Escorted Tours 2022-23 2nd Edition

a stroll through the ancient streets of the Wide and Narrow Alleys which have been renovated to their former architectural glory. Day 9: Chengdu B/L/D Today takes you to Leshan, famous for its magnificent riverside cliff carving of a giant Buddha which is the largest stone-carved Buddhist statue in the world and is viewed from a boat on the river. Continue in the afternoon to the old town of Huanglongxi, a 1700-year-old settlement restored to retain its old-world charm. In the evening, enjoy a delicious Sichuan hot pot meal. Day 10: Chengdu to Xi’an B/L/D Perhaps a highlight of the tour, today takes you to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre, home to one of China’s largest habitats of pandas. In the afternoon, board the bullet train to Xi’an. Day 11: Xi’an B/L/D Known to many as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, a visit to the spectacular Terracotta Warriors is an unforgettable experience. Taking nearly four decades to complete and over 700,000 workers, this incredible tomb was built to protect China’s first emperor in his afterlife. Continue to the Muslim Quarter, a labyrinth of market stalls and shops, then in the evening travel back in time whilst you watch a colourful Tang Dynasty dancing show. Day 12: Xi’an to Beijing B/L/D A morning tour of Xi’an incorporates a visit to the historic City Wall, then the Wild Goose Pagoda, built-in 652 A.D. to hold sacred Buddhist figurines. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing where you will arrive in the early evening and spend the night at your hotel. Day 13: Beijing B/L/D Begin your day with a visit to the unique Temple of Heaven, China’s largest existing masterpiece of ancient sacrificial buildings. The afternoon is left at leisure to relax and explore the city. Day 14: Beijing B/L/D Following a stroll around the Summer Palace, China’s largest and best-preserved royal park, the tour will continue to the iconic Great Wall. Winding across deserts, grasslands and mountains and stretching over 5,500 miles, it was constructed over 2,000 years ago to guard the Chinese Empire against the Mongol invaders from the North. In the evening, enjoy a mesmerising Chinese acrobatics performance. Day 15: Beijing B/L/D Following breakfast on your last full day, you will visit one of China’s most important political landmarks —Tiananmen Square. It is the world’s largest city centre square and gateway to the Forbidden City, which houses the wondrous Imperial Palace. Conclude your trip with a traditional Peking duck dinner. Day 16: Beijing to the UK B/L/D Transfer to the airport for your return flight, via Shanghai or continue on to your chosen extension. Departures & from prices 16 Feb 23 £2,099 27 Jul 23 £2,699 2 Mar 23 £2,199 3 Aug 23 £2,699 9 Mar 23 £2,249 10 Aug 23 £2,699 16 Mar 23 £2,249 17 Aug 23 £2,699 23 Mar 23 £2,349 31 Aug 23 £2,699 30 Mar 23 £2,349 7 Sep 23 £2,699 6 Apr 23 £2,349 14 Sep 23 £2,699 13 Apr 23 £2,499 21 Sep 23 £2,599 20 Apr 23 £2,349 28 Sep 23 £2,499 27 Apr 23 £2,349 5 Oct 23 £2,499 4 May 23 £2,349 12 Oct 23 £2,349 11 May 23 £2,349 19 Oct 23 £2,349 18 May 23 £2,349 26 Oct 23 £2,249 25 May 23 £2,369 2 Nov 23 £2,249 1 Jun 23 £2,399 9 Nov 23 £2,249 8 Jun 23 £2,499 16 Nov 23 £2,199 22 Jun 23 £2,499 30 Nov 23 £1,849 6 Jul 23 £2,699 2024 DATES AVAILABLE AT 2023 PRICES • Upgrade to a Private Tour from £1,249 Extend your tour Hong Kong city stay, 3 nights, 4 H B&B from £469 Towering skyscrapers form the backdrop to Hong Kong’s harbour whilst the street markets that fill the teeming alleys remain untouched by western influences. Tour includes • All meals daily • 4 H accommodation: Shanghai-Ocean Hotel, Yangtze River- Yangtze Cruise 2, Chengdu-Tibet Hotel, Xi’an-Titan Times Hotel, Beijing-The Landmark Hotel • Flights from London Heathrow with China Eastern Tour pace: Intermediate No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £549 Forbidden City Stone-carved Buddha, Leshan Giant Panda, Chengdu • Yangtze River Cruise: Executive cabin upgrade from £199 • Bullet Train connection: First class upgrade from £89 or business class upgrade from £189 53 Hundreds more escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk East Asia