Introduction to China Tour (10 days)
Beijing - Xi’an - Shanghai
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. (B+L+D)
Day 3. Beijing
Today we will visit the 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 travel some 50 km northwest of Beijing to 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. Tonight we see the fascinating performance of Peking Opera. (B+L)
Day 4: Beijing-Xi’an
This morning free at leisure. We will take an afternoon flight to the ancient former capital
city of Xi’an, pick up0 & transfer to your hotel. Today we visit the ancient Xi’an City Wall
(14th century) one of the most important city walls in China. We also visit The Muslim Street
& The Great Mosque & the Forest of Stone Tablets Museum. 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 5: 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 6: Xi’an-Shanghai
Morning at leisure. Pick up and transfer to airport for your flight to Shanghai, pick up
and transfer you to your hotel. This evening dinner 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+D)
Day 7: 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. Leaving the ancient for the modern you visit the TV Tower of
the Oriental Pearl situated in the thriving Pudong area of the city dominated by the 88-storey
Jin Mao building. (B+L)
Day 8: Shanghai
Free at leisure to explore Shanghai or shop (B)
Day 9: Shanghai - Zhouzhuang - Shanghai
This morning we 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. (B+L)
Day 10: Shanghai - Departure
Transfer to airport for your return flight to UK. (B)
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