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BEST OFYUNNANHIDDEN CHINAFR$1,649 & INNER MONGOLIAFR$1,749Kunming Kunming 10 DAYS Beijing Beijing12 DAYSErhai Lake, DaliThe Forbidden CityORIENTAL ASIAHighlights• Slow the pace down as you wander the scenic highlands of Yunnan• Hike through the huge (and hugely spectacular) Tiger Leaping Gorge• Explore the Ming Dynasty-era streets in the ancient city of DaliHighlights• Stroll the Great Wall and stare down the Terracotta Warriors• Stand in awe in front of 50,000 Buddhas at the Yungang Caves• Learn the ancient art of Chinese painting in PingyaoDAYITINERARYDAYITINERARY0102-03KunmingArrive into Kunming at any time and, if time permits, explore the birdand flower markets or watch the locals practicing tai chi in GreenLake Park, before meeting your group this evening.DaliThe ancient walled town of Dali nestles between Erhai Lake and theCang Shan Mountains and is perhaps most famous for the beautifulThree Pagodas. It’s small enough to explore on foot or you couldtravel by bus or bike out to traditional countryside villages. (2B)01-0203BeijingArrive into Beijing, perhaps with time to explore before meetingyour group this evening. On Day 2, take a trip to one of mankind’smost incredible feats of engineering, the Great Wall of China, beforereturning to Beijing for the sleeper train to Inner Mongolia. (B)Inner Mongolia / UlanchapArrive into Ulanchap and head out to the vast expanse of grasslandsthat lie 70km west of the city. Visit a Mongolian family, enjoy atraditional Mongolian dinner and spend the night in a ger. (B, D)0405-0809-10LijiangHome to China’s Naxi minority people, the World Heritage Site ofLijiang is packed with picturesque old buildings, fast-flowing canalsand women in typical Naxi costume. Spend an afternoon resting in apavilion in Black Dragon Pool Park, gazing at the reflection of JadeDragon Snow Mountain and listening to traditional Naxi music. (B)Tiger Leaping Gorge / Lijiang / ShaxiLess well-known than the Three Gorges, but absolutely no lessimpressive, the narrow and dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge takes itsname from the legend that a tiger once escaped capture by jumpingacross. It’s a relatively strenuous hike on local tracks and, weatherconditions permitting, you’ll ascend the ‘28 Bends’ to be rewardedwith incredible views. On Day 6, return to Lijiang. Days 7 and 8 areyours to explore the quiet cobblestoned streets and the fabuloustraditional architecture of traditional Shaxi. (4B)KunmingEnjoy a free morning in Shaxi before catching a flight back toKunming. Your tour comes to an end after breakfast on Day 10. (2B)04-0506-0809-1011-12DatongOnce a political and economic powerhouse, Datong is now famous forits temples, pagodas and other treasures. Visit the Yungang Grottoesto see over 50,000 Buddha statues, and the Hanging Monastery. (2B)PingyaoTravel by train (an experience in itself!) through beautiful scenery toarrive into the traditional town of Pingyao in the evening of Day 6.On Day 7, stroll the city walls, market tower and Confucius Templebefore visiting a local family for a Chinese painting lesson. (3B)Xi’anStart your stay in Xi’an with a visit to the impressive TerracottaWarriors then enjoy a traditional farmhouse lunch, tour the GreatMosque in the city’s Muslim Quarter and hop into the saddle for abike ride round the ancient walls. Take an overnight train to Beijingon Day 10. (2B, L)BeijingTake a guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Tourends any time on Day 12. (2B)InclusionsTrip Style: Classic Service Level: StandardPhysical Grading: 3 Age Group: Any ageAccommodation: Hotels/guesthouses (9 nts)Transport: Train, private van, plane, public busMeals: 9 breakfasts Budget: Allow USD $115-150 for meals not included Group Leader: ChiefExperience Officer (CEO), local guides GroupSize: Max 16, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAACBYMy Own Room Available: Fr $289Departures 2015STARTFINISHJan 31 Feb 09Feb 14 Feb 23Mar 28 Apr 06May 02 May 11STARTFINISHMay 23 Jun 01Jun 20 Jun 29Jul 25 Aug 03Aug 15 Aug 24START FINISHSep 12 Sep 21Oct 17 Oct 26Nov 14 Nov 23TigerLeapingGorgeShaxiDaliBURMALijiangCHINAKunmingLAOSInclusionsTrip Style: Classic Service Level: BasicPhysical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any ageAccommodation: Hotels (7 nts), ger (1 nt,multishare), sleeper train (3 nts) Transport:Train, private van, bus Meals: 11 breakfasts, 1lunch, 1 dinner Budget: Allow USD $200-260for meals not included Group Leader: ChiefExperience Officer (CEO), local guides GroupSize: Max 16, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAACNCMy Own Room Available: Fr $409Departures 2015STARTFINISHApr 24 May 05May 22 Jun 02Jun 12 Jun 23STARTFINISHJul 10 Jul 21Aug 14 Aug 25Sep 04 Sep 15START FINISHOct 02 Oct 13MONGOLIAInner MongoliaDatongPingyaoXi’anCHINABeijing147