Day
1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for scheduled flight
to Beijing. Meals on board. We
arrange direct flight whenever possible.
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. After
the 2 hours flight and help you to check in at your hotel, our guide
will leave you to have a good rest and ready for tomorrow's adventure.
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 Chengdu
(
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 Chengdu, the home of China's most
famous residents, the Giant Panda.
After
the 1.5 hours flight and help you to check in at your hotel, our
guide will leave you to have a good rest and ready for tomorrow's
adventure.
Day
8
Chengdu
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast we drive to the Giant Panda Breeding Research
Base to visit the giant pandas. You have plenty time to watch
the Pandas in their playful activities and see them enjoy their
Bamboo meals.
After
lunch, drive
to Leshan mountain and visit the Giant Buddha Statue. We
take a pleasant boat ride.
Chengdu
is also the home to the famous spicy Sichuan cuisine. Tonight, our
dinner is booked at an excellent Sichuan cuisine restaurant
where you can enjoy their delicious dishes.
Evening
entertainment recommended *Optional:
A variety style in one of the best show house, includes the famous
Chengdu face-changing performance. Ask for prices & details
at time of booking.
Day
9
Chengdu
to Guilin (Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch)
In the morning, we take a stroll down the historic Jin li Street
and Kuan zai Ally to observe the local culture and traditional
wooden tea houses. Then we go to the unique and well preserved Wenshu
Monastery, enjoy our vegetarian lunch there. Fly to Guilin later
on. After the 1.5 hours flight and help you to check in at your
hotel, our guide will leave you to have a good rest and ready for
tomorrow's adventure.
Day
10
Guilin (Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch)
Today
we
take a tour to the delightful Fubo Hill or Elephant Trunk
Hill (depends on local situation). Later we visit Reed Flute
Cave, a vast underground cavern of exotic rock formations.
Evening
entertainment recommended *Optional:
fantastic Ethnic Dragon dance
theater show.
Day
11
Guilin to Yangshuo
(Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, we take an hour drive to Zhujiang Dock, where we
embark on our ship for our cruise down the picturesque Li
River. Enjoy the unique mountain scenery often depicted in chinese
paintings, including rural villages and tranquil rice paddies alongside
the river banks. Hopefully we will also see native wildlife and
water buffalo wallowing in the river. Lunch will be served on board
and we disembark in Yangshuo. Yangshuo an ancient
town that is famous for its beautiful scenery and is a favourite
destination for many of our travellers. Overnight in Yangshuo.
Day
12
Yangshuo
to Shanghai (Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch)
Drive
to Airport and
take a flight to Shanghai where our guide will meet you upon arrival
and check into your hotel.
After
having a rest,
we start our
city tour of Shanghai 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
13
Shanghai - Suzhou
(Includes:
Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast we travel to Suzhou, where we take a tour to see
Tiger Hill, Garden of the Master of the Nets and The Humble
Administrator’s Garden. The later is often regarded as the most
exquisite and best-preserved garden of all the old residential gardens
in Suzhou. Enjoy a cruise on the ancient Grand Canal.
Day
14
Suzhou - Hangzhou
(Includes:
Breakfast)
Today we enjoy a relaxing walk along the tranquil West Lake
before visiting Ling Yin Temple. Afterwards we visit local
markets and experience the traditional Chinese tea culture.
Day
15
Hangzhou - Shanghai (Includes:
Breakfast)
After breakfast we travel back to Shanghai in the morning. We then
leave this final day for you to explore this cosmopolitan city at
your own leisure, to relax, and perhaps do some last minute shopping
in Shanghai's incredible shopping malls. We also recommend a visit
to the Pudong area and the Oriental Pearl Tower.
Day
16 Shanghai
to UK
(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.
Hong
Kong 2 nights extension (£399 per person inc
flight)
Day
16 Shanghai
to Hong Kong
(Includes: Breakfast)
Today
you are taken by private car to the Maglev train station
in Shanghai for your transfer to the airport. Upon arrival in Hong
Kong, transfer to your hotel (superior / moderate deluxe standard).
The rest of day is free at leisure to explore Hong kong & Kowloon.
Day
17
Hong Kong
(Includes:
Breakfast)
Today
enjoy a guided morning tour to visit Victoria Peak, Stanley Market
and Aberdeen Fishing Village. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Day
18
Hong Kong
(Includes:
Breakfast)
Met
at your hotel for your transfer to the airport for your departure
flight.
Alternatively,
for the same price, you may choose the option of 3
nights (4 days) in Hong Kong. (flight
& accommodation only)
*supplement
apply for Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov.
Magical
China Holidays 2013 Departure Dates & Prices
Thursdays departure
Ref
|
Departure
dates
|
Twin
share £
|
Twin share £ (Excluding international
flights)
|
GC
|
7, 21, 28 March
|
2680
|
1999
|
GC
|
4, 11, 18 April
|
2780
|
2080
|
GC
|
9,
16, 23, 30 May
|
2780
|
2080
|
GC
|
6,
13, 20, 27 June
|
2680
|
1999
|
GC
|
4, 25 July
|
2780
|
1999
|
GC
|
5, 22 August
|
2780
|
1999
|
GC
|
5, 12 September
|
2780
|
2080
|
GC
|
10,
17, 24 October
|
2780
|
2080
|
GC
|
7, 14 November
|
2680
|
1999
|
Price
Includes (The
prices shown above are 'per person' based upon two people sharing
one room)
- Internal
flights including airport tax.
- Twin
share price includes International flights with full ATOL Protection.
(International flights based upon London, Heathrow departure).
We can also arrange departures from your local airport.
- 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
- Visa
fee (please go to Our
Visa Service for
details).
- Travel
Insurance.
- 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.
|