Join us on a luxury cultural journey through China
Traveller invites readers on this insightful tour of the world’s most influential nation.
We’ve not only come a long way with our expert-led Traveller Tours program – namely tens of thousands of kilometres with readers around the world – we’ve also come full circle.
Our first reader tour one year ago was to China and, due to popular demand, we’re returning to this fascinating nation which holds the world’s destiny in the palms of its 600 million or so pairs of hands.
This time round we’ve not only added dynamic and cosmopolitan Hong Kong to the 16-day itinerary with five-star accommodation – a perfect entrée to the mainland – but also two new expert guest guides.
In Hong Kong, readers will be joined by Timothy Calnin, director of Tai Kwun, the city’s stunning, newly opened cultural heritage precinct, recently named one of Time magazine’s 100 best destinations of 2018.
In Xian, home of China’s legendary terracotta warriors, readers will be joined by Edmund Capon, esteemed former director of the Art Gallery of NSW and a noted Chinese art authority.
I’m also pleased to announce that Geoff Raby, an erstwhile Australian ambassador to China and an immensely popular guest from last year’s tour, is returning and this time accompanying readers through beautiful Lijiang in south-west China.
Finally, in Beijing, Kirsty Needham, China correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, will join readers for a farewell dinner in which she’ll reflect on her dramatic first full year in the role.
What a country, what a tour and what a line-up of expert guests with a collectively immense wealth of China knowledge and experience.
ANTHONY DENNIS
TRAVELLER EDITOR
THE ITINERARY
DAY 1 APRIL 4
HONG KONG
On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. This evening, join the director of Hong Kong’s new Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts, Timothy Calnin, who has held roles with the Sydney Opera House and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, for a welcome dinner at one of the hotel’s restaurants. Meal D, Accommodation Intercontinental Hotel
DAY 2 APRIL 5
HONG KONG
Today, enjoy a Hong Kong city tour. Timothy Calnin will meet you at the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts, where he will deliver a talk and show you around the centre. Later, ride Hong Kong’s famous Peak Tram to Sky Terrace 428, the highest viewing platform in the city, and take a trip to Aberdeen Fishing Village and browse Stanley Market. In the evening, cruise Victoria Harbour aboard the DukLing, a traditional Chinese junk, and see Hong Kong’s iconic light show. Meals BLD, Intercontinental Hotel
DAY 3 APRIL 6
HONG KONG TO SHANGHAI
Enjoy the morning at your leisure, perhaps exploring the sights and shopping opportunities in Hong Kong. Later, meet your guide for a transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. On arrival in Shanghai, transfer to your hotel where you can enjoy a relaxing dinner. Meals BD, Shanghai Fairmont Peace Hotel
DAY 4 APRIL 7
SHANGHAI
Today, visit Shanghai’s old town, known for its cobbled streets lined with traditional shops selling herbal medicines, handicrafts, tea and tantalising snacks. It’s the original centre of Shanghai and was the seat of Chinese authority for many decades. The tranquil Yu Gardens, built by the Ming-era governor Pan Yunduan, are a highlight. They are one of the most perfect examples of the Chinese garden style and feature a jade rock, goldfish-filled ponds and stunning pavilions. In the evening, enjoy a Huangpu River cruise. Meals BLD, Shanghai Fairmont Peace Hotel
DAY 5 APRIL 8
SHANGHAI TO GUILIN
Spend the morning at leisure before your flight to Guilin. On arrival in Guilin, transfer to your hotel and enjoy dinner there. Meals BLD, Guilin Shangri-La
DAY 6 APRIL 9
YANGSHUO TO GUILIN
Take a relaxed cruise along the Li River to the charming village of Yangshuo, admiring the breathtaking views of jagged peaks and the unspoilt countryside. The small cruise boat, with a capacity of up to 100 passengers, features an enclosed dining area on its lower deck and an open viewing area on the upper deck. In Yangshuo, visit the local markets and then return to Guilin by road, stopping for a photo opportunity with cormorant fishermen on the banks of the Li. Meals BLD, Guilin Shangri-La
DAY 7 APRIL 10
GUILIN TO LIJIANG
Enjoy the morning at your leisure before flying to Lijiang. On arrival in Lijiang, transfer to your hotel. This evening, join Dr Geoff Raby for dinner and hear about his experiences as Australia’s former ambassador to China, and some of his favourite places in Lijiang. Meals BLD, LUX* Tea Horse Road Lijiang
DAY 8 APRIL 11
LIJIANG
Today, see the sights of Lijiang and learn about local Naxi culture in the company of Dr Geoff Raby. Take in the picturesque Zhonghe (Central River) and local life on a walk that takes you past one of the unique Naxi ‘‘three-eyed’’ wells. A local chef will then lead you to Zhongyi market, the vibrant heart of delicious Naxi cuisine, and show you the local produce as he shops for ingredients for this evening’s meal, the signature Naxi hotpot. Later, travel north to view the Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain that guards the north-western side of the high and fertile Lijiang Plain. After a traditional Yunnan lunch, settle in your VIP seating and watch the Impression Lijiang Show. From here, travel to the small town of Baisha, one of the three ancient communities that, together with Dayan and nearby Shuhe, make up the original Naxi settlement of Lijiang. Meals BLD, LUX* Tea Horse Road Lijiang
DAY 9 APRIL 12
LIJIANG TO XIAN
Relax at your leisure ahead of your flight to Xian. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a talk by the former director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Edmund Capon, who will share his experiences of curating one of Australia’s most successful exhibitions, The First Emperor: China’s Entombed Warriors. Meals BLD, Shangri La Hotel
DAY 10 APRIL 13
XIAN
In the company of Edmund Capon, visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Later, visit the Xian Art and Ceramics Lacquer exhibition and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Enjoy the charms of traditional Chinese culture at a Tang Dynasty show and dumpling banquet where you can learn how to make dumplings. Meals BLD, Shangri La Hotel
DAY 11 APRIL 14
XIAN
Explore Xian, starting with a morning visit to the City Wall. Then, in the company of Edmund Capon, visit Calligraphy Street and the Stele Forest, also known as Beilin Museum, housed inside a former Confucian temple. In the afternoon, visit a mosque in the city’s Muslim quarter. Meals BLD, Shangri La Hotel
DAY 12 APRIL 15
XIAN TO BEIJING
Take a bullet train from Xian to Beijing. On arrival, enjoy a tour of the city’s hutongs (narrow streets and alleys) by rickshaw and visit a local family. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel. Meals BLD, Regent Hotel
DAY 13 APRIL 16
BEIJING
Today, China correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Kirsty Needham, will accompany you on a city tour. Visit the unique walled Temple of Heaven, set in 267 hectares of parkland. An example of Ming architecture, the temple was created as a place of worship for the emperors, who would ask for prosperity, longevity and good harvest for the people. Meals BLD, Regent Hotel
DAY 14 APRIL 17
BEIJING
Visit the Great Wall of China, toast your journey with a glass of Champagne and enjoy a light picnic lunch. On the way back to Beijing, visit the Lama Temple, where Edmund Capon will meet you and your fellow Traveller Tours guests. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at Huajia Yiyuan restaurant in the company of Edmund Capon and Kirsty Needham. Meals BLD, Regent Hotel
DAYS 15-16 SEPTEMBER 18-19
DEPART BEIJING
Enjoy the morning at your leisure before being transferred to the airport for your overnight flight to Sydney or Melbourne. Meal B
WHERE, WHEN AND HOW MUCH
TOUR DETAILS AND INCLUSIONS
Departing April 4, 2019
Tour name and code Traveller Tours – Cultural China 2019
Prices Twin price share from $A11,399 per person. Single hotel supplement from $2999 per person
- 16-day luxury tour
- International economy-class flights with Cathay Pacific from Sydney or Melbourne
- Internal flights with local carriers
- Bullet train Xian to Beijing, 1st-class seat
- Five-star accommodation
- Meals: 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 14 dinners
- Touring with an expert national escort
- Single-entry China visa for Australian passport holders
- Entrance tickets as indicated in the itinerary
- Tipping
Prices are per person, twin share. Single supplement applies. Subject to availability. Airline fuel surcharge included and subject to change. Drinks not included with meals.
Circumstances beyond Traveller’s control may affect the guest line-up. Any operational or logistical changes or issues arising from the itinerary before, during or after the tour will be addressed by Wendy Wu Tours.
Booking conditions available at www.wendywutours.com.au ATAS A10517
BOOKINGS
Ph: 1300 727 998
SATURDAY 9am to 4pm; SUNDAY 10am to 4pm MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8am to 7pm
www.wendywutours.com.au