· Return airfares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane into Shanghai and out of Beijing with Singapore Airlines.

· A 14-day air and coach tour of China, including Shanghai, Xian and Beijing.

· Two days stop-over in Singapore.

· Quality accommodation, mainly four star.

· All meals in China.

· Entrance fees to many attractions, including Xian’s famous terracotta warriors.

· All transport and transfers.

· Services of an Australian tour leader and Chinese tour guides.

We will make every effort to match up single travellers who wish to travel at twin share rates. For anyone requiring a single room, there will be an extra charge of $585.

Itinerary For China Ancient Capitals – March 2005

Note: (B = Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner) included


14.03.05
Depart Sydney at 5.00pm on SQ 222, arriving in Singapore at 9.55pm.
Depart Brisbane at 3.00pm on SQ 236, arriving in Singapore at 8.50pm
Depart Melbourne at 5.15pm on SQ 228, arriving in Singapore at 9.50pm.

15.03.05 (B/L/D) Shanghai

Depart Singapore at 1.15am, arriving in Shanghai at 6.25am. After your arrival, you will be met and transferred to your four star hotel.

Today your exciting day tour begins at The Bund, the main promenade in Shanghai, on the beautiful Yu Garden. Move on to the Children’s Palace where the Shanghai Children will perform for you.

Check in New Century Hotel (or equivalent) for two nights.


16.03.05 (B,L,D) Shanghai

Enjoy a wonderful day tour to visit the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Museum and the Old French Quarter, Duolun Road. See the Shanghai Acrobats with their spectacular balancing and gymnastic program in the evening.


17.03.05 (B,L,D) Shanghai – Zhenzhou

Depart on a morning flight to the capital city of Henan Province, Zhenzhou. Transfer to your four star hotel. In the afternoon tour to the Yellow River Scenic Spot where you take an exciting hovercraft ride on the famous Yellow River. On to visit Henan Museum which houses one of China’s best range of ancient exhibits.

Check in Zhongzhou International Hotel (or equivalent) for two nights.


18.03.05 (B,L,D) Zhenzhou – Kaifeng – Zhenzhou

Transfer by coach to Kaifeng to visit the ancient cobbled streets and the typical ancient Chinese-style buildings. Then visit Dragon Pavilion Park and the Iron Pagoda. Enjoy the beautiful Qingming Park, which is famous for being painted in a master painting work during the Ming Dynasty. Return to your hotel in Zhengzou.


19.03.05 (B,L,D) Zhenzhou – Dengfeng - Luoyang

Transfer by coach to Luoyang via Dengfeng, which is the home of Chinese Kung Fu. Visit Shaolin Temple in the mountains of Songshan. This is the birthplace of Chinese Martial Arts. Famous around the world the Shaolin Monks are expert in the art of Kung Fu; today they will perform for you spectacular feats of strength, speed and power. Transfer to another one of China’s ancient capitals, Luoyang.

Check in Hotel Peony (or equivalent) for two nights.


20.03.05 (B,L,D) Luoyang

Visit the amazing Longmen Grottoes. Here you will see over 2,100 statues carved out of the stone cliffs and over 10,000 carved Buddhist statues. Take an afternoon tour to White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China. Visit Guanlin Market for some bargain shopping.


21.03.05 (B,L,D) Luoyang – Xi’an

Transfer by coach to Xi’an (4.5 hours). This gives you an opportunity to see real rural China, unforgettable. Arrive and transfer to your four star hotel.

Check in Lee Garden Hotel (or equivalent) for two nights.


22.03.05 (B,L,D) Xi’an

A full-day tour will take you to the treasure trove of Qin terracotta figures, the Terracotta Warriors, from there to Huaqing Hot Springs, and then to the ruins of the 6,000 year old Banpo Neolithic Village. In the evening enjoy a dazzling Tang Dynasty Show and lavish dinner banquet.


23.03.05 (B,L,D) Xi’an

In the morning stroll on the ancient Tang Dynasty City Wall and visit the Bid Wild Goose Pagoda, a masterpiece of Trang Dynasty religious architecture. See the Bell Tower and do some market shopping in the alleys and lanes of Gulou. In the afternoon, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing. On arrival, you will be transferred to your four star hotel.


24.03.05 (B,L,D) Beijing

Begin your most memorable day at the Eighth Wonder of the World, The Great Wall. Continue on to the Ming tombs. Admire the beauty of Cloisonn at a factory visit.

25.03.05 (B,L,D) Beijing

Today enjoy a fully inclusive tour to the Forbidden City. Admire the magnificence of Tiananmen Square. Continue on to the largest temple complex in China the Temple of Heaven. In the evening enjoy a sumptuous Peking duck dinner.


26.03.05 (B,L,D) Beijing

Enjoy the beauty of the Summer Palace. In the afternoon enjoy market shopping at the exciting Beijing Silk Alley Markets.


27.03.05 (B,L,D) Beijing

In the morning begin your Hutong tour. Ride in three-wheeled rickshaws through Beijing’s quaint alleys, experiencing the lifestyle of the Beijing locals. Enjoy lunch with a Beijing family in a traditional four-walled home.


28.03.05 (B) Beijing – Singapore

Transfer to Beijing International Airport, departing at 8.45am on SQ 811, arriving in Singapore at 2.50pm. You will be transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. During your Singapore stop–over the following will be available to you.

· 50% off food at your hotel’s coffee–house.

· Free SIA Hop–On Tourist Bus servicing the main tourist belt.

· Free admission to Sentosa Island, Singapore Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park, National Orchid Garden, Singapore Riverboat Tour.


30.03.05
Late check-out from your hotel. Transfer to Singapore Airport.
Sydney passengers depart at 8.20pm on SQ 221, arriving in Sydney at 5.40am the next morning (31.03.05).
Melbourne passengers depart at 8.50pm, arriving in Melbourne at 5.50am the next morning (31.03.05).
Brisbane passengers depart at 9.15pm, arriving in Brisbane at 6.30am the next morning (31.03.05).