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HIDDEN CHINA
Day 1 Depart London
Depart London Heathrow on the British Airways flight non-stop to Beijing.
Day 2 Beijing
Arrive into Beijing where you will be met and transferred to the Raffles
Beijing Hotel which will be your base for the next three nights. After
lunch visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven. The overall layout, with its component
buildings, symbolises the relationship between earth and heaven which stands at the
heart of Chinese cosmogony.(N)
Day 3 Beijing
This morning visit 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 morning exploring the courtyards and buildings of this extensive complex.
In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace with its landscaped gardens, lakes and
pavilions.(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.
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 is an atmospheric warren of narrow lanes which are home to bars, cafes and restaurants.(B/L)
Day 5 Beijing to Taiyuan – by train
Taiyuan to Pingyao - by road.
This morning transfer to Beijing Railway Station in good time to catch the train
to Taiyuan. On your arrival you will be met and transferred 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.(B)
Day 6 Pingyao
Today explore Pingyao. With over twenty residences, temples and
monuments there is plenty to see. Places of interest include the
Ming Dynasty City Walls, the Rishengchang Financial House Museum
and bank, the lavish Former Residence of Lei Lutai, Confucian Temple
and old City Tower. After lunch visit 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.(B).
Day 7 Pingyao to Taiyuan – by road
Taiyuan to Zhengzhou – 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.
Afterwards, continue onto Taiyuan Railway Station in good time to catch
the train to Zhengzhou. On your arrival you will be met and transferred
to the Crowne Plaza Zhengzhou where you will stay overnight. (B)
Day 8 Visit Nanjie Cun
Nanjie Cun to Kaifeng
Today 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.
In the afternoon leave Nanjie Cun and drive to Kaifeng where we will
tay for two nights at the New Century Grand Hotel. One of Henan's
ancient capitals, Kaifeng is a thriving town located south of the
Yellow River.(B/L)
Day 9 Kaifeng
This morning explore Kaifeng. Places of interest include the Iron Pagoda,
the Temple of the Chief Minister which was first founded in 555 AD, the old
City Walls and the vibrant and busy night market.(B)
Day 10 Kaifeng to Luoyang – by road
After breakfast 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.
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.(B).
Day 11 Luoyang to Zhengzhou – by road
Zhengzhou to Shanghai – by air
This morning 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. Later continue to Zhengzhou
Airport to catch your onward flight to Shanghai. On your arrival you
will be met and transferred to the Grand Hyatt Hotel where you will
stay for the next three nights.(B)
Day 12 Shanghai
This morning enjoy guided sightseeing of this vibrant city which will
include the Jade Buddha Temple, Chinatown and the Yu Yuan Garden. After
lunch head to the French Concession for a walking tour for this historic,
atmospheric and largely residential area of the city. End the day at the
excellent Shanghai Museum and Shanghai's most famous shopping street
Nanjing Road.(B)
Day 13 Shanghai – visit Zhujiajiao
Tongli and Luzhi
Today 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. Afterwards continue onto Tongli and Luzhi,
both attractive, but little visited canal towns, the former dating
from the 9th Century AD.(B)
Day 14 Shanghai to Xiamen – by air
Xiamen to Quanzhou – by road
Quanzhou to Longyan – by road
This morning transfer to Shanghai Airport to catch your onward flight
to Xiamen. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to Quanzhou,
an old port on the maritime silk route. Eulogized by Marco Polo, 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 where you will stay overnight.(B)
Day 15 Longyan to Yongdin – by road
Yongdin to Xiamen – by road
Xiamen to Hong Kong – by air
Today 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.
pend the day exploring this unique, remote and little-visited region
to see how the Hakka people live. Later return to Xiamen Airport for
the onward flight to Hong Kong. On your arrival you will be met and
transferred to the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel for one night. (B/L)
Day 16 Depart Hong Kong
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 at London Heathrow
Early morning arrival in London
STAYING ON
Beautiful Lijiang with its cobbled streets, red lanterns and spectacular local scenery is easily reached by air via Kunming. A wonderful place to experience old China, visits can also be made to Tiger Leaping Gorge and Dali..
Adventure is close at hand for those wishing to walk the Great Wall. Covering three different sections of the Great Wall, this rewarding this three day trek requires energy and determination to counter the challenging uneven paths and steep steps.
Pandas at Chengdu can easily be incorporated with many flights to the city. Other highlights include Leshan's famous Grand Buddha as well as Mount Emei, one of the most sacred mountains in China.
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 –HIDDEN 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
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