Magical China
 
11 days Essential China tour - from £1950
  • Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven (3 nights)
  • Xian: Terracotta Warriors (2 nights)
  • Chengdu: Panda Breeding Reserve, Giant Buddha Statue (optional) (2 nights)
  • Shanghai: city tour, Maglev train, Water Village tour (Optional) (2nights)
  • Hong Kong optional extension
*Well established China Tour specialists with 20 years experiences *Exclusive Small Group tour average 8 people *Weekly Saturday departure from UK *Well paced itinerary with must see sights and free time*Deluxe 4 star hotel & 5 star cruise *Special banquets & shows *No hidden shopping trips

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Magical China Tours enquiry@magicalchina.co.uk
Tel: 0161 440 7332

Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 6:30pm, Sat 10am - 4pm

itinerary below View Itinerary

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Itinerary




shanghai

Day 1 Fly to Beijing
Depart from your local airport. Upon your request, our flight reservation team would be happy to assist in booking your flight based on the best choice possible, according to your preference.

Day 2 Beijing Being met at airport and transfer to hotel
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel.

If your flight arrives in the morning, we provide optional afternoon tour to Lama Temple. Or, the rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jet lag and get ready for the adventures awaiting you.

Day 3 Beijing Walk along the Great Wall of China (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
We start off your China holiday with a bang - the highlight of today is a visit to the Great Wall of China.

We visit the Mutianyu Section of the wall, which is quieter and less touristy. This section is also equipped with a cable car for those who prefer an easier way up (fee payable at local ticket office, approx £8).

After a full overnight sleep to rest our jetlegs, a full breakfast, and traffic peak hour, we then set off from our hotel.

* Walking on the Great Wall is often one of the most important highlights for our guests. We make sure this experience is as magical as it can be. So, we allowed for a full day and you can stay on the wall as long as you wanted, or short if prefered. A simple pack lunch is provided as there is no restaurant on or around the Wall, but we will celebrate this occasion in style, with a glass of wine with photos time!

Afterwards we return to our hotel, for a blissful rest. This might also be the opportunity for you to refresh and change for your welcome evening dinner. Your guide will come to take you at an agreed time, for a delightful selection of Beijing style dishes, including Peking Duck.

Optional Evening live show.

Day 4 Beijing Visiting must-see historical sites (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today, enjoy a full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing, includes the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

After a full day of touring, your tour disband at the last stop and we leave you to enjoy a relaxing evening on your own. Our guide will happy to make recommendations as where to eat etc so please feel free to ask them. For travellers who wish to come back to hotel with the guide and driver, they will be happy to do so.

Many restaurants in Beijing have English menus. A good dinner of your choice (with a beer/drink) should be around £10 per person, but it can vary depending on your choice.

Day 5 Beijing to Xian Free time or joining optional tour (Breakfast)
Our flight to Xian is around mid afternoon so the morning is free for you to explore Beijing with leisure. Or you may wish to take a guided morning tour with us, visiting the Summer Palace. You may wish to try Rickshaw ride (pay fee on the spot) through the 'Hutong' traditional residential area of Beijing. Then
continues to see the 2008 Bird's Nest Olympics Stadium (exteriors only). Time permitting, we will have a stroll in the large Olympic square and see the Water Cube (exteriors only).

Later on, your guide will accompany you to airport for checking in, and bid you farewell as you take a flight to Xian, the former capital of China and starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

*For travellers who wish to experience overnight train from Beijing to Xian, we can arrange transfer to train station and train ticket (1 ticket per person for a soft-sleeper beth). Please note the train journey is about 12 hours overnight.

Day 6 Xian (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
An exciting day awaits, as we head to the Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Museum, home to over 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and their horses. The warriors are meant to be the after life protectors of the first emperor Qinshihuang, who united China (221BC-206BC).

Afterwards our guide will take you to the majestic Bell Tower (exterior only) for a great photo opportunity. On the opposite side of the square we visit the famous Drum Tower, which provides fantastic views across the city.

We enjoy a leisurely walk & optional cycle ride along the ancient city walls. The smooth & well preserved walls provide an ideal and safe walking & cycling route around the entire historic city centre. This is a charming way to enjoy the local lifestyle of Xian.

Evening entertainment includes: a re-enactment of the royal arts performance of a 7th century Tang Dynasty Show, with a special dinner of dumplings included.

Day 7 Xian to Chengdu Free time or joining optional tour (Breakfast)
Our flight to Chengdu is around mid to late afternoon so the morning is free for you to explore Xian with leisure. Or you may wish to take a guided morning tour with us, visiting Muslim Quarter, Xian's Wooden Mosque and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Late afternoon, take a flight to Chengdu, the home of China's most famous residents, the Giant Panda.

Day 8 Chengdu, Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Breakfast)
In the morning, as it is the best time to watch pandas when they having breakfast, we will take you to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Once again, we will allow plenty of time to watch the Panda's enjoying their playful activities and Bamboo meals. The Breeding Centre provides photo opportunity (pay by yourselves on the spot) and please be patient as there is always a cue.

After this, which will approach lunch time, our guide will drop you off at the popular food street Jin li Street and Kuan zai Ally where there are plenty local cafes, restaurants, tea houses and handicraft stalls.

You may choose either lingering in this charming place for a leisurely enjoyable afternoon by yourselves, or come with us for an optional tour to Leshan Giant Buddha Statue. Upon arrival we will take a pleasant boat ride, during which there will be great opportunities to photo the huge statue carved into the hillside.

Optional evening entertainment* Enjoy a variety style show in one of the best theatres in Chengdu, which includes the famous face-changing performance. Ask for prices & details at time of booking.

Day 9 Chengdu to Shanghai Shanghai city tour (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today, we take a flight to Shanghai and meet our local guide upon arrival.
After checking into our hotel and having a short rest, we start our city tour of Shanghai. Our tour includes visiting Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds. We then explore the famous promenade and marvel at the futuristic landscape of magnificent towers and building situated along the Huangpu River and the Bund. Finally our tour takes us to the historic districts of Shanghai and we visit the former colonial French quarters, known locally as 'Heaven on Earth'.

Optional evening entertainment *Martial art show, dance show etc.

Day 10 Shanghai - Free at leisure or Water village tour (optional) (Breakfast)
We leave this final full day for you to explore this cosmopolitan city at your own leisure, to relax, and perhaps do some last minute shopping in Shanghai's incredible shopping malls.

Or you may wish to take an optional tour to the Water village of Zhu-jia-jiao, known as the 'Venice of China' and unspoiled for hundreds of years. Upon arrival we take a pleasant stroll through the village and you have the opportunity to take a relaxing boat ride whilst being serenaded. Drive back to hotel.

Day 11 Shanghai to homeward (Breakfast)
Today, you will be met at your hotel and we take the Maglev train to the airport (subject to train operating time, alternatively by car), in time for your flight homewards.

Extra nights at same hotel in Shanghai can be provided upon request, with re-arranged airport transfer for free.

***Hong Kong, Seoul, Japan extensions available***

Please Click here for 3 nights Seoul package extension...

Please Click here for Japan Guided Tour extension...

Hong Kong extension (from £499* per person inc flight)

*supplement apply for Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov.

Day 11 Shanghai to Hong Kong (Breakfast)
You will be met at your hotel and taken by private car to the Maglev train station in Shanghai. With the assistance of our local guide, board the futuristic Maglev train which will take you to the airport for your onward flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel (superior/moderate deluxe standard). The rest of day is free at leisure.

Day 12 Hong Kong (Breakfast)
Today enjoy a half day morning tour to visit some of Hong Kong's must-see locations, such as the Victoria Peak, Stanley Market and Aberdeen Fishing Village. Rest of the day is free.

Day 13 Hong Kong (Breakfast)
Airport transfer from your hotel will be provided to suit your departure flight times.

Alternative Hong Kong option- For the same price, you may choose to have 3 nights/4 days in Hong Kong. (flight & accommodation only).

Essential China Tour Dates & Price 2017

Guaranteed Departure EVERY Saturdays

Small group average 8 people

*To avoid the extreme busy period during Chinese national holidays, no tour is operated between 1-7 May and 1-8 October.

Ref
Months
Twin share £ (Excl international flights)
EC

March - May

£1995
EC

June - August

£1950
EC

September & October

£1995

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person')

  • All airport/hotel transfers.
  • Sightseeing tours (including entrance fee) by professional English-speaking tour guide.
  • Selections of good 4 star hotels in well furnished rooms with private facilities. In Hong Kong it is 3 star in good location, upgrade choice can be provided upon request. Please view our Hotel Selection.
  • All breakfast, most lunches and dinners as specified in the itinerary. Several meals not included to allow more free time for you. Trying out food by yourselves can be part of the great holiday experience.

Price Does Not Include

  • International flight from £600 per person. We can book it based on your prefered airline choice with full ATOL Protection.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Chinese visa - we can provide service, currently £180/person.
  • Tips - recommend £3 for guide and £2 for driver per day but not compulsory.
  • Optional tours and extensions.
  • Single supplement £500.

FAQ and further Tour information
Please see our FAQ page for further essential tour information.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of flights available, although on rare occasions the sequence in which cities are visited, duration of time spent can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

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