Day
1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport on scheduled flights
to Beijing. Meals on board.
Day
2
Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be greeted at the airport by our
English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel by private
transport. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from
jet lag and get ready for the adventures awaiting you! (China is
8 hours ahead of UK GMT)
Day
3 Beijing
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today,
enjoy a full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing.
This includes visiting must-see historical sites such as the Temple
of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Our
welcome evening dinner in the evening provides an opportunity
to sample a delightful selection of Beijing style dishes, including
Peking Duck.
Optional
Evening entertainment
*
Acrobatic show.
Day
4 Beijing
(Breakfast, Lunch)
The
highlight of today's tour is a walk on the Great Wall of China.
We visit the Mutianyu Section of the wall, which is quieter and
less touristy, compare with many other access points. This section
is also equipped with a cable car for those who prefer an easier
way up (fee payable at local ticket office, approx £5). We
allow plenty of time for you to walk along the wall and enjoy the
unforgettable views.
Our
memorable day continues with a trip to see the 2008 Bird's Nest
Olympics Stadium and enjoy great photo opportunities. Time permitting,
we will have a stroll in the large Olympic square and see the Water
Cube (exteriors only).
After
a full day visiting the many highlights of Beijing, enjoy a relaxing
evening with free time for dinner on your own. This will give you
a better opportunity to sample various dishes to your own liking.
Our guide will be happy to make recommendations according to your
requirement. A good dinner of your choice (with a beer/drink) should
be no more than £10 per person.
Day
5 Beijing
to Xian (Breakfast,
Lunch)
After breakfast, we visit the stunning 12th century Summer Palace,
Kunming Lake and the Garden of Harmony. Next we take
the ferry alongside the famous Marble Boat and enjoy a fascinating
Rickshaw ride through the 'Hutong' traditional residential
area of Beijing. For a great place to experience shopping in China
and purchase some unique souvenirs, we can take you to the popular
Xiushui Silk Market
and shopping mall.
In
the evening, we take a flight to Xian, the former capital of China
and starting point of the ancient Silk Road.
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).
Enjoy
a selection of Xian's speciality dishes for lunch and afterwards
we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built as a Buddhist Monastery
during the Tang Dynasty. We enjoy the jovial atmosphere around the
beautiful Pagoda and picturesque boulevards, where Xian residents
come to socialise & relax.
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 Luoyang
(
Breakfast, Lunch)
After
breakfast we explore Xian's historic Muslim Quarter, home
to a large Chinese Muslim community who have lived in the city since
the silk road was first established.
Enjoy
walking through Muslim Square, along narrow winding
streets crammed with shop stalls selling an array of interesting
handcrafts and local food specialities. We also have opportunity
to visit Xian's Wooden Mosque. Afterwards we walk 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.
In
the afternoon 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.
Late afternoon, we go to the
train station for your transfer to Luoyang. Be met upon arrival
and transferred to your hotel.
Day
8
Luoyang
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Today, we visit the impressive Longmen Grottoes and White
Horse Temple. This temple is very important in China, as it
was the very first temple constructed after Buddhism was introduced
to China
from India.
Day
9
Luoyang - Shaolin Temple - Guilin
(Breakfast, Lunch)
The highlight of the tour today is to see the famous Shaolin
Temple, We will also be treated to a fabulous Martial Arts
performance by the monks. After lunch we transfer to Zhengzhou
for a flight to Guilin. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred
to our hotel.
Day
10
Guilin - Li River
cruise - Yangshuo (Breakfast,
Lunch)
After
breakfast we take an hour drive to Zhujiang Dock and board
our boat for a leisurely cruise down the picturesque Li
River, surrounded by magestic limestone hills and rice
terraces. The cruise is a great opportunity to witness the lifestyle
of rural communities that live along the river banks. You are likely
to see many forms of river transport, farmers busy working in the
rice fields, children playing along the banks and water buffalo
cooling themselves in the river.
Lunch
will be served on board and we will disembark upon arrival at Yangshuo.
This is a charming ancient town that is famous for its beautiful
scenery and tranquil countryside.
Optional
Evening entertainment
*:The spectacular
Liusanjian Impression show is a outdoor performance set to
the scenic backdrop of Yangshou's mountains and rivers. This masterpiece
combining awesome natural scenery with an excellent theatrical production.
Highly recommended and a must see event.
Day
11 Yangshuo - Guilin - Chengdu (Breakfast, Lunch)
Guilin
is a beautiful city set among picturesque mountains alongside the
majestic Li River. Many of our travellers fall in
love with Guilin and Yangshuo, as they are often regarded
as the most scenic locations in China.
Our guided tour of Guilin includes visiting either the delightful
Fubo Hill or Elephant Trunk Hill (depends on local
situation). Later we visit Reed Flute Cave, a vast underground
cavern of exotic rock formations.
In
the evening we
transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu, where you will
be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel.
Day
12
Chengdu
(Breakfast,
Lunch)
Today, we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and
allow plenty of time to watch the Panda's enjoying their playful
activities and Bamboo meals.
After
lunch, we take a stroll down the historic Jin li Street and
Kuan zai Ally to observe the local culture, traditional handicraft
stalls and numerous wooden tea houses.
Finally
we transfer back to our hotel following a most memorable and enjoyable
day. This will give you time to rest before making your own evening
dinner arrangements. Chengdu is home to the famous Sichuan spicy
cuisine and our guide will be happy to make recommendations according
to your preference - mild hot, medium hot, or non spicy food! A
typical good meal should be around £6 per person including
a drink.
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.
*Tour
option: you can opt for an afternoon tour to Leshan mountain and
visit the Giant Buddha Statue (by boat ride). It is about 1.5 to
2 hours drive from Chengdu. Supplement apply.
Day
13
Chengdu to Shanghai
(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, the Bund and Nanjing Road. 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'.
Day
14
Shanghai (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. We also recommend
a visit to Pudong area and the Oriental Pearl Tower.
Day
15 Shanghai
to homeward
(Breakfast)
Today,
you will be met at your hotel and taken by private transport to
the Maglev train station in Shanghai. Our local guide will
assist you to board the futuristic and super fast Maglev train with
a top speed of 267mph.
The
train will take you to the airport in time for your flight homewards.
Hong
Kong extension (£399*
per person inc flight)
Day
15 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
16
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
17
Hong Kong - Homeward
(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).
*supplement
apply for Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov.
Magical
China Holidays 2013 Departure Dates & Price (£)
Guaranteed
departure from 2 people
Ref
|
Thursday
|
Twin
share £
|
Twin
share £ (Excluding international flights)
|
HC
|
21, 28 March
|
2750
|
2050
|
HC
|
4, 11, 18 April
|
2800
|
2100
|
HC
|
9,
May
|
2800
|
2100
|
HC
|
6
June
|
2750
|
2050
|
HC
|
25 July
|
2800
|
2050
|
HC
|
5, 22 August
|
2800
|
2050
|
HC
|
5 September
|
2800
|
2100
|
HC
|
10
October
|
2800
|
2100
|
HC
|
7, 14 November
|
2750
|
2050
|
Price
Includes (The
prices shown above are 'per person')
- Internal
flights including airport tax.
- Twin
share price includes International flights with full ATOL Protection.
(International flights based upon London, Heathrow departure).
We can also arrange departures from your local airport.
- All
airport/hotel transfers.
- Fully
escorted sightseeing tours by professional English speaking guides
(including entrance fee).
- Carefully
selected good 4/5 star hotel and 5 star cruise accommodation in
well furnished rooms with private facilities. In Hong Kong it
is 3/4 star standard, upgrade option available.
- Meals
as specified in the itinerary, daily supply of bottled water.
We
also arrange tailor made departure & private tours based upon
this itinerary, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Flight Prices may be different around the bank holiday period in
the UK, and festival periods in China. Please contact us for confirmation.
Price
Does Not Include
- Chinese
Visa (we can provide service, please go to Our
Visa Service for
details).
- Travel
Insurance.
- Tips
to guides and drivers etc.
- Optional
tours and extensions.
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.
|