Home > Destinations > China & Tibet > Classical China
CLASSICAL CHINA
Day 1 London Heathrow to Beijing
Fly with British Airways non-stop to Beijing.
Day 2 Arrive Beijing
Arrive Beijing and proceed by car to the Grand Hotel or upgrade to the Grand
Hyatt Hotel where you will stay for the next four nights. (N)
Day 3 Beijing
This morning visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven before continuing onto Tiananmen
Square, the largest public square in the world. Walk through the square to
enter the Forbidden City, the seat of supreme power for the emperors of the
Ming and Qing Dynasties, where you can spend the remainder of the day exploring
the courtyards and buildings of this extensive complex. (B)
Day 4 Beijing
Travel through the countryside to Mutianyu from where you can take a cable
car up to the Great Wall. As you stand on the Wall and look at it snaking
its way across the top of the mountains, it is easy to imagine ancient armies
locked in battle on the misty slopes. Continue across the mountains, after
lunch to visit the fascinating tombs of the Ming Emperors before returning
to Beijing later in the afternoon. (B/L)
Day 5 Beijing
Today visit the Summer Palace with its landscaped gardens, lakes and pavilions.
Explore the ancient alleyways of old Beijing by rickshaw and end the day with
a relaxing cruise on the tranquil Hou Hai Lake. In the evening we can arrange
an optional visit to the Beijing Opera or an acrobatic show. (B)
Day 6 Beijing to Xi’an – by air
This morning leave your hotel and transfer to Beijing Airport in good time
to catch your flight to Xi’an. On your arrival visit the ancient city
walls before proceeding to the Bell Tower Hotel or upgrade to the Sofitel
on Renmin Square Hotel. (B)
Day 7 Xi’an
Today visit the remarkable Qin Shi Hunanngdi Tomb, better known as the site
of the world famous Terracotta Warriors, which was unearthed in 1974 and is
the burial ground of the first Qin Emperor. Afterwards visit the Huaqing hot
springs and the nearby Neolithic village at Ban Po. (B/L)
Day 8 Xi’an to Chongqing – by air
Before you leave Xi’an visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi Provincial
Museum and the Great Mosque before flying to Chongqing where you will board
the Victoria Cruise Ship. The Victoria Cruiser is amongst the most luxurious
vessels operating on the Yangtze. It offers an extensive range of onboard
facilities and all cabins have en-suite bathrooms. (B)
Day 9 Yangtze Cruise
The Yangtze is China’s longest river. Its source is in the snow-covered
Tanggulashan Mountains of Tibet and it flows over 6,300kms to the East China
Sea just north of Shanghai. Today you will travel between the towns of Fengjie,
in Sichuan Province, and Yichang, in Hubei Province, and over the next through
days will pass through three spectacular gorges – the Qutang, Wu and
Xiling. Overnight is spent onboard. (B/L/D)
Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise
Early this morning enter the gorges of Qutang and Wu before arriving in the
late morning at Badong to explore Shennong Stream where boatmen operate ‘pea’
boats in the small gorges. In the afternoon continue downstream through Xiling
Gorge to anchor at Sandouping, the site of the new Three Gorges Dam. Overnight
is spent onboard. (B/L/D)
Day 11 Yichang to Shanghai – by air
This morning visit the dam complex before disembarking at Yichang from where
you will fly onto Shanghai, China’s commercial and financial centre.
On arrival proceed by car to the Equatorial Hotel or upgrade to the Grand
Hyatt Hotel. (B)
Day 12 Shanghai
Today enjoy a full day sightseeing of this vibrant city which will include
the Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Chinatown and the Yu Yuan Garden.
Stroll along the Bund by the Huangpa River where the old European style buildings
are still evocative of the ‘Paris of the East’. (B)
Day 13 Shanghai to Guilin – by air
After breakfast leave your hotel and catch your flight onto Guilin where you
will stay for two nights at the Sheraton Hotel. Situated in the heart of south
west China, and noted for its scenic beauty, numerous limestone hills surround
Guilin creating superb views into the surrounding countryside. On your arrival
visit the famous Reed Flute Cave which is full of stalactites and stalagmites
in various shapes and sizes. (B)
Day 14 Guilin
Today join the cruise boat which will take you down the Li River passing the
magnificent limestone peaks that rise out of the water. As you journey south
a common sight is the cormorant fisherman, with their wide brimmed hats and
narrow rafts made from bamboo, landing the catch in their unique way. Finally
arrive at the market town of Yangshuo where a visit will be made to the market
before returning by car to Guilin in the afternoon. (B/L)
Day 15 Guilin to Hong Kong – by air
Fly to Hong Kong and transfer by car the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel or upgrade
to the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Hotel. Dynamic Hong Kong is where the Orient
truly meets the West. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon are compact and ideal for
exploring on foot, notwithstanding the fact that the transport system is incredibly
efficient and inexpensive. To sense Hong Kong’s vitality ride an antique
tram along the north shore of Hong Kong Island and then cross the harbour
on the famous Star Ferry to Kowloon. Almost anywhere you are likely to see
ancient Chinese temples and graceful colonial buildings, colourful street
markets and sophisticated shopping centres. (B)
Day 16 Hong Kong to London Heathrow
Today you are at leisure to enjoy this vibrant and cosmopolitan city before
an evening transfer by car to the airport in good time to catch the British
Airways non-stop flight back to London Heathrow. (B)
Day 17 Arrive London Heathrow
Early morning arrival in London
STAYING ON
Explore ‘off the beaten track’ and visit Datong, a northern frontier city famous for the stunning Hanging Temple and Yungang Caves. Easily reached from Beijing by day train, Datong is also connected to Xi’an by an overnight sleeper service.
Culture is close to Shanghai in the form of the water towns of Zhouzhuang and Suzhou. With their silk workshops and picturesque gardens they are a world away from bustling Shanghai.
Relax in Yangshuo, the destination of the Li River Cruise, with an extended stay in the town. Yangshuo is an ideal base for leisurely walks, cycling and shopping.
Enchanting Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 700kms from Beijing, is a treasure trove of Chinese and Buddhist history and tradition. Reached by train from Beijing, Pingyao is town of public buildings, markets and temples – the essence of a bygone age.
Planning your journey: We can design a unique journey to suit you as our tours are totally tailor made. By combining your own ideas with our knowledge and experience we can help you to create your own journey tailored exactly to your requirements Once you have formulated your ideas, or if you require some general or specific advice, please call us on 01892 515966 or simply send your ideas to pettitts@btconnect.com. On receipt of your enquiry we will provide you with a full written quotation together with our suggestions and recommendations.
A Guide to Price – CLASSICAL CHINA
Prices vary according to selected airlines, hotels and season, however, an indication to the current cost of this itinerary is from £4,290. All prices are per person and are based on a minimum of TWO persons travelling together and sharing a twin bedded room with meals as indicated. If you wish to travel alone we will be pleased to assist you with your arrangements and can provide a proposal on request.
Note: Meal Basis (N) = No Meal; (B) = Breakfast; (L) = Lunch; (D) = Dinner
For further important information please click here.