• Beijing: City tours (3 nights)
• Great Wall of China
• Forbidden City
• Bird's Nest Stadium
• Xian: City tours (2 nights)
• Terracotta Warriors
• Shanghai: City tours (2 nights)
• Zhujiajiao water town (optional)
• Suzhou & Hangzhou gardens (optional)
• Maglev train
• Hong Kong (optional)

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for scheduled flight 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 adventure to come! (China is 8 hours ahead of UK GMT)

Day 3 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
A full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. This includes visiting historical sites such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Our welcome dinner in the evening provides an opportunity to sample various type of Chinese cuisine.

Evening entertainment recommended *Optional:Acrobatic show.

Day 4 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The highlights of today's visit is to the Great Wall (Mutianyu Section), which is quieter and less touristy compare with many others. This section of the Wall is also equipped with a cable car for those who prefer an easier way up (fee required at local ticket office approx £5). You will have plenty of time to walk along the wall and enjoy 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). We conclude this unforgettable day by enjoying a selection of Beijing dishes including Peking Duck.

Day 5 Beijing to Xian (Breakfast, Lunch)
Visit the 12th century Summer Palace, Kunming Lake and the Garden of Harmony before taking the ferry next to the famous Marble Boat. In the next part of the tour enjoy a fascinating Rickshaw ride through the 'Hutong' residential area of Beijing to see how local people live. Our guide will then escort you to Houhai, a popular relaxing eating out place for both Western and Chinese tourists. For travellers who would like to experience shopping in China, we can take you to the popular shopping street - Xiushui Silk Market.

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 you as we head to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum. We will spend plenty time to visit the luxury underground palace of Emperor Qinshihuang, The Archaeological Museum of 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and their horses. The warriors were the after life protectors of the first emperor who united China (221BC-206BC).

Enjoy our lunch include Xian's specialities. Following this we will 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 boulevard where Xian residents come to meet & 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 Shanghai ( Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast we explore Xian and visit the old Muslim Quarter of the City which is home to large Ethnic Muslim Chinese community, who have lived in the city since the silk road was established.

Enjoy walking through Muslim Square which leads into narrow winding streets crammed with shop stalls selling an array of interesting handcrafts and local food specialities. We also give time to visit the Wooden Mosque. Afterwards we will visit the majestic Bell Tower (exterior) for photo opportunities, and Drum Towers (inside) where provides fantastic bird's view across the city centre.

In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely walk & optional cycle ride on the ancient city walls. The smooth & well preserved walls make for an ideal and safe walking & cycling route around the inner historic city centre and are a charming way to enjoy the local lifestyle of Xian.

Late afternoon take a flight to Shanghai, the cosmopolitan city of China.

Day 8 Shanghai (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)
A city tour which will include visiting Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds. We marvel at the futuristic landscape and magnificent towers on the famous promenade along the Huangpu River, the Bund and Nanjing Road. Finally our tour takes us to see the historic side of Shanghai. We visit the traditional low-rise homes, which was the former French quarter in colonial times and known locally as 'Heaven on Earth'.

Evening entertainment recommended *Optional:Martial art show, dance show etc.

Day 9 Shanghai to Homeward (Includes: Breakfast)
Be taken by private car from your hotel to the Maglev train station in Shanghai, where 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 homeward.

Shanghai extensions can be arranged, either as a free day, or we can arrange a guided tour extension, see details below. Contact us for details at time of booking.

Optional tours & extension from Shanghai

Option 1. Zhujiajiao Water Village: 'the Venice of China', unspoiled for hundreds of years. Tour departs from Shanghai (overnight stay in Shanghai is required).

Option 2. Suzhou, Hangzhou or both: For travellers who are interested in seeing more famous Chinese gardens. Tour departs from Shanghai (overnight stay required).

Hong Kong extension (£399* per person inc flight)

Day 9 Shanghai to Hong Kong (Includes: 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 and super fast 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 10 Hong Kong (Includes: Breakfast)
Half day morning tour to the Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Aberdeen Fishing Village. Rest of the day is free.

Day 11 Hong Kong - Homeward (Includes: Breakfast)
You are transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

OR, for the same price, you may choose the option of 3 nights/4 days in Hong Kong incl a flight to Hong Kong. (flight & accommodation only)

*supplement apply for Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov.

Magical China Holidays Departure Dates & Price 2013 (£)

Ref	Thursdays	Twin share £ (Excluding international flights)
CH	7, 21, 28 March	999
CH	11, 18 April	1050
CH	9, 16, 23, 30 May	1050
CH	6, 13, 20, 27 June	1050
CH	4, 25 July	1050
CH	5, 22 August	1050
CH	5, 12 September	1050
CH	10, 17, 24 October	1050
CH	7, 14 November	1050

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person')

• All internal flights in China including airport tax.
• All airport/hotel transfers.
• Sightseeing tours (including entrance fee) by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Selections of good 4 star hotel and 5 star cruise accommodation in well furnished rooms with private facilities. In Hong Kong it is 3/4 star standard.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.

We also arrange tailor made departure & private tours according to 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

• International flight. We can also book your international flights with full ATOL Protection.
• Visa fee (please go to Our Visa Service for details).
• Travel Insurance.
• Tips to guides and drivers, daily supply of bottled water.
• 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.