2020 Travel Dates (arrival at Beijing Capital Intl Airport on Wednesday)
- April 15*, 22
- May 13, 20
- June 3, 10
- July 8*
- August 5
- September 9*,16*
- October 14, 21
- November 4, 11
* peak season surcharge applies
Includes:
- Return international airfares
- Hotel accommodation
- China domestic transport (flight/bullet train)
- Yangtze River cruise (superior twin cabin)
- Meals listed on the itinerary
- Air-conditioned coach transportation
- English-speaking tour guide
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
- Service fee
Excludes:
- Visas
- Travel Insurance - enquire with the merchant directly for a quote
- Personal expenses
- Anything not mentioned or ‘optional’ in the itinerary
- Sightseeing, meal or another travel service which is NOT specified in the itinerary
- Single room supplement
- Peak season surcharge
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Beijing
Welcome to China! Meet your local tour guide upon arrival at Beijing airport. A comfortable transfer will take you to hotel. Free for the rest of the day!
Note: Some flights may depart the night before.
Day 2: Beijing (B/L)
Start your day off with a visit to Tiannamen Square, one of the most spectacular public plazas in the world. Continue to the Forbidden City, a 15th-century palace complex which now houses a museum full of collections from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Then you will be free for the rest of the day, or choose to join an optional tour:
Optional tour (at own expense):
- Take a rickshaw ride along Beijing Hutongs and visit a local family AU$30 pp
- Visit Temple of Heaven and learn how to practice Tai Chi boxing AU$60 pp
- Dinner of Peking Duck AU$30 pp
- Night performance: Kung Fu Legend AU$60 pp
Day 3: Beijing (B/L)
After enjoying your breakfast, head north of the city to visit the famous Juyong Pass segment of the Great Wall of China. Surrounded by beautiful rugged mountains, this part of the wall stands out for its stunning Cloud Platform gate - a white marble fortification standing at 9.5 metres tall. Make a stop at the largest Jade carving factory in Beijing to learn how Jade was used to create the finest ornaments for Chinese imperial dynasties. Visit the site of the 2008 Olympic Games and marvel at structures such as the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, then unwind with a stop at a traditional Chinese medicine centre.
Optional tour (at own expense):
- Visit Summer Palace and scenic Houhai area AU$60 pp
- Hot pot dinner AU$30 pp
Day 4: Beijing-Nanjing(B/L)
After breakfast, take bullet train/flight (subject to the availability) from Beijing (the north capital) to Nanjing (the south capital). Meet local guide upon arrival and then get driven to must-visit of Nanjing. It is Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sun, who is revered as the father of the Republic of China, the first democratic regime of China. Visit a local jade shop and see the different jade-carving workmanship between Beijing and Nanjing.
Optional tour (at own expense):
- Visit Confucius Temple & Qinhuai Riverboat ride AU$65 pp
Day 5: Nanjing-Suzhou(B/L)
This morning, take a tour of Grand Bao’en Temple, the second oldest temple in China with a history of over 1500 years, and also used to be the largest and the most significant Buddhist temple in China. Visit a crystal artefacts shop and learn how Feng Shui culture is embedded into these exquisite artefacts. Transfer from Nanjing to Suzhou. Dubbed as Oriental Venice, Suzhou is famous for its extraordinary silk products and classic gardens. This afternoon, you will visit Lion Grove Garden, one of Suzhou’s Great Four Classic Gardens.
Optional tour (at own expense):
- Grand Canal Cruise AU$45 pp
Day 6: Suzhou-Hangzhou (B/L)
This morning, you will visit the largest silk factory in Suzhou and see how fabulous silk products are made. Proceed to Hangzhou. Marco Polo praised it as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”. Take a boat ride on the picturesque West Lake, the most scenic region of Hangzhou.
Optional tour (at own expense):
- Impression of West Lake AU$110 pp
Day 7: Hangzhou-Shanghai (B/L)
Hangzhou’s mild climate makes it an ideal place for tea-planting. This morning, you will visit a famed tea plantation where you could try tea-picking and learn about how tea is processed. Drive to Shanghai and take stroll along the Bund area.
Optional tour (at own expense):
- Huangpu River Cruise $45 pp
Day 8: Shanghai (B)
The day is yours to discover exciting Shanghai as you wish or you may choose to join the optional tours.
Optional Tour (at own expense):
- Half-day tour of Zhujiajiao Water Town w/lunch AU$110 pp (min. 4pp)
- Jinmao Tower & Asia-Pacific Plaza AU$110 pp
Day 9: Shanghai-Yichang (B)
Take bullet train/flight (subjected to the availability) from Shanghai to Yichang. Get transferred from the train station to port to board the cruise for 4 nights. Free for the rest of the day.
Day 10: Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
06:30-07:00 Early Bird Coffee and Tea
06:30-07:00 Practice Tai Chi
07:00-08:30 Breakfast (Buffet)
07:30-13:00 "Additional Shore Excursion - Tribe of The Three Gorges OR Hometown of Qu Yuan” - Additional cost
12:30-13:30 Lunch (Buffet)
13:45 Additional Shore excursion - Board sightseeing-ferry sailing through TGP Ship's elevator - Cost additional
14:30-17:00 Shore excursion - Three Gorges Dam Site
17:00-18:00 Activities
18:15-19:00 Captain's Welcome Reception
19:00-20:30 Dinner (Buffet)
21:00 Minorities and Dynasty Costumes Show
Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
06:30-07:00 Early Bird Coffee and Tea
06:30-07:00 Practice Tai Chi
07:00-08:15 Breakfast (Buffet)
08:30-11:00 Shore excursion---Shennong Stream
11:30-12:30 Lunch (Buffet)
12:45 (Est.) Scenic cruising - Wu Gorge
14:45 (Est.) Scenic cruising---Qutang Gorge
15:30-18:00 Additional Shore Excursion - White Emperor City - FEE APPLIED
19:00-20:30 Dinner (Buffet)
21:00 Cabaret show
Day 12: Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)
06:30-07:00 Early Bird Coffee and Tea
06:30-07:00 Practice Tai Chi
07:00-08:15 Breakfast (Buffet)
08:30 - 12:00 Activities
12:00-13:15 Lunch (Buffet)
14:00 - 17:00 Activities
13:15-18:00 Shore excursion - Fengdu "Jade Emperor"
13:15-18:00 Additional Shore excursion - Fengdu "Ghost City” - FEE APPLIED
19:00-20:15 Captain's Farewell Banquet
18:30-23:00 Settle accounts
Day 13: Chongqing Disembarkation (B)
07:00-08:15 Breakfast (Buffet)
7:30 Check out
9:00 Disembarkation in Chongqing
The cruise would arrive at Chongqing at 09:00 am (estimated). Disembark and transfer to your hotel(check-in after 2 pm), free for the rest of the day or you may choose to join an optional tour.
Optional tour (at own expense):
- Chongqing Zoo (including Giant Panda Hall) w/Lunch: AU$55 pp
Day 14: Chongqing-Australia(B)
Conclude your memorable tour with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight via connecting cities.
Accommodation
Beijing
- 4-star - Holiday Inn Express Beijing Airport Zone or similar
- 5-star - Wyndham Beijing North or similar
Nanjing
- 4-star - Holiday Inn Express Nanjing Dongshan or similar
- 5-star - Crowne Plaza Nanjing Jiangning or similar
Suzhou
- 4-star - Jiasheng Palace Hotel or similar
- 5-star - Wyndham Garden Suzhou or similar
Hangzhou
- 4-star - Mingkeming Hotel or similar
- 5-star - New Century Grand Hotel Hangzhou or similar
Shanghai
- 4-star - Borrman Hotel Shanghai Pudong International Airport or similar
- 5-star - Pullman Shanghai Qingpu Excellence or similar
Yangtze River Cruise
- 4-star - Comfortable Cruise: MV Victoria (superior cabin) or similar
- 5-star - Deluxe Hotel: MV Victoria (superior cabin with Amenity Package) or similar
Chongqing
- 4-star - Holiday Inn Express Chongqing Jiuxiucheng or similar
- 5-star - Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Huayu Chongqing or similar
Benefits of the 5-star package (on the cruise):
- Complimentary morning coffee and tea service
- Welcome fruit plate
- Complimentary Wi-Fi service in the Executive Lounge and lobby areas
- Nightly turndown service
- Diet soda included for lunch and dinner
- Private shore excursions with 6 or more passengers in a particular group
- Dining selection from two dining rooms (choice of the dining room to be made at the beginning of the voyage)
- Hot and cold soft drinks available daily in Executive Lounge (Pepsi, Sprite, juice, coffee, and tea)
- Afternoon "Happy Hour" one hour before dinner (including house wine, beer, and soda)
- Complimentary house wine and beer offerings at dinner
Conditions
Valid from Aug 27, 2019
Expires Jan 20, 2020
Limit: 4 per user and 2 as gift for others
Bookings essential and must be made by 20th January 2020. Subject to availability. International flights included. Last tour departs 11 November 2020. A surcharge of $450 per person applies for travel during the following periods April 15, July 8, September 9 & 16. Children under 18 surcharge $250 per person. Must be used in 1 visit. Deal valid for one person on a twin share basis i.e. two vouchers must be purchased at this price. Single supplement surcharge of $795 per person for 4-Star accommodation and $1070 per person for 5-Star accommodation applies, payable direct to merchant. Includes: return international airfares from Auckland International Airport, hotel accommodation, china domestic transport (flight/bullet train), Yangtze River cruise meals listed on the itinerary, air-conditioned coach transport, English-speaking tour guide, all sightseeing entrance fees as indicated on itinerary, service fees. Excludes: Visas, travel insurance, peak season surcharge, personal expenses, and anything not specifically mentioned or 'optional' on the itinerary. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Travel insurance recommended. Value of deal is based on current rates, which are subject to change. No refunds unless required by law. No cashback. Not to be used with other offers.
See the rules that apply to all deals.
