China | China Multi-Sport
More than just an exotic travel destination, China is a phenomenon. Home to one of the world's longest continuous civilisations, it's a country of contrasts - from picturesque rural landscapes to teeming cities, with natural beauty that ranges from the untamed to the idyllic. Join us for one of the most fascinating travel experiences of your lifetime. This is the chance to see the real China as few will.
| Duration: | 11 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW335 |
| Trip Style: | Superior - 4 star |
| Departure Dates: | 09 May 2011, 10 Oct 2011 |
| Price: | Please Contact Us |
| Single Supplement: | $780 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
All guests are active and interesting people who come from vastly different walks of life. They live in all corners of the world, work in a variety of occupations and industries, and have many different hobbies and interests. More than 80% are between the ages of 30 and 60. Above all, they all have one common interest - they love to travel in a way that allows them to fully immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the experience. The average group size is 8.
If you are travelling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will match you with another trip member. If we cannot find a roommate for you, you will only be charged for a single supplement if you register within 90 days of trip departure.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 8 average
Day 1. Arrive in Beijing, City Tour, Riverview Hotel (Yong Jing Tai)
After being met at Beijing International Airport, our local guide will transfer you to our hotel. After a brief rest, we take the subway to downtown Beijing to have our first real taste of China. Beijing, a surprisingly modern city, is the political and administrative center of the People's Republic of China, governing more than 3.5 million square miles of territory and no less than twenty percent of the world's population.
Still considered to be the capital of bicycles, Beijing's tourism industry has been brought up to Western standards almost overnight, undergoing relentless modernization for the past 20 years. The city is now busily preparing to host the 2008 summer Olympic games. Stroll today through Wangfujing, the premier area for shopping and food.
Day 2. Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven, Riverview Hotel (Yong Jing Tai)
We get up early today to begin our official tour of Beijing. First is the imposing Forbidden City, so called because it was off limits for 500 years. Situated on 250 acres, the Forbidden City was home to two dynasties of emperors, the Ming and the Qing. It is the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world, with more than 800 buildings and 9,999 rooms. In front of the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square, Chairman Mao's creation, the largest public place in the world and site of many history-making events.
A visit to the 15th century Temple of Heaven provides a glimpse of where the Emperors made offerings for the harvest. Today it is a popular place for local people to play chess, practice tai chi or listen to the Peking Opera. Later we visit a cloisonné factory to see local craftspeople at work. Tonight enjoy a special world famous acrobatic show.
Day 3. Great Wall in Simatai, Riverview Hotel (Yong Jing Tai)
An early morning bus ride takes us to Simatai, where construction of this 19 kilometre-long section of the Great Wall was begun in 1368. Architecturally, the wall here is delicately structured and unique in design. The 35 watchtowers are original structures and vary significantly in form. The Tower for Viewing the Capital, at an elevation of 986 meters above sea level, is constructed on sheer precipices.
After a shuttle back to Beijing in the evening, treat yourself to a Chinese foot massage (very relaxing - you may even fall asleep!). Hike the Great Wall (12 kms round trip; 5 hours).
Day 4. Summer Palace, Flight to Tunxi, Huangshan International Hotel
Today we visit the famous Summer Palace, set in the largest park in Beijing with a huge lake dug by hand in 1888. It was a favorite haunt of the Dowager Empress Cixi. A boat made entirely of marble is evidence of how she squandered China's treasury at the end of the 19th Century. In the afternoon we walk through the Hutong area - an old working class Chinese settlement within Beijing - where workers live in typical Chinese houses with carved doors and the neighborhood is laced with canals crossed by small bridges.
A late afternoon flight takes us to Tunxi (Huangshan City) in the southern part of Anhui Province. Tunxi has been one of the most important towns in the region since ancient times. It lies in the upper reaches of the Xinan River, the vital communications link between the provinces of Anhui, Jiangxi and Zhejiang. Quaint Tunxi Street, a commercial row where souvenirs and local products have been sold for hundreds of years, has been used for shooting many films about ancient China.
After settling into our hotel we will take an evening walk to the historic street to see its old style buildings, souvenir rows and antique furniture.
Day 5. Hike Huangshan (Yellow Mountains), Beihai Hotel
Sleep in or get up early to visit a local farmers' market and to watch people do Tai Chi exercise in a local park. After breakfast we drive to Huangshan (Huang means yellow and shan means mountain), about 75 km northwest of Tunxi. In 1990 UNESCO listed the Huangshan region as a world cultural and natural heritage site. Huangshan is one of the most spectacular areas in all of China. Its unique scenery of jagged peaks and twisted pines is often depicted in traditional Chinese paintings. Rocks, mist, trees, temples and water make this an unforgettable place.
Within an area of 154 square kilometers is a crown of peaks, with 72 named for the shapes they resemble. Lotus Flower, Bright Top and Celestial Capital are the three major ones, all rising above 1,800 meters (5,600 feet). We hike about three hours to reach the summit and the setting for the Beihai Hotel. Hike to Huangshan summit (2 miles, more than 1000 steps to climb, 1600 metres above sea level, 4 hours; guests carry a change of clothing in their dayback and leave their luggage locked in the shuttle vehicle as there is no road access to the Beihai Hotel).
Day 6. Hike Huangshan, Huangshan International Hotel
One of the highlights of a visit to Huangshan is a Beihai sunrise: with a sea of low clouds blanketing the valley to the north and island peaks hazily reaching for the heavens. After breakfast we descend from the peak along the western steps where you will marvel at Huangshan's most spectacular scenery. Explore Tiandu Feng (Celestial Capital Peak) and Lianhua Feng (Lotus Flower Peak) before taking a cable car down to Huangshan Hot Springs.
If time permits, we take a soothing soak in the warm waters. The journey continues to the ancient village of YiXian where some of the most beautiful rural scenery in China is experienced. This area is famous for preservation of Sung Dynasty architecture and ancient traditions and customs.
In YiXian we have the opportunity to hike in a bamboo forest and visit the village where the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed. We return to Tunxi in the evening for another night at the Huangshan International Hotel. Hike in Huangshan (6 miles with more than 3000 up and down steps, 5 hours).
Day 7. Transfer to Hangzhou, Flight to Guilin, Guilin Brava Hotel
This morning we shuttle to Hangzhou for an afternoon flight to Guilin. The romantic scenic beauty of this city has inspired poets and artists in China for centuries. The city has been eulogized in literary works as one the most beautiful places in the world. We will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel.
Day 8. Li River Cruise and Biking near Yangshuo, Yangshuo Li River Hotel
After breakfast we shuttle to Zhuijiang dock for the start of our Lijiang (Li River) Cruise. During the 83 kilometer voyage, enjoy the charm of the passing landscape farmers tilling their fields behind water buffalo, fishermen harvesting their catch with the use
of cormorants as "fishing poles", sleepy villages and of course the unique karst limestone formations rising abruptly from the shoreline.
Enjoy lunch on board before arriving at the charming little town of Yangshuo, a backpacker's paradise.We next mountain bike through picturesque villages, stretching between rice paddies and set amid subtropical plants. For those with the energy, conclude the ride with a climb up the 819 steps of Moon Hill for a view of the surrounding countryside. Bike from Yangshuo through the countryside (26 kms roundtrip, 2-1/2 hours).
Day 9. Biking to Xing Ping, Transfer to Guilin, Guilin Brava Hotel
Today will be the highlight day of biking as we pedal along a riverbank to the fishing village of Xing Ping. The scenery is breathtaking as strange pinnacles thrust up right next to you; hospitable farmers will invite you to take a rest in their homes; nosy water buffaloes will stop working as you glide by; school children might even ask you to join in for a game of ping-pong. You immediately fall in love with this area and won't want to leave. Return to Yangshou by bike and transfer back to Guilin. Biking from Yangshuo to Xing Ping and back (27 kms round trip, 3 hours).
Day 10. Hike Yao Mountain, Cable Car, Reed Flute Cave, Guilin Brava Hotel
Hike to the top of Yao Mountain for a bird's eye view of Guilin spread out below. Then take the cable car back down the mountain and visit Reed Flute Cave. Learn about limestone cave formation and visit the Crystal Palace of the Dragon King chamber, which can comfortably hold 1,000 people. This evening enjoy a colorful minority dance show, relax in your four-star hotel or arrange for one last Chinese foot massage. Hiking on Yao Mountain (6 miles, 3-1/2 hours).
Day 11. Flight to Beijing and Flights Home
Our fabulous China adventure concludes today with a flight to Beijing for connection to flights home. Since you're crossing of the international date line, you arrive home on the same day (quite possibly even before you left).
Inclusions
- Meals (dinner Day 1 to breakfast Day 11)
- Accommodation (4-star or best local)
- Activities as described in the itinerary
- Luggage transfers (one bag per guest)
- Bicycles
- Van transfers
- Park entrance fees
- All three intra-China flights
- Professional English-speaking guides
What's Not Included
- Guide gratuities
- Please note that bicycle helmets are not provided for hygiene reasons so you should bring your own
Terms & Conditions
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For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
