Day 1 – Arrival in Beijing

Our guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area at Beijing Airport and transfer you to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Meals: No meals provided.

Day 2 – Beijing

Attractions: Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, Peking Roast Duck Dinner

Today you will have the opportunity to climb the ancient steps at Mutianyu Great Wall which is one of the best preserved sections of the wall and less crowded than Badaling. You can avoid the steep climb by riding a cable car up. On the way back to Beijing you will visit the Ming Tombs and the magnificent Lingsi Palace. You will also stop by the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube for an outside view of the unique constructions built for the 2008 Olympic Games.

For dinner, you will have a chance to taste the famous Peking Roast Duck.

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, Dinner – Peking Roast Duck

Day 3 – Beijing

Attractions: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Hutongs, Temple of Heaven, Legend of Kung Fu Show

You will start today’s tour with a visit to Tiananmen Square, which is the largest city-central square in the world. To the north is the magnificent Tiananmen Gate with its five openings. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the passage in the middle leading to the Forbidden City was reserved for the emperor himself.  Now you can walk through it to explore the largest and best-preserved imperial palace in China.

In the afternoon you will have a chance to tour the Beijing ‘hutongs’ by rickshaw. These are the narrow back alleyways where you can get a glimpse of how Beijing used to be. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local family and look inside a traditional courtyard house.

Finally visit the Temple of Heaven where the Emperors once worshiped heaven and prayed for good harvests. Now you can watch the locals practicing tai chi, playing various musical instruments and flying kites. If you wish you can fly a kite too.

In the evening you will enjoy The Legend of Kung Fu at the Red Theatre. It follows the story of a young boy who dreams of becoming a Fung Fu master. There are English subtitles above the stage to keep you informed of the story line. The actors do not speak, the show is all about Kung Fu, dance and acrobatics.

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel

Day 4 – Beijing to Xi’an

Attractions: Beijing Zoo, Musical Fountain

In the morning you will visit the Beijing Zoo where you will see pandas. After lunch you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Xi’an.

In the evening you will marvel at the biggest musical fountain in Asia. This beautiful symphony of water, music and light is set against the dramatic backdrop of the thousand year old Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Get wet if you dare!

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel

Day 5 – Xi’an

Attractions: The Terracotta Warriors, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter, Riding Bikes on the City Wall, Dumpling Banquet

Today you will head for Xi’an’s most famous attraction, the Terracotta Warriors. Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210BC. Prepare to be impressed.

Then you will visit the Great Mosque and round off your trip by exploring the adjacent Muslim Quarter with its myriad of interesting handicraft and snack shops. Be ready to bargain!

Finally you will visit the City Wall which was initially built as a military defense system over 600 years ago. From the wall you can appreciate magnificent ancient constructions and admire the surrounding urban landscape. Enjoy the experience of riding bicycles along the wall.

After your bike ride you will be ready to feast on a traditional Dumpling Banquet, a specialty of the region, afterwards enjoying a performance of music and dance from the Tang Dynasty.

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, Dinner – Dumpling Banquet

Day 6 – Xi’an to Shanghai

Attractions: Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Dumpling Making

The day’s tour begins at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang brought back from his epic journey to India. The pagoda is one of the most distinctive and outstanding landmarks of Xi’an. If you wish you can climb to the top of the tower.

Last night you enjoyed a Dumpling Banquet, now you will learn how to make them! The teacher will show you some of the basic skills and of course you will be able to sample them.

Later in the afternoon you will fly to Shanghai and be transferred to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in your hotel

Day 7 – Shanghai

Attractions: Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Gardens, Shanghai World Financial Center, The Bund, Evening Cruise

Today will be a busy day as you tour the highlights of Shanghai beginning at the Jade Buddha Temple and the exquisite classic Yuyuan Gardens. There are lots of rockeries, ponds, pavilions and corridors to explore.

When it was completed in 2007 the Shanghai World Financial Center was the second tallest building in the world. The observation deck is at 474 metres offering amazing views of Shanghai. Return to the Bund side of the river through the Bund Tourist Tunnel, a psychedelic ‘tram’ passage with neon lights. Rather kitschy but the kids will love it!

Stroll along the Bund past the colonial buildings before finishing the day with a cruise on the Huangpu River to view Shanghai by night.

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel

Day 8 – Shanghai

Attractions: Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Shanghai Municipal History Museum, Acrobatics Show

Begin the day at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. There are almost 30 exhibits covering all the world’s oceans as well as a walk through glass observation tunnel. Nearby in the basement of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the Shanghai Municipal History Museum. With lots of models and dioramas it is much more interesting than it sounds!

In the evening you can enjoy a performance of acrobatics.

Day 9 – Depart Shanghai

Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. If you are flying from Shanghai Pudong you can catch the Maglev, the world’s only commercial magnetically levitated train. At 430kph it is also the fastest train in the world in commercial operation.

Meals: Breakfast at your hotel