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Mountain Kingdoms, River Gorges (15 days)
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Please note that this
itinerary is our suggestion only- all our tours are custom
made to your requirements!
Bamboo Temple, Kunming
Fengdu Ghost City
Yangtze River Cruise
Tibet
Potala Palace, Lhasa
Emerald Pagoda Lake
Songzanlin Monastery
Black Dragon Pool
Your tour price includes:
International and internal flights
Hotel accommodation with meals as indicated in the programme.
Transfers, tours with English speaking guide.
All entrance fees and boat fees.
Service charges, rooms tax and handling fees.
Your tour price does not include:
Personal expenses and other services which are not mentioned
in the program.
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15 day tour of Yunnan (China) including Tibet & Yangtze River Cruise.
Day 1 Kunming
Arriving Kunming, our China representative will be at the airport to welcome
you & transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour including the famous Bamboo
Temple dates back Tang dynasty with 500 colorful clay Buddhas & also a Taoist
temple, Golden Temple. (L)
Day 2 Kunming - Chongqin - Cruise day 1.
This morning transfer to airport for your flight to Chongqin. Pick up & city tour
tour includes Ciqikou Ancient Town dates back to Ming dynasty, the city square,
the theatre & the 3 Dams museum (if time permits) etc. Transfer to the pier to join our deluxe 5-star cruise
ship to start our cruise. (B+L)
Day 3: Cruise day 2: Fengdu and onward.
This morning we will make a stop for a visit to the Ghost City of Fengdu, famous
for its temple dedicated to the King of the Underworld,
an association dating back to the Han Dynasty. Fengdu is where the devil lives, according
to Chinese legend. They say that spirits go to heaven, and evil goes to Fengdu. The town is
overlooked by Ming Shan Hill, home of Tianzi, the King of the Dead.
The whole place has an eerie feel to it with deserted streets, empty shops and banks.
(B+L+D)
Day 4: Cruise day 3: Lesser Three Gorges
Today will stop off for an excursion to the Lesser Three Gorges which are
the three separate valleys of the Daning River: Dragon Gate Gorge, Misty Gorge
and Emerald Gorge. These lie on the lower reaches of the Daning, which flows
into the Yangtze. The gorges are truly spectacular. Sheer cliffs soar up
towards the sky from the brown-green water. Mountain tops hover above the
ribbon of mist, disconnected from their roots. Its "subtle mountains,
clear waters, pretty rocks, dangerous rapids, sharp turns, fantastic caves,
and stalactites in various shapes" create the timeless beauty that you see
in Chinese landscape paintings. Monkeys, mandarin ducks and other water birds
can be seen loitering on big boulders in this area. In addition to the
wonderful natural scenery there are a number of historical places of interest
along the way, such as a suspended coffin, boat coffin, and remains of ancient
plank walkway. (B+L+D)
Day 5: Cruise day 4: Three Gorges Dam - Yichiang - Shanghai
Today we arrive at the Three Gorges Dam site and take a shore excursion to see this
marvel of engineering. It is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by
man and it has been a dream for several generations of Chinese people. The construction
of the dam formally began in 1994. The body of the dam was completed in 2003, and the
whole construction will be competed in 2009. After lunch onboard we will arrive in Yichang at about 1330.
After disembarking the cruise, your guide will meet you and transfer you the airport
for your flight to Chengdu. On arrival at Chengdu, transfer to hotel.(B+L)
Day 6: Chengdu-Lhasa
After breakfast you drive to the airport for your morning flight to Lhasa
situated 3,650 metres above sea level. You have lunch on the
plane and upon landing you will visit the Nietang Buddha. After lunch at local restaurant
in market square, we visit Sera Monastery. This monastery was founded in 1419.
The debating & teaching among the monks that takes place in the courtyard
garden between 03:30 to 05:00pm everyday is the highlight of the visit.
Afterward we returned to the market square, Barkhor, & visited Jokhang Temple.
This temple is 1300 years old & is Tibet's holiest shrine. Evening dinner at
local restaurant. (B/L)
Day 7 Lhasa
Today we visit the magnificent Potala Palace, Tibet's best known landmark.
It was once the winter residence of Dalai Lamas. Afterward we drove 7km west
of Lhasa to visit the 15th century Drepung Monastery in its rural environment.
After lunch, we visit the Norbulingka Park. This is the Summer Palace of Dalai
Lamas. This is a parkland with golden colour of palaces, lovely & peaceful
pavilion in lake & gardens. Dinner at local restaurant with Tibetan songs &
dance culture show. (B/L)
Day 8 Lhasa - Shangrila
This morning transfer to airport for your flight to Shangri-La. Pick up & transfer
to hotel. After lunch at local restaurant, we visited the famous 300 years old
Songzanlin Monastery where the Yello Hat School of Tibetan Buddhism is practiced.
We returned to town & visited the old town of Zhongdian. Visit to the central square
for local people nightly music & dancing. (B/L)
Day 9 Shangrila
This morning about 2 hours drive through mountain scenery & Yangzi River to
the mountain village of Dong Zhu Lin Monastery. Lunch at local village
restaurant & drive back to town. On the way visit a local Tibetan family
home. If time permits, we will visit visit Bita Hai (Emerald Pagoda Lake).
(B/L)
Day 10 Shangila - Lijiang
This morning drive to Lijiang. On the way visit Tiger Leaping Gorges which
is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world. Upon arriving
Lijiang transfer to your hotel. After lunch we begin the tour of the
famous ancient town in Lijiang. (B/L)
Day 11 Lijiang
A free day at leisure to enjoy this lovely old town.
Day 12 Lijiang - Dali
This morning we begin the early morning tour of the famous Black Dragon Pool
Park. On the way to Dali we visited Baisha village. This ancient village dates
back Qing dynasty with old Chinese houses has hardly changed throughout the years.
Upon arrival in Dali & transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Dali famous ancient
wall city. (B/L)
Day 13 Dali - Kunming
This morning we visit the famous Three Pagodas. After lunch we drive to Kunming.
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. (B/L)
Day 14 Kunming - Shilin - Kunming
This morning visit to Shilin's famous Stone Forest. Lunch at local restaurant
with the local dish of Yiliang duck. Return to Kunming with city tour of
Gold Horse & Green Cock Archway. (B/L)
Day 15 Departure
Transfer to airport for your return flight to your destination.
Please note that, whilst every effort will
be made to carry out the programme shown above, small changes may sometimes be necessary.
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