Starting with Shanghai which can be regarded today as China’s economic “capital”, you travel on to five cities that have been capitals across China’s long history. Hangzhou’s Lingyin Temple and famous scenic West lake; Nanjing’s Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum; Xian’s Terracotta Warriors and massive city walls; Luoyang’s 100,000 Buddha images at the Longmen Caves and its ancient White Horse Temple; Beijing’s incomparable wonders the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace represent only the Highlights of this relatively short tour. Together with the surrounding activities of the tour, you will experience an action packed tour of these ancient cities that have had profound impact on China. A wonderful short introduction to what China has to offer.
You transfer to your hotel.
Today you will take a 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. Later take a cruise across the river to ascend the Shanghai World Financial Centre Observatory, one of the world’s tallest buildings, for an astonishing view over the whole city. Tonight you will be entertained by Shanghai’s famous Acrobatic show. (B/L/D)
This morning you visit the beautifully maintained Yu Garden, an outstanding example of a classical garden dating from the 16th century, now surrounded by a bustling market area.
You transfer to the station for your fast train to Hangzhou. (B/L)
This morning you will visit the Lingyin Temple, one of the most famous Chan (Zen) temples in China. The temple was founded in 327 AD beside a mountain believed to have arrived miraculously by air from India. Then you will take a cruise on the incomparable West Lake, for centuries one of China’s best known scenic attractions. (B /L)
Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, has been the capital of several regimes including the early period of the Ming Dynasty; in the mid 19th century the Taiping Rebellion; and, more recently, that of Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist government. Many relics of the Ming period remain and the fine avenues lined with plane trees are a reminder of the development the city underwent during Chiang Kai-shek’s time.
This afternoon, you will visit Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum. Sun Yat-sen who established the Republic of China after the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, is regarded as the father of modern China.
Later you will move to one of the great sights of Nanjing, the 4500m 7 road and rail bridge spanning the Yangtze. It is a major engineering feat and, high above the river and the views from
it are impressive. (B/L/D)
This morning you transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. Over 1,000 years ago, Xian was the capital of the Tang Dynasty, and at that time the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the world. This evening you will enjoy the lavish spectacle of the Tang Dynasty Show. (B/L/D)
This morning you will view the excavated Terracotta Warriors, buried over 2000 years ago to guard the tomb of the first emperor Qinshihuang, China’s great unifier, who died in 210 BC. Later you will walk along the massive Xian City Wall, one of the best preserved in China. (B/L)
Today you will travel by train to Luoyang which has been the capital of several dynasties. After lunch you will drive south to the Longmen Caves where some 100,000 images of Buddha and his disciples have been carved in a series of caves and niches along the cliffs. Later you will visit the Baimasi (White Horse Temple), the oldest known Buddhist foundation in China. (B/L/D)
You fly to Beijing. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
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. Lying behind is the Forbidden City, where the magnificent marble courtyards, huge halls, gilded temples and ornate pavilions, the residence of the emperors and their families, are now open toyour wonderment. After lunch, there will be a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s old Hutong District, dating from Yuan Dynasty times (14th century), 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)
Today you will be taken north to pace the ramparts of China’s famed Great Wall, originally constructed over 2000 years ago to keep northern invaders at bay. On your return you will make a photo stop at Beijing National Olympic Stadium. (Bird’s Nest) (B/L)
Today you travel to Chengde by train, known as the Emperor’s Summer Getaway. Lush Forests, bleak rock formations and unique temples make your trip memorable. This town boasts the largest imperial summer retreat complex in China. (B/L/D)
Today you will also visit the famed Eight Outer Temples built during the reins of Emperor Kangxi and his grandson Qianlong. One of the areas eight temples that cannot be missed is Putzongcheng Zhi Miao, a replica of Lhasa’s Potala Palace. During your visit, you will enjoy the view from the top of the temple which is stunning. Beyond the temples the surrounding dry mountains of northern Hebei Province recede into the hazy distance. You will then return to Beijing in the late afternoon by train. (B/L)
Day at your leisure. (B)
Transfer to the airport. (B)
| Daily Departure | **** | ***** | ||
| Twin Share | Single Supplement | Twin Share | Single Supplement | |
| Apr, Nov 12 | $3399 | $896 | $4245 | $1690 |
| May, Sep-Oct 12 | $3515 | $985 | $4525 | $1935 |
| Jun-Aug 12 | $3399 | $896 | $4245 | $1690 |
| Dec 12, Jan-Feb 13 | $3240 | $765 | $4030 | $1498 |
The prices of above tour are based on the basis of a minimum of 2 persons travelling together.
For more details on what is included in this tour please click here