16 DAYS GENERAL AGRITOUR TO CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

16 Days Farm Tour: Beijing-Xian-Chongqing-Yangtze River -Guilin-Wuhan-Suzhou-Shanghai

Day 1 --Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and check into hotel. After noon, before we conclude our Hutong tours we will enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Houhai Lake with traditional Chinese musical accompaniment. Overnight: Best Western Premier Hotel Beijing****

Day 2 --Beijing
As our introduction to the imperial city we take a stroll in Tiananmen Square, bordered by the Great Hall of the People. Then, we walk to the Forbidden City, the complex of imperial palace, which were home to the Emperors for over 500 years. Grand halls and courts gradually give way to more intimate domestic quarters, giving an insight into the pampered isolation of the emperors. After lunch we will drive to visit a famous Cattle Farm in the suburban county and have a meeting with local government and experts from the farm. Be prepare surprise, we will taste High Quality Beef Hot Pot Dinner supplied by the farm. BLD

Day 3 --Beijing
Today is the highlight of our China tour, the climbing of the Great Wall of China, which was first built in the Warring States period (475-221BC) as a series of earthworks erected by individual kingdoms as a defense against each other as well as from invasions from the north. The present day wall was left from the Ming dynasty. Back to the city in the afternoon we will visit a Dairy Farm. This evening Peking Duck Dinner. Overnight 4 star Hotel. BLD.

Day 4 --Beijing / Xian
Fly to Xian in the morning. Xi'an was the cradle of ancient Chinese civilization dating back to 4000 BC, and the capital of China for 11 dynasties from 1046BC to 907AD. It is from here that caravans started on the Silk Road to Europe, changing the Western world forever. Upon arrival we will visit the City Wall, Bell Tower. Overnight: Xian Grand New World Hotel**** (www.gnwhxian.com)
Tel: 0086-29-87216868, Fax: 87219754. BLD

Day 5 --Xian
Morning visit to the Museum of the Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses. This is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world with three exhibition halls, the largest of which is 180 meters by 60 meters, housing the continuing excavation of an army of 8,000 terra-cotta soldiers and horses that guard the tomb of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of the unified China. It is a stunning exhibition of ancient artifacts that is well laid out and easy to view. After lunch we enjoy our tour to Big Goose pagoda, if time allows we visit the Great Mosque which is one of the most famous mosques in China now. This mosque was constructed in 742AD according to stone tablets unearthed here. You won’t realize that a mosque is here without prior information. Tang Dynasty Show with dinner. BLD

Day 6, --Xian
We drive about two hours to suburban County to see corn, potato farm, cattle, piggeries, orchard farms and irrigation schemes. Technical meeting with local agricultural experts, officials, marketing people and farmers will be arranged after each visit and peasants’ villages. Overnight Xian.

Day 7 --Xian / Chongqing
Today in the morning we fly to the scenic mountain city of Chongqing where we embark our cruise ship and after lunch we head out to the countryside. Here we will see a number of small family farms which as usually on a couple of acres in size. We then make a short visit to a small family farm where we can take a look at typical farming methods in this area. Then transfer to Chongqing to enjoy a dinner of typical Sichuan cuisine before boarding our Regal Cruiser. BLD.

Day 8 --Yangtze River Cruise
We set sail in the morning on our 3 night downstream cruise to Wuhan. Our first port of call is the remarkable city of Fengdu. In days gone by, Fengdu was believed to be the abode of devils and the 700 temples on Mingshan Hill with their bizarre statuary bear testimony to the city’s notoriety as the “City of Ghosts”. BLD

Day 9 --Yangtze River Cruise
Today we navigate the magnificent Yangtze Gorges. In the morning at about 7:00Am, we pass through the shortest and narrowest gorge, Qutang Gorge (8KM). Later at 8:15AM, we enter the second gorge, Wu Gorge, (44km) with peaks rising to dizzy heights above the river. At 10:00Am, take an exciting ride by small craft along the swift waters of the Shennong Stream, one of the many tributaries in this fertile area. Here the imposing mountains, dramatic precipices and crystal clear waters form a secluded scene. At 4:00PM our boat enters the Xiling Gorge is the last and longest of the three Gorges and its 75 km are renowned for their swift current and dangerous shoals. BLD.

Day 10 --Yangtze River Cruise
Visit the Three Gorge’s Dam construction site, one of mankind’s greatest engineering feats to date and navigate the lock of the incredible Three Gorge’s Dam and Gezhouba Dam. BLD.

Day 11 --Wuhan/ Guilin
We leave our cruiser behind at Wuhan and disembark at about 12:00pm. After lunch, if time allows, our afternoon sightseeing tour could includes the Yellow Crane Tower and the Hubei Provincial Museum, with its remarkable bronze relics and impressive performance of Chu era music. At about 4:30pm, transfer to the airport and fly to Guilin. Guilin is a beautiful and unique city which is nestled amidst paddy fields, farmland and beautiful, but curious limestone cliffs. Our hotel is located on the tree lined banks of the Li River yet is only moments away from the city centre and the lively and colourful night markets. This will be our base for the next 2 nights of the tour. Our flight will be approximately 1hr and upon arrival we check in our hotel. Guilin Bravo Hotel (www.glbravohotel.com)
Tel:0086-773-2898888, Fax:0086-773-2893333. BLD.

Day 12 --Guilin
This morning we depart from our hotel for our cruise along the Li River which runs through the heart of this region. We will have a chance to see the water buffaloes working in the fields and at this time of year we may have a chance to see the rice being harvested. Buffet lunch will be taken on the boat overlooking the famous Li River. This afternoon we have arranged for a “buggy ride” through the countryside- definitely the day to have plenty of rolls of film to hand!! We make our way back to the hotel for late afternoon and a chance to use the leisure facilities in our hotel.
We depart early evening as soon as the sun goes down for a visit to see the Cormorant fishermen at work. We will first have evening dinner along the riverside and then catch our river boat for a demonstration of how the farmers teach the cormorants to catch the fish. We return to the hotel when there will be time for you to just relax of maybe visit the night markets which are only a minute’s walk away. BLD

Day 13 --Guilin / Shanghai / Suzhou
Upon arrival, we take one and half hours coach to Suzhou, the city with over 2,500 years of history and regarded by Marco Polo as the "Venice of the Orient". Suzhou is also known as the Silk Capital of the World as well as” Paradise in Heaven”. While driving on the way, we can enjoy both beautiful farmland and landscape. Suzhou has long been famous for its canals and gardens. The canals are all linked to the Grand Canal which is and is believed to be the largest internal waterway in the world. It was originally constructed to carry grain from the southern regions to the capital and is still used for this purpose today. After Checking in our Hotel for a short rest, we visit the Serging Waves Garden, the oldest existing garden in the city and one of the four most famous classical gardens in China built in Song Dynasty 900 years ago. And then follows a visit of Suzhou Dairy Farm. Overnight Suzhou Bamboo Grove Hotel:****(www.bg-hotel.com) Tel: 0086-512-65205601, Fax: 65103511

Day 14 --Suzhou / Shanghai
In the morning, we take boat cruising on canal to view people’s daily life for one and half-hours. A visit of the Suzhou Silk Institute and learn the ancient art of making Chinese silk products by hand. Also, we will enjoy a silk fashion show and do some shopping. After lunch, we drive for two hours to Shanghai, a city with 16 million people and an important center for trade and industry in China and the most cosmopolitan city in the world, the fishing village on a mudflat which almost literally overnight became a great metropolis, the city of glamorous nightlife and throbbing with activity, Shanghai offers the full composite allurement of the Far East. Check in our hotel, then sightseeing including Nanjing Road, one of the busiest and biggest shopping street in China will be arranged. Stroll on the Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront. Shanghai Ever Bright Hotel**** (http://www.ebhotel.com/) BLD

Day 15 --Shanghai
This morning we go to the Shanghai Old Town, with its history dating back some 400 years. People love this area due to the variety of commodities and shops available. We will visit the Yu Garden, which is characteristic of the architectural style of the Ming dynasty. It is a private garden in the southeast of Shanghai, with a history of 400 years. The garden features more than 30 halls and pavilions. Outside the Yu Garden there is very interesting market with every thing that you can think of for sale at low price. Then tour to the Pudong New Developed Area, where we tour the riverside park along the Huangpu River appreciating the third highest TV Tower in the world as well as the Jinmao Tower, the third tallest building in the world. Free at leisure in the afternoon. Acrobatic Show in the evening. BL

Day 16 --Shanghai / Back Home
Transfer to the airport to board your flight to your sweet home. B.

Our holiday includes:
Domestic airfare (Beijing/Xian/Chongqing and Wuhan/Shanghai)
Air-conditioned deluxe transportation within the tour
Accommodation at international standard Hotel
5 star Regal ship, all meals on the boat will be western style buffet.
Three meals as specified in the itinerary
Full American Buffet Breakfast Daily
Comprehensive sightseeing
Farm Experienced and knowledgeable tour guides throughout our whole trip
All farm visits listed in the program

Local Specialties:
Beijing - Peking Duck Banquet

Special Entertainments:
Guilin - cormorants to catch the fish.
Shanghai - Chinese Acrobatics Show
Xian- Tang Dynasty Show

Our holiday does not include:
International airfare
Personal expenses
Tips to guide and driver