Leading Asia specialist Classic Oriental Tours has unveiled its new China brochure representing the biggest operational changes since the company�s inception 15 years ago.

Classic Oriental Tours has revamped the existing China programs and introduced many new itineraries.

Classic Oriental Tours managing director Trevor Lake says additional buying power since the international launch of Classic Oriental Tours� program has seen tourist class tours eliminated and replaced with five-star deluxe tours, priced very similarly.

�Passengers are accommodated in a five-star deluxe hotel every night of a Classic Oriental Tour in China and we still offer the most competitive prices,� Mr Lake said.

�All tours have been redesigned and stays in major cities have been extended as more attractions and points of interest have opened to the public in recent years.

�We now recommend a three night stay in Xian where the recently discovered Han Tombs are visited, a trip to a traditional village - the people still live in caves - and passengers can attend a lecture on Chinese Art at the Tang Museum.

�Our programs are designed to expose passengers to the �real China�, taking in orientation walks, lectures, and visits to traditional villages as well as the more popular and well known sights.�

Mr Lake said the success of Classic Oriental�s China program has led to more departures being scheduled.

�Departures have increased from one every three weeks to three departures a month,� he said.

�Even prior to the brochure release all tours in April and May were on a stop sell as we had reached capacity and hence we have now added more departures.

�We have ensured we offer the premier tours to China with no other company offering superior hotels.

�Classic Oriental Tours is also using European built cruise vessels which ensure European standard of safety and comfort. These boats are the largest and best equipped boats on the Yangtze.�

In Guilan a full day trip to the colourful hill tribes of Longsheng is offered, in Shanghai a canal cruise is featured between the traditional villages of tongli and Zhouzhuang, and in Beijing the remote Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is a highlight.

Classic Oriental Tours offers a range of tours in China from the two-day city packs to 16-day deluxe tours.

The 16-day China the Beautiful is the most popular tour and includes a Yangtze cruise in addition to Classic�s �real China� sightseeing in Beijing, Xian, Yangtze, and Shanghai.

The tour includes most meals, an English speaking national guide, comprehensive sightseeing, all domestic transportation priced from $3,925 per person twin share land only.

ENDS FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT � PR MANAGER SARAH BEATON ON 02 9028 0710