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East China adventure tour

country:China
location:Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors
trip type: A small group adventure
departures:2009: 23 Feb, 16 Mar, 6 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 8 Jun, 22 Jun
price:From £1302 (15 days) including domestic flights as per itinerary only. We can arrange flights from the UK
read 1 travellers review
the amazing things you'll be doing
Eastern China is home to some of the world's most significant historical and architectural treasures, but few people explore off the main trail and discover the real China. You visit famous sights like the six thousand life-sized Terracotta Warriors in Xian, but it's the exotic Muslim Quarter in this city, with its narrow alleyways, colourful spice stalls and antiquated mosques, that provides an insight to lesser known aspects of China. At the Great Wall you visit a remote section, far away from the tourist hordes, which makes a huge difference to your experience. You share the experience of exploring the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven in the company of an expert local guide.

In Shanghai, a short walk to the Bund on the waterfront offers great photo opportunities as locals practise taichi opposite imposing Art Deco buildings, reminders of the frenzied European trading days. Time away from the cities allows for a relaxing contrast to the hustle and bustle. Suzhou and Hangzhou are delightful, with ornate gardens, picturesque lakes and canals.

Yangshuo, a small and charming village near Guilin, is surrounded by hundreds of limestone towers rising sheer from deep green rice fields. Exploring the area by bike and enjoying lunch in a local village, is a highlight. Hong Kong provides an exhilarating last stop to your tour.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Beijing
Day 2-3:Beijing
Day 4:Overnight train to Xian
Day 5-6:Xian
Day 7:Fly to Shanghai
Day 8:Shanghai
Day 9:Day train to Suzhou
Day 10:Tongli, bus to Hangzhou
Day 11:Fly to Guilin, bus to Yangshuo
Day 12:Yangshuo
Day 13:Overnight train to Guangzhou
Day 14:Boat to Hong Kong
Day 15:Trip ends Hong Kong
travellers' tales
Basically it was a really fantastic trip and I feel that I came back with information overload having seen and experienced so much. China never failed to surprise and amaze me all the way through the tour.  (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.

Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.





how this holiday makes a difference
See China through the eyes of a local, as your Chinese tour leader gives you a first-hand insight into the exotic and colourful tapestry that makes up this diverse country. Wandering around famous historic sites and visiting archaeological treasure-troves, pagodas and former palaces gives travellers an awareness of these cultural relics and the importance of them being preserved and protected, so that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations.

Enjoying a home-cooked lunch as a guest of a Chinese family in a village house near Yangshuo enables travellers to interact closely with local people and hopefully leading to better cross-cultural understanding. Through a question and answer session, you learn how the local people live and gain an appreciation of their daily routines. Equally important your Chinese tour leader will help you to understand the traditions of these proud people, ensuring you don’t commit any cultural ‘faux pas’. This tour also includes a cruise down the Yangtze, where you learn about the ecological issues surrounding the world's third longest river.

To support tour programs in China this operator is training tour leaders on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This not only assists in the conduct of a tour but also provides leaders with important life skills. By only employing tour leaders born and bred in the regions they visit, they are supporting local economies. Through offering employment and steady revenue, tourism can ultimately make a real positive difference to local communities.

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