IMPERIAL CHINA TRIANGLE

DAY 1 ARRIVE SHANGHAI
Transfer to your hotel

DAY 2: SHANGHAI
This morning 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. Following is a visit to the beautifully maintained Yu Garden, an outstanding example of a classical garden dating from the 16th century. Then comes the renowned Shanghai Museum which is famous for its collection of paintings, sculptures, porcelain, costumes, ancient bronzes and other artefacts. Later take a cruise across the Huangpu River to ascend the Grand Hyatt tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings, for an astonishing view over the whole city. (B/L)

DAY 3: SHANGHAI – XIAN
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. After the transfer to your hotel you will walk along Xian’s massive City wall, one of the best preserved in China, and this evening you will enjoy the lavish spectacle of the Tang Dynasty Show. (B/L/D)

DAY 4: XIAN
This morning you will view the excavated Terracotta Warriors and Horses, buried over 2000 years ago to guard the tomb of the first emperor. (B/L)

DAY 5: XIAN – BEIJING
This morning there is a visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda situated in the grounds of a temple founded by the Tang emperor Gaozong in 684 AD. After lunch you will fly to Beijing where, as an introduction to this city, 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. (B/L)

DAY 6: BEIJING
Today you will visit 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 is followed by a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s old Hutong District, a fascinating maze of narrow alleys, with old houses and hidden courtyards, where people who live and work here welcome you into their homes. (B/L)

DAY 7: 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. Returning to the city 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. (B/L)

DAY 8: 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.
The afternoon is at your leisure. (B/L)

DAY 9: DEPART BEIJING
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

COST PER PERSON – Land Only

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