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Day 1: Join tour Beijing
Arrive Beijing and check-in at hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax,or perhaps explore something of our local surroundings and acclimatise a little to the enigma that is Beijing.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Day 2: In Beijing; visit Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
Beijing is China's capital and its political and cultural centre. The city has been the capital for most of the period since Kublai Khan made it the centre of his mighty Asian Empire in the late 1200s. All clocks in this vast country are set by Beijing time, despite the westernmost regions being some 5000kms away. This morning we begin our tour with a walk to the impressive expanse of Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing, covering some 40 hectares and enclosed on all sides by memorials to the past and present. After visiting the square we cross to the magnificent Forbidden City, the one-time home of the Ming and the Manchu (Qing) emperors and a treasure trove of Eastern wares. So named because for 500 years it was off limits to all but a privileged few, the Forbidden City is the largest and bestpreserved collection of ancient buildings in China, covering an area of some 720,000 square metres and containing 800 buildings. The afternoon is free to continue exploring at your leisure. There will be optional acitivities available such as a Hutong trip or a visit to Temple Heaven. If you don't fancy either of these activities then you could always try kite flying in Yongdimen Square whre the local people sell colourful kites. There will be the opportunity on our evenings here to see a Beijing opera (considered to be the best in China), or a performance of the amazing acrobats (optional). Please note there is a charge for the pool and you must wear a hat.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Drive to Jinshaling; walk on the Great Wall
Departing Beijing this morning we drive northeast, towards one of the highlights of our tour, the Great Wall of China. Began 2000 years ago, it stretches for some 5,000 kilometres, from the east coast to the Gobi Desert, crossing five provinces and two autonomous regions. Built to keep out the northern tribes and the mongol armies of Ghengis Khan, the Wall was despised for much of its life as a symbol of tyranny and oppression, its construction exacting a heavy toll in both resources and lives. Hopefully our journey will not prove to be quite so exacting and on arrival in Jinshaling we aim to walk along one of the most spectacular sections of the Wall from Jinshanling towards Simatai – both locations where the wall has been refurbished. The walk between these two places is on partially ruined sections, with some quite steep ascents and many steps to be climbed. We pass many watch-towers on this walk – these provide the only shade along the route and give us an excuse to pause and admire the breath-taking views.
Overnight Guest House (H) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Optional walking on wall; overnight train to Luoyang
This morning there is the opportunity to do another walk along the wall. Later today we drive to Beijing train station in time to catch the overnight train to Luoyang, the once ancient 'City of the Nine Capitals', that held an important and strategic position in Chinese history for nearly 6000 years. Rail travel in China is a fast and efficient way of covering the vast distances across this huge landmass and we will be travelling in 1st class 'soft sleeper' compartments, with 4 people sharing. All bedding is provided.
Overnight Train (U) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Luoyang; visit Shaolin Temple and watch Kung Fu show
Arriving early this morning we will transfer to our hotel for breakfast and to freshen up from our journey. Luoyang is close to the famous buddhist carvings at Longmen Caves, as well as the holy mountains of Song Shan, but it is to the equally famous home of Kung Fu that we make our pilgrimage today. At the world renowned Shaolin Si, the warrior monks of the temple have practised the martial art of Wushu for centuries. Built in 495 AD the temple has always been one of China's most important buddhist shrines, but it later developed into an important centre for Kung Fu when the monks began to develop their own style of gymnastic excercises to counteract the static stance of their daily meditation. Based on the movements of animals, the monks eventually adapted their exercises into a form of self defence, in order to protect themselves against bandits and raiders. Legend has it that in the 7th century an army of just 13 Shaolin monks defended the future Tang emperor Li Shimin against an entire division of Sui soldiers. When Li took power the temple's fame and power spread and at its height it numbered more than 3,000 warrior monks. This afternoon we will visit one of the local Kung Fu schools for a lesson with the students in Kung FU before we return to Luoyang for the evening.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Visit Longmen Caves; afternoon train to Xian
After breakfast this morning we will drive down to the 'Dragon's Gate', a fissure in the rocks where legend has it that the limestone mountain was originally split to release a ferocious dragon, but which today houses one of the most spectacular cultural and historic sites in the region. With over 1300 grottoes, 40 pagodas and some 100,000 statues, created between the 5th and 7th century, the Longmen Caves are a unique document of buddhist creative art that stretches for over 1,000 metres along both banks of the Yi River. First constructed during the reign of the Northern Wei Dynasty in 495AD, the caves were then completed over a four hundred year period, spanning the Sui, Tang and Song Dynasties and contain buddhist images ranging in size from 2cm to 17 metres. We will spend some time visiting the caves before returning to Luoyang in time to take the train to Xian. Travelling along, we can sit back and enjoy watching the Chinese countryside pass us by as we travel west into the very heartland of this vast nation. Arriving in Xian in the early evening we make the short transfer to our hotel.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Visit to the Terracotta Warriors
Xian (Changan) served as the Imperial Capital for 11 dynasties and was the very starting point of the Silk Road between Central Asia and Europe. It is a city steeped in history and full of important monuments. Today we visit one of the highlights of not only Xian, but China itself – the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and horses who guard the Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. Considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the last century, there are literally thousands of lifesize warriors, dating from 200BC, that guard the tomb of the first emperor of a unified China. Each figure, measuring approximately 1.8 metres in height, was individually crafted to represent, some say, actual members ot the Imperial Guard. When they were discovered in 1974 the warriors were armed with actual bows, crossbows, swords and spears, many of them still as sharp as they had been when they were buried. Our visit with a local guide will also include a video presentation and the bronze chariot exhibition. After the exhibition we will stop at the Terracotta Army Factory to see a demonstration of how the terracotta figures are made. You will even get the chance to make your own terracotta figure. Later this afternoon there will be a viti to the City Walls. After the wall visit you may join your tour leader on a cycle ride (optional) on the city walls.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Sightseeing in Xian; PM flight to Chengdu
This morning we visit Old Xian on foot with a local guide. The narrow alleys and timbered buildings of the old Muslim quarter have a timeless feel, reflecting the fact that for centuries this has been the centre of Xian's Hui minority. Believed to be descendants of 8th century Arab sailors, the Hui number some 30,000 these days. A walk through the winding streets brings us to the Great Mosque, the largest in all China, which combines Arabic and Chinese designs and features some unique wooden buildings. We will also see a Gao Family House from the Qing Dynasty. We will get the chance to see a shaddow puppet show and experience a Chinese painting lesson. In the afternoon we will have free time until we transfer to the airport for the 2 hour flight to Chengdu.
Please note- the swimming pool in tonight's night stop may be closed if the weather is not warm enough
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Visit to the Giant Panda Research Centre and visit Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi; fly Guilin and transfer to Yangshuo
This morning we visit the Giant Panda Research Centre to learn about China's endangered Panda population. From here we then drive to visit Wenshu Monastery for lunch and to mingle with the local people. This temple is alive with the comings and goings of monks, worshipers and tourists all in the site's courtyard. From here we drive to Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi where we will walk along an old Sichuan street where we can see the contructions left from the end of the Qing Dynasty. This evening we transfer to the airport for a flight to Guilin. On arival we will transfer to Yangshuo by bus.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Cycle ride in the villages surrounding Yangshuo; Optional activities
Today we will start the day with a scenic cycle ride through the villages surrounding Yangshuo. After this relaxing cycle ride we will have the rest of the day free. One of the optional trips on offer is bamboo rafting on the Yulong River. Cruising through this surreal world of karst mountains and flat plains, passing cormorant fisherman as they pole their narrow bamboo rafts down the river. If you don't want to do the boat trip there are plenty of other activities in the area which include calligraphy or cooking. Alternatively, you can soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful riverside town, or try your bartering skills in the local market – selling everything from batiks and silk paintings to copies of Mao's 'Little Red Book'. This evening there is an optional trip to watch a stunning sound and light show.
Please note: It is recommended to bring your own helmet with you on tour.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Free Day in Yangshuo
The spectacular karst scenery is easily accessible from Yangshuo, hemmed in as it is by the towering limestone cliffs, so the day is left free for you to explore at your own pace. You can walk into the surrounding karst summits or hire a bike and cycle through country back lanes. A worthwhile ride would be out to the appropriately named Moon Hill, where a forty minutes climb, through bamboo forest and up a stone staircase, will bring you to the top. The views from here, across the open plains below and out to the distant mountains, are truly spectacular. Stopping to visit the village on the way down, you may like to continue on a circuitous route back to Yangshou, passing through the myriad of small villages that dot the landscape, perhaps even taking a trip from Hongqi to Shengdi before finally returning to the hotel.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Fly to Shanghai
Todya we drive to Guilin airport and take a flight to Shanghai. On arrival we will have some free time where you may wish to visit the Xintiandi district. This district is very much the new face of China with its rows of restored shops and restaurants.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Shanghai
Today a guided visit to Yu Yuan Gardens and the Bund will be lead by a guide. After an introduction to the area we will have the opportunity to stroll around and absorb the atmosphere of Shanghai at your own pace. The afternoon we will have the choice between some exciting optional activities. Shanghai is one of the worlds busiest ports so you may wish to take a Riverboat trip on the Huangpu River. Alternatively you could cross over from the Bund to the Pudong new district, possibly taking the Bund sightseeing tunnel and ascend the Jinmao Tower. this tower is China's tallest building and is well known for its amazing views.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Tour ends in Shanghai after breakfast
Included meals: Breakfast
