: Friday End Day: TuesdayTour code: GCHOStart FinishStart Finish201125-Feb 22-Mar11-Mar 05-Apr25-Mar 19-Apr08-Apr 03-May22-Apr 17-May29-Apr 24-May20-May 14-Jun03-Jun 28-Jun17-Jun 12-Jul01-Jul 26-Jul15-Jul 09-Aug29-Jul 23-Aug12-Aug 06-Sep26-Aug 20-Sep16-Sep 11-Oct23-Sep 18-Oct07-Oct 01-Nov21-Oct 15-Nov201224-Feb 20-Mar09-Mar 03-Apr23-Mar 17-Apr06-Apr 01-May20-Apr 15-May27-Apr 22-May18-May 12-Jun01-Jun 26-Jun

124CHINA & CENtRAL ASIAChina and Central Asia have long drawn adventurers with their long and colourful histories creating a wealth of exciting travel opportunities. However the sheer size of this region is overwhelming and the diversity of peoples, cultures and landscapes so vast that a helping hand in organizing that perfect trip is required - which is where Imaginative Traveller come in! From Beijing to Lhasa, the Silk Road to Mongolia and from the Caucasus to Mount Fuji we can open your eyes to the amazing sights found here. If you were looking for the world in one country, China is a good place to start and for all the classic 'must-dos' such as walking the Great Wall or cruising the Yangtze River, our Road to Beijing offers you the whole of China in one trip. More unusual activities include kung fu lessons with a Shaolin master, taking part in a tea-drinking ceremony in a Buddhist temple or drinking fermented horse milk with a Kyrgyz nomad. An important part of our tours is the variety of accommodation used - from berths on the Trans-Mongolian Express to gers in the Gobi Desert and we often stay with local people providing amazing opportunities to interact with their communities and enjoy mutual understanding. Our tours here are about discovering China and Central Asia in depth - rather than just passing by.Why travel to China & Central Asia with us?China & Central Asia