Chinglish Lover Travel Story
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Overview
Chicken without a sex life, spiced salt blows up pig hand, hot temptation of frog, palace spicy chicken explosion... they sound like strange animal diseases but in fact, they're all items we've spotted on Chinglish menus.
(Was Iconic China)
Itinerary
Day 1-3 - Beijing - Great Wall
Karl Pilkington on the Great Wall: "I thought I'd seen the Great Wall of China. Which, to be honest with you, it's not the Great Wall. It's an alright wall. It's the 'Alright Wall of China.'" Discuss.
Day 1
- Arrive in Beijing at any time. A free day on arrival to explore many of the city's main attractions
- Pre-departure briefing with your tour guide in the early evening (approx. 6 pm)
Days 2-3
- After entering through an archway beyond Tiananmen Gate, we spend the morning exploring The Forbidden City
- Take a walk along the Great Wall
- Survey the spectacular surrounding countryside from the Wall - the surrounding views are amazing
- Enjoy ample free time to explore the many other sights of Beijing, such as the Summer Palace or the Temple of Heaven
- Board an overnight six-berth hard-sleeper class train for Xian
Day 4-5 - Xian - Terracotta Warriors
The warriors get a lot of attention, but why not share the love and shop up a storm in Xian's markets, cycle along the wall or take a mosey through the Muslim Quarter.
- Arrive in Xian, the capital of Shaanxi province
- Explore the awesome army of Terracotta Warriors
- Enjoy free time to wander around this historical city
- Perhaps swing by the Muslim Quarter - a fascinating place to visit
- Why not cycle along the top of the ancient city walls or climb the Bell Tower
Day 6-8 - Luoyang - Shaolin Temple
So you're in Luoyang, the home of kung-fu. Do you really think we'd let you leave without getting a lesson from a Shaolin master? You can thank us later.
- Catch a day train to Luoyang and spend a free day exploring
- Stroll down to the Luoyang people square and watch the Chinese practice kung fu, ballroom dancing or tai chi
- Travel up to the famous Shaolin Temple and witness a Shaolin show by some of the more gifted students
- Perhaps enrol in a kung fu lesson
- Seize the opportunity to make an optional visit to one of the most famous treasure houses of stone Buddga images in China - the Longman Grottoes
- Board an overnight train to Suzhou
Day 9-10 - Suzhou - Zhouzhuang
Keep your nan happy and visit the world famous Suzhou gardens. Then keep your tummy happy and head to Taijian Lane for a plate of the famous squirrel-shaped mandarin fish.
- Perhaps hire bikes and explore the backstreets, gardens and pagodas
- Why not of attend the master of the nets performance - a great snapshot of tradtional Chinese culture
- Visit Zhouzhuang - 'The Venice of the East' - and wander the streets where Marco Polo once roamed
Day 11-12 - Shanghai
Don't be offended when you see every second person spitting on the pavement. It's basically a national pastime. Also, there are about 20 million people here so you're very much in the minority.
- Board a train bound for the Paris of the East', Shanghai
- Take a stroll along the famous river waterfront known as The Bund
- Enjoy plenty of free time to visit any of the fascinating museums or the many shopping arcades
- Perhaps check out Shanghai's multitude of bars, restaurants and nightclubs
Day 13-14 - Yangshuo
You can't come to Yangshuo without trying the famous beer fish. Carp (yes, we know, just stick with us) is fried skin-side down and tossed with beer, pickled chilli, garlic, ginger, oyster sauce and spring onions.
- Take a short flight to Guilin and board a private bus on to Yangshuo
- Spend two days exploring the region on bicycle and by foot
- Ride bikes past the limestone outcrops that jut up from the paddy fields on the way to Moon Hill
- Perhaps opt to climb Moon Hill or explore some of the caves in the area, such as Black Buddha and New Water
- Stop in the villages en route and mingle with the locals
- Enjoy plenty of free time to relax in the many cafes and restaurants that line Xi Jie (West Street)
- Join the overnight train to Guangzhou
Day 15-16 - Hong Kong
Grab a bargain at Stanley Market, ride to Victoria Peak for epic city views and cap it all off with high tea at the Peninsula.
Day 15
- Head to the ferry terminal and catch the hydrofoil to Hong Kong, taking in the skyline of the city en route
- Perhaps take a funicular ride up to Victoria Peak and enjoy views over the city, visit the market or spend time shopping
- Get together for an optional final group dinner or enjoy some of the many bars and nightclubs around town
- Watch the free Sound and Light Show on the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island
Day 16
- The trip ends this morning in Hong Kong. You can depart at any time
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What to Know
What's Included
• Gecko’s expert English-speaking Chinese tour guide throughout the tour and local site guides at some sites.
• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Beijing, Terracotta Warriors, Zhouzhuang, Shanghai, Yangshuo and Hong Kong
• Kung fu display at the famous Shaolin Temple.
• Walk on a remote section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu
• Free time to explore Beijing, Xian, Suzhou and Shanghai.
• Overnight trains from Beijing to Xian, Luoyang to Suzhou and Guilin to Guangzhou. Accommodation in six-berth, air-conditioned cabins.
• Train from Xian to Luoyang and Suzhou to Shanghai.
Not Included
- International flights, departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals, drinks, optional additional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 26 May 2013 - 10 Jun 2013 7+ Request US $2,285On Sale Sale: US $1,784 Book Now 09 Jun 2013 - 24 Jun 2013 7+ Request US $2,285On Sale Sale: US $1,985 Promo code: 1355 Book Now 07 Jul 2013 - 22 Jul 2013 7+ Available US $2,285On Sale Sale: US $1,784 Book Now 01 Sep 2013 - 16 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 15 Sep 2013 - 30 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 29 Sep 2013 - 14 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 13 Oct 2013 - 28 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 27 Oct 2013 - 11 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 10 Nov 2013 - 25 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 24 Nov 2013 - 09 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 22 Dec 2013 - 06 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 05 Jan 2014 - 20 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $2,050 Book Now 16 Feb 2014 - 03 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,050 Book Now 02 Mar 2014 - 17 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,050 Book Now 16 Mar 2014 - 31 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 30 Mar 2014 - 14 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 13 Apr 2014 - 28 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 27 Apr 2014 - 12 May 2014 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 11 May 2014 - 26 May 2014 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 25 May 2014 - 09 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 08 Jun 2014 - 23 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now 22 Jun 2014 - 07 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $2,285 Book Now -
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