The Best of Shanghai, Xian & Beijing

You will stay in the Dongfang Hotel in Beijing or similar, the King Dynasty or similar in Xian and the Greenland Jiulong or similar in Shanghai. All rooms feature private facilities and air-conditioning. Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

All meals are included whilst in China. Breakfast is western continental style, followed by Chinese lunch and dinner, each consisting of a variety of chinese dishes.

Day 1: UK/Shanghai

Depart on your scheduled flight to Shanghai.

Day 2: Shanghai

Arrive in Shanghai, where you will be met by your Chinese guide and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Meals: Dinner

Day 3: Shanghai

Shanghai has to be seen to be believed! It is the fastest developing city in China, if not the world, and it is a vibrant and exciting seaport. Shanghai’s colourful history is embedded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and today this combines with exciting modernity and a glimpse into China’s future.

At its heart is the Huangpu River, with its constant and extraordinary stream of water traffic. The Bund, the city’s famous riverside boulevard, is lined with magnificent former colonial buildings, which now stand as monuments to Shanghai’s one-time notoriety.

The labyrinth of streets in the Old Town form a stark contrast with modern Nanjing Road - Shanghai is a shopping Mecca. By night, the city is a culinary delight - with all sorts of local and international foods and entertainment that just goes on and on.

Our included sightseeing programme shows you the best of Shanghai. Highlights include the thronging shopping thoroughfare of Nanjing Road, the traditional Old Town, with its ancient Wu Xing Ting Teahouse, and the classic Yu Yuan Gardens. You will also visit the beautiful Jade Buddha Temple. This evening there is the opportunity to see the spectacular Shanghai Acrobats.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 4: Xian

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. On arrival you will visit the city wall to experience a traditional welcome ceremony before continuing to the Shanxi Museum, home to many traditional artefacts. You’ll then transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 5: Xian

Xian, the ‘City of Eternal Peace’, was once the flourishing capital of China and the most important city in Asia. The recent archaeological discoveries near the city have staggered the imagination, for it is here that the first Qin emperor was interred in 200 BC with at least 6,000 life-size terracotta figures representing the individuals of the Imperial Guard. They are grouped in battle order, rank by rank, some mounted on horse-drawn chariots, others armed with spears, swords and crossbows. This dazzling display of ancient Chinese military power is quite simply one of the world’s most remarkable sights. We include a visit to the site of the Terracotta Army at Li Shan Mountain. Later in the day you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing, where three nights’ accommodation has been arranged.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 6: Beijing

Beijing is an extraordinary city. Ancient temples and palaces, with golden curved roofs and exquisite marble and jade, stand proudly beside the vast 20th century civic buildings created by Chairman Mao and his people. The most modern architecture can be seen with the iconic Olympic buildings. These include the National Aquatics Centre, better known as the Water Cube and the National Stadium, better known as the Bird’s Nest.

Daily life in Beijing is a truly spellbinding sight to the first time visitor. It is a city of millions of bicycles, bustling street markets and food stalls, horses and carts, crowded buses and, above all, warm, dignified and friendly people, eager to welcome and please their visitors.

Today we include an introductory city tour, visiting the heart of Beijing - Tiananmen Square. It is the largest public square in the world, bordered by the Qianmen Gate, the Great Hall of the People and the Gate of Heavenly Peace. After lunch you go through the gate, which forms the entrance to the incredible Forbidden City, to marvel at the magnificent buildings that house the Imperial Palace from which China was ruled by the imperial dynasties for hundreds of years. During your guided tour you will see magnificent collections of Chinese bronzes, porcelain, paintings, jade and other treasures.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 7: Beijing

This morning we include a visit to the Great Wall. It is some 3,800 miles long and at least 2,600 years old. The Great Wall See page 153 for details. winds through the hills of northern China and passes within 40 miles of Beijing at Badaling, where it is wide enough to allow five horsemen to ride abreast. Here you will have plenty of time to walk along the historic ramparts and marvel at its size and grandeur. This evening we include a Peking duck dinner.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 8: Beijing/UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK via Shanghai, arriving later the same day.

Meals: Breakfast