8-day tour of China: ancient & modern icons
This 8-day China tour is designed for first-time visitors, not only to admire the ancient wonders and also to immerse in local life but also to discover the diversity of modern life in China.
Start your tour in the Capital city of Beijing where visits to the Forbidden Palance will bring imperial and royal courts to life, while the hike of the Great Wall will take your breath away. Continue to Xian, the ancient capital city of numerous dynasties where you will encounter the Terracotta warriors and learn about the long history of China. Finally end your tour in Shanghai, the futuristic metropolis with a heady blend of old and the new. This is a perfect introductory tour to this vast and endlessly fascinating country.
Services
Included:
- Entrance fees for the scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
- Meals specified in the itinerary.
- Meeting and assistance on arrival or departure and all needed transfers at airport/hotel/station/ferry as per itinerary.
- Flights or trains as listed in the itinerary. (Beijing – Xian bullet train, Xian – Shanghai flight, airport tax and fuel fee included)
- Sightseeing or activities as listed in the itinerary.
- Accommodation with daily breakfast.
- Private transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each city or area via private air-conditioned vehicle as listed in the itinerary.
- One bottle of drinking water per person per day.
- Service Charges.
Excluded:
- Flight / Sightseeing / Meals or any other item NOT listed in the itinerary.
- Visa Application & Visa Fee.
- Gratuities or tips
- Travel Insurance.
- Personal Expenses such as room service, internet charge, laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional activities, etc.
- Excess Baggage Charge.
- Optional Activities either recommended by tour guides or out of your own interests.
Optional:
- On request
Itinerary at a Glance
Beijing
Beijing, capital of China
Beijing
Discover ancient royalty at the Forbidden City
Beijing
Hike on the magnificent Great Wall of China
Beijing - Xian
Beijing - Xian, Bullet Train experience
Xian
The Terracotta Warriors
Xian - Shanghai
Welcome to modern China
Shanghai
Shanghai skyscrapers
Shanghai
Departure, say goodbye to China
Detailed Itinerary
Beijing
Day 1: Beijing, capital of China
Welcome to Beijing, the capital of China. Upon arrival, our local guide will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is your own to explore the area and settle in to your accommodation.
Beijing
Day 2: Discover ancient royalty at the Forbidden City
Your China tour starts with a visit to Tiananmen Square, which stands solemn in the heart of Beijing. From the Square your tour leads to today's highlight – the Forbidden City. This splendid palace is home to the royal residence with more than 600 years of history contained in its walls. Follow your guide and hear stories of the emperors while exploring the grand halls, imposing pavilions and cultural treasures.
Delight your taste buds with a Peking Roast Duck lunch, before enjoying panoramic views of the magnificent Forbidden City during the climb up to Jingshan Park. Take an old-fashioned rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys in the Hutongs providing a glimpse of old Beijing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Beijing
Day 3: Hike on the magnificent Great Wall of China
Experience the local way of life with a visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning. Apart from the elegant architecture inside the temple, join in with the morning exercises; practise Tai Chi, dance with a sword, even stretch your vocal chords with Peking Opera.
However you choose to start your day, the main adventure begins just 1.5 hrs out of Beijing. Driving around 1.5 hours out of Beijing city. The hike features the top-rated Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall; whilst it can be crowded the scenery is simply stunning. For a different persepective, take a cable car up and enjoy a more leisurely walk between the watchtowers. Be amazed by this magnificent and unbelievable construction which spans over 21,000kms.
You can choose whether to take the cable car or there is even an adrenaline-fuelled toboggan down. Drive back to your hotel to spend the evening as you wish.
Meals: Breakfast
Beijing - Xian
Day 4: Beijing - Xian, Bullet Train experience
Before heading to the station, take a leisurely walk in the Summer Palace, China's most extensive and best-preserved imperial garden. If the weather allows, take a boat ride on Kunming Lake and admire the ancient and highly decorated pavilions along the shore.
From the station, board the astonishing modern transport experience that is the Bullet Train to Xian. On arrival, your Xian guide waiting for you at the train station will take you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Xian
Day 5: The Terracotta Warriors
You may not have heard of China’s first emperor, Qinshihuang, but you will surely know about the Terracotta Warriors. Though buried underground for over 2200 years, the Terracotta Warriors still look alive with vivid expressions on their faces. Discover their story and connection with Qinshihuang during your visit.
Return to Xian city and enjoy a visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a well-preserved ancient building and holy place for Buddhists. Housing the scriptures and various artefacts gathered by a traveller named Xuanzang, who also wrote of his travels in a book named "Journey to the West" it is an astonishing collection in an incredibly beautiful and tranquil setting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Xian - Shanghai
Day 6: Welcome to modern China
Today begins with a morning visit to the Ancient City Wall, to see how the ancient city was guarded in the past. Take a bicycle ride along the wall to explore more. Before driving to the airport, there is time for a stroll in the Muslim Quarter and visit the Great Mosque, an Islamic mosque built in a Chinese architectural style.
Flight to Shanghai. On arrival in Shanghai, you will be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Shanghai
Day 7: Shanghai skyscrapers
After breakfast, pay a visit to a typical Chinese ancient Garden, the Yuyuan Garden. It is a small but exquisite garden with pavilions, archways, bridges, pools and more. Outside, try some of the local vendor snacks, and buy some souvenirs in the busy Yuyuan Bazaar. Next is a visit to the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. Learn about the innovation and achievements of city planning and construction in Shanghai. After lunch, take a stroll in the Former French Quarter, before heading up the world’s second tallest building, Shanghai Tower, in one of the world's fastest elevators. Capture a panoramic view of this modern metropolis,before ending the day with a walk along the Bund to see the colonial buildings of the 1920s.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Shanghai
Day 8: Departure, say goodbye to China
Time to say goodbye to China. At the appointed time, your guide and driver will take you to the airport for your homebound flight.
Meals: Breakfast
