Farmer’s Tour of China with Yangtze River Cruise – 19 Nights / 20 Days

Departing from India to Beijing . Overnight in-Flight.

Arrive in bustling Beijing, capital city of China, where you will be welcomed by your English-speaking guide. Visit the Peking Zoo to view the Giant Pandas. Lunch. Time to freshen up before a “Welcome Dinner” at a Peking roast duck restaurant.

This morning a meeting with leaders from the China Association for Marketing of Animal products. After lunch a farm visit on the outskirts of the city. This evening enjoy the Liyuan Theatre’s Peking Opera (with its roots in musical forms dating back to the Ming Dynasty and offering an intricate display of song, pantomine, dance and acrobatics).

This morning visit the fascinating Forbidden City – the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties – and famous Tiananmen Square – the largest public square in the world, comprising 45.5 hectares, where ceremonial gatherings of more than one million people are not uncommon – and walk along Wangfujing Street. After lunch, visit the remarkable Olympic Games Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube venues.

Today you travel to the incredible Great Wall of China, acclaimed by many as one of the great wonders of the world. The original wall was built more than 2000 years ago and stretched over 6000km – and still visible from space! This evening depart for an overnight journey to Hohhot by train in a soft-sleeper car.

.This morning a real change of scenery as you arrive into Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia (also known as the dairy capital of China). Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region with a population of 23.84 million people in an area of roughly 1.18 million sq km, of which 86.66 million hectares is grassland. Transfer to the hotel for breakfast. Visit the Yili Industrial Group or Mengniu dairy plants and associated dairy farms – both of whom have investments in the NZ dairy industry.

Today you are off to experience Mongolian culture! Depart by coach for the Xilamuren Grassland (1.5 hrs), enjoying green hills of pasture on the way. Attend an Inner Mongolian ceremony where local children will present you with a Hada and toast you whilst singing local folk songs. Enjoy an Inner Mongolian style lunch and visit a herd owner to sample local livestock products followed by a horse race and a traditional

After breakfast, visit a potato grower in the Wuchuan County then this afternoon we visit the Trade Centre for Mongolian Commodites. This evening, we depart on a flight to Xian and transfer to the Xian city hotel.

Xian is a city of 8 million people and once the largest city in the world. This morning visit the Chinchuan Beef Cattle Farm in Yangling (or similar). After lunch enjoy a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda then some free time to explore.

Leave Xian city for Lingtong. Visit the incredible centuries old Terracotta Warriors and horses which were re-discovered by a farmer digging a well just a few decades again. After lunch, visit the Arts Handcrafts factory before departing for Xian Airport.

Breakfast in the hotel Leave for Qilian by a coach. This is the third largest grassland area in China. Here visit a sheep or beef cattle farm and see the 600 ha of rape crops which, when in bloom colour the landscape in yellow.

Breakfast in the hotel then we are off to visit Qinghai

Visit a village of the Tu Nationality in Huzhu County, then in the west suburbs of Xining visit a factory processing yak and other meat. After lunch depart by air for Chongqing, a city of roughly 32 million people covering an area of 82,400 sq km. This is now the largest city in China directly under the Central Government. Upon arrival, a local guide will take you on a city-tour. After dinner, you are transferred to a 4 star cruise boat for a 3-night cruise on the famous Yangtze River.

This morning cruise the mighty Yangtze River Gorge, observing life on the shores and the passing parade of boats on this impressive waterway. After lunch, leave the ship and visit the “Ghost city” in Fengdu. In the evening, a reception is given by the Captain.

Breakfast on the cruiser, then leave the ship, taking a boat to drift on Godfarmer Stream. Here we meet the local people and learn about life on the river. Then you will continue with the cruise through the grand Wu Gorge and the west part of Xilin Gorges. Approach the locks on three Gorges Dam this evening – a major engineering and hydro water control system.

After breakfast, be off the ship and visit the Three Gorges Dam and learn about their constructiona and function. After lunch the ship is to arrive and berth in the Yichan harbour where you will disembark and meet your local guide. Visit a fish farm and a rice grower in Yichang, before departing Wuhan airport for Hangzhou. Upon arrival at Xiaoshan airport you will be welcomed by the local guide and transferred to your city hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and then you visit an interesting tea grower and associated factory in Mayjiawu. Tea is another of China’s iconic products and you will learn that all teas are not created equal! After lunch, cruise the West Lake and visit a store with impressive array of fabrics and attire.

After breakfast, leave Hangzhou by coach for vibrant Shanghai. On the way visit the Huajia Group in Wujiang county to see how silkworms are raised. and how to turn silk cocoons into silk and how silk is made into into shirts and other garments. After lunch visit the Orient Pearl TV tower where, hopefully, you can have a great view of Shanghai if the weather is fine.

Breakfast at hotel. Spend some time walking in the historic Bund port area famous for its colonial architecture from the early days of trade. Later you can shop for bargains on the famous Nanjing Road then free time in bustling Shanghai. Perhaps visit the NZ Shanghai Trade Centre, the famous Wu Gardens or the former site of the 2010 World Expo. A Farewell Dinner tonight amidst the skyscrapers and coloruful city lights of vibrant Shanghai.

Time to pack this morning and then transfer to the airport on the thrilling, high speed magnetic train. Depart Shanghai for India.