Tours to China In celebration of the centenary of RHS Chelsea Flower Show

June 2013 - October 2014 NEW Tours to China In celebration of the centenary of RHS Chelsea Flower Show

2 Welcome Join us as we follow in the footsteps of the original plant hunters, celebrating the centenary of RHS Chelsea Flower Show with a range of exclusive horticultural tours to China, a source of fascination for plant lovers for the past 200 years. Vast, diverse and rich in culture and history, the country is home to one eighth of the world s plant biodiversity. As a Society, our relationship with China goes back to our earliest days at the beginning of the 19th Century, when John Reeves first started sending us plants and images from his base in Canton. Now, two centuries later, we have teamed up with China experts Wendy Wu Tours to create some wonderful horticulturethemed holidays. Their 15 years experience of operating holidays to the region has helped us to develop four first class itineraries focusing on the diverse horticultural attractions that this destination has to offer: from the sub-tropical peaks of Guilin to the beautiful gardens of Suzhou; Yunnan s Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the rice terraces of Yuanyang to the great nurseries of Sichuan and magnificent Emeishan. With smaller group sizes of no more than 28 like-minded plant lovers, these journeys are packed with visits to see beautiful gardens and plants in their natural habitat and in cultivation, but there s plenty of time for the cultural and historic highlights too, with visits to Beijing and the Great Wall, the spectacular Terracotta Warriors in Xian and the bustling metropolis of Shanghai. Our Plant Seekers tour, the most special of all, is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel with two of the country s leading horticulturists, RHS Vice President and plant seeker Roy Lancaster OBE VMH and RHS Director of Horticulture Jim Gardiner. You will follow in the footsteps of the great plant hunters of the past such as Ernest Wilson and George Forrest and your travels will include visits to Jiuzhaigou, home to many protected species, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yunnan province. Every booking made from this brochure helps us raise money for the essential restoration of our priceless Reeves Collection of individual botanical paintings and drawings and to preserve it for future generations. (See panel opposite). Whichever of these intriguing tours you choose, we look forward to welcoming you on a very special RHS Garden Holiday to China soon. With warm wishes Sue Biggs, RHS Director General Wendy Wu, the UK s leading China specialist, is proud to be partnering with the RHS on this exciting new venture. Over the last 15 years we have been sharing our passion for China with an award-winning programme of inspiring tour itineraries. As well as showing you the famous sights and landmarks, you will also encounter many hidden treasures such as Jiuzhaigou and Emeishan. Our local guides and national escorts will use their unrivalled knowledge to ensure you won t miss a thing, whether this is a first time visit to China or you are returning for another look. Our Centenary Tours have been created with the intention of showcasing China s incredible horticultural heritage. Each itinerary has something different to offer but all include amazing sights and attractions of this unique and absorbing land. Don t forget your camera... On these tours we will see many rare and endangered plant species in their natural habitat and we hope you will return home with great photography and fantastic memories of your time in China. As responsible travellers, we must respect and protect the biodiversity of this important region and resist the temptation to return with anything more. Front cover image: West Lake, Hangzhou

3 Juyongguan section, Great Wall of China, Beijing Old quarter, Lijiang John Reeves an original plant seeker The original plant seekers rank amongst the most famous names in horticultural history and travelled to China during the 19th century. John Reeves, Robert Fortune, and George Forrest were all intrepid explorers, and each made some remarkable and highly significant discoveries. When the RHS was first founded as the Horticultural Society in 1804, Britain had not established an embassy in China, but the Society s founder, Sir Joseph Banks, used every opportunity to encourage research into plant life there. John Reeves, who lived in Canton for around two decades from 1812, was actually The East India Company tea inspector at the time but also happened to be a member of the Society. From 1817, he began sending plants and drawings of plants from China and the RHS Lindley Library houses a collection of over 800 of these, many of which have age-related Park s Yellow China Rose, 1820s and water damage. This collection, much of which has never been seen in public, forms a priceless record of many well-known species dating back to their initial discovery and importation to the UK. What better way for the RHS to celebrate John Reeves important work than by offering tours to China almost 200 years after his initial visit. All profits received by the RHS for the sale of these tours will be used to help restore this incredible collection. Customers will also receive a personal invitation to view the collection once available for public view. Chrysanthemum Indicum, 1820s Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai Complimentary RHS Membership For all bookings on our Centenary Tours to China, we re offering one year complimentary membership to the RHS. If you re already a member, we will renew your existing membership on a complimentary basis. Membership of the RHS has many benefits. As well as supporting our work as the UK s leading gardening charity, you will receive: Free entry to our own RHS Gardens as well as to 80 other gardens around the country all year and a further 60 at selected periods Priority booking and discounted tickets to RHS Shows, from the celebrated RHS Chelsea Flower Show to many other RHS Shows that run throughout the year around the country The Garden Magazine free every month, and packed with ideas on how to make the most of your membership Free personalised gardening advice To book call 0844 875 2434 or visit rhsgardenholidays.com

4 Plant Seekers An exclusive trip of a lifetime to follow in the footsteps of the original plant hunters 15 days from 4,990 Fully Inclusive from the UK Follow in the footsteps of the original plant hunters George Forrest and Frank Kingdon-Ward Led by RHS Vice President Roy Lancaster OBE VMH and Jim Gardiner, RHS Director of Horticulture* Seek out the diverse flora around magnificent Emeishan with familiar plants and new species all around you Explore the botanical paradise of Nine Villages Valley Inbound Emeishan Leshan Lijiang Nine Villages Valley (2N) Chuanzhusi (1N) Chengdu (2N) Kunming (2N) Air Coach Days 1-2: Fly to Chengdu Fly overnight from the UK to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province where we will stay for three nights. We transfer to our hotel and in the evening enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight Chengdu Day 3: Leshan Grand Buddha and Emeishan Travel to Leshan to visit the Grand Buddha, the world s largest stone-carved Buddhist statue. We take a short boat trip to view the statue from the river. The carving of the Buddha into the side of Lingyun Mountain began in 713AD and was completed in 803AD. After lunch, we continue to Emeishan a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the highest of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. We stay in the area for three nights. Overnight Emeishan Days 4-5: Emeishan Both days are spent exploring the magnificent Emeishan, also known as Mount Omei. Roy and Jim will show you one of Emeishan s signature trees, Davidia involucrata. Around a tenth of all China s plant species, many of which you will have seen in gardens at home, are to be found here and we are sure to make some interesting finds. The upper part of the mountain supports a cool temperate flora including rhododendrons, viburnums, maples and many interesting conifers including pines and firs. The lower slopes support a warm temperate flora, almost jungle-like in its diversity, with Hedychium, Schefflera, bamboos and a rich fern flora. Overnight Emeishan Day 6: Fly to Nine Villages Valley Transfer to Chengdu airport by road and then fly to Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou). On arrival transfer to our hotel for two nights. Overnight Nine Villages Valley For more tour details and plant list visit rhsgardenholidays.com

Plant Seekers Roy Lancaster has been a member of the RHS for almost 50 years. Throughout his life and career, he has travelled the world on plant exploration trips, including 10 expeditions to China. We are delighted that Roy will be leading this Plant Seekers tour. China is home to an astonishing array of trees, shrubs, perennials and other ornamentals many of which I have been fortunate enough to have seen over the last 30 years. Seeing them in the wild is one thing, sharing the experience with others is even better and this tour will be the ideal opportunity to do just that. Roy Lancaster Nine Villages Valley Day 7: Nine Villages Valley The breathtaking Nine Villages Valley is a botanical paradise with over 2,500 recorded plant species. Its dense forest has more than 150 tree species, rich in conifers including spruce, fir and juniper, as well as maples and birch including Betula albo-sinensis among the broad leaves. The entire valley presents a seemingly never-ending display of stunning natural scenery that will inspire any budding horticulturist. Overnight Nine Villages Valley Day 8: Ganhaizi Wetland Drive to the scenic Ganhaizi wetland, at an altitude of 2,300 metres and surrounded by forest at the foot of Wanyueshan. We explore in search of an endless variety of bulbs and perennials including Meconopsis punicea, Cypripedium macranthum, Primula and Lilium. Overnight Chuanzhusi Day 9: Huanglong Travel by road to Huanglong, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its sparkling calcite pools and lying close to the intersection of four floral regions: Eastern Asia, Himalaya and the subtropical and tropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Found within this belt of Chinese hemlock, spruce and maple are many choice plants including Cypripedium species. Fly to Kunming via Chengdu, welcome to Yunnan Province. Overnight Kunming Day 10: Stone Forest and World Horticultural Expo Garden Explore the unusual Stone Forest where bizarrely eroded stone columns create surreal shapes and images. On return to Kunming visit the World Horticultural Expo Garden where the 1999 Kunming International Horticulture Exposition was held. With numerous themed sections featuring a wide range of plants, the gardens also feature many rare and endangered species. In the evening sample the famous Across the Bridge Noodles. Overnight Kunming Day 11: Lijiang Old Quarter Fly to Lijiang where we will stay for three nights. Wander through the quaint cobbled streets and along the meandering waterways of the Old Quarter which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Lijiang Days 12-13: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain The Northern Hemisphere s southern-most glacier with peaks soaring to 5,600 metres, is home to a quarter of China s plant species. There are many species of Rhododendron, Camellia, Meconopsis and Primula as well as gentians and lilies with flowers seen over 10 months of the year. Overnight Lijiang Day 14: Chengdu Jinli Street Fly to Chengdu for our final night and take a stroll along ancient Jinli Street. Walk past traditional buildings that are constructed in the style of the Qing Dynasty and soak up the local atmosphere. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner of flavourful Sichuan cuisine. Overnight Chengdu Day 15: Chengdu UK Fly to the UK, arriving home later the same day. Departure Dates & Prices 29 May 2014 from 4,990 Fully Inclusive price includes: n Entrance charges for included sightseeing n All transportation during the tour n All meals n Internal flights n National Escort & Local Guides n International flights n All accommodation n Visas for UK & EU passport holders n Regional connecting flights available please ask for details Excludes: n Compulsory tipping amount of $70 paid at the beginning of the tour n Personal expense during travelling n Single supplement from 1,290 * In the unlikely event that named tour leaders are unable to travel we may provide alternative leaders with similar horticultural knowledge. Fitness Level: Strenuous Stone Forest, Kunming 5 Buddhist monastery, Emeishan Exclusive early booking offer Book before 31st March and meet Roy Lancaster at the Centenary RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013 Join us as our guests at the Centenary RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2013 for an exclusive reception where you will be able to meet Roy Lancaster and Jim Gardiner and hear them talk about this fascinating tour. To book call 0844 875 2434 or visit rhsgardenholidays.com

6 China s Mountain Gardens 15 days from 3,190 Fully Inclusive from the UK Discover Lushan and Botanical Gardens Cruise the West Lake in Hangzhou Explore the stunning Huangshan Visit the fascinating gardens of Suzhou Experience cosmopolitan Shanghai Enjoy a private guided tour of Chenshan Botanical Garden RHS Specialist Host For those of you who want still greater horticultural content and depth of knowledge, a select number of departures will also have an RHS tour leader, either a Curator from one of our gardens, or an experienced horticulturist with particular botanical expertise on the specific region. Visit rhsgardenholidays.com/china for more details. Lushan Jingdezhen Ming Townships Huangshan (1N) Suzhou (1N) Tunxi Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai Hangzhou (2N) Inbound SHANGHAI Air Coach Days 1-2: Fly to Shanghai Fly overnight from the UK to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the Paris of the East where we will stay for two nights. We transfer to our hotel and in the evening enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight Shanghai Day 3: Explore Shanghai Drive to the recently opened Chenshan Botanical Garden where one of the curatorial staff will give us a guided tour of the key areas of this vast site. Home of Asia s biggest greenhouse and over 3,000 plant species, this beautiful garden has a collection of more than 1,500 species from eastern China. Later, visit the classical Chinese garden of Yu Yuan with its renowned Penjing displays, and the old town area of Shanghai. In the evening enjoy a panoramic cruise on the Huangpu River. Overnight Shanghai Day 4: Suzhou Traditional Gardens Travel to the charming city of Suzhou, also known as the Venice of the East. The highlights today are visits to two of the finest oriental gardens: the Humble Administrator s Garden and the Garden of the Master of the Nets. Overnight Suzhou For more tour details and plant list visit rhsgardenholidays.com

China s Mountain Gardens Hangzhou Botanical Garden Day 5: Grand Canal Enjoy a cruise on the ancient Grand Canal before travelling to Hangzhou, one of China s former imperial capitals. Here we experience an oriental tea-tasting. Set on the banks of West Lake, Hangzhou is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in China. Overnight Hangzhou Day 6: Hangzhou Botanical Garden Visit Hangzhou Botanical Garden, covering 230 hectares, to see Camellia, Osmanthus, Phyllostachys, herbs and medicinal plants as well more than 5,000 plum trees from forty five species. Visit the Six Harmonies Pagoda and enjoy a relaxing cruise on West Lake. Overnight Hangzhou Day 7: Tunxi Take a stroll around one of the lakeshore gardens looking out for peach trees, willow, lotus and osmanthus. Later we travel by road to Tunxi, located at the base of Huangshan. Overnight Tunxi Day 8: Explore Huangshan Take the cable car to the summit of Huangshan where we will spend the night. Our time here will be spent walking on the mountain. Famous for Pinus hwangshanensis, which grows out of the rocks, we also expect to see a wide range of ferns, mosses and trees such as Liquidambar acalycina, Magnolia, Torreya grandis and Cinnamomum camphora among many others. Overnight Huangshan Day 9: Tunxi Old Town We continue our exploration of Huangshan before taking the cable car down to the base of the mountain and return to Tunxi for two nights. In the evening we explore the Old Town where, an ancient street has shops that remain as they have been for generations and is lit by traditional lanterns. Overnight Tunxi Day 10: Ming Townships The area around the base of Huangshan has been inhabited for hundreds of years and has many townships dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. An exploration of the villages in the Anhui countryside such as Xidi and Hongcun reveals traditional architecture, ancient waterways and a way of life that has changed little over the centuries. Overnight Tunxi Day 11: Lushan Travel by road to Jingdezhen, a city famous for producing high quality porcelain. We visit the Historical Exhibition Area to see a demonstration of traditional Qing and Ming porcelain-making. Continue to Lushan where we stay for three nights. Overnight Lushan Days 12-13: Lushan Botanical Garden Lushan and its surrounding national park cover an area of 300 sq km and the mountainous peaks reach 1,473m above sea-level. Known for its huge variety of flora including pines, firs, ancient cypresses and vines, Camellia oleifera, acers, birch, ferns, orchids and primulas. Visit the Lushan Botanical Gardens with thousands of species including collections of Rhododendrons, pines, magnolias and Chinese native plants. Overnight Lushan Day 14: Shanghai Transfer to Nanchang airport and fly to Shanghai. In the afternoon visit Madam Song s Residence which is located in the French Concession district. Madam Song was once the Honorary President of the People s Republic of China and was also married to Dr Sun Yat Sen. Her house was built in 1920, and is a pretty western-style three-storey villa with a large lawn in the front and a beautiful garden at the back. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner of traditional Shanghai cuisine. Overnight Shanghai Day 15: Shanghai UK Fly to the UK arriving home later the same day. Departure Dates & Prices 16 Jun 2013 from 3,190 6 Oct 2013 RHS Specialist Host from 3,290 15 Jun 2014 from 3,590 05 Oct 2014 from 3,590 Fully Inclusive price includes: n Entrance charges for included sightseeing n All transportation during the tour n All meals n Internal flights n National Escort & Local Guides n International flights n All accommodation n Visas for UK & EU passport holders n Regional connecting flights available please ask for details Excludes: n Compulsory tipping amount of $70 paid at the beginning of the tour n Personal expense during travelling n Single supplement from 740 Fitness Level: Moderate Hangzhou Botanical Garden Grand Canal, Suzhou 7 To book call 0844 875 2434 or visit rhsgardenholidays.com

8 Gardens of China 15 days from 3,790 Fully Inclusive from the UK Visit the famous Botanical Gardens of Guilin Tour the landscaped gardens of the Summer Palace Cruise the Garden City of Suzhou s waterways Visit the famed Humble Administrators Garden Explore the beautifully landscaped Temple of Heaven Park Enjoy a private guided tour of Chenshan Botanical Garden RHS Specialist Host For those of you who want still greater horticultural content and depth of knowledge, a select number of departures will also have an RHS tour leader, either a Curator from one of our gardens, or an experienced horticulturist with particular botanical expertise on the specific region. Visit rhsgardenholidays.com/china for more details. Xian Longji Guilin Yangshuo Forbidden City, Beijing BEIJING (4N) Suzhou (2N) Inbound SHANGHAI (1N) Air Coach Boat Days 1-2: UK Beijing Fly overnight to Beijing, China s capital city. We transfer to our hotel and in the evening enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight Beijing Day 3: Beijing Gardens Today we explore some of the best of the capital s gardens including Beijing Botanical Gardens, one of the world s finest, with over 6,000 species and an exceptional collection of Penjing and the imperial style Jingyi Garden on Fragrant Hill dating back to 1186. Our evening meal includes the local delicacy, Peking Duck. Overnight Beijing Day 4: Great Wall & Summer Palace Gardens Walk on the Great Wall to appreciate 2,000 years of history whilst admiring the panoramic views across the verdant countryside. Tour the exquisite Summer Palace, the best preserved imperial garden in the world, and take a boat across the picturesque Kunming Lake, lined with willow and mulberry trees. In the evening enjoy a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic show. Overnight Beijing Day 5: Temple of Heaven Park Visit the unique Temple of Heaven Park and wander through the beautifully landscaped For more tour details and plant list visit rhsgardenholidays.com

Gardens of China Li River, Guilin grounds past ancient knotted cypresses, to where local people go to exercise and practice tai chi. Also stroll through Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao s Mausoleum to the treasure-filled Forbidden City Overnight Beijing Day 6: Fly to Xian Fly to Xian, the former ancient capital. On arrival we will visit the Deer Park and Hanyangling Mausoleum before driving into Xian where we will walk along the ancient city wall, one of the best preserved in all of China. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling meal followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. Overnight Xian Day 7: Terracotta Warriors & Hot Springs Visit one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century the Terracotta Warriors. The figures were created 2,000 years ago to accompany Qin Shihuang into the afterlife. Also visit Huaqing Hot Springs set against the verdant backdrop of Mount Lishan, the surrounding grounds are listed among the Hundred Famous Gardens of China. Overnight Xian Day 8: Xian Botanical Garden Visit Xian Botanical Garden, home to over 3,400 species including Aesculus, Cephalotaxus, Syringa and more than 200 types of treepeony, China s national flower. There are more than 400 species of tropical and subtropical plants under glass. Later stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter before visiting the site of the World Horticultural Expo, hosted by Xian in 2011. Overnight Xian Day 9: Guilin Botanical Garden Fly to the beautiful city of Guilin. Visit the Botanical Garden which is set in a large park and home to over 3,000 species of subtropical plants. In the evening see a display of traditional cormorant fishing. Overnight Guilin Day 10: Li River Cruise Cruise the stunning Li River to Yangshuo and enjoy the breathtaking landscape of beautiful limestone hills, tranquil fishing scenes and picturesque villages. See the surrounding rice fields and visit a local farming family. Return to Guilin. Overnight Guilin Day 11: Longji Rice Terraces Travel two hours to Longji (also known as Longsheng or the Dragon s Backbone). Explore the beautiful rice terraces along the steep hillsides, walking for about 2-3 hours and climbing many steps. The views over the lush landscapes are truly inspirational. Overnight Guilin Day 12: Guilin to Suzhou Fly to Shanghai and transfer to the charming city of Garden City of Suzhou where we will stay for one night. Overnight Suzhou Day 13: Oriental Gardens of Suzhou Visit two of the finest Oriental gardens: the Humble Administrator s Garden and the Garden of the Master of the Nets; a local silk mill still in operation today and enjoy a cruise on the ancient Grand Canal. Travel to Shanghai, and in the evening enjoy a dinner of traditional Shanghai cuisine. Overnight Suzhou Day 14: Chenshan Botanical Gardens Take a half day tour to Chenshan Botanical Gardens with a local curator. Upon your return to Shanghai visit the traditional Yu Gardens and explore Shanghai s old town. In the evening, enjoy a cruise on the panoramic Huangpu River. Overnight Shanghai Day 15: Shanghai UK Fly to the UK, arriving home later the same day. Departure Dates & Prices 02 Jun 2013 from 3,790 01 Sep 2013 RHS Specialist Host from 3,890 01 Jun 2014 from 4,190 31 Aug 2014 from 4,190 Fully Inclusive price includes: n Entrance charges for included sightseeing n All transportation during the tour n All meals n Internal flights n National Escort & Local Guides n International flights n All accommodation n Visas for UK & EU passport holders n Regional connecting flights available please ask for details Excludes: n Compulsory tipping amount of $70 paid at the beginning of the tour n Personal expense during travelling n Single supplement from 640 Fitness Level: Moderate Great Wall of China Suzhou 9 To book call 0844 875 2434 or visit rhsgardenholidays.com

10 Botanical Trails of Yunnan 15 days from 3,990 Fully Inclusive from the UK Discover the rice terraces of Yuanyang Visit San Sheng Xiang, known as Flower Town by the locals Wander around the UNESCO listed Old Quarter of Lijiang Visit the Stone Forest of Kunming Explore the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Enjoy a visit to the Giant Pandas in Chengdu RHS Specialist Host For those of you who want still greater horticultural content and depth of knowledge, a select number of departures will also have an RHS tour leader, either a Curator from one of our gardens, or an experienced horticulturist with particular botanical expertise on the specific region. Visit rhsgardenholidays.com/china for more details. Tonghai Jianshui (1N) Jinghong (1N) Lijiang Yuanyang Rice Terraces Chengdu Kunming (2N) Yuanyang (2N) Menglun Inbound Stone Forest (1N) Air Coach Days 1-2: Fly to Kunming Fly to Kunming, also known as the City of Eternal Spring and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Kunming Day 3: Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang Take a flight to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lijiang, which sits at the foothills of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Visit the picturesque Black Dragon Pool and wander the back street markets filled with Naxi women wearing traditional costumes. Overnight Lijiang Day 4: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain The northern hemisphere s southern-most glacier with peaks soaring to 5,600m, is home to a quarter of China s plant species. There are more than 50 species of azalea, 60 kinds of primroses, eight species of poppies and 20 lilies, four species of peonies, five camellia, 50 species of rough gentian, and six kinds of flowering crab apple. The mountain is decorated with blooming flowers 10 months of the year. Overnight Lijiang Day 5: Tiger Leaping Gorge Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the most dramatic and deepest gorges in the For more tour details and plant list visit rhsgardenholidays.com

Botanical Trails of Yunnan Jade Dragon Snow Mountain world and enjoy the breath-taking scenery. Return to Lijiang and take an evening flight to Jinghong where we will stay for two nights. Jinghong is in the autonomous Xishuangbanna region, close to the border with Laos, and is located on the banks of the Mekong River. In ethnic and climatic terms, this area has many similarities with South East Asia. Overnight Lijiang Day 6: Tropical Botanical Garden Travel to Menglun to visit the Tropical Botanical Garden, the largest in China covering 900 hectares. Located on an island in the Luosuo River the garden contains more than 6,000 species of tropical plants from around the world. Continue to the Ganlan Basin, a lush and beautiful area famous for its tropical flowers and butterflies. Overnight Jinghong Day 7: Xishuangbanna Tropical Flower and Plant Garden Stroll through this beautiful tropical garden originally created to research economic crops. See the unique Tiaowu cao or dancing grass and some of the varied collection of around 1,000 species of tropical plants and flowers. In the afternoon we fly to Kunming where we will sample the local delicacy, Across the Bridge Noodles. Overnight Kunming Day 8: Travel to Jianshui Visit Kunming Botanical Garden and continue to Jianshui for an overnight stay where you can see the Confucian temple and Zhang Garden. Overnight Jianshui Day 9: Travel to Yuanyang Travel to Yuanyang and wander through one of the most colourful local markets in Yunnan Province. Overnight Yuanyang Day 10: Rice Terraces of Yuanyang Walk among the world famous rice terraces of Yuanyang constructed by the Hani people and described in China as Land Sculpture. Overnight Yuanyang Day 11: Yuanyang - Stone Forest Journey to the Stone Forest and stay overnight in the vicinity. Overnight Stone Forest Day 12: Explore the Stone Forest Explore the unusual Stone Forest where bizarrely eroded stone columns create surreal shapes and images. Transfer to Kunming airport for an evening flight to Chengdu. Overnight Chengdu Day 13: Wenjiang Today we visit the Wenjiang district of Chengdu which is famous for the countless nurseries providing seedlings for the city and further afield. A wide range of flowering plants are produced with gingko, sweet-scented osmanthus and crape myrtle being particularly popular. Wenjiang is known as one of the four most important flower-growing centres in China. Overnight Chengdu Day 14: Pandas and Flower Town Visit the famous Panda Reserve to see these animals being reared in wooded surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. Later we visit San Sheng Xiang, known as Flower Town to the locals. This is a great place for a pleasant stroll around the colourful flower markets. Enjoy a delicious Sichuan meal in the evening. Overnight Chengdu Day 15: Fly Chengdu to UK Fly to the UK, arriving home the same day. Xishuangbanna Dai Wang s Imperial Garden Departure Dates & Prices 15 Sep 2013 RHS Specialist Host from 3,990 13 Apr 2014 from 4,290 14 Sep 2014 from 4,290 Fully Inclusive price includes: n Entrance charges for included sightseeing n All transportation during the tour n All meals n Internal flights n National Escort & Local Guides n International flights n All accommodation n Visas for UK & EU passport holders n Regional connecting flights available please ask for details Excludes: n Compulsory tipping amount of $70 paid at the beginning of the tour n Personal expense during travelling n Single supplement from 560 Fitness Level: Moderate Why not add... Nine Villages Valley Extension from 995 Day 15: Nine Villages Valley Fly to Jiuzhaigou and enjoy time at leisure. Day 16: Nine Villages Valley The breathtaking Nine Villages Valley is a botanical paradise with over 2,500 recorded plant species. Its dense forest has more than 150 tree species, rich in conifers including spruce, fir and juniper, as well as maples and birch including Betula albo-sinensis among the broad leaves. The entire valley presents a seemingly never-ending display of stunning natural scenery that will inspire any budding horticulturist. Day 17: Nine Villages Valley Chengdu Visit the Huanglong Scenic area, renowned for its hundreds of sparkling mineral pools where striking beautiful colours intertwine. Walk past the many waterfalls to visit Huanglong Temple at the head of the valley. Later drive to the airport for the flight back to Chengdu. Day 18: Chengdu Transfer to Chengdu Airport for your return flight to the UK. 11 To book call 0844 875 2434 or visit rhsgardenholidays.com

China Tours Plant Seekers 15 days from 4,990 per person Pages 4-5 China s Mountain Gardens 15 days from 3,190 per person Pages 6-7 Gardens of China 15 days from 3,790 per person Pages 8-9 Botanical Trails of Yunnan 15 days from 3,990 per person Pages 10-11 For more information or to book please visit rhsgardenholidays.com or call 0844 875 2434 Fax 0844 499 0994 Email china@rhsgardenholidays.com Web rhsgardenholidays.com Office Open Hours Monday to Friday 9am 5.30pm Saturday 10am 4pm RHS Garden Holidays Wendy Wu Tours, 6-10 Borough High St, London, SE1 9QQ