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This tour introduces you to 4 of the favourite cities, plus fantastic highlights of China
Itinerary Day 1- Sat On arrival in Beijing you will be met by a local English speaking guide for the transfer to hotel (4 Star)
Day 2- Sun Today a full day City tour visits Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Summer Palace. (B, L, D) The Forbidden City, is so called because it was off limits to commoners for 500 years, was the Imperial residence of the Ming and Qing Emperors. Now known as the Palace Museum it is the largest and best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in all China. Building of the city commenced in 1406AD, the complex has more than 900 rooms covering an area of 72 Hectares. Over the centuries many palaces were built within the walls and others refurbished and renovated, most of the buildings seen today are from the 18th Century. Tonight enjoy the Peking Opera Day 3 - Mon A day tour to the Great Wall (Badaling) and the Ming Tombs, the burial ground of 13 of the 16
(B, L) Emperors and the Sacred Way, an avenue flanked real & mythical animals, that guard the tombs. The world renowned Great Wall, a symbol of ancient Chinese civilizations, has stood for more then 2000 years. The wall originally a series of feudal defenses built in the 5th Century BC and were linked up during the reign of the Emperor Qin, first Emperor of a United China, to form this 5000 km man-made barrier Day 4 – Tues An early morning tour to the impressive Temple of Heaven to witness local people enjoying the popular (B, L, D) Tai Chi and morning exercises before continuing to experience the Hutong area. Visit the Museum of China Ancient Architecture & History of Beijing
Tonight enjoy the traditional and popular dish at a Peking Duck dinner & cultural show Day 5 - Wed Transfer for the Flight to Xi'an, transfer on arrival to hotel (4 Star).
(B, L) In the afternoon a City Tour including visits to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda & Provincial History Museum. Day 6 - Thurs A full day tour to the 2000 year old Army of Terracotta Warriors which remains stunningly well
(B, L, D) preserved: a vigilant force standing guard over an ancient imperial burial site. The 6000 life-sized terracotta warriors and warhorses were discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well! They originally found an underground vault of earth and timber, which eventually yielded the soldiers and their horses in battle formation. There is speculation that the sculptors used fellow workers as models, each of the figures differs in facial features and expressions. The Huaqing Hot Springs are a series of pools, temples and halls. During the Tang Dynasty they were a favoured retreat of the emperors and their concubines. The buildings have been extensively restored in Tang architecture. Tonight a different taste of China at a Dumpling Dinner with Tang Dynasty Show. Day 7- Fri Transfer to airport for the flight to Guilin, transfer on arrival to hotel (4 Star).
(B, L) City Tour in Guilin to Elephant Truck Hill & Piled Silk Hill. Day 8 - Sat Full day cruise on the Li River. The Li River (Li Jiang) meanders south for 85km between Guilin and
(B, L, D) Yangshuo through the finest scenery that this part of the country can provide and the six-hour cruise from the docks above Elephant Trunk Hill is, for some, the highlight of their trip to China. Along the way you may see cormorant fishermen poling their almost submerged bamboo rafts, buffaloes wallowing in the fields and, of course, scores of oddly shaped hills with exotic names. Dinner at hotel or local restaurant Day 9 - Sun Transfer to airport for the flight to Shanghai, transfer on arrival to hotel (4 Star)
(B) At leisure to explore Shanghai Day 10 - Mon Today a full day City tour visiting The Bund, Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple and a carpet factory.
(B, L, D) The focal point of 19th Century Shanghai was the Bustling waterfront called the Bund. The Grandiose offices of the great trading companies are now government buildings, and the art-nouveau hotels have been re-named, but this is still the heart of Shanghai. Starting at the Bund and stretching for six miles is what must be the busiest street in the world, Nanjing Road. Hundreds of shops line this amazing street and they sell every conceivable item. Noisy, crowded and fast-paced, Shanghai requires plenty of time to explore. One of Shanghai’s few Buddhist temples, the Jade Buddha Temple, has a two metre high rare white Jade Buddha, said to be brought from Burma by a Chinese monk in 1881. There is also a fine Jade Statue of the Buddha in a reclining position. Tonight a special treat as the Chinese acrobats perform their incredible Acrobatic Show Day 11 - Tues Morning excursion to Zhujiajiao, a river-town near Shanghai
(B, L) In the afternoon return to visit the impressive Shanghai Museum
Day 12 - Wed At leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight
(B) We suggest you add extra days in Shanghai or ask us to create additional China highlights components
From $ 2095, for departures 27 Nov10 – 19 Feb 11. Please enquire for other dates. GROUP TOUR - Departs Saturday Group tour stays in 5 star hotel accommodation in Beijing and 4 star in Xi’an, Guilin and Shanghai NB: This tour can be done in reverse with a departure day leaving Shanghai on a Wednesday. Price Includes: Fully guided group tour with all airport transfers, accommodation with daily breakfast, additional meals as stated, domestic flights and all sightseeing with local English speaking guide and all entrance fees. Price Excludes: International Airfares, Visa, personal expenses, gratuities and departure taxes. |
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