VIETNAM, CAMBODIA, LAOS, THAILAND, BURMA ... - Scenic Tours

Day 1 Arrive Beijing Ni Hao and welcome to
China! On arrival you will be met by your Scenic
Tours Representative and escorted to your luxurious
hotel in the heart of downtown Beijing (please arrive
by 5.00pm). This evening meet your Tour Director
and fellow travellers for your tour briefing followed by
your special Included Welcome Dinner, a Peking Duck
Banquet. Four Night Special Stay : Fairmont Beijing.
Meals: HD
Day 2 Beijing Embark on your Included tour of
Beijing, a city rich in history and one of the world’s
truly great cities. Home to the Imperial families
during the Ming era, the Forbidden City, with the
towering portrait of Chairman Mao looming above,
will astound you with the beauty of the many Imperial
Palaces, elegant gardens and pavilions within. Stroll
around Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s
largest and home to the Great Hall of the People
and Mao Zedong Mausoleum. Scenic Enrich: Take a
rickshaw ride through Beijing’s atmospheric Hutongs
(alleyways) to witness traditional Chinese life before
enjoying the finer art of a tea ceremony. Meals: FB,L,D
Day 3 The Great Wall of China Journey to
Mutianyu, for your Included visit to one of the lesser
visited sections of the Great Wall, where dramatic
scenery provides a picture-perfect backdrop. Standing
on the ancient ramparts is the only way to fully
appreciate this magnificent manmade structure, built
more than 2,500 years ago, and to truly experience
the vastness of China and the essence of the Chinese
spirit. This evening enjoy your Included Scenic
FreeChoice activity, select from: (1) enjoy the artistry
of performers and the colourful costumes from the
famed Peking Opera; or (2) witness the emotion
and action of traditional martial arts combined
with evocative dance, and flying acrobatics at the
spectacular Legend of Kung Fu show. Meals: FB,LL
Day 4 Beijing Absorb the early morning
atmosphere during your Included visit to the
magnificent Temple of Heaven. Scenic Enrich: Join
your Tai Chi Master as they explain the principles
of Tai Chi and guide you through some basic
movements. Join your Included Scenic FreeChoice
activity select from: (1) discover the past, present
and future of Beijing as you view some of the city’s
architecture; or (2) explore the magnificent Summer
Palace with its beautiful lakeside grounds and temples;
or (3) travel to a small Hutong and join a cooking class
with a close friend of Scenic Tours. Meals: FB
Day 5 Beijing – Xi’an Transfer to the airport for
your Included flight to Xi’an, the ancient capital for
eleven dynasties and east end of the Silk Road. Visit the
Ancient City walls, one of the oldest in China which
still encompass the centre, for your special ceremony.
Scenic Enrich: Be greeted by a Tang Dynasty official
and soldiers as you are presented with a key to
the city. Delve into Xian’s historical past and enjoy
the panoramic view as you navigate the city’s walls
on your Included battery car journey. This evening
enjoy your Included dinner as you witness a grand
performance of traditional songs, dances and colourful
costumes from the Tang Dynasty period. Two Night
Special Stay : The Westin. Meals: FB,HD
Day 6 Xi’an Discovered by a local farmer only late
in the 20th century, the remarkable and awe-inspiring
Terracotta Warriors and Horses which were created
to protect the tomb of China’s first Emperor Qin
Shi Huang, are over 2000 years old. Scenic Enrich:
Experience the fascinating army of more than 6000
life size figures from a special VIP platform.
Meals: FB,L
Day 7 Xi’an – Chengdu Travel to the airport for
your Included flight to Chengdu, the laid back and
spicy capital of Sichuan. Hot Pot is famous for the use
of the traditional spice, Sichuan pepper and you will
appreciate why the Chengdu variation is so special
during your Included lunch. Explore the tranquil halls
of the Wenshu Temple, one of the major temples of
Zen Buddhism in China during your Included visit.
Scenic Enrich: Watch a unique performance of the
ancient Sichuan Opera. Overnight Stay: Shangri-La
Hotel. Meals: FB,HL
Day 8 Chengdu – Giant Panda Research
Centre – Dazu Scenic Enrich: Discover the
many programs being implemented to protect
the endangered Giant Panda and their habitat at
the Research and Breeding Centre where, China’s
National symbol the Giant Panda, are nursed from
birth. Wander Jinli Old Street, one of the oldest
commercial streets in China and reconstructed in
a traditional architectural style of the Qing Dynasty
before you continue to Dazu. Overnight Stay: Ramada
Plaza Chongqing West Hotel. Meals: FB,D
Day 9 Dazu – Yangtze River Cruise Combining
elements from Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism,
the amazing World Heritage rock carvings at Dazu are
a unique blend of these religions. As you will discover
Guilin
during your Included visit, thousands of carvings
decorate the limestone walls, dating back to the Tang
Dynasty in the 7th century. Continue to Chongqing,
the mountain city and gateway to the Yangtze River
and embark on your Included luxury Victoria Cruise.
After settling in, enjoy your Included dinner before
the ship sets sail downstream through the Three
Gorges. Three Night Special Stay : Victoria Anna.
Meals: FB,L,D
Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise Start you morning
with an energising Tai Chi session on deck before
your shore excursion to either the “Ghost City” of
Fengdu or the new relocation village for families that
have been relocated as a result of the dam. Fengdu
has a number of temples and is an interesting place
to learn some of the tenets of Taoism and the story
behind the ghost city name. Meals: FB,L,D
Day 11 Yangtze River Cruise Travel through
the most scenic stretch of the Yangtze as it makes its
way through a spectacular series of limestone ridges,
known as the ‘Three Gorges’. Sail through Qutang
Gorge, the shortest, narrowest and most dramatic
gorge and then cruise through Wu Gorge, known
for its quiet beauty. Cruise Shennong Stream in your
sampan, before sailing through Xiling Gorge, the
longest of the three gorges. Meals: FB,L,D
Day 12 Yangtze River Cruise – Shanghai This
morning enjoy your Included shore excursion to the
site of the Three Gorges Dam Project. Disembark at
Yichang and transfer to the airport for your Included
flight to the exciting metropolis of Shanghai. Stroll
along the magnificent historic riverfront Bund, with its
1930s European colonial architecture and incredible
views across the Huangpu River to the Oriental
Tower and skyscrapers of Pudong. Three Night
Special Stay : Fairmont Peace Hotel. Meals: FB,L
Day 13 Shanghai Take your Included ride on
Shanghai’s famous Bullet Train (Maglev) and travel
at speeds in excess of 300 kilometres an hour.
Encounter amazing treasures and antiques on your
Included visit to the Shanghai Museum and wander
the large People’s Square. Explore the narrow historic
lanes and bustling street markets on your Included
visit to the exquisite Yu Yuan Gardens of old Shanghai.
Witness the energy and excitement of your Included
performance by the world renowned Shanghai
Acrobatic Troupe. Meals: FB,L
CHINA IN DEPTH -
BEIJING TO HONG KONG
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