Tours

• Special
• China Group Tours 2010/11
• Indochina Tours 2010/11
• Local Packages 2010/11
• China Minibreaks 2010/11

Colourful Minority Culture Tour (Tourcode: EM)

Discover the colourful minority cultures on this 13 nights, 14 days tour to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-la, Suzhou and Shanghai, land price from NZ$4595

Day 01 Arrival Shanghai

Upon arrival in Shanghai, you will be greeted by our CTS Guide and transferred to your hotel.

Day 02 Shanghai/Guilin (B/D)

Free till transfer to the airport and fly to Guilin. Upon arrival, visit to Reed Flute Cave, a site of wonderful limestone caves, showcasing a dazzling variety of stalactite and stalagmite stone formations if time permit.

Day 03 Guilin-Longshen-Guilin (B/L)

We take a full day excursion to Longsheng. Located in the mountainous region on the northeastern part of Guilin, the natural beauty and the colorful ethnic Chinese cultures and customs attract people from all over the world. After 2.5 hours drive (115KM beautiful mountain road) you will get to the Longji area, Heping Township of Longsheng County. Visit Zhuang and Yao Minority tribes’ villages and some families if invited. Those ethnic girls dressed in their own colors may have a demonstration on hair combing or singing and dancing upon guests' request and gratuity. Clients will enjoy the beautiful terrace rice fields after getting to the summit of Longji (Dragon's backbone). The terrace rice fields were first built in the Yuan Dynasty (about 800 years ago) and completed in the Qing dynasty as the crystallization of the wisdom and labor of the Zhuang people. The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountaintop, with the highest place of an elevation of 885m and the lowest 380m. The coiling line spirals up from the mountain foot to the top, making the mountain looks like huge snail seen afar.

Day 04 Guilin-Yangshuo (B/L)

The Highlight of the trip to Guilin is a spectacular cruise down the meandering and picturesque Li River, the breathtaking scenery as jagged mist-covered mountains, quaint villages dot the riverbanks, drift past humped limestone peaks, fishermen aboard bamboo rafts and grazing water buffalo. You will also have a chance to roam Yangshuo's local market in the evening. The well-known West Street in Yangshuo also called Foreigner Street, which the history has 1400 years. It is a small and traditional street on south of China, but the international sentiment ambience show over the whole street. All of the people who waiter work in hotel or wine bar, seller work in bookstore or art shop, aged-lady sell fruit can speak fluent English.

Day 05 Yangshuo-Guilin/Kunming (B/D)

Free at leisure till fly to Kunming via Guilin. Kunming is the capital of Yunnan Province, which is called ‘City of Perpetual Spring’ with beautiful sceneries and historical sites. Check in your hotel. Visit Bird and Flower market if time permit.

Day 06 Kunming (B/L/D)

Visit the Stone Forest, known as 'No.1 wonder under heaven', is the highest karst terrain in the world. The unique natural sights and Sani folklore are characteristics of the Stone Forest Scenic Area. Visit Western Hills and Dragon Gate in the afternoon.

Day 07 Kunming/Dali (B/L/D)

Morning flight from Kunming to Dali (45 minutes). Standing against the Cangshan Mountains in the west and adjoining the Erhai Lake in the east, embraced by undulating hills around, Dali was the capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom as early as 1,300 years ago. It is home to Bai minority. Upon arrival in Dali, proceed to visit the Bai village Xizhou or Zhoucheng, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, and visit the old town of Dali, known as ‘state of literature’, which has a long history and splendid culture.

Day 08 Dali-Lijiang (B/L/D)

Coach journey (3 hours) to Lijiang. On the way, please enjoy the natural countryside scenery. Upon arrival, visit Black Dragon Pool Park. Naxi people are the main ethnic group in the town. Dongba Culture Museum makes you have a well understanding of the well-preserved Naxi minority’s people’s culture, which is one of very few ancient photographic scripts in the world still in use. River zigzags surrounding the town, take a walk along the street of the old town of Dayan, you will see a combination of human being, nature and culture. Dayan Town has been on the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites since 1997.

Day 09 Lijiang (B/L)

Morning visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yak Meadow section), which has rich vegetation coverage, featuring distinct and complete alpine vertical ecosystem from subtropical zone to Frigid Zone. You will take cable car up and down the mountain. You might meet the minority’s people singing and dancing on the Yak Meadow. Afterwards take tour to Baisha Village to see the ancient Fresco. While back to the town, you will have more time to explore the old town of Lijiang. Dinner will be on your own arrangement.

Day 10 Lijiang (Breakfast only)

Free to further explore this charming city on your own path.

Day 11 Lijiang/Kunming/Shanghai (B/L/D)
Morning, we fly back to Kunming. Then, catch our connecting flight to Shanghai. Check in your hotel. If time permit, we visit Shanghai Museum, one the best museums in China.

Day 12 Shanghai-Suzhou-Shanghai (B/L/D)

In the morning, take a side trip to Suzhou, a small town famous for its classic gardens in the south of China and often so-called ‘Oriental Venice’. You will visit the Garden of the Master of Fishing Net, Silk Spinning Mill and take a boat cruise on the Canal constructed over 1,000 year ago in Sui Dynasty. If time permit, we take a short visit to newly renovated Shan Tang Street. Late afternoon, travel back by coach to metropolitan Shanghai. In 1997 the Classical Gardens of Suzhou were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Day 13 Shanghai (B/L)

Morning tour to the Bund, a popular promenade along the Huangpu River, where the old meets the modern in Shanghai. We may experience local life on the Bund to see early morning Tai Chi if you want to be an early bird. Then to the Old Town with its winding alleyways, lined with shops, teahouses and restaurants, and to the elegant and tranquil Yu Garden. Afternoon tour the Shanghai Xintiandi, which is a new tourist attraction in downtown Shanghai, featuring the city’s unique “Shikumen” houses and a maze of narrow alleys, which have been converted into specialist F & B, retail, entertainment and cultural facilities. Dinner will be on your own arrangement.

Day 14 Shanghai/Departure (B)

Today you will have free time to go shopping or explore more of Shanghai by yourself. In the evening you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home

Inclusions

• 4-star hotel accommodation or similar on twin shared basis
• All road transport by modern airconditioned vehicles from arrival until end of the tour in China
• Meals, sightseeing and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
• English-Speaking local guides
• English-Speaking national guide (only for 10+ group size)
• Travel wallet and CTS Backpack

Exclusions

• New Zealand departure tax
• Chinese visa fee
• Personal travel insurance
• Compulsory Tipping see Page 64
• Tour extension
• Personal expenses