|
China by Private Train:
Beijing to Hong Kong
BEIJING - XIAN - CHENGDU - THREE GORGES -
GUILIN - GUANGZHOU (CANTON) - HONG KONG
October 23- November 2, 2005
March 10-20, 2006
Click
here for reverse itinerary: Hong Kong to Beijing.
An exciting opportunity to experience the wonder and
magnificence of China by both private train, aboard our exclusive China
Orient Express, and by boat through the world-famous Three Gorges.
Sightseeing highlights of the tour are visits to the Great Wall of China,
The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Terracotta
Army in the ancient capital of Xian, Chengdu, home of the Giant Pandas,
a two night Yangtze cruise through the Three Gorges, the stunning scenery
of Guilin and Guangzhou (Canton).
The China Orient Express is a comfortable, well-appointed train, ideal
for our adventure through China. Accommodation on the train is in modern
air-conditioned first class sleeping cars, two people per twin compartment;
single occupancy is available at a supplement.
DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1: Beijing (D)
Passengers are met upon arrival in Beijing
and transferred to the Paragon Hotel for a one-night stay. Afternoon
sightseeing programme includes the Great Wall and an evening visit to
Tiananmen Square. Dinner at a restaurant in the Square.
Day 2: Beijing (B, L, D)
After breakfast we spend the morning on a tour of Beijing,
including the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City, before transferring
to Beijing main station in time for an evening departure of our private
China Orient Express train.
Day 3: Xian (B, L, D)
Breakfast-time arrival in the ancient city of Xian,
capital of China during the Qin, Han and Tang dynasties and today's
capital of the Shaanxi Province. We spend the morning visiting the world-famous
Terracotta Warriors, considered one of the new Wonders of the World.
Lunch time departure.
Day 4: Chengdu (B, L, D)
Mid morning we arrive in Chengdu,
home of the Giant Panda, of which we should see several during our tour
of the city.
Day 5: Chongqing (B, L,
D)
Early arrival in Chongqing, where we transfer to the Yangtze (or similar
boat) for our two-and-a-half day cruise through the Three
Gorges.
Day 6: Three Gorges Cruise (B, L, D)
Cruising the Yangtze
River, we pass though the 8-km Qutang gorge, which is the narrowest
and most spectacular of the three gorges. We continue into the 44-km
Wu Xia gorge and in the afternoon visit Fengdu Ghost City with its 75
temples from the Tang Dynasty. In Shenlong West we take a short excursion
into some of the smaller gorges before entering the western part of
the 75-km Xi Ling gorge.
Day 7: Three Gorges/Yichang (B, L, D)
We pass through the eastern Xi Ling gorge and visit the Three Gorges
Dam project before our lunchtime arrival in Yichang. Afternoon tour
of the city. We reboard our awaiting China Orient Express for our journey
to Guilin.
Day 8: On board (B, L, D)
A day on board our China Orient Express showcases the passing countryside
of southern China. Enjoy the relaxed pace on board China's most comfortable
train.
 Day
9: Guilin (B, L, D)
Early morning we arrive in the enchanting city of Guilin,
where we spend the day. Situated on the Li River in some of the finest
scenery in the world, we take a cruise on the river amongst the strange
karst rock formations that adorn the covers of so many books on China.
Our tour also includes a visit to the 600,000-year old Yudi Lan (Reed
Flute) Cave on the outskirts of the city. We reboard our train and depart
for Hong Kong.
Day 10: Guangzhou/Shenzhen (B, L, D)
Morning arrival in Guangzhou
where we spend the morning and have lunch in the city before a mid-afternoon
departure for Shenzhen. On arrival in Shenzhen we leave the train and
cross the boarder into Hong
Kong. Accommodation for tonight is in a three/four-star hotel in
Central. Farewell dinner in Hong
Kong.
Day 11: Hong Kong (B)
The tour ends with a morning tour of Hong
Kong Island.
FARES (in US$)
Twin share: $4,675
Single occupancy: $6,475
Click
here to download our 2006 tour booking form.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Our private China Orient Express is a modern, air-conditioned
train with first-class sleeping cars. There is a wash facility (sink/toilet)
between adjacent compartments, and a new shower car will be added in
2005. The restaurant cars serve three meals per day when on the train
(European breakfast, Chinese lunch and dinner). Each carriage has its
own attendant who cleans the cabins, provides bed turndown service,
plus tea and coffee 24 hours a day. A bar/lounge car is also included
in the formation of the train.
This tour is offered in conjunction with GW Travel of England.
THE TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
· All meals, including all wine, beer, soft drinks and mineral water
served during lunch and dinner onboard and off the train.
· The services of a tour leader throughout the tour.
· Chinese interpreters able to speak English.
· Comprehensive off-train sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary.
· A doctor who will travel with the train throughout the tour.
· Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water throughout the tour from
your car attendant
THE TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
· Insurance (It is a booking condition that passengers have adequate
insurance.)
· Charges of a personal nature on the train or at the hotels (laundry,
telephone, bar account etc.).
· Visa and excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination
or medical costs.
Click here
to download our 2006 tour booking form.
Click here for tour terms
and conditions.
The Society of International Railway Travelers
1810 Sils Ave., Louisville, KY 40205
800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277
Click here to send us an e-mail.
|
