This tour is a great introduction to some of China’s most famous historical sights, as well as some of the most beautiful natural wonders of China. We walk along the spectacular Great Wall of China, visit the Ming Tombs and see the pandas at the Panda Zoo. We explore the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Taianamen Square, and take a tour amongst the small alleyways of the old Hutongs of Beijing. In Xi’an we marvel at the Army of the Terracotta Warriors, before heading to Guilin and the breathtaking scenery along the Li River. From Kunming we see the amazing pinnacles and lime pillars of the Stone Forest, before wandering the streets of the ancient city of Lijang, a World Heritage Site. Our tour ends in the vibrant city of Shanghai, once known as the ‘Paris of the East” with its fascinating mix of old and modern architecture.

Beijing - Great Wall - Ming Tombs - Olympic Stadium Area. We begin our tour visiting one of the world’s most famous landmarks – The Great Wall of China. We include a full day guided tour along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus stretching approximately 6,700 kilometres (4,163 miles) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections of the great wall are now in ruins or even entirely disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

For centuries, the wall served succeeding dynasties as an efficient military defence. However, it was only when a dynasty had weakened from within that invaders from the north were able to advance and conquer. Both the Mongols (Yuan Dynasty, 1271-1368) and the Manchurians (Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911) were able take power because of weakness of the government and poverty of the people but never due to any possibility of weakness of the Wall.

We will also visit the Ming Tombs, and make a photo stop at the Olympic Stadium Area.

In the evening you can get a taste of local culture with an optional visit to the Beijing Opera with traditional Chinese theatre with singing, dancing, mime and acting.

Beijing - Summer Palace - Panda Zoo - Hutong Tour - Fly Xi'an.  This morning we begin with a visit to the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace is located in the north west corner of Beijing right next to Beijing University. Constructed as a place of rest and recreation for the emperor of old, it is now open as a public park and is one of the most impressive places to visit in Beijing. The focus of the Summer Palace is a huge lake with a long walkway circling it. To the one end is built a series of towers, halls and temples climbing the hillside. From the buildings towards the top of the hill you can see the entire lake and its surroundings. The park is accented by many small architectural features such as the beautiful 17 arch bridge, which leads to a small island, and the pagoda on the hill of the far shore.

Next we drive out to Beijing Zoo to visit the Panda Garden. Beijing Zoo was built in 1908. The Zoo was originally the imperial manor in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Plants were cultivated and animals were raised here during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). Beijing Zoo today exhibits wild and rare animals found in China, such as the much loved Panda and the Golden Monkey. It also houses many animals from all around the world, such as White Bear from the North Pole, Kangaroo from Australia and Zebra from Africa. The zoo has a collection of more than 600 types of animal species and more than 7,000 animals. The most popular area of the Beijing Zoo is the famous Panda House, home to giant and lesser pandas of China. Don't miss the small Red Pandas in the trees as well. Beijing Zoo was the first place to breed giant pandas successfully in captivity. The first baby, Ming Ming, was born to female Li Li and male Pi Pi on September 9, 1963. In 1978, the Beijing Zoo was also the first to have a birth result from artificial insemination.

Our next adventure, is a hutong tour. A hutong is an ancient city alley or lane, dating back to the Yuan (1206-1341) dynasty. The main buildings in the hutong were almost all quadrangles - a building complex formed by four houses around a quadrangular courtyard. The quadrangles varied in size and design according to the social status of the residents. The big quadrangles of high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants were specially built with roof beams and pillars all beautifully carved and painted, each with a front yard and back yard. However, the ordinary people's quadrangles were simply built with small gates and low houses. In the past, several thousand lanes, alleys and quadrangles formed residential areas for ordinary people living in the capital. Today, as the city develops into an international metropolis, its lanes and alleyways, occupying one third of the city proper, still serve as dwellings for half the total urban population. The tour through the hutongs gives you fresh insight into Beijing's local life. 

After our tour finishes, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Xi’an, and on arrival we transfer to the hotel. 

Xi’an - Fly Guilin. This morning is free for you to explore Xi'an further at your leisure.

In the afternoon we take a flight to Guilin, and on arrival transfer to the hotel.

Guilin is regarded in China as the country's most picturesque city. Two crystal-clear rivers meander through the city, which are encircled by mountains with unusual & bizarre rock formations and caves.

Guilin - Reed Flute Cave - Fly Kunming. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the Reed Flute Cave. The cave got its name from the verdant reeds growing outside it, with which people make flutes. Inside this water-eroded cave is a spectacular world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations created by carbonate deposition. Illuminated by coloured lighting, the fantastic spectacle is found in many variations along this 240-meter-long cave.

We then transfer to the airport for our flight to Kunming.

Kunming is the capital of Yunnan province, and one of the most attractive tourist cities in China, famous for its benign climate and folk customs of ethnic groups. Kunming has many interesting temples and parks such as Daguan Park, Black Dragon Pool, Zheng He Park, Bamboo Temple, Golden Temple, and the Western Hills, to name only a few.

In the afternoon we take a city tour which includes the Green Lake Park, and Flower Market.

Dali - Three Pagodas - Dali Ancient City - Lijang. Dali is a famous national historic city and a national key scenic spot area. Here, visitors can enjoy many historic relics, beautiful natural scenery and colourful national customs. Historic relics include the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple which is the symbol of the ancient culture of Dali, the ruins of Tianhe City (once the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom), the Dehua Stele, the ruins of Yangjuhu City (once the capital of Dali Kingdom and later the new capital of Nanzhao Kingdom ), the Stele commemorating the conquest of the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty over Yunnan and the Gantong Temple.

Scenic spots include the beautiful Erhai Lake, the expansive and lofty Cangshan Mountains, and the charming Butterfly Spring.

Our tour includes the Three Pagodas of Chongshen Monastery, are just one kilometre to the northwest of Dali. Here stand three beautiful pagodas, which are an emblem of the city's long and celebrated history. The tallest of the trio, which is 69.13 meters tall, was built in 836 AD, while the two smaller ones were built during a later period. No visit to Dali is complete without a visit to see the three pagodas.

Dali Ancient City is located at the foot of beautiful Cangshan Mountain, and faces Erhai Lake to the east. In the shape of an "er", meaning ear in Chinese, Erhai Lake, covers 250 square kilometres at an elevation of 1,980 meters. This vast body of water shines under the sun like a sheet of vivid green while the snowy peaks of the Cangshan Mountain are reflected in its quivering surface, combining to form a breathtaking sight. The Cangshan Mountain juts up like a huge screen wall in the western part of Dali. Malong, the main peak, soars 4,122 meters into the sky capped with a snowy summit that never thaws. Many streams flow from the mountain and with its vast collection of plants and trees, the Cangshan Mountain is also a veritable botanical garden. Situated at the foot of Yunlong Peak in the Cangshan Mountains, the Butterfly Spring is actually a pool four metres deep and 20 metres wide. The gnarled boughs of an ancient silk tree stretch over its surface. In the fourth lunar month every year, the tree puts out butterfly-shaped flowers, and swarms of butterflies belonging to twenty or so breeds descend on the tree, linking themselves together into multi-coloured strings, which keep dangling over the pool.

Dali Ancient City can be dated back to the 1382 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and has been among the top listed historical cities of China since 1982. Its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and amazing scenery attract many visitors. Dali Ancient City was a gateway to the Silk Road in Southwest China, and the traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses give the city a distinctive feel, unlike any other Chinese city.

And then on to Lijang - an ancient and mysterious town with beautiful surroundings.

Lijang - Fly Shanghai - Jade Buddha Temple. After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Shanghai.

The trading port of Shanghai, formerly known as the "Paris of the East", was built on the trade of opium, silk and tea. In the afternoon we visit the Jade Buddha Temple, located in northwest Shanghai, the most popular Buddhist temple in this city, drawing both worshippers and tourists. It is famous for two jade Buddha statues, one of which is reclining and the other seated. The old-time and classical architectural style makes the temple unique, and the peaceful and transcendent atmosphere adds a kind of richness to this busy modern city.

The remainder of the day is free for you to explore at leisure.

Shanghai.  The tour finishes after breakfast.

Please note - you may wish to book an additional night in Shanghai to give you time to see more of the sights of this city, and also time for shopping.

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

This itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to local conditions. There will be times travelling long hours as there will be days where we have to cover great distances. Weather patterns can change dramatically - high altitudes tend to be a lot cooler.

You are free not to participate in any of the included excursions. However, please note that there will be no refund for any excursions not taken.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Tipping is expected & accepted in China, as salaries are low and any gratuities for good service will be gratefully accepted. This applies mainly to the local guides & hotel porters.

Your tour leader will arrange a "tip kitty" at the beginning of the tour so this will save you the worry of how much to tip. An account of tips given will be kept and be available for passengers to see. Please allow at least 380 Yuan (approximately US$55) cash per person for this, as well as additional money to tip your National Guide/Tour Leader at the end of the tour.

The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY of the scheduled departure date. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers.

In each departure city we have named a joining hotel from where the tour will leave. It is your responsibility to make your way to this hotel. Your Tour Leader will leave a notice at reception on the first day of departure with information as to where he/she can be contacted and you should inform him/her that you have arrived.

PLEASE ADVISE KUMUKA OR YOUR AGENT IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING.

In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

All passengers MUST bring:
1. Passport.
2. Vaccination Certificate.
3. Travel Voucher.
4. Travel Insurance Policy.

In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it before when you check out of the hotel.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

Departure Tax from Beijing International Airport: 90 Chinese Yuan / USD12.00

Shanghai International Airport: 90 Chinese Yuan / USD $12.00.

Domestic Airport tax: 50 Chinese Yuan/USD $7.00 (exchange rates subject to change)

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs.  Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

Care should be taken to respect the conventions of other religious and ethnic groups, particularly in respect of clothing and footwear.

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where laundry facilities are available.

Personal Effects:
Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Torch, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

Mandarin is the official language of China. There are however many dialects, as different from each other as French and Italian, used around the country. Most common is Cantonese, which is used in the south, Hong Kong and around the world.

Written Chinese is the same everywhere and is understood by all. This can be quite amusing as Chinese experiencing difficulty communicating verbally with foreigners might write down what they want to say expecting the foreigner to understand.

English will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

Travellers should forget about western food whilst in China. They should also prepare for alternative conventions about eating the norms: Breakfasts are light and often contain a selection of dishes you may not expect – rice and boiling water. Meals are huge and taken early. Lunch sometimes takes place around 12am and dinner typically 5pm. Desserts are not common, and meals always end with soup. Overall we can assure you that Chinese cuisine lives up to its reputation as being one of the world’s best.

The Chinese are completely omnivorous, no doubt due to past famines, which has led to a wealth of exotic dishes. Vegetarians need to be apprehensive; a non-meat alternative is always possible. However, vegetarianism is not something Chinese chefs are particularly familiar with, so such dishes frequently feature a limited variety of vegetables and are not richly flavoured or spiced.

The variety of climate and local produce has created outstanding regional cooking in China. In the colder wheat producing North Noodles, dumplings and casserole type dishes predominate as well as the imperial speciality, Peking Duck. The province the stir-fried meat and vegetables, fried rice, and steamed chicken and fish dishes that ere, to most of the world, typical of Chinese cooking.

Hong Kong offers not only Cantonese food, but also cuisine from all parts of the globe. Walk down almost any street and you can choose authentic food from Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Italy and many more.

Whilst travelling by train, there is food available from a dining car.  Alternatively we allow time for passengers to shop at a supermarket and buy provisions for the journey.  There is always hot water available from the samovar on the train, so bring along your favourite tea or coffee.   

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs.

The variety of food will differ, as you will be visiting a number of different countries. We try to ensure that you get the most experience from your Kumuka trip and one of the ways to do this is by trying local cuisine.

Pre-booked transfers - If you have booked an arrival transfer, please look for our representative who will be holding a sign with your name or Kumuka once you have cleared Customs and Immigration.

Making Your Own Way - The Meeting Point for your tour is advised at the beginning of this dossier.  If you have not arranged for us to meet and transfer you on arrival and are therefore making your own way to the Meeting Point, it is best upon arrival at to take a metered taxi.  Drivers may want to negotiate a price before leaving the airport.  Do not agree to this, insist that they switch on the meters and pay the amount that it displays when you arrive at your destination.

Kumuka endeavors to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Although Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by a third party.

Below is a list of optional excursions available at your expense on your China tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only and prices and availability cannot be guaranteed. Your tour leader will be able to organise any optional excursions on your behalf. The list below is by no means comprehensive. There will be many other optional activities available. All activities are undertaken at passenger’s own risk.

All costs are in US$.

Hutong Tour, Beijing   From US$20

Chinese Kung Fu Show, Beijing    From US$30

Acrobatic Show, Beijing    From US$25

Peking Opera, Beijing    From US$30

Tang Dynasty Show, Xi'an    From US$35

Acrobatic Show, Shanghai    From US$25

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

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