China Highlights - First Class Collection

Day 1. Beijing
Arrival in Beijing, reception and transfer to your hotel. Beijing is a city of contrasts, an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites, and a bustling modern metropolis which hosted the 2008 Olympics. Free day to rest and recover. We have arranged a body massage to help you relax. Your guide will meet you and take you to a popular local restaurant to sample some of the delights of Beijing's great food culture.

Day 2. Beijing (B, L & D)
After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to visit the Great Wall - Mutianyu Section which has unique characteristics compared to the other sections of the wall. It is situated among beautiful landscapes. This section is formed by three connected watch towers and has a comfortable cable car ride to the top. You can choose to come down by toboggan if you dare. Lunch is at local restaurant near the Wall. In the afternoon, you will be taught simple Chinese language and learn about the culture in a 2 hour class at a Tea House where local people enjoy meeting their friends. The experienced bilingual teacher will teach you the simple but practical words and phrases and introduce you to local culture. Dinner is at Quanjude Restaurant, which serves possibly the best Peking duck in China.

Day 3. Beijing (B, L & D)
After breakfast, you will experience an ancient Emperor's daily life. First you will visit the Forbidden City, from where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties governed for over 500 years. The magnificent and solemn palace will feed your imagination with the life of Chinese emperors past. We have arranged a private viewing of the Treasure Houses of the Qing Dynasty royalty and Hall of Clocks and Watches. These areas are off limits to most tour groups. Lunch at the famous local restaurant- Wahaha. In the afternoon, you continue to Tiananmen Square, the symbol of Beijing. Dinner will the at the fabulous Imperial Dinner at Beihai Park. All dishes are selected from the favorite foods of the Ming & Qing Royal family and served in a famous old restaurant in the park.

Day 4. Beijing (B, L & D)
After tasting the royal lifestyle yesterday, today will be a wonderful opportunity to experience the lives of the Chinese people today. We begin by joining the thousands of old people at the Temple of Heaven as they practice their Tai Chi. Afterwards we head off to take a rickshaw ride to Hutongs where you will visit the local flea market. You may find some interesting things and practice your bargaining skills. After a local lunch, rest in a local house in the Hutong and review the Chinese words and sentences you have learnt previously. Talk with a family if you like. Under the watchful eye of a 70 year old Grandma you can learn the ancient art of Chinese knot tying. Finish the day with a spectacular Kungfu show. Dinner.

Day 5. Beijing - Xian (B, L & D)
After breakfast, free morning to explore more of the city or to sample some of Beijing's shopping. Transfer to the airport for the early afternoon flight to Xian. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Dinner.

Day 6. Xian (B & D)
After breakfast, you will set off for on an incredible voyage to see the 2200 year-old Terra cotta warriors which are part of the underground tomb of the Emperor Qin. With over 7000 figures, adorned in full battle array they are all housed in several large pits. Many of the figures, including soldiers, archers, horses and chariots, have been restored. Repairs and excavations continue at the site to this day where you can see both repaired and broken warriors in a truly impressive display. After the visit, return to the city to taste China's unique food, dumplings. If you are interested, the chef can also show you how they are made. In the afternoon, you will drive to the Grand Mosque which is one of the four grand Islamic mosques in China, over 1,200 years old. One of the highlights of today will be the evening show, which presents the palace dances and songs of the Tang Dynasty when Xi'an was the capital of ancient China. During dinner at the show we include wine with your meal and invite you to sample some of China's famous rice wine.

Day 7. Xian - Shanghai (B, L & D)
Before flying to Shanghai, you have the opportunity to take part in a Tai Chi class. Your guide will supply you with a Tai Chi costume which is yours to keep. Your Tai Chi lesson will be held on the Ancient City Wall, a landmark of Xi'an city. The professional trainer can speak English and he will introduce this martial art to you as a method of relaxation and of enjoying life. For the energetic, we recommend a bike ride along the top of the wall. After lunch at a local restaurant, your guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner.

Day 8. Shanghai (B, L & D)
After breakfast you will visit the lovely old Yuyuan Garden, the Shanghai Museum, the Jade Buddha Temple, and the famous Oriental Tower (also known as the Pearl Tower, for its distinctive shape). We take you to the very top where you can have wonderful views over Shanghai and the Huang Pu River. In the afternoon, you can have a relaxing walk through the French Concession Region to enjoy the beautiful old homes and gardens. We have arranged to have lunch served in the original old consulate building.

Day 9 Shanghai - Zhouzhuang - Shanghai (B, L & D)
After breakfast, we head out for Zhouzhuang, a town surrounded by water with many branching streams, stone bridges and old residences with black tiles and white wells.You will walk along the best route to visit Shen Family, Zhang Family Twin Bridge and the ancient town. Return drive back to Shanghai in the late afternoon. Private vehicle, entrance fee, lunch and guide included. Dinner at your hotel.

Day 10. Shanghai (B)
After breakfast, you will finish your China voyage with a return trip to Shanghai airport on the Maglev, the first operational high-speed conventional maglev railway in the world, the Shanghai Maglev Train from downtown Shanghai (Shanghai Metro) to the Pudong International Airport. Inaugurated in 2002, the highest speed achieved on the Shanghai track has been 501 km/h (311 mph), over a track length of 30 km. Return back to your hotel before transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

End of Services.

Day 1. Beijing
Day 2. Beijing (B, L & D)
Day 3. Beijing (B, L & D)
Day 4. Beijing (B, L & D)
Day 5. Beijing - Xian (B, L & D)
Day 6. Xian (B & D)
Day 7. Xian - Shanghai (B, L & D)
Day 8. Shanghai (B, L & D)
Day 9 Shanghai - Zhouzhuang - Shanghai (B, L & D)
Day 10. Shanghai (B)

The GBP price includes international return flights from London in economy class, accommodation in 4 star hotels in standard rooms, all private tours with an English speaking guide, all entrances fees, transfers in private in mini buses, all meals as indicated in the itinerary, domestic flights in economy class and all taxes.

Meals not specified and travel insurance are not included. Business class and First class international air ticket quotes provided upon request. The US$ price does not include the international return flights.
Notes
Accommodation subject to hotel space availability at the time of booking.
Prices are valid from January 2024 to February 2024 but not valid during major holiday periods in China (January 25 - January 31, May 1-May 3, September 30 - October 7 2024, February 13 - February 19, 2024).
Shanghai prices are not valid during the F1 period.