A Guaranteed departure holiday commencing in Beijing every Wednesday with a minimum of 2 passengers.

This classic 8-day holiday of China introduces the first-time visitor to many of the country's most celebrated cultural and scenic highlights. From the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing to the amazing Army of Terracotta  Warriors and the bright lights of Shanghai, this holiday combines the must-see sights with a taste of the unusual.

Holiday Itinerary

Day 1 : Beijing (no meal)
On arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. You will be free for the rest of the day.

Day 2 : Beijing (B, L)
A morning tour of Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and the Palace Museum, known as the Forbidden City; the complex of imperial palaces were home to the emperors for over 500 years in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Some of the grand halls have been used as museums for fine collections of Chinese treasures. After lunch you will be driven to visit the Summer Palace, a former summer resort for the Imperial family, and take a boat ride on its Lake Kunming if weather permits. This evening, you will be free at leisure or take an optional evening show "The Legend of Kong Fu".

Day 3 : Beijing (B, L, D)
Join a full day excursion to the Great Wall - the landmark of China. It is one of the most amazing feats of human labour. You are to visit the less crowded Mutianyu section with ascent by cable car included. Mid afternoon, you will return to downtown and will visit the old Beijing - Hutongs - by trishaw and have tea with a local family. This evening you will be treated to a delicious Beijing roast duck dinner.

Day 4 : Beijing - Xi'an (B, L )
Your sightseeing this morning is the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests. It is the largest temple complex remaining in China today. After lunch, take a two-hour flight to Xi'an, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road. On arrival, we transfer you to your hotel.

Day 5 : Xi'an (B, L )
This exciting day of sightseeing will include the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses at the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin Emperor, and the Bronze Chariots. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in 652 AD. It contains a large volume of Buddhist scriptures which were obtained from India by the eminent monk Xuanzang. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 6 : Xi'an – Shanghai (B, L )
This morning, visit the Shanxi Provincial Museum where you will discover how Xi'an became the cradle of Chinese culture. Visit the ancient City Wall, one of few well-preserved ones in China. After lunch you will be transferred to the airport for a two-hour flight to Shanghai, a cosmopolitan, bustling and heavily populated city in China. You are free for the remainder of the day. You’ll be transferred to your hotel and free for the remainder of the day.

Day 7 : Shanghai (B, L, D)
Your sightseeing this morning features a tour of the Yuyuan Garden, the historical area of the city, and a stroll along the lively waterfront, known as the "Bund". After lunch, you will visit the Jade Buddha Temple. After dinner, attend a stunning acrobatic show.

Day 8 : Departure (B)
At leisure until your transfer to the airport for homebound flight.

End of your unforgettable China trip.

Extensions

With convenient flights linking many Chinese cities with other areas of China and Southeast Asia, we thoroughly recommend capping your cultural tour of China  Please ask one of our travel specialists for full details of the available options.

- Beijing : Holiday Inn Downtown or Merchantel Hotel
- Xi’an : Aurum International Hotel or Mercure on Renmin Square
- Shanghai: Yun's Paradise or Hengshen Peninsula International Hotel

5 Star

- Beijing : Wangujing Grand Hotel
- Xi'an : Grand Park Hotel
- Shanghai : Howard Johnson Business Club Hotel

Services included:

• 7 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels with daily western breakfast.
• Flights Beijing/Xi’an/Shanghai in economy class including taxes
• Meals & shows as indicated in the itinerary.
• Scheduled join-in sightseeing by air-conditioned vehicles
• English speaking local guide service
• Luggage handling and transfers from airport to hotel and vice versa.