2012 China
Registration for this event is now closed. All members who have registered will have been notified and should by now have paid their deposit. The balance due must be paid by 31st March 2012.
Notes suggesting how to complete your visa application form will be sent to all attendees within the first three months of 2012. It is suggested that you should book your flights as soon as possible to ensure you get the flights you want. However it is your decision whether to book your flight before applying for your visa.
This page will remain available for reference and will be updated should things change.
Visiting China does present potential challenges beyond those of other destinations and all attendees must be prepared for changes to the programme, possibly at very short notice. We would also point out that whilst many hotels in China are of a very high standard in all respects, other facilities, especially whilst in the countryside, may be somewhat more basic than many members would wish. However we will visit some of the most beautiful parts of China and for those who chose to make the journey, it promises to be an experience of a lifetime.
Programme
Monday 4th June 2012 - Arrive at Kunming. Meeting point is Golden Dragon Hotel 4* (2 nights).
Tuesday 5th June 2012 - We will travel by coach to the Stone Forest (full day). Here we can observe also some Chinese plants.
Wednesday 6th June 2012 - Early morning flight to Dali. After checking into our hotel we will visit a market and tie-dye workshop in Bai villages, and then visit the Family Zhang Garden.
Overnight in 4* hotel for 2 nights.
Thursday 7th June 2012 - Visit the three famous Pagoda's and monastery in the morning (free afternoon).
Friday 8th June 2012 - Drive by coach to Lijiang. Several picture stops en route for nice rice fields and botanic stops as well. Overnight at Wangfu Hotel 4* for 4 nights.
Saturday 9th June 2012 - Early start for full day plant hunting at Gang Ho Ba pass + area around Bai Shui.
Sunday 10th June 2012 - In the morning visit the 10.000 Camellia Temple and the Black Dragon Pool Park.
Free afternoon to visit the town. Naxi music performance in the old town in evening.
Monday 11th June 2012 - Full day of plant hunting at Gang Ho Ba lower part.
Tuesday 12th June 2012 - Early morning start to drive to Zhongdian (now called Shangri-La). On our way we will walk a part of the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. Some flower stops on our way.
Overnight at Sightseeing Hotel 4* for 3 nights.
Wednesday 13th June 2012 - Morning visit to a large Monastery. In the afternoon botanizing at the Napa Hai Botanical Garden and some other areas if there is time.
Thursday 14th June 2012 - Visit Tianchi Lake or go by cable car to Shika Shan and botanize (depends on weather).
Friday 15th June 2012 - Early morning flight to Kunming. Visit Dragon Gate and Huating Temple and then visit the Birds and Flower Market. Overnight at Golden Dragon Hotel 4* for 1 night.
Saturday 16th June 2012 - Fly home from Kunming.
Costs
The costs quoted for this trip are based on prices taxes and the exchange rate as of 17 May 2011. They may go up or down depending on price fluctuation and the exchange rate of the Chinese CYN (RMB) against the Euro. Flights to and from China are not included.
The cost of the basic tour is 1400 Euros, plus 275 Euros for the flight between Kunming and Dali and the flight between Zhongdian and Kunming, making a total of 1675 Euros.
The single room supplement for tour is an additional 240 Euros, making a total of 1915 Euros.
The payment profile and timescales are included with the September Newsletter.
Extension Tours
At our request Yunnan Overseas International Travel Service Co. Ltd. have suggested three extension tours which attendees may wish to take. They can be added either before or after our time in Yunnan.
It is also possible to request something completely different. Please note, all internal flights are NOT included in the costs quoted here.
Tour No. 1: 2 days Xi'an tour (2 nights)
Day 1 - Arrive at Xi'an. Met and transferred to visit Shanxi Museum, the ancient city gate and the bell tower. Overnight at Grand New Hotel 4* for 2 nights.
Day 2 - Visit to Terracotta Warriors and the Wild Goose Pagodas.
Day 3 - Transfer to the airport for the departure flight (no meals included).Quotation (minimum 2 persons) - 265 Euros per person in shared twin room.
Single room supplement - 65 Euros per person.
Tour No. 2: 4 days Guilin tour (3 nights)
Day 1 - Arrive at Guilin. Met and transferred to visit Reed Flute Cave and Hubo Hill. Overnight at Bravo Hotel or the similar 4* for 1 night.
Day 2 - Have a cruise tour on River Li to Yangshuo. Overnight at New Century Hotel 4* in Yangshuo for 2 nights.
Day 3 - Free at leisure in Yangshuo (no service included).
Day 4 - Transfer to the airport for the departure flight (no meals included).Quotation (minimum 2 persons) - 325 Euros per person in shared twin room.
Single room supplement - 85 Euros per person.
Tour No. 3: 4 days Beijing tour (3 nights)
Day 1 - Arrive at Beijing. Met and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at 4* hotel in Beijing for 3 nights.
Day 2 - Full day visit to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Tian Tan Park and Wangfujing Street.
Day 3 - Visit the Great Wall and Summer Place.
Day 4 - Transfer to the airport for the departure flight (no meals included).Quotation (minimum 2 persons) - 300 Euros per person in shared twin room.
Single room supplement - 95 Euros per person.
Registration
Details of how to register, along with other important information about this trip, were included in the September Newsletter, published in early September to all members of this Society. It will be assumed that anyone registering has read, agrees with and will comply with all the terms and conditions in the Invitation to Register document and any other documentation supplied.
Both minimum and maximum limits on the number of attendees may have to be imposed due to the logistics of the visit, so it is important that anyone who wishes to attend follows the instructions carefully and registers as soon as possible. Should the Society have to impose an upper limit on attendees, the order of registration will be taken into account.
Finally, if you'd like to see more images of Yunnan Province, why not visit Harry Jans's website at www.jansalpines.com.
