The Experience
Travellers are invited to embrace the history and culture of China with this 11-day guided tour. During the trip, holidaymakers will have the opportunity to explore Beijing, visit the historic Tiananmen Square and the mysterious Forbidden City, as well as the ancient Great Wall and Suzhou old town. The excursion will also reveal the modernity of Shanghai with attractions, such as the Huangpu River Night Cruise, while the five-star hotel accommodation will provide indulgence after busy days of sightseeing.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Departure City - Beijing
Departure for Beijing on the overnight international flight.
Day 2: Beijing
Arrive at the airport of Beijing, welcomed by the tour guide and transfer to hotel. Hotel: Wyndham Beijing North (five-star) or similar
Day 3: Beijing (breakfast and lunch)
After breakfast, visit the Tiananmen Square which is the largest city square in the world, then enter the imperial–red walls of the ornate Forbidden City, the emperor’s palace – off limits to commoners for centuries.
After lunch, free time in the afternoon, or join us with our optional excursion. Optional tour in Beijing: tour during the afternoon and dinner (Beijing duck), NZD99 per person Hotel: Wyndham Beijing North (five-star) or similar
Day 4: Beijing (breakfast and lunch)
Enjoy the excursion to the ancient Great Wall (Juyongguan Pass), originally built as protection from the Huns and other Nomadic tribes and never completely fulfilled its purpose. “Who has not climbed the great wall is not a true hero”, this proverb testifies to the great respect that the Chinese show for this structure. In the afternoon, visit the famous research centre for Chinese traditional medicine “Tong Ren Tang”.
Optional show(night) in Beijing: The Golden Mask Dynasty, NZD69 per person Hotel: Wyndham Beijing North (five-star) or similar
Day 5:Beijing - Suzhou (breakfast and lunch)
After breakfast, visit the Summer Palace, the Imperial Garden in the Qing Dynasty. Then visit the pearl factory. In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Suzhou and transfer to hotel. Hotel: Wyndham Garden Suzhou (five-star) or similar
Day 6: Suzhou - Hangzhou (breakfast and lunch)
After breakfast, visit the old town. As a large area of the city is covered by water, Suzhou is known as “Venice of the East”. Holidaymakers will take a cruise along the ancient canal to view life along China’s golden waterway in its heyday. Then visit the Silk factory. After lunch, transfer to Hangzhou by coach.
Hotel: Zheshang New Century Grand Hotel (five-star) or similar
Day 7: Hangzhou Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) (breakfast and lunch)
Hangzhou is well known for its beauty of the natural landscape and historic monuments. Travellers will visit the village for the plantation of world-renowned “Longjing Dragon Well Tea”. After lunch, transfer to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) by coach. Upon arrival, visit the old town and then rest up in the hotel.
Hotel: Huangshan International Hotel (five-star) or similar
Day 8: Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) (breakfast)
A day at leisure to explore at your own pace, or join us with our optional excursion on Yellow Mountain, who is well known for its beauty, peculiarly-shaped granite peaks, Huangshan pine trees, and the landscape which the clouds often surround the hills. This mythical mountain constantly changes its image due to the winds and drizzle, which is favoured by traditional Chinese painting and literature.
Optional tour in Huangshan: Excursion on Yellow Mountain with round-trip cable and lunch, NZD179 per person Hotel: Huangshan International Hotel (five-star) or similar
Day 9: Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) - Shanghai (breakfast and lunch)
After breakfast, transfer to Shanghai by coach. Upon arrival, visit the bund, where customers can experience the modernity of Shanghai. Then take a night tour of Shanghai including a “Huangpu River Night Cruise”.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Shanghai Pudong (five-star) or similar
Day 10: Shanghai (breakfast)
After breakfast, visit the Shanghai Museum (Closed on Mondays) and see ancient Chinese art, furniture and jade, followed by a visit to an Emerald exhibition centre. Free time in the afternoon, or join us with our optional excursion.
Optional tour in Shanghai and an exciting Acrobatics Show, NZD79 per person Hotel: Crowne Plaza Shanghai Pudong (five-star) or similar
Day 11: Shanghai - Home (breakfast)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight back home. End of trip.