Introduction to CHINA

China is a land unlike any other with endless opportunities to offer the enthusiastic traveller. There is such diversity in its cities, people and landscapes and with a history spanning over 5000 years, it will surely leave a lasting impression. Wendy Wu Tours aims to offer a selection of tour programmes to suit every traveller; various city combinations, a range of durations and many included sights. We endeavour to provide access to all aspects of China’s beauty as well as covering such popular attractions as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xian and cosmopolitan Shanghai alongside stunning natural beauty found in the Yunnan Province, on the mighty Yangtze River and along the trading route of the Silk Road. For those with an adventurous spirit we also have a selection of programs that explore parts of China rarely visited by westerners. These programs take in China’s many dramatic landscape variations and allow for in depth cultural experiences with the local people like never before. Join us on a Wendy Wu Tours adventure – the holiday of a lifetime.

Total Solar Eclipse - 22 July 2009

A total eclipse of the sun is one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena. As the earth slips into the moon’s shadow, the sky darkens and an eerie twilight covers the land. This is the only time when the sun’s atmosphere, the solar corona, is visible as a bright halo around the black disk of the moon. Wendy Wu Tours is offering a number of different options for viewing the longest total solar eclipse this century. On our very special Eclipse and Shanghai Experience Tour (9 Days) on page 58, we will view this event from the banks of the Qiangtang River (Hangzhou). We will also operate a number of our classic itineraries to coincide with the eclipse (departures marked with the Eclipse symbol). These departures will allow observation from an unobstructed site near to the cities of Shanghai or Hangzhou, both of which will experience totality for at least 5 minutes (weather permitting).

What will happen during the Total Solar Eclipse?

Experience uninterrupted views, 5 minutes and 40 seconds of totality (weather permitting). Totality will occur at 09.38hrs at an latitude of 57 degrees. At about 12.30hrs witness the world famous Qiantang River Tidal Bore. The gravitational pull of the moon and sun will create a wave several metres high as the high tide penetrates the relatively narrow river mouth.

Time - China is 5 hours behind Eastern Standard Time (EST) in New Zealand.

Language - The official national language in China is called Mandarin, which has 8 major dialect groups that are region specific. In addition, there are several ethnic minority languages in the western and southern most provinces.

Currency - The Chinese currency is known as the Renmimbi, with its basic unit being the Yuan, Jiao and Fen. Divided into the following denominations: 1.00yuan = 10jiao = 100fen, it is very similar to the New Zealand system where $1.00 = 100cents. Approximately NZ$1 = 4 Yuan.

Entry Requirements - Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the length of stay. Visas are required for New Zealand travellers, so please contact your local travel agent for assistance in obtaining these.

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR

We have continued to experience steady growth in our China group tours over the last year and so for the 2009 program we have consolidated our most popular itineraries by offering more frequent departure dates, strengthening the day to day sightseeing and improving the services and facilities on the ground to create an even better travel experience.

In addition, we have created a new tour, called ‘Eastern Spectacular, which incorporates a selection of the finest cities and attractions as found along the east coast of China. Such areas include the capital of Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou, Mt Huang, Shanghai, Guilin and Hong Kong. A special feature of this tour is the inclusion of Mt Huang (Huangshan or Yellow Mountain) which has long been considered one of China’s most famed scenic attractions.

Due to the enormous popularity of Yangtze River Cruising, this year we have created a dedicated cruising section that highlights the many wonderful opportunities to witness the magnificent natural scenery of the Three Gorges, aboard the 5* luxury Victoria Cruise vessels. In addition, you will also find many of our most popular itineraries that include the cruise along the Yangtze River such as the Yangtze River Panorama, Grand Tour of China, Classic China, Magnificent China, Wonders of China and Majestic Yangtze. These itineraries use a variety of cruise vessels, all of which start at a 4* level.

We are excited about the upcoming year and hope that you are able to share it with us.

CITIES:

BEIJING

Beijing, meaning ‘Northern Capital’, is the city of wonders and holds an important position as the country’s historical and cultural centre. It is here where the old mixes with the new and in doing so provides a treasure chest of sights and attractions ranging from its most renowned, the Great Wall, to the Imperial Forbidden City and the beautiful Summer Palace.

SHANGHAI

Shanghai is China’s largest and most cosmopolitan centre, as well as being the country’s main financial institution. The city is filled with an abundance of beautiful old buildings and modern day high rise developments that are architectural masterpieces combining the China of old with that of tomorrow. Shanghai is China’s premier shopping haven and has much to offer the visitor, rightly earning it the name of ‘Paris of the East’.

XIAN

Xian, meaning ‘Western Peace’, possesses a history dating back to 1000BC. The city served as the capital of China’s greatest emperor, Emperor Qin Shi Huang and was also the starting point of the world famous trade route – the Silk Road. Home to the magnificent display of Terracotta Warriors and an abundance of historic attractions, Xian is a must see location.

KUNMING

Kunming is the gateway to the wonderfully diverse Yunnan Province, which is home to a mixture of lush rainforests, mountainous snow capped peaks and over 50% of China’s ethnic minorities. The city is also the gateway to the Stone Forest, a collection of massive limestone columns located 120 km to the southeast.

GUILIN

Guilin is undoubtedly one of China’s greatest areas of natural beauty with stunning karst topography alongside the banks of the Li River. These limestone formations have been celebrated for years by poets and artists alike. The views from right across the town are truly breathtaking.

YANGSHUO

This idyllic town is located 65km south of Guilin, bordering one side of the Li River and possesses the same striking karst formations as Guilin. It is a perfect haven for relaxing in peace and quiet whilst enjoying the magnificent views on offer.

KASHGAR

Kashgar has been a historic landmark for the past two millennia as the crossroads of the famous ‘Silk Road’ trading route. Merchants from across the east and the west gathered for the world famous Sunday Bazaar where the exchange of goods, food and culture took place. The city is also home to many ethnic minorities including Uyghurs, Tajiks, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks and Han Chinese.

XIAHE

Xiahe is set in a stunning mountain valley and is home to the Labrang Monastery, one of the leading Tibetan monasteries of the Yellow Hat sect and where many Tibetans gather each year on pilgrimage. Xiahe is famed for its mystical nature and insight into the Tibetan culture.

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

One of the largest engineering projects undertaken by man is the damming of the Three Gorges area on the Yangtze River. Spectacular views and scenery constantly change as the water level continues to rise. This area offers some of the most magnificent natural scenery in China.

LHASA

The city of Lhasa is not only the capital of Tibet but also its heart and spiritual home. It is here on the ‘Roof of the World’ where one will find the inspiring Potala Palace, the winter residence of the Dalai Lama and the mystical Jokhang Temple which holds Tibet’s holiest shrine.

DAZU

This small town is the home to an amazing array of cliff carvings and scattered statues that rival many others found within China. There are thousands of figures in total all influenced by Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian beliefs.

CHENGDU

Chengdu, is the capital of Sichuan Province home to a grand selection of stunning natural scenery, including the Grand Buddha at Leshan, Mt Emei and the Nine Villages Valley. In addition, the nearby Panda Reserve is where you can get up close to some of China’s cuddly Pandas.

ZHONGDIAN

Zhongdian is often referred to as ‘Little Tibet’ due to its location and traditional Tibetan ethnic residents. The town is set amidst some of China’s most striking scenery with the main draw card being the Songshanlin Monastery.

DALI

Dali lies on the edge of Erhai Lake at the base of the magnificent Cangshan Mountains, a truly beautiful setting. The city is home to the Bai ethnic minority group and its Ancient Quarter still retains its old world charm with narrow cobbled streets and traditional stone architecture within original city walls.

ZHANGJIAJIE

A natural gallery of botanical gardens and spectacular rock formations, Zhangjiajie was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1990. Its scenery consists of endless waterfalls, caves, rivers and approximately 243 imposing peaks which are surrounded by over 3000 karst up thrusts, a beautiful combination unseen elsewhere.

LIJIANG

At the foothills of the Himalayas, the town of Lijiang is set within a beautiful valley and its old town offers a wonderful array of cobbled streets lined with traditional wooden buildings and meandering canals. Lijiang is also home to the Naxi ethnic minority group, who are descendants of Tibetan tribes.

NINE VILLAGES VALLEY - JIOUZHAIGOU

Located within the borders of the Sichuan Province, the Nine Villages Valley area is a magnificent alpine valley consisting of crystal clear lakes, lush forests and snow capped mountains. The area is World Heritage listed and is also the home to a variety of protected species. Its name is derived from the nine Tibetan villages found within the valley.

MT HUANG

Mt Huang, or Yellow Mountain, is China’s most spectacular mountain and combined with the traditional villages and their patchwork paddy fields encircling the mountain, presents exquisite natural scenery rarely seen. It is this scenery that has inspired Chinese artists for many centuries.

Country Map

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