June 26 - July 10 , 2010
Tour Itinerary
14 days in Southern China exploring the major centres of Zhu Hai, Guangzhou, Macau and Hong Kong.
Enjoy the scenic beauty of Dinghu Shan and Panyu.
Tai chi, massage, great food, comfortable hotels, sight-seeing and good company.
A fully-escorted relaxing holiday.
Click on link for overview of the tour : China Tai Chi Tour 2010
Day 1: ( Sat. June 26th )
Arrive at Macau International Airport and transfer to the four star Gold Crown China Hotel.
Airfares are not included in the overall cost of the tour. This allows for greater flexibility for those wanting stop-overs or add-ons. It is also significantly cheaper to book on-line than it is to purchase a group booking. Click on the links below for details on how to book.
Tonight will include an orientation and welcome dinner.
Day 2: ( Sun. June 27th )
Today we explore the once sleepy Portuguese-administered backwater-turned-gambling-megaresort of Macau. Referred to as the Vegas of the East, Macau is a fascinating blend of old and new.
'Macau offers visitors a captivating mix of historic Chinese and Portuguese influences. Handsome colonial houses line cobblestoned streets punctuated by baroque churches and stone fortresses. Restful pockets of greenery, 30 UNESCO-listed historic sights and the beach resorts of Coloane Island' - Lonely Planet.
We will visit the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the Church of St.Paul - the very symbol of Macau.
We will continue on to the Macau museum, the Largo do Senado ( a swirling black and white tiled square surrounded by colonial buildings ), Monte Fort, Penha Hill, Kun Lam Temple, Street of Happiness and we'll wander through the old Colonial district.
The best way to explore Macau is on foot. Be prepared for a fun day of trekking, using public transport and enjoying Macau food.
Time and energy permitting, we may hop on a bus and head to the laid-back Coloane village before returning via the Cotai strip with its huge resorts and casinos.
Macau's colonial backstreets.
Late afternoon we will transfer to the border control area and pass through into China.
Transfer to our Zhu Hai hotel.
Day 3: ( Mon. June 28th )
After a hearty breakfast we will make our way over to the tai chi centre to meet Master Zhao and organise training schedules.
Click on links below to learn more about Master Zhao:
Days 3, 4, 5 and 6: ( Mon-Thurs. June 28th, 29th, 30th and July 1st )
For those wishing to participate in the tai chi training with Master Zhao, we will practise in the mornings. This is not a boot camp, all participation levels will be determined by the student. You can do as little or as much training as you wish.
For those not doing tai chi, there will be various activities in place for you to enjoy.
We will also endeavour to visit a city park in the early mornings for those interested in joining the locals for tai chi.
During our stay in Zhu Hai you will be able to enjoy daily massages ( $6.50 per hour ) and some informal sight-seeing organised by John and Veronica. We will also have the full time services of our close friend and interpreter, Vera Hsu.
Places to visit in Zhu Hai include Xianglu Bay and Fisher Girl ( pictured above ), New Yuan Ming Yuan ( pictured below - based on the Old Summer Palace in Beijing ), Tangjiawan, various temples, extensive shopping ( much cheaper than Hong Kong ) and many great restaurants.
Day 7: ( Fri. July 2nd )
Training with Master Zhao before a mid-morning departure for Zhaoqing.
Zhaoqing ( pictured above ) lies on the Xi River, 110 km west of Guangzhou. It is bordered to the north by lakes and a series of limestone karst formations.
After arriving in Zhaoqing we check into the Zhaoqing Hua Qiao Hotel and the remainder of the afternoon and evening is free to explore the township.
Day 8: ( Sat. July 3rd )
Today we visit Dinghu Shan, one of the most beautiful and popular scenic spots in all of Guangdong ( see pic below ).
.jpg)
We will explore the Seven Star Crags park - a group of misty limestone hills, with concealed caves and grottos among their craggy peaks. Willow and kapok trees line the paths around Star Lake.
In the evening we will drive to Guangzhou and check into our hotel on Shamian Dao.
This is a beautiful place, an oasis in an otherwise hectic city. It's full of tree lined boulevards, gardens, colonial buildings and fabulous cafes and restaurants.
The evening is free to wander around and enjoy the atmosphere.
Day 9: ( Sun. July 4th )
A day of sight-seeing around Guangzhou and then on to Panyu.
We will visit beautiful Baomo Gardens and Yuyin Village before returning to Zhu Hai late afternoon.
Days 10 & 11: ( Mon & Tues. July 5th & 6th )
Tai chi training with master Zhao and informal sight-seeing around Zhu Hai.
Day 12: ( Wed. July 7th )
Tai chi training after breakfast before transferring to the Zhu Hai Ferry Terminal for a 1 hour and 15 minute ferry ride to Hong Kong.
We had originally planned this trip as a full day tour, returning to Zhu Hai in the evening. Hong Kong is one of the great cities of the world. In order to get more out of a visit there and not leave you totally exhausted, we have decided to stay overnight in a fabulous new hotel right in the heart of downtown. This will incur a $75 increase to the quoted price but for a night in Hong Kong and an extra day's sight-seeing, this is quite nominal.
In Hong Kong we will visit the famous Victoria Peak for spectacular views over the city and harbour ( see picture above ), Repulse Bay ( see picture below ) and the floating city of Aberdeen.
Late afternoon we will check into the Harbour Plaza Hotel ( a new hotel opened October 2009 - click on link below to view ) and enjoy an evening in busy Kowloon.
Day 13: ( Thurs. July 8th )
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel we will enjoy a half day tour of Hong Kong's Kowloon area including the Wong Tai Sin Temple - A large and active Taoist Temple with nearby fortune tellers. We will then stroll through the beautiful Kowloon Walled City Park before visiting either the Jade Market or the delightful bird garden.
In the afternoon we transfer to the ferry for our return trip to Zhu Hai.
Day 14: ( Fri. July 9th )
Morning tai chi with Master Zhao.
Enjoy lunch together in Zhu Hai before an afternoon transfer to Macau International Airport for our return flight.
This itinerary is as accurate as possible. Certain things will no doubt be added to the program closer to the departure date.
Tour includes:
* 1 nights in Macau with sight-seeing ( 4 star hotel ).
* 1 night in Hong Kong with sight-seeing ( 4 star hotel ).
* 9 nights in Zhu Hai ( 3 star hotel ).
* 8 days of tai chi training with Master Zhao ( duration and level of training will depend on the individual - suitable for all levels of tai chi experience ).
* 1 night in Zhaoqing including sight-seeing to Dinghu Shan ( spectacular scenic area ).
* 1 night in Guangzhou staying on Shamian Dao with sight-seeing.
* Visit to Panyu area.
* Ferry and 2 day guided tour of Hong Kong.
* Some meals but not all ( food is cheap and western friendly. Zhuhai is famous for its seafood )
* All transfers.
* Australian Tour Leaders throughout.
Total cost excluding airfare is only $1,665 twin share. Single supplement is $2,065.
Tour price excludes:
* Airfares - currently available through Air Asia at approximately $750 return.
* Some meals
* Zhu Hai informal sight-seeing ( optional )
* China visa ( $30 ) - we can organise for you.
* Travel Insurance.
* Drinks & spending money.
* Any tips.
To book for the 2010 China Tour please call 1300 88 28 13 or email info@relaxasia.com.au or
simply add a comment with your details to the end of this article.
We hope to have you travelling with us in China next June.
A $200 deposit is required at time of booking to secure your place on the tour.
The price quoted is subject to change until deposit is paid. The Hong Kong hotel promotional rate is only valid until the end of November 2009. As this tour has not been designed as a profit making exercise there is little margin to play with. Any drop in the Australian dollar will have to be passed on to tour members ( until deposit is received and we can confirm bookings with our China operators ). Air Asia flights should also be purchased without delay to avoid incremental price increases and ideally secure seats on the same flights. If you are unsure about booking flights, please call me - 1300 88 28 13 ( John ).
This promises to be a great tour at a probably never-to-be-repeated price.
Links:
