Home > Expert-Led Tours > 'Into China; A Very Personal View' with Damian Harper
'INTO CHINA; A VERY PERSONAL VIEW' WITH DAMIAN HARPER
7th MAY - 23rd MAY 2011
Beijing – Pingyao – Nanjie Cun – Kaifeng – Luoyang – Shanghai – Yongdin – Hong Kong
China is primarily a land of powerful and distinctive contrasts. The urban spectacle of Beijing and Shanghai reveals a China very much in the making and asserting itself onto the consciousness of the world. The China of Shanghai in particular however stands in dramatic contrast with the less well–known ancient cities of north China where powerful echoes of China’s historic civilisation endure, especially in the charming walled town of Pingyao. China has changed spectacularly in the past thirty years, but Pingyao has kept its historic good looks virtually intact. Stepping back into the past, Henan province is where you can explore China’s last Maoist collective – Nanjie Cun – a commune still clinging to an anachronistic livelihood abandoned by the rest of the land. The charming water towns within reach of Shanghai similarly allude to a way of life that has almost vanished, while the colossal Hakka roundhouses of Yongding in Fujian province represent a sense of agrarian community totally at odds with modern city life in China.
Damian first travelled to China in 1992, living for a year in Beijing as part of his four–year degree in Chinese (modern and classical) from London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. Originally led to the study of Chinese through the practice of Taiji Quan, Damian has been writing guidebooks to China since 1997, and has contributed to six editions of the Lonely Planet China guide (five times as coordinating author). A fluent speaker and reader of Mandarin, Damian has also co–authored numerous editions of the Lonely Planet Beijing and Shanghai city guides and served as coordinating author for the latest edition of China’s Southwest, also published by Lonely Planet. Author of National Geographic Traveler China, Damian has also had China–related articles published by several newspapers and magazines, including The Guardian and Frequent Traveller, and also contributed an article on Huangshan to Celestial Realm: the Yellow Mountains of China (Abbeville Press). Damian has lived in China for a total of six years and frequently returns to visit the family of his Chinese wife, Dai Min, who hails from the northern province of Shandong, and to travel the land. Please see www.damianharper.com
Day 1 Saturday 7th May Depart London Heathrow
This morning make your own way to London Heathrow Terminal Five in good time to catch British Airways flight BA039 to Beijing which departs at 1635 hours.
Day 2 Sunday 8th May Beijing (L/D)
Arrive into Beijing at 0930 hours where you will be met and transferred to the Raffles Beijing Hotel (Landmark Rooms) for the next three nights. Beijing, China’s capital city, was first settled as a trading town around 1045 BC, however, it was not until the Mongol occupation of the 13th Century that the city was to emerge as a major political and cultural force. When the mercenary Zhu Yuanzhang, who took control of the city in 1368, began the Ming Dynasty the Beijing of today started to take shape and it was in the reign of his son, Yongle, when many of Beijing’s historic structures – such as the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven – were built. During the last two hundred years China, and consequently Beijing, has encountered many struggles and invasions all of which have altered and added to the image of the city. Still changing quickly – a fact seen with the modern Olympic buildings – Beijing still hides many historical treasures behind its wide avenues and high–rise buildings.
After lunch visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven. Here the Ming and Qing emperors ended their ritual procession to worship and pray for good harvest. The overall layout, with its component buildings, symbolises the relationship between earth and heaven which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony, and also the special role played by the emperors within that relationship. Evening welcome dinner at a city restaurant.
Day 3 Monday 9th May Beijing (B/L)
This morning take a guided walk around Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, with buildings on a scale to match. On the north side stands Tiananmen Gate or the Gate of the Heavenly Peace, originally dating to the 15th century, while on the west rises the Great Hall of the People. Walk north through the Gate of Heavenly Peace to the Forbidden City, the seat of supreme power for the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the largest ancient architectural structure in China today. Spend the remainder of the morning exploring the extensive courtyards and buildings of this extraordinary complex.
In the afternoon take the Beijing underground and visit the Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design and a vast park that was once the domain of the Imperial Chinese Court. Initially constructed in 1750, the original structures were largely destroyed by the British and French during the Opium War of 1860, however, in 1888 the Empress Dowager Cixi invested military funds to restore the park along its original foundations. Opulent and grand, the gardens integrate a natural landscape of hills and open water with beautiful man–made pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges that blend together harmoniously.
Day 4 Tuesday 10th May Beijing (B/L)
Today travel through the countryside to Mutianyu from where you can take a cable car up to the Great Wall. The first sections were built as early as the fifth century BC, but it was not until the empire was ruled by the Qin Shi Huang Di dynasty (221–207BC), that the various sections of the Wall were joined together to form a united defence system. Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), when the Great Wall became the world’s largest military structure. Its historic and strategic importance is matched only by its architectural value. 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.
Afterwards leave the Great Wall and return to Beijing to explore the famous hutong neighbourhood around Nanluogu Xiang – a historic and fascinating introduction to Beijing of old. One of the few remaining areas of Old Peking this intricate area of hutongs, with traditional courtyard homes and small temples, survived the re–building programs of the 1960s when many Ming era relics were pulled down and today has benefited from recent planning and investment initiatives. Wander the narrow lanes which are home to bars, cafes and restaurants before ending the day at the nearby Drum and Bell Towers which originally marked the centre of the old Mongol capital. The towers also offer excellent views of the hutongs from the top.
Day 5 Wednesday 11th May Beijing to Taiyuan – by train (B/L)
Taiyuan to Pingyao – by road
This morning it is an early start to transfer to Beijing Railway Station in good time to catch train D2005 to Taiyuan which departs at 0840 hours and arrives into Taiyuan at 1201 hours. On your arrival you will be met and transferred by coach to the historic walled city of Pingyao and the Yunjingcheng Hotel where you will stay for the next two nights.
Considered one of the finest and best preserved ancient walled cities in China, Pingyao is a collection of tiny cobbled streets, historic temples, bustling markets and elegant architecture, all of which have escaped the twentieth century modernization which has characterized so much of the rest of the country. With evidence of habitation dating from 770 BC, Pingyao’s zenith was during the Ming Dynasty when it was a thriving merchant town and prosperous banking centre. As the town’s importance waned, Pingyao returned to provincial obscurity and it was this which fortunately preserved much of what remains today.
Day 6 Thursday 12th May Pingyao (B/L)
Today, after breakfast, leave your hotel and begin your morning in Pingyao. With over twenty residences, temples and monuments there is plenty to see. Places of interest include the Ming Dynasty City Walls (dating from 1370 and over 6km in length), the Rishengchang Financial House Museum and bank established in 1824 and one of the first places in the world where cheques were used, as well as the lavish Former Residence of Lei Lutai who was the founder of this bank. Also visit the many government offices, Confucian Temple and old City Tower.
After lunch leave Pingyao and drive southwest of the town to Shuanglin Si, a collection of ten Ming and Qing halls arranged around three courtyards and which are home to an extraordinary collection of Buddhist sculpture. Constructed of terracotta and wood, there are over two thousand statues, the earliest of which date from the Song Dynasty, and the halls in which there are housed are no less impressive with exquisite interiors and elegant murals –highlights of which are the Wushung Hall and Sakyamuni Hall.
Day 7 Friday 13th May Pingyao to Taiyuan – by road (B/L)
Depart Taiyuan – by train
This morning leave Pingyao and return to Taiyuan stopping en–route at the three hundred room Qiao Family Mansion and nearby Jinci Temple – a large religious complex with some fine Song Dynasty buildings. Highlights include the Water Mirror Platform, Hall of Offerings and the Hall of the holy Mother which is one of the earliest surviving wooden halls in China. Afterwards, continue onto Taiyuan Railway Station in good time to catch train C166/167 to Zhengzhou departs at 1719 hours and arrives in Zhengzhou at 2150 hours. On arrival transfer to the Crowne Plaza Zhengzhou (Standard Rooms) for one night.
Day 8 Saturday 14th May Visit Nanjie Cun
Nanjie Cun to Kaifeng (B/L)
After breakfast leave Zhengzhou and visit Nanjie Cun, China’s last Maoist collective. Trapped in a 1950s time warp, Nanjie Cun is still governed by collectivist principles, standing in stark contrast to the capitalist economy of modern China. The village is bedecked with revolutionary slogans and directives from Chairman Mao while village residents go about their daily lives. Highlights include the statue of Mao Zedong in East is Red Square, flanked by portraits of Stalin, Marx, Engels and Lenin and watched over day and night by two armed guards. A walk through the impressive Chaoyang Gate at then northern end of Chaoyang Square conveys you from the endless Maoist propaganda broadcasts of Nanjie Cun to a lively market place of the real China beyond.
In the afternoon leave Nanjie Cun and drive to Kaifeng where we will stay for two nights at the New Century Grand Hotel (Standard Rooms). One of Henan’s ancient capitals, Kaifeng is a thriving town located south of the Yellow River. Established around 1,000 BC, the city grew in prominence during the Northern Song Dynasty when it became the political, economic and cultural centre of the region. Famous for its painting, calligraphy, textiles, poetry and embroidery, Kaifeng was also repeatedly exposed to the dangers of northern invaders and when the city was overrun in 1127 AD this Golden Age was abruptly ended. Although Kaifeng was never to scale similar heights again, it is a pleasant, friendly and historic town well worthy of exploration.
Day 9 Sunday 15th May Kaifeng (B/L)
Today visit the city’s sights. Places of interest include the Iron Pagoda, a 55m tall 11th Century pagoda, the Temple of the Chief Minister which was first founded in 555 AD and which houses the captivating ’Four–Faced Thousand Hand Thousand Eye Guanyin’ which sits within the octagonal Arhat Hall. Also explore the old City Walls before heading to the vibrant and busy night market in the early evening to soak up the atmosphere and marvel at the bewildering amount of food, goods and clothes on offer.
Day 10 Monday 16th May Kaifeng to Luoyang – by road (B/L)
This morning we leave Kaifeng and drive towards Luoyang stopping outside of the city to visit the Longmen Caves – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s pre–eminent and best preserved Buddhist rock carvings. Work on the site is thought to have begun around 494 AD and over the next 200 years over 100,000 images and statues of Buddha found their way to the cliffs above the Yi River. Highlights here include the Three Binyang Caves, the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave and the Ancestor Worshipping Cave. Stay overnight at the Lee Royal Hotel Mudu Luoyang (Standard Rooms).
Day 11 Tuesday 17th May Luoyang to Zhengzhou – by road (B/L)
Zhengzhou to Shanghai – by air
In the morning we leave Luoyang to visit the historic Shaolin Temple where legions of fighting monks of the Shaolin order have trained over the centuries in their legendary forms of martial arts. Despite being a Chan (Zen) Buddhist monastery, the Shaolin Temple is located in Song Shan, the central peak of China’s five sacred Taoist mountains, creating an engaging balance between the two faiths while affording the opportunity for walks in the hills. Later continue east to Zhengzhou Airport in good time to catch China Eastern Airlines flight MU5386 to Shanghai which departs at 1730 hours and arrives into Shanghai at 1900 hours. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where you will stay for the next three nights.
Day 12 Wednesday 18th May Shanghai (B/L)
This morning leave your hotel and cross the Huangpu River onto the Bund. One of Shanghai’s most famous landmarks, this grand embankment once greeted those arriving into the city by river and was the centre of trade and banking. Symbolic of European Shanghai, today the Bund’s neoclassical buildings overlook the futuristic Pudong skyline and offer an enjoyable, if chaotic, chance to stroll and enjoy the sights. From the Bund continue onto the Old Town and, in particular, the Yuyuan Gardens and Chenghuangmiao Bazaar. Originally designed during the Ming Dynasty by a wealthy family, the gardens were finally completed in 1577 and represent a wonderful example of Ming garden design. Afterwards explore the nearby antique and souvenir shops, temples and snack–stalls which surround the complex.
After lunch head to the French Concession for a walking tour for this historic, atmospheric and largely residential area of the city. Grand tree–lined roads resplendent with pretty cafes, elegant Art Deco apartment blocks and white– washed villas predominate and also visit the newly renovated Xintiandi district. End the day at the excellent Shanghai Museum and, if time permits, also visit Shanghai’s most famous shopping street Nanjing Road as well as the Moganshan Art Centre.
Day 13 Thursday 19th May Shanghai – visit Zhujiajiao (B/L)
Tongli and Luzhi
This morning leave Shanghai and drive to Zhujiajiao a 1,700 year old water village 30kms west of the city. Famed for its bridges, historic buildings, gardens and markets, Zhujiajiao’s wealth came from textiles and rice and is well worth a morning’s exploration. From Zhujiajiao continue onto Tongli and Luzhi, both attractive, but little visited canal towns, the former dating from the 9th Century AD. Atmospheric and historic in equal measure, wander the cobbled tree–lined streets, visit old residences and gardens or just relax by one of the famous waterside teahouses. Later in the afternoon return to Shanghai and your hotel.
Day 14 Friday 20th May Shanghai to Xiamen – by air (B/L)
Xiamen to Quanzhou – by road
Quanzhou to Longyan – by road
This morning you will be met and transferred back to Shanghai Airport in good time to catch China Eastern Airlines flight MU5663 to Xiamen which departs at 0920 hours and arrives into Xiamen at 1055 hours. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to Quanzhou, an old port on the maritime silk route. Once a major port, eulogized by Marco Polo, Quanzhou’s importance peaked during the Song and Yuan Dynasties when merchants flocked to the town which resulted in it developing into one of the wealthiest ports in the known world. Places of interest include the Kaiyuan Temple, Qingjing Mosque, Guandi Temple and Maritime Museum. Later, leave Quanzhou and drive west to Longyan and the Centron International Hotel (Standard Rooms) where you will stay overnight.
Day 15 Saturday 21st May Longyan to Yongdin – by road (B/L)
Yongdin to Xiamen – by road
Xiamen to Hong Kong – by air
Today leave your hotel and drive to the rural area of Yongdin, home of the Hakka people and famed for its remarkable tulou earth buildings – large circular structured homes which resemble fortresses. Believed to have built by the Hakka people for over 750 years, there are over 20,000 of these buildings around Yongdin with many of these still inhabited. Spend the day exploring this unique, remote and little–visited region to see how the Hakka people live. Famous tulou include the vast Zhencheng Lou, Kuiju Lou built in 1834, Rusheng Lou and the five– storey Fuyu Lou. Later return to Xiamen Airport in good time to catch Dragonair flight KA605 to Hong Kong which departs at 2000 hours and arrives into Hong Kong at 2120 hours. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to the Marco Polo Hotel (Superior Rooms) for one night.
Day 16 Sunday 22nd May Depart Hong Kong (B)
Today will be at your leisure in Hong Kong.
Whether a first–time or return visitor, there is plenty to experience and explore in Hong Kong and always something new to uncover. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon are compact and ideal for exploring on foot and the transport system is both incredibly efficient and inexpensive. To sense Hong Kong’s vitality you should ride the antique tram along the north shore of Hong Kong Island to Victoria Peak to take in the spectacular views, and the crossing of Hong Kong harbour on the famous Star Ferry to Kowloon is not to be missed. For the more adventurous, take a ferry to one of the outlying islands – Lantau has the one the largest outdoor Buddha statues in the world and some of the other smaller islands are quaint and quiet with beautiful beaches and lush tropical vegetation.
Later this evening you will be transferred back to Hong Kong Airport in good time to catch British Airways flight BA26 to London Heathrow Terminal Five which departs at 2315 hours.
Day 17 Monday 23rd May Arrive at London Heathrow
Arrive into London Heathrow Terminal Five at 0455 hours.
END OF SERVICES
Options
* Depart London on 5th May and fly from Beijing to Xian to see the Terracotta Warriors. Return to Beijing on 8th May and join your group in the sfternoon.
* Clients may also wish to spend an extra day or two in Hong Kong or extend the tour with a flight from Hong Kong to Guilin to explore the scenic beauty of the Li River.
The cost of the above 17 Day itinerary will be as follows:
1. £4550.00 per person based on twin sharing accommodation and World Traveller Class travel with British Airways.
2. Single Room Supplement £1190.00 per person
You may also wish to consider upgrading your World Traveller flights with British Airways to World Traveller Plus or Club World as follows:
* The supplement, subject to availability, for World Traveller Plus would be £440.00 per person return. World Traveller Plus is a separate cabin, with fewer seats which provides a more spacious and relaxing environment. A wider seat with 38 inch legroom (compared to 31 inch in economy) and a good recline ensures you have a more comfortable flight.
* The supplement, subject to availability, for Club World would be £2400.00 per person return. Club World offers an armchair style seat and footstool that convert to a 6 foot flat bed – a contemporary and more personalised meal service offering greater choice and flexibility– personal video screen – 18kg hand luggage allowance.
We are a licensed bonded Inclusive Tour Operator (ABTA V5041, ATOL 2841). The above price is a fully inclusive price covering all our services and is fully guaranteed against any surcharge for any reason once your deposit has been paid.
If you would like to proceed with the booking, we will require a deposit of 15% of the total cost, and this can be paid by cheque or credit / debit card. We are pleased to accept credit cards (Visa, Amex and MasterCard) or debit card (such as Maestro or Delta) over the telephone if this is more convenient for you. Pettitts do not charge a supplement on deposit payments by credit cards; however, balance or full payment is subject to a 1.5% charge towards the cost of the credit card issuers commission. There is no charge for any payment by debit card.
Pre-existing medical conditions / Disabled passengers
It is essential that you advise us before booking if you have any
disability, pre-existing medical conditions or important dietary requirement
that Pettitts should be made aware of before we accept responsibility
for operating this itinerary to the countries named. We may request
that you provide a letter from your doctor confirming your fitness
to travel.
For your peace of mind...
If, within two weeks of your departure, the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office issues a travel advisory advising against all, or non-essential,
travel to a country where you are taking your holiday, Pettitts will
do its best to offer you either a suitable alternative holiday or
a full refund of all monies paid.
Please note…
This tour is based on a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 16 clients and we anticipate that it will be oversubscribed. However, if eight weeks or more before departure there are insufficient bookings we reserve the right to cancel the tour and you would receive an immediate full refund.
Damian Harper has agreed to lead this tour; however, in the unlikely event that he is unable to accompany this tour for whatever reason we reserve the right to arrange a suitable alternative leader. Whilst we do not anticipate any major changes to this itinerary, Damian Harper at his discretion, may adjust it to suit local conditions at the time.
Driving Times please note these can vary considerably according to local conditions at the time.
Taiyuan to Pingyao – 3 to 4 hours
Zhengzhou to Nanjie Cun 2 to 3 hours
Nanjie Cun to Kaifeng 3 to 4 hours
Kaifeng to Luoyang 3 to 4 hours
Luoyang to Zhengzhou via the Shaolin Temple 3 to 4 hours
Xiamen to Longyan via Quanzhou 4 to 5 hours
Yongdin to Xiamen – 4 hours
Check–in and Check–out times in general at all the hotels in this itinerary are between 1200 noon and 1400 hours.
What’s included...
* The tour will be led by Damian harper together with the services of local English speaking guides throughout.
* World Traveller class travel to Beijing and returning from Hong Kong using the scheduled services of British Airways using Boeing 777 / 747 series aircraft. Once issued, flight tickets are restricted for use only on the dates specified in the itinerary and are non-refundable.
Please note that airlines are required by new laws to give border control agencies access to passenger data. Accordingly any information we hold about you and your travel arrangements may be disclosed to the customs and immigration authorities of any country in your itinerary.
* Sightseeing and entrance fees.
* Between places you will travel by air–conditioned coach and economy class flight using the scheduled services of China Eastern Airlines and Dragonair as shown in your itinerary.
* Between places you will travel by air-conditioned coach and economy class domestic flights from Tripoli to Benghazi and return as shown in your itinerary.
* Accommodation as specified including hotel service charges and local taxes.
* Meals are based on a set menu basis as indicated in the above itinerary:
B=Breakfast
L=Lunch
D=Dinner
* All gratuities to drivers, porters and local guides in China.
Extras...
* Travel insurance. It is a condition of your contract with Pettitts that every member of the party has full Travel Insurance which covers, specifically, medical treatment and emergency repatriation where appropriate, without any exclusion. Please note that we will need to know the name of your insurers, your policy number and their emergency contact number before commencement of your holiday.
* Any expenses of a personal nature, such as canned drinks, telephone calls, laundry, camera/video camera fees, meals (other than specified) etc.
* Cost of visas.
China – Visas for China must be arranged prior to travel and details will be sent at the time of booking. Pleaase note that a Double Entry Visa will be required for those clients who who wish to extend their tour to visit Guilin.
Should you require airport parking, lounges or hotels at any of the major UK airports, we suggest that you contact Holiday Extras on 0870 844 4000 and quote reference HX239 or visit their website www.holidayextras.co.uk.
Your doctor will advise you on which inoculations and anti malaria precautions are recommended for your itinerary. Please refer to www.nhs.uk/Healthcareabroad for general overseas health advice. For current information on health advice you may wish to call MASTA Travellers Helpline on 09068 224100.
Into China 2011