11 Feb 2014
Audley has launched a new China, Russia & Central Asia brochure with the focus on getting off the beaten track as much as possible. This is particularly important in China where the rapid growth in domestic tourism means that areas are fast changing and becoming developed.
Highlights include:
Yunnan and Guizhou – tucked away in the Southwest corner of China, these are two of the most rural and diverse areas. They are a melting pot of different ethnic minorities, each with their own distinct customs, languages and traditional dress. Audley have a dedicated feature in the brochure on some of the different minorities. They have included a 15 day Villages of Southwest China itinerary which combines time in Guangxi, Guizhou and Yunnan and costs from £3,900 per person.
Tulou Houses – built between the 12th and 20th Centuries, the Tulou houses are enormous structures designed to house entire clans and protect them from wild animals and outlaws, despite being built only of mud, rice and bamboo strips. There are 20,000 still in existence in the most remote parts of southwestern Fujian province and some are still lived in. They are protected by UNESCO World Heritage status. Audley suggest adding a few days in this area of China to see the Tulou houses and the nearby port of Xiamen with its old colonial buildings and the island of Gulangyu.
Family China – China is proving a popular destination for families and Audley have included an itinerary which takes in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin and Longji as well as Hong Kong. Activities include the Sony ExploraScience centre in Beijing, a Kung Fu lesson, a cycle ride around Xian’s city walls, the aquarium in Shanghai, a cruise up the Li river, the rice terraces around Longji and perhaps a visit to Disneyland in Hong Kong. This 15 day itinerary costs from £3,630 per person.
Russian River Cruises – a great way to see Moscow and St Petersburg as well as the beautiful countryside between and the Golden Ring towns including Uglich, Goritsy and Kizhi. Audley have carefully selected two boats which they believe provide the best experience. An 11 day trip costs from £2,310 per person.
The Three Capitals – an 11 day trip to the three major cities of Kiev, Moscow and St Petersburg, providing a wonderful introduction to the culture and history of the Ukraine and Russia. This itinerary costs from £2,230 per person.
Great Journeys – Audley offer several different journeys through the region. These include the Silk Route, the Trans-Siberian railway and an overland trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu.
On the Silk Route Audley have itineraries ranging from an 11 day Uzbekistan Discovered trip that takes in the legendary cities of Samarakand, Bukhara and Tashkent to a 21 day Classic Silk Route journey for those with more time, going through Western China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Group Tours – Audley offer a selection of group tours in the region including Along the Silk Route, a 21 day journey departing 10th May and costing from £5995 per person. They also have a China Mountains and Minorities tour departing 13th October and costing from £4195 per person for 15 days and a China Dynasties, Festivals and Folklore tour departing on 13th November. This 17 day tour combines time in the globalised mega-cities as well as remote rural areas and costs from £4195 per person.
Further details from Audley on 01993 838 200 www.audleytravel.com
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Issued on behalf of Audley by:
Jemma Hewlett PR
Tel: 01491 614660
