Von Peking nach Lijiang

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1 to 4
Beijing - The Great Wall
On arrival you will be able to check in to your hotel. Later in the evening you will have the chance to meet your Tour Leader and the other members of the tour. Please note the schedule for our sightseeing in Beijing may vary slightly. On our first morning you may wish to visit the Summer Palace where royalty came to escape the heat of the summer. This area consists of Kunming Lake, beautiful temples, gardens, pavilions all decorated painstakingly using traditional motifs. The afternoon is left free for you to discover some of Beijing's other attractions which will fill your memory card in a matter of minutes. There are a multitude of sights to see within Beijing, which are well documented in guide books, such as the famous Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Hutong Tour. Or you could simply explore the silk market for bargains.

On day 3 we spend a day at the Great Wall, one of China's best loved monuments which was listed as a World Heritage site in 1987. This immense structure dates back over 2000 years and has to be seen to be believed. It stretches over 6,500 kilometres (4,163 miles) across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, from east to west. It is a true testament to the power and influence of the Chinese Dynasties throughout history. Here we offer an optional 3-5 hour hike on one of the less visited sections beginning in Jinshanling. This area has around 23 watchtowers and is much less developed than more touristed areas. Watch your step, as in places the trail is quite steep and stony. We also include a break for a picnic lunch on the Wall. Our hike finishes in the area of Simatai. Early morning departure leads out to Jinshanling, a less touristy part of the Great Wall of China for stunning views of this ancient wonder. We walk for 4-5 hours, finishing in Simatai, before our journey back to Beijing.

Day 4 is a free day to explore the city of Beijing and revisit the areas that left you wanting to know more before boarding our first train to Xi,an. If you haven't already seen the Forbidden City, today you can take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with it. Called Gu Gong in Chinese, the Forbidden City is located in the very centre of Beijing. It is the world's largest palace complex and its extensive grounds cover 720,000square metres. Originally the Imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the city houses many rare and precious treasures which attract visitors from all over the world. In the evening we board the overnight train to Xi'an, known as the Eternal City.

Day 5 to 6
XI'AN
Shortly after our arrival in Xi'an we have a guided visit to the nearby Terracotta Warriors museum. The Terracotta Warriors are a massive army of life-size clay soldiers which were buried with China's first emperor, Qin, to protect him in the afterlife. In 1974 a group of laborers digging a well discovered fragments of a terra-cotta warrior and further excavation revealed over 8,000 figures including infantry, archers, horses, and officers each with real weapons. Each warrior is detailed with a different facial expression, hairstyle costume, body shape and armoury.
The ancient city of Xi'an was the centre of Chinese civilisation for over two millennia. The afternoon is free to explore this walled city's fascinating Muslim quarters mosque and markets. The Xian Museum is also worth a visit displaying more than 2,000 precious historical relics. Beside the museum sits a large circular square and an artificial lake with two stone arch bridges featuring delicate designs. Close by is the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, not to be confused with the big one! Xi'an is also famous for its evening food markets.

On day 6 we have a free morning to explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, thought of as the symbol of old Xi'an. The Pagoda is an extremely well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. Its stands in the Da Ci'en Temple complex and has a simple but appealing style of architecture. If you would prefer to do something more active, you may like to hire a bicycle to look around the old city wall which is of the Ming Dynasty (1368 -1644). We then take an overnight train to Yichang. You will find that the overnight trains are a great way to meet the locals, learn a few words in Mandarin, and try Chinese rice wine.

Day 7 to 9
YICHANG YANGTSE CRUISE
We arrive in Yichang where we transfer to the cruise boat and commence our journey up the Yangtze river. For three unforgettable nights we cruise along the Yangtze River taking in this famous river's rural splendour and amazing scenery.

On day 8 we continue our cruise up the Yangtze River stopping for excursions along the way. The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia. We pass through the spectacular Three Gorges section where the river has been dammed due to the Gezhouba Water Conservancy Project, and the water is slowly rising. The completion of the flooding is due for 2009 so there is still time to marvel at the sheer size of these towering cliffs. This project has proven controversial as once complete this will be the worlds largest dam, washing away the homes of millions. This area is also home to critically endangered species such as the Chinese alligator and the Chinese paddle fish.

Day 10 to 12
CHONGQING - YANGSHUO - KUNMING
We disembark in Chongqing and take a short flight to Guilin. After a short bus ride south we reach laid-back Yangshuo. This area is a real treasure, tucked away in amongst limestone karsts that date back millions of years, with the beautiful Li river running through it.

We have full days to explore this area, taking advantage of the amazing scenery and enjoying as many activities as we are able to manage. There are many options on offer here, including many beautiful bike rides through the rice fields. You could also visit West Street which has a history of more than 1400 years and is known as a meeting point between east and western cultures. Many Western people come here to learn more about Chinese culture and to take a variety of authentic classes in areas such as Chinese cookery, calligraphy, painting and language classes, or the ancient art of tai chi. Don't be surprised if you hear English words spoken by elderly Chinese women, for West Street is called 'the global village' and many of the street signs are bilingual English and Chinese.
Around Yangshuo are various beautiful hills, such as Green Lotus Beak and Shutong Hill (Schoolboy Hill), so named because of a ten metre-high statue of an ancient school boy on the summit. Nature lovers may also like to organise their own trip to see the ancient Banyan tree about 5 K's away from Yangshuo. It has survived the harsh elements over many centuries since it was planted during the Sui Dynasty (581-618) and stands at 17 metres tall and 7 metres wide.

On day 12 you have a free morning to soak up the last of the tranquility before we fly to Kunming, the ‘City of Eternal Spring' due to its mild climate. Kunming was once the gateway to the Silk Road that facilitated trade with Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar and India, and has a history of 2400 years. Kunming is the focal point of many Yunnan minority cultures. Some 26 ethnic minorities such as Yi, Bai, Miao, Dai, Hani and others inhabit the area. Kunming is also known for many delicious local dishes which you may like to try, including Across Bridge Rice Noodle and Xuanwei Ham. You can enjoy them at restaurants or the night markets.

Day 13 to 15
KUNMING DALI
Toady we have a full free day to explore Kunming and discover this modern city with sky scrapers, shopping malls, museums and parks. You could also venture up into the hills to see the Bamboo temple known as the Daguan Pavilion. You may also like to visit Jinbi Square which is known for its eye-catching architecture. We then take the overnight train to Dali, the home of the Bai People.

We arrive in the morning and transfer to the old town. The rest of the day is left free to explore. In the evening there is the chance to see traditional cormorant fishing on Erhai Lake, the name of which actually means ‘sea shaped like an ear'!
We have another free day to sample the delights of Dali. An ideal place to explore by bike, or you can take a short horse trek into the mountains behind the town. You will also have the option to visit the colorful Shaping markets where women in traditional dress sell their wares.
Most attractions in Dali lie between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, so if you have time you might like to travel out of the city to visit the Butterfly Spring, where in spring the fragrant blossom of the ‘Butterfly Tree' attracts thousands of butterflies, who sip the nectar from its blooms and change the tree from a leafy mass to a swirling, pulsing array of colours. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are located just a kilometre or so northwest of tDali, occupying a scenic location at the foot of Mt. Cangshan facing Erhai Lake. The Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle. You can even visit the Three Pagodas at night when they are illuminated -they make a spectacular sight. Nearby on the 'marble street' there are many folk-craft workshops and stands specialising in marble and brick-painting.

Day 16 to 18
TIGER LEAPING GORGE
We embark on the popular Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek. Legend has it that in order to escape a hunter a tiger leapt across the river at the bottom of the gorge – which is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world! A bus journey takes us to Qiaotou, the start of the trek. We begin with a short walk and spend the first night at a Naxi family guesthouse inside the gorge.
We begin our trek through this impressive gorge with superb views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Golden Sands (Jingsha) River. The track is well maintained and marked in most places and is used by the Naxi people in their everyday lives.
We have a morning to relax or further explore the gorge, before traveling on to the lovely old town of Lijiang.

Day 19 to 20
LIJIANG
We have a full day to relax in this atmospheric old town. Here you can wander past old wooden houses clustered in narrow lanes beside the picturesque Black Dragon Lake. The Old Town area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is famous for its system of water ways and bridges and its unusual architecture owed to its colorful Naxi minority population. In its long history, the local people took aspects of the culture of Tibet and the Central Plains along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, and established the splendid Dongba culture. There are many buildings and parks to explore in this peaceful lake setting. Our tour concludes after breakfast on day 20.