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Itinerary
for China "Off the Beaten Track" Tour - October 2010 |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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| 28.10.10 |
Depart Melbourne
at 10.30pm on CZ 322, arriving in Guangzhou (Canton) at 6.00am the next
morning.
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| 29.10.10 |
Melbourne
passengers depart Guangzhou at 7.50am on CZ 3723, arriving in Xiamen at
8.55am.
Sydney passengers depart Sydney at 10.50am on CZ 326, arriving in
Guangzhou at 5.00pm. Depart Guangzhou at 7.50pm, arriving in Xiamen at
9.05pm.
Both Melbourne and Sydney passengers will be met at the airport and
transferred to their Xiamen Hotel. |
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30.10.10
(B/L) |
Xiamen
Today you will have a full day excursion to Yongding(about 205km inland
of Xiamen) for Hakka Village. Yongding stands amongst a number of
attractive mountains and expanses of rolling farmland. Whilst Yongding
may not be known for its attractions, the historic Hakka Earth
Buildings, known locally as 'Tulou", are especially appealing and
situated nearby. The Hakka people in Yonding will give us a unique and
special look at rural China. |
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31.10.10
(B/L/D) |
Xiamen - Guilin
Today you have a half day tour to Gulangyu including Piano Museum.
Gulangyu Island is also known as "Piano Island" by locals, because
piano music drifts from the villas and lingers throughout the island's
narrow streets. Many a famous Chinese musician hails from here.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival you
will be met and transferred to your hotel. After check in you will
visit Reed Flute Cave on the north western outskirts of town. It is
also one of the city's most famous sights with its multi-coloured
lighting and fantastic stalagmites and stalactites. |
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01.11.10
(B/L) |
Guilin
Today you will take a day excursion to Longsheng. The picturesque
Longsheng district 80km northwest of Guilin is home to a mixture of
Dong, Zhuang, Yao and Miao minorities. On this excursion you will see
not only the colourful dressed local people but the regions' renowned
Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces, one of the wonders of ancient
agricultural engineering. On the steep slopes of the Dragon's Backbone
Mountain, they are a remarkable sight, covering a huge area all the way
up from an altitude of 300m to the summit at 1100m. |
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02.11.10
(B/L/D) |
Guilin - Yangshuo
The one day cruise down the Li River from Guilin to the picturesque
town of Yangshuo is not to be missed, as it provides a unique
opportunity to view the array of extra-ordinary peaks which rise side
by side along the banks. Here you will also see picturesque villages,
bamboo plantations and fishermen using cormorants. This evening, you
will enjoy the Sister Liu Impression Show. |
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03.11.10
(B/L/D) |
Yangshuo - Guilin - Guiyang - Kaili
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Guiyang via Guilin. Upon
arrival, transfer to Kaili by coach. |
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04.11.10
(B/L/D) |
Kaili
Today you will attend Lusheng Festival. It is an important courtship
festival held annually. Mothers bring their daughters' finery which
consists of embroidered costumes and silver jewellery. During the
festival, boys play Lusheng pipes while forming a circle, girls follow
with a relatively simple dance step to show off their costumes to best
advantage. |
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05.11.10
(B/L/D) |
Kaili - Guiyang
Today you will visit the minority village and learn of their culture.
You will visit Wangba Miao Village where you will meet the local
people. Travel to Guiyang. Enjoy your buffet dinner at the hotel. |
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06.11.10
(B/L) |
Guiyang
Today will take a day excursion to Anshun. You will visit Yunshan Old
Han Chinese Village to enjoy the traditional Ground Opera performed by
actors with masks and painted faces. You will also visit a local family
to see their home's unique Stone Architecture. |
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07.11.10
(B/L/D) |
Guiyang
- Kunming - Lijiang
Transfer to the airport for
your flight to Lijiang. Lijiang lies in northern Yunnan at 2400m at the
foot of the imposing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which rises to 5500m.
This region is the home of the Naxi people, descendants of
Tibetan nomads, and the old part of Lijiang is now a World Heritage
Area and is a truly wonderful place. |
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08.11.10
(B/L) |
Lijiang
You will visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the southernmost in the
Northern Hemisphere that is snow-capped year round and move on to the
small town of Baisha to see their fascinating murals depicting Buddhist
and Daoist scenes painted in the 15th and 16th centuries in a style
with Tibetan, Naxi and mainstream Chinese elements. Next you will visit
the Yufeng Temple, one of the Scarlet Sect Lamaseries of Lijiang and
the famous Camellia Tree which was planted in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Your next stop will be Mu Mansion, the largest complex of traditional
buildings in the town, with interesting gardens in its courtyards and
stunning views over the rooftops to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. |
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09.11.10
(B) |
Lijiang
Today is free at leisure. |
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10.11.10
(B/L/D) |
Lijiang - Kunming - Chengdu
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu via Kunming.
Transfer to the hotel upon arrival. You will stroll in People's Park
and watch countless Tea Houses and observe local people's life. Tonight
you will enjoy the colourful Sichuan Opera, with high-pitch voices and
unique "changing faces". |
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11.11.10
(B/L) |
Chengdu
This morning you will visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in
the northern suburbs of Chengdu. A visit to this institution provides
an opportunity to see a large number of the endangered giant pandas,
both adults and cubs. Then move on to Sanxingdui, an archaeological
site of an ancient Chinese city. The previously unknown Bronze Age
culture was re-discovered in 1987 when archaeologists excavated
remarkable artifacts that dated from the 12th - 11th centuries. |
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12.11.10
(B/L/D) |
Chengdu
Today you will take a day excursion to Leshan, 167km south west of
Chengdu. You will visit the Giant Buddha statue which is carved into a
cliff on the bank of the Min River, in the hope its presence would help
reduce flooding. Enjoy your farewell dinner tonight. |
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13.11.10
(B) |
Chengdu
Free day in Chengdu. Transfer to Chengdu Airport, departing at 5.20pm
on CZ 3414, arriving in Guangzhou at 7.35pm. On arrival Melbourne
passengers will be transferred to their Guangzhou Hotel.
Sydney passengers depart Guangzhou at 9.05pm on CZ 325, arriving in
Sydney at 9.30am (14.11.10) |
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14.11.10
(B)
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Melbourne
passenger will have a free day for shopping etc in Guangzhou (Canton),
a city which would rival Bangkok for the title of "Best Shopping City
in the World".
Transfer to Guanzhou Airport, departing at 11.50pm on CZ 321, arriving
in Melbourne at 12.30pm (15.11.10)
Note:
For the additional night's accommodation with breakfast,
late 2pm check-out and return transfers there will be an extra charge
of $185 per person twin share or $245 single room. |
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