CHINA EXPERIENCE

Day 1: Arrive Beijing
Transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Beijing
After breakfast you will visit Tiananmen Square, look across the vast space to the Great Hall of the People and stand before the massive Tiananmen (Heavenly Peace) Gate bearing a huge portrait of Mao Zedong, who stood here to proclaim the People’s Republic on 1 October 1949. Lying behind is the Forbidden City, as the former imperial palace is called, where the magnificent marble courtyards, huge halls, gilded temples and ornate pavilions frequented by the emperors and their families are now open to your gaze. This evening a traditional Peking Duck dinner completes a very special day. (B/L/D)

Day 3: Beijing
You will be taken north today to pace the ramparts of China’s famed Great Wall, originally constructed over 2000 years ago to keep invaders from the north at bay. Later you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where the emperors carried out the most important sacrifices and ceremonies of the year. Set in a huge park planted with conifers, the buildings here represent the epitome of Ming architecture. This evening a traditional Peking Duck dinner completes a very special day. (B/L/D)

Day 4: Beijing
Today you will visit the Summer Palace, originally constructed by the emperor Qianlong to celebrate his mother’s 60th birthday in 1751 and later the favourite retreat of the dowager empress Cixi until her death in 1908. Languid willows and painted pavilions surround a scenic lake, across which are enchanting views to the pagoda-capped Jade Spring Hill and the mountains beyond. After lunch there will be a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s old hutong district, a fascinating maze of narrow alleys, old houses and hidden courtyards where people who live and work here welcome you into their homes. (B/L)

Day 5: Beijing – Shanghai
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, transferring to your hotel on arrival. Walk along the famous Bund past the facades of the colonial buildings lining the Huangpu River and look across to the soaring TV tower and fantastic skyscrapers of the Pudong district on the opposite side. After lunch you will visit the beautifully maintained Yu Garden, an outstanding example of a classical garden dating from the 16th century, and explore the bustling market area which now surrounds it. This evening you will be entertained by one of Shanghai’s famous acrobatic troupes. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Shanghai
This morning you will ascend the Minshan Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings, for an astonishing view over the whole city and its amazing developments. Next comes a visit to the renowned Shanghai Museum which looks across the People’s Square to the new Grand Theatre. The museum is famous for its collection of paintings, sculptures, porcelain, costumes, ancient bronzes and other artifacts and provides a wonderful insight into Chinese culture. After lunch enjoy a free afternoon. Perhaps you will want to explore the shops along Nanjing and Huahai Roads, tour the interior of the Grand Theatre or take a cruise on the Huangpu River.(B/L)

Day 7: Shanghai Leisure (B)
Today is at your leisure to explore more of this developing city on your own. There are many more things to see for those with time to spare, for instance the Jade Buddha and Longhua Temples and the Shanghai Botanic Garden. It is also possible to take a cruise on the Huangpu River or a one-day tour to the old canal town of Xitang.

Day 8: Depart Shanghai
After breakfast, transfer to the Maglev train to Pudong airport for your onward flight. (B)

The prices of above tour are quoted on the basis of a minimum of 2 persons travelling together.