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Essence of China - Northbound
Trip Valid:
01/01/2008 to 31/12/2008
Duration:
21 days (Hong Kong to Beijing)
Highlights:
Explore ancient and modern in Hong Kong, Discover the beauty of Yangshou, Cruise down the Yangzi River, See the Three Gorges, Take in the views from Emei Mountain, Make friends with giant pandas in Chengdu, Be amazed by Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, Stand atop the Great Wall of China, Experience vibrant Beijing
Trip Code:
CSL
Guarantee:
Departure is guaranteed
Group Size:
Minimum 1, Maximum 12
Price:
Prices from USD $1645
15 Jul - 15 Sep 2008 (Beijing Olympics period): USD1865
*(plus local payment USD $450)
pricing for United States: change country
Extras:
view 2008 airport transfers and pre- & post-trip accommodation prices
Discover the essence of the Middle Kingdom. Explore cosmopolitan cities, natural wonders and famous icons of the East. See the richness of the past and experience the vibrancy of today as China leaps into the 21st century.
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culture shock rating:
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passenger feedback rating: 4 out of 5 how does this work?
meals included: 2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners
transport: Overnight train, local bus, taxi, boat, cycling (optional), walking
accommodation: Hotels/guesthouses (10 nts), overnight trains (4 nts), overnight boat (3 nts), monasteries (3 nts)
budget: Allow USD $300 for meals not included.
departs: Selected Sun
important notes:
Days 1-2 Hong Kong
It's a clash of ancient and modern in Hong Kong - hit the streets, explore the markets or head up to Victoria Peak to experience this vibrant city. Take in the countryside on an overnight train, a fascinating local experience.
Days 3-5 Yangshuo
Immerse yourself in the beautiful countryside surrounding Yangshuo by taking a bike ride through rustic villages and rice paddies. Enjoy an optional cruise down the Li River, past stunning limestone karsts.
Days 6-8 Yangzi River
Starting in Yichang take a journey along this truly magnificent waterway and become part of the evolving landscape of the Three Gorges and Yangzi River. Try some of the interesting snacks - buy from the locals at stops along the way.
Days 9-10 Chengdu
Home to wonderfully spicy Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu also boasts traditional teahouses and markets. Visit the Giant Panda Reserve to witness conservation efforts being made to save this endangered species.
Days 11-14 Leshan/ Emei Shan
See the big Buddha at Leshan before journeying to the holy mountain of Emei Shan. Stay in a monastery and make a morning visit to the mountain summit.
Days 15-17 Xi'an
See the ancient Terracotta Warriors and view the city from above on the Old City walls. Enjoy some quiet time at the Great Mosque or head to the park to watch locals practising tai chi and ballroom dancing.
Days 18-21 Beijing
Take in the best of imperial Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square and the impressive Forbidden City. For a final adventure, climb the mighty Great Wall for spectacular views.
CSL winter itinerary for trips that run between 1 Dec 2008 - 1 Mar 2009
Due to bad conditions along the Yangzi river during this time (it is cold, rainy, foggy and most of the boats are in dry dock getting a renovation) we have altered the itinerary. Please see the notes below for the day by day schedule.
| start date | finish date | places available | bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 17 Aug 08 | Sat 06 Sep 08 | bookings closed | |
| Sun 24 Aug 08 | Sat 13 Sep 08 | bookings closed | |
| Sun 31 Aug 08 | Sat 20 Sep 08 | 1 | book now |
| Sun 07 Sep 08 | Sat 27 Sep 08 | 2 | book now |
| Sun 21 Sep 08 | Sat 11 Oct 08 | 1 | book now |
| Sun 12 Oct 08 | Sat 01 Nov 08 | bookings closed | |
| Sun 19 Oct 08 | Sat 08 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 26 Oct 08 | Sat 15 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 02 Nov 08 | Sat 22 Nov 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 09 Nov 08 | Sat 29 Nov 08 | 5 | book now |
| Sun 16 Nov 08 | Sat 06 Dec 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 23 Nov 08 | Sat 13 Dec 08 | 7 | book now |
| Sun 30 Nov 08 | Sat 20 Dec 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 07 Dec 08 | Sat 27 Dec 08 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 14 Dec 08 | Sat 03 Jan 09 | 7 | book now |
| Sun 21 Dec 08 | Sat 10 Jan 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 25 Jan 09 | Sat 14 Feb 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 01 Feb 09 | Sat 21 Feb 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 08 Feb 09 | Sat 28 Feb 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 15 Feb 09 | Sat 07 Mar 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 22 Feb 09 | Sat 14 Mar 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 01 Mar 09 | Sat 21 Mar 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 08 Mar 09 | Sat 28 Mar 09 | 7 | book now |
| Sun 15 Mar 09 | Sat 04 Apr 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 22 Mar 09 | Sat 11 Apr 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 29 Mar 09 | Sat 18 Apr 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 05 Apr 09 | Sat 25 Apr 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 12 Apr 09 | Sat 02 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 19 Apr 09 | Sat 09 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 26 Apr 09 | Sat 16 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 03 May 09 | Sat 23 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 10 May 09 | Sat 30 May 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 17 May 09 | Sat 06 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 24 May 09 | Sat 13 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 31 May 09 | Sat 20 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 07 Jun 09 | Sat 27 Jun 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 14 Jun 09 | Sat 04 Jul 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 21 Jun 09 | Sat 11 Jul 09 | 7+ | book now |
| Sun 28 Jun 09 | Sat 18 Jul 09 | 7+ | book now |
The Trip Notes provide you with detailed information about your trip.
This is where you will find everything you need to know... from what's included to suggestions about what to take. This is also where you will find the most up-to-date itinerary and any late changes.
The Trip Notes provide you with a detailed outline of your trip itinerary, and important information like where to meet your group, what to pack, what's included, estimates of spending money requirements and much more. They make great reading.
These documents have been prepared by Intrepid staff to give you a brief introduction to the places you are visiting. We think it's important to understand the culture you are visiting, and the expectations of their society.
Intrepid is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - we call this 'Responsible Travel'. Download this document and visit the About Intrepid section of this site for more information about how to be a Responsible Traveller.
Please also read our safety guidelines for further information on the operational safety standards you can expect on every Intrepid trip.
On 07 June the Australian Government issued an updated travel warning for East Timor strongly advising against travel to East Timor because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Australians in the country are advised to leave. The Travel Warning remains at Category 5 - Do Not Travel.
On Tuesday 07 June we have taken the decision to cancel the remainder of our East Timor trips scheduled to depart in 2006. All travellers will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another trip or obtain a full refund (land content only). We very much regret having to take this action and our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of East Timor during this troubled time.
We are confident of being able to resume our normal schedule of trips to East Timor in 2007 and hope that those travellers who have had to cancel their plans this year will travel with us to East Timor in 2007.
For other safety updates, please see our general safety updates page.
Every day, hundreds of happy people return from Intrepid trips, and their comments are here for you to read. We do not screen the feedback on this site, all comments are posted here as they were written (unless they used inappropriate language).
The trip was excellent - our leader Jackie put in lots of effort to make the experience wholly enjoyable. She had lots of tips and ideas about what to do so in every place we had an adventure! The trip itinerary itself was perfect - we saw a variety of different things and visited towns and cities that were culturally quite different, so we felt we certainly saw the 'essence' of China.
Lauren Perkins
This trip was great the locals, the activities, the places, the local guides and not to forget our great leader Jackie, she was enthusiastic, happy and a great person to know.
Oliver Sandford
Another great experience in true Intrepid style, we experienced almost every aspect of China and will hold the memories for a long time.
Roger Sandford
Very good trip
Beatrice Faloci
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