PG-01 Taste of China
BEIJING ► XIAN ► SHANGHAI
7 nights from UK £ 2,180 / US$ 2,725
Start your taste of China in BEIJING, a real highlight with so much to see both from the past and present.
A modern bullet train will take you onto XIAN the capital of Tang Dynasty China and home of the extraordinary Terra Cotta Warriors.
There is no better place to round off your China experience than SHANGHAI with it’s neon skyline and cosmopolitan bustle.
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TRIP MAP & DESTINATIONS VISITED
DAY BY DAY TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrival Beijing
Arrival Beijing With Time to Relax at the Hotel
Welcome to Beijing, China’s cultural and political capital and a real highlight with it’s extraordinary blend of ancient and modern sights. Your guide will greet you at the airport with a transfer by private car to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax from the long flight or start to explore the city with the help of your personalised and exclusive Trip Guidebook we send you before the trip. The area around your centrally located hotel is perfect for an introductory walk.
Meals Included: None today.
Day 2 - Beijing
The Great Wall at Stunning Mutianyu & the Ming Tombs
Today we will be showing you one of China’s most famous sights – the Great Wall. We visit the dramatic and less crowded Mutianyu section 70 km from Beijing set amongst spectacular mountain scenery. Dating back to the 6th Century and largely rebuilt in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty, it is one of the best preserved sections of the wall largely due to the high standard of construction. Today’s tour includes the cable car up and down from the Wall.
After, drive to the Ming Tombs, the burial place of 13 Ming Dynasty Emperors between 1368 to 1644AD some of whom oversaw the construction of the wall section you saw earlier. The tombs are approached along the scared way guarded by giant marble figures and animals.
Return to your hotel with the rest of the evening free or just ask us for suggestions of shows or cultural activities.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast & Restaurant Lunch.
Day 3 - Beijing
Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Summer Palace
Today you will see the main highlights of Beijing starting with the Temple of Heaven, considered by many to be the most beautiful building in China. On to vast Tiananmen Square, home to the Mao Mausoleum (it may be possible to visit if open) and Monument to the People’s Heroes before walking to the huge palace complex of the Forbidden City. We’ll walk up the middle axis from South to North taking in the splendour of the most important central buildings before finishing in a small and ancient garden by the north gate.
The last stop today is at the Summer Palace to the west of Beijing. Dominated by Kunming lake it is as popular an escape from the city for todays Beijingers as it was for the Imperial court over the centuries.
Return to your hotel with the rest of the evening free or just ask us for suggestions of shows or cultural activities.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast & Restaurant Lunch.
Day 4 - Beijing to Xian
Explore Old Beijing by Rickshaw Stopping at Prince Gong’s Mansion Before a Bullet Train on to Xian
This morning step back in time with a trip by cycle rickshaw through some of Beijing’s ancient residential Hutongs – the heart and soul of the city. The Hutongs surround the Forbidden city and the closer you lived to the Emperor the more important you were socially. Today the Hutongs are preserved in the centre of Beijing and provide a fascinating insight into traditional Chinese city life. There is also luxury in the Hutongs and we visit Prince Gong’s Mansion, an extravagant residential complex of gardens and pavilions built in 1777.
After the tour a transfer to the station to catch a bullet train. Reaching speeds of over 300 km/hour the overall trip is on a par with flying with the added bonuses of views from the window and being able to stretch your legs.
Late afternoon arrival in Xian, China’s Tang Dynasty Capital and terminus of the Silk Road with a transfer to your hotel to overnight.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.
Day 5 - Xian
The Terra Cotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, City Walls & Muslim Quarter
Today visit one of China’s most extraordinary sights, the Terra Cotta Army built by China’s first Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 246 BC. Several thousand of the life-sized soldiers are on display and, with no two soldiers looking alike, make for a truly impressive spectacle.
We also visit a relic of the Tang Dynasty, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, home to some of the most famous Buddhist scriptures in China. It is possible to climb the pagoda – you will need to buy a ticket locally if you wish to do this – for views over Xian. Continue to the 14 km Ming Dynasty City Walls which are up to 18 meters thick at the base and 12 meters in height. It is possible to hire bicycles and ride some sections of the wall – local rental payment required.
Finish the day with a wander through Xian’s vibrant Muslim quarter, including a visit to the Great Mosque, unusually built entirely in the Chinese architectural style. This area is an excellent place to souvenir shop.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast & Restaurant Lunch.
Day 6 - Xian to Shanghai
Bullet Train on to China’s Financial Capital of Shanghai
After breakfast a transfer to the station for a bullet train to Shanghai.
Late afternoon arrival in Shanghai, China’s exciting and futuristic financial capital and living testament to China’s phenomenal growth. Your guide and driver will meet and transfer you to your hotel.
The rest of the evening is free to start exploring the city with the Bund along the Huangpu River looking particularly impressive at night.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.
Day 7 - Shanghai
Yuyuan Gardens, Old Shanghai, Antique Market, the Bund, Skyscraper & Acrobats
Today a full day private tour of some of Shanghai’s highlights starting with the classical Yuyuan Garden that dates back to 1577. Surrounding the garden is Old Shanghai, an area that has been a vibrant commercial centre for over a century. Here we visit Fuyou Road antique market, one of the best places for souvenir hunting and a fascinating experience even if not shopping. The tour continues with a walk down the Bund along which the Huangpu River runs and where some of Asia’s finest colonial architecture is located. From here we cross the River by ferry to Shanghai’s ultra modern Pudong Financial district for a bird’s eye view of the city from the top of one of the stunning skyscrapers.
There is no better way to round off this Shanghai experience than with a visit to the world famous Chinese Acrobats for a show filled with colour and excitement.
Return to your hotel or head out to sample Shanghai’s vibrant nightlife.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast & Restaurant Lunch.
Day 8 - Depart Shanghai
Take the Ultra Fast Maglev to the Airport for Your Flight Out of China
Free time until a transfer to the Maglev station for the world’s fastest train to Pudong Airport to catch your flight out of China. Your transfer guide will buy a standard class Maglev ticket for you and make sure you get on the train which takes just 8 minutes to cover the 30km to the airport reaching a top speed of 430 km / hour (300 km / hour before 9am).
We sincerely hope that you have had a fantastic China experience with us full of all the memories which make this country such a fascinating destination that continues to inspire us!
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS TRIP
The hotels & accommodation used for this trip are from our hand picked selection and all are excellent for their class. We also offer upgraded hotels in most locations. Click here to explore additional hotel options and let us know of any changes you wish to make.
TOUR INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
What is included?
Transport between destinations as described.
All accommodation as specified under the accommodation tab
All private transfers and any other transportation as described
All meals as specified in the itinerary
All tours as specified in the itinerary
All entrance fees to sights toured in the itinerary
24 hour emergency assistance
Visa Paperwork required in order to obtain the visas
Financial Peace of Mind as your trip is protected
What is not included?
International Airfare to / from the start / finish of your trip – we can book these flights on request The Chinese visa – we can advise and partner with
Citybond Suretravel (UK residents only)
Travel insurance to cover any medical treatment – we have partnered withDiscretionary gratuities to drivers and guides