China Discovery (20 days)
Beijing-Xi’an-Chengdu-Guilin-Yangshuo-Guangzhou-Shanghai-Suzhou-Zhouzhuang-Zhujiajiao
Day 1. Arrive Beijing
Arriving at Beijing airport our China representative will be at the airport
to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Today tour begins with a visit
the favourite haunt of the Empress Dowager, the Summer Palace. Walking in
this veritable museum of classical Chinese garden architecture, where the
royal family could relax away from the formal ceremony of the court, is a
pleasant experience. There are a number of pavilions as well as the Long
Corridor, now a popular place for people to spend the day. (L)
Day 2. Beijing
Today we will visit some of the contrasting sights of Beijing,
our capital city. Our first stop will be at Tian’anmen Square,
the largest public square in the world. Dominating the north side
of the square is the massive red Tian’anmen Gate through which we
will pass into the fabled Forbidden City and another age,
where we will see the home of the members of the royal
family and their court during China’s Ming and Qing Dynasties.
After lunch we will visit the imposing Temple of Heaven where
the Emperor came each year to intercede with the Gods for a good
and plentiful harvest. To round off a memorable start to your tour,
we will enjoy a Beijing Duck Dinner at the famous, century-old
Quan Ju De restaurant followed by a fascinating performance of Peking Opera. (B+L+D)K
Day 3. Beijing
Today we will visit the Badaling Great Wall where you will have the opportunity to not
only see one of the most impressive sections of the Great Wall of China but also take a
walk along it. After lunch you will visit the Sacred Way with its fabulous stone animals.
The way leads to the Ming Tombs in the shadow of Longevity Mountain.
A visit to the Underground Palace of Dingling will allow you to see imperial coffins,
burial artifacts and treasures. (B+L)
Day 4: Beijing
Today we visit a different part of Great Wall at Mutianyu.
Return to Beijing & afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 5 Beijing-Xi’an
This morning transfer to airport for your flight to to the former capital city
Xi’an. Pick up & transfer to hotel. Today we visit the ancient Xi’an City Wall
(14th century) one of the most important city walls in China, Muslim Street
for all the local shops & markets, The Great Mosque & the Forest of Stone Tablets
museum.The museum, which is housed in the Temple of Confucius, has the largest
collection of its kind in China with over 3,000 inscribed stone steles.
To celebrate your arrival in Xi’an you will enjoy a local speciality, the
Dumpling Dinner, a popular meal often taken to celebrate the Chinese
Lunar New Year. (B+L+D).
Day 6: Xi’an
Following breakfast in the hotel, we will set out for another
highlight of your tour, the Terracotta Warriors Museum. The thousands
of life size soldiers and horses were created to guard the tomb of Qin
Shi Huangdi, the first Emperor to unite China under his firm rule. The
royal tomb itself has yet to be opened but the rank upon rank of
Warriors is a sight that is unrivalled anywhere in the world. After
lunch, we will visit the Provincial History Museum which has the richest
collection of artifacts in China. For the last visit of the afternoon
we will go to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The square, seven-storey pagoda
was built in 652 AD and is a fine example of Tang Dynasty Buddhist
architecture. Tonight, dinner will be at the famous Tang Dynasty Palace for
the deluxe Tang Dynasty Dinner Show where fine food and
spectacular entertainment bring another outstanding day to a close. (B+L+D)
Day 7: Xi'an-Chengdu
Transfer to airport for your flight to Chengdu, pick up & transfer
to your hotel. Today we visit the famous Giant Panda Breeding Research
centre, Wenshu Temple, The Tomb of Wang Jian & Peoples Park etc.
Lunch at local restaurant. (B+L)
Day 8: Chengdu
A full day visit to the Emei Shan. Lunch at local restaurant. (B+L)
Day 9: Chengdu-Guilin
Transfer to airport for your flight to Guilin, pick up & transfer to hotel.
Today we visit the Reed Flute Cave, named after the reeds used in the
manufacture of flutes that grow near it. The cave system has a stunning array
of natural limestone formations that are made all the more impressive by the
clever use of coloured lighting. Then visit Elephant Trunk Hill, as its
name implies a quite remarkable example of the hand of nature upon the
landscape. (B+L)
Day 10: Guilin-Yangshuo
After breakfast, take a short drive to join a cruise that will take you on a
voyage of discovery along the Li River. The river wends its way through the
unique scenery of Karsts (limestone mountains) that have strange and fabulous
shapes. Admire the shapes and try to guess their names - Crown Rock, Conch Hill,
Jade Lotus Peak and Snow Lion Peak are just a few while enjoying lunch on
board. Finally arrive at Yangshuo and check at hotel in town. (B+L)
Day 11: Yangshuo-Guilin
Today we visit the Moon Hill and the Big Banyan Tree etc. In the afternoon we drive
back to Guilin & transfer to hotel. (B)
Day 12: Guilin- Guangzhou (Canton)
Transfer to airport for your flight to Guangzhou, pick up & transfer to hotel.
Today tour includes Dr. Sun Yatsen's Memorial Hall, Memorial Garden to the
72 Martyrs, the Five-Ram Statue and Chen Family Temple, Pearl River, etc. (B+L)
Day 13: Guangzhou- Shanghai
Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to airport for your flight to Shanghai.
Pick up & transfer to hotel. Tonight see the famous Portman Acrobatic Show
in the evening. (B)
Day 14: Shanghai
Shanghai is a city that must be seen to be appreciated. You will see something of its history
at the Shanghai Museum on People’s Square with its fine collection of cultural relics.
Then we will visit the Yuyuan Garden. Laid out in the 16th century by a Ming official,
this small (2 hectares) garden is a delight of pools, pavilions and rock gardens.
Strolling through the bazaar surrounding the garden, you will find lines of stores
that sell traditional Chinese arts and crafts. Next comes The Bund, one of the most
famous thoroughfares in China and here you will see a collection of buildings dating
from the 1930’s displaying their western influence and fulfilling the role of the
commercial heart of Shanghai. This evening dinner is at the famous Seagull Palace,
which allows you to enjoy gourmet food while appreciating the fascinating view of both
the old Bund and the new Shanghai. After dinner a walk on the Bund to see the night
scene along the river. (B+L+D)
Day 15: Shanghai-Suzhou
This morning drive to Suzhou & transfer to hotel. Suzhou is famous
as the city of beautiful gardens (see the picture feature below) and today our
tour includes the Couples Garden and the Blue Wave Pavilion (B+L)
For more pictures of the water gardens of Suzhou, < click here >
Day 16: Suzhou
Full day tour to the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the Garden of the
Master of the Nets and the Lingering Garden. (B+L)
Day 17: Suzhou-Zhouzhuang-Shanghai
This morning drive to Zhouzhuang, a beuatiful old 'water town' full of canals, alleyways,
and bridges. Our town tour includes Zhang's residence & Shen's Residence, South Lake Garden etc.
After lunch a canal boat tour & shopping among the canalside shops before
driving back to Shanghai in the late afternoon. Arrive Shanghai & transfer
to your hotel. (B+L)
For more pictures of Zhouzhuang, < click here >
Day 18: Shanghai
Free at leisure for your exploration or shopping. (B)
Day 19: Shanghai-Zhujiajiao
Day trip to this ancient water-town which has a history of over 1700 years.
Unique old bridges cross bubbling streams and canals, and ancient houses with their
quiet courtyards are a world away from the bustle of the city. Drive back to Shanghai in the
late afternoon.(B+L)
Day 20: Shanghai-Departure
Transfer to airport for your return flight to UK. (B)
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