China Spectacular

A unique experience is guaranteed during this 12 nights, 13 days tour to Beijing, Xi'an, Chongqing, Yangtze River Cruises, Yichang and Shanghai, from $3,590 (Tour Code: EC)
Guaranteed departure with minimum two passengers!

EC

Day 01 Australia/Beijing Sunday

Fly from Australia to Beijing, the dynamic capital of the People’s Republic of China. Once the imperial city of Mongol. Ming and Manchu emperors, Beijing today is still extraordinarily rich in historical sites and cultural relics. After clearing airport formalities, meet your CTS guide and transfer to your hotel.

Day 02 Beijing Monday (B/L/D)

Tour the Tian’anmen Square, the biggest public square in the world. You will also be able to have a photo stop at The National Centre for the Performing Arts, formerly known as the National Grand Theatre, and colloquially described as The Egg. The Centre, an ellipsoid dome of titanium and glass surrounded by an artificial lake, seats 6,500 people in the three halls and is 200,000 m2 in size. Afterwards, visit Forbidden City, the vast complex of palaces, which was home to successive Emperors for more than 500 years. Included is admission to the living quarters, museum and jewelry sections. Tonight you will experience the famous Beijing Duck banquet for your welcome dinner.

Day 03 Beijing Tuesday (B/L/D)

Morning tour to the Great Wall at Juyongguan section, stretching almost 4,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the sands of Central Asia and befittingly crowned one of the ten wonders of the world. Along the way, you will stopover at China National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) and China National Aquatics Centre (Water Cube) for taking photos, then stop at a jade carving factory where you can watch artisans at work. Continue to the Summer Palace, the largest and the best preserved of all imperial palace gardens, which boasts such delights as the famous Marble Boat and the ornately painted ‘Long Corridor’, and take a boat ride on its Lake Kunming if the weather permits. After dinner, you will witness the amazing Beijing Acrobatic Show.

Day 04 Beijing Wednesday (B/L)

In the morning, enjoy a pedi-cab tour of Hutong – the ‘old city’ neighbourhoods of narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens, experience local life on a family visit and kindergarten if opens. After lunch, tour to the Temple of Heaven, the 500-year old Temple houses altars on which sacrifices and offerings were laid to the gods in a glorious setting of gardens, tress and sculptures. Then, we tour to the brand new Qianmen Street, which is also called the Heaven Street, because there were 23 emperors during China’s Ming and Qing dynasties walking through this street to pray and make sacrifice at the Temple of Heaven. Centuries ago, Qianmen Street had become a commercial and amusement center due to its convenient location connecting the Forbidden City and communities in ancient Beijing. Also visit a local market if time permits. Evening at leisure

Day 05 Beijing/Xi’an Thursday (B/D)

Morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Today you will sample the Xi’an dumpling dinner. Afterwards, you will see the Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 06 Xi’an Friday (B/L/D)

Morning tour to the greatest archaeological discovery of the century, more than 2,000 year-old Terracotta Warriors interred with the Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Included are the Circle Vision Movie and Bronze Chariot. On the way to the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, we visit Xi’an Art Ceramic and Lacquer Ware Factory, which focus on the reproductions of terra-cotta warriors and horses and lacquer ware products. The craftsman in the factory, with professional knowledge, have made the replica of terra-cotta warriors and horses that popularly accepted as souvenirs and gifts by both Chinese and foreign visitors. In the afternoon, we walk through the lively Muslim Quarter and market, visit to the Great Mosque, a best-preserved Islamic mosque in China and focus for the 30,000 Chinese Muslims of Xi’an.

Day 07 Xi’an/Chongqing Saturday (B/D)

Transferred to the airport and fly to Chongqing, which is a port city with the largest municipal area and population in China. Chongqing is situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers in southwest China. We will visit the old town area of Ciqikou (ancient Ciqikou village lures tourists to linger in its streets to buy handicraft souvenirs), before board your cruiser (MV Century Diamond) starting your spectacular cruise along the mighty Yangtze River in the evening.

Day 08 Yangtze River Cruise Sunday (B/L/D)

Relax on deck or in the lounge, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the magnificent
Three Gorges. Sailing downstream, view the Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges, and enjoy a side trip up Shennong Stream. Shore excursions include Fengdu, the “Ghost City”.

Day 09 Yangtze River Cruise Monday (B/L/D)

Enjoy your cruise along the river today.

Day 10 Yichang/Shanghai Tuesday (B/L/D)

Disembark at Yichang. Transfer to airport for your flight to Shanghai. Check in your hotel.

Day 11 Shanghai Wednesday (B/L)

In the morning tour we will visit the Bund, a popular promenade along the Huangpu River, where the old meets the modern in Shanghai. You may see the local people performing Tai Chi during your stroll along the Bund. Afterwards, we will visit the Old Town with its winding alleyways, lined with shops, teahouses and restaurants, and then to the elegant and tranquil Yu Garden. In the afternoon we will visit Shanghai Xintiandi, which is a new tourist attraction in downtown Shanghai, featuring the city’s unique “Shikumen” houses and a maze of narrow alleys, which have been converted into cafes, restaurants, bars, art retail shops. Dinner will be on your own arrangement.

Day 12 Shanghai Thursday(B)

Free at leisure for shopping till you dropping or to explore this booming city on your own path.
From 01 May to 31 October 2010, World Expo 2010 Shanghai might be the important event. The theme of Expo 2010 is “Better City, Better Life,” representing the common wish of the whole humankind for a better living in future urban environments. The quest for a better life has run through the urban history of mankind. Through different sub-themes, Expo 2010 will create blueprints for future cities and harmonious urban life styles, providing an extraordinary educational and entertaining platform for visitors of all nations.
The Expo Site covers a total area of 5.28 square kilometers, including the enclosed area and outside areas of support facilities. The Expo Site spans both sides of the Huangpu River, with 3.93 sq km in Pudong and 1.35 sq km in Puxi. The enclosed area measures 3.28 sq km. There are 12 pavilion groups, eight in the Pudong Section and four in Puxi, each with an average area of 10–15 hectares.
CTS Australia will provide you one-day World Expo ticket on complementary basis (standard day only). The transfers will be on your own arrangement.

Day 13 Shanghai/Australia Friday (B)

Today you are free for some last minute shopping before being transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Day 14 Australia Saurtday

Arrival in Australia

Departure Dates (Jul 2010 - Jun 2011):
4-Jul 18-Jul 22-Aug 5-Sep 19-Sep 26-Sep 10-Oct 17-Oct 24-Oct
14-Nov 12-Dec* 27-Mar 10-Apr 17-Apr 24-Apr 8-May 15-May 22-May
12-Jun 26-Jun



Price Table (Jul 2010 - Jun 2011):
Optional International Carrier Departure Adult Child
China Eastern Airlines SYD/MEL $3,590 $3,090
China Eastern Airlines BNE/ADL/OOL/CBR/HBA $3,890 $3,390
Qantas Airways (transit in Shanghai and fly to Beijing with China Eastern Airlines) SYD/MEL/BNE/ADL $4,190 $3,590
Qantas Airways via Hong Kong (one way) SYD/MEL/BNE/ADL $4,300 $3,670
Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong SYD/MEL/BNE/ADL/CNS/PER $3,790 $3,290
Singapore Airlines via Singapore SYD/MEL/BNE/ADL (Departs one day earlier) $4,290 $3,630
Thai Airways via Bangkok SYD/MEL/BNE (Departs one day earlier) $4,490 $3,830
Land Only: $2,680
Single Room Supplement: $700 for land + $550 for cruise
*High Season Surcharge: $650

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