Highlights of China for the traveller with restricted time but who seeks to make the most of every minute. You’ll experience the best of China’s two great cities-Beijing, the country’s capital for over 700 years, and Shanghai, its glittering commercial centre. Walk along the Great Wall and the Shanghai Bund, visit the fascinating Shanghai Museum, see the Ming Tombs and Tiananmen Square, explore the splendors of the Forbidden City, wander through the grounds of the Summer Palace, and enjoy a Peking Duck dinner.
Transfer to your hotel.
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 bearing a huge portrait of Mao Zedong, who stood here to proclaim the People’s Republic on 1 October 1949. Lying behind is the Forbidden City, as the former imperial palace is called, where the magnificent marble courtyards, huge halls, gilded temples and ornate pavilions the residence of the emperors and their families are now open to your wonderment. After lunch there will be a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s old Hutong district, a fascinating maze of narrow alleys, old houses and hidden courtyards, dating from Yuan Dynasty times (14th century), where people who live and work here welcome you into their homes. (B/L/D)
You will be taken north today to pace the ramparts of China’s famed Great Wall, originally constructed over 2000 years ago to keep northern invaders at bay. This evening a traditional Peking Duck dinner completes a very special day. (B/L/D)
Today you will visit the Summer Palace, the famed pleasure garden of Qing emperors, 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 t
o the pagoda-capped Jade Spring Hill and the mountains beyond.
Finally you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where the emperors, for the good of the empire, carried out the most important sacrifices and ceremonies of the year. Set in a huge park planted with conifers, the beautiful blue-tiled buildings here represent the epitome of Ming architecture. (B/L)
At leisure today. You may shop for silk, jade and other treasures on famous Wanfujing Street, visit an antique market or more of the famous sights of the city. We’ve got maps and lots of suggestions — just ask! (B)
You transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, transferring to your hotel on arrival. Dominating the Yangtze Delta, Shanghai is the pulsating, commercial heart of China. 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. After lunch you will visit the beautifully maintained Yu Garden, an outstanding example of a classical garden dating from the 16th century, and explore the bustling market area which now surrounds it. This evening you will be entertained by one of Shanghai’s famous acrobatic troupes. (B/L)
This morning you will ascend the Shanghai World Financial Centre Observatory, one of the world’s tallest buildings, for an astonishing view over the whole city and its amazing developments. Next comes a visit to the renowned Shanghai Museum which looks across the People’s Square to the new Grand Theatre. The museum is famous for its collection of paintings, sculptures, porcelain, costumes, ancient bronzes and other artifacts and provides a wonderful insight into Chinese culture. After lunch enjoy a free afternoon. Perhaps you will want to explore the shops along Nanjing and Huahai Roads, tour the interior of the Grand Theatre or take a cruise on the Huangpu River. (B/L)
After breakfast, you transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
| Daily Departure | **** | ***** | ||
| Twin Share | Single Supplement | Twin Share | Single Supplement | |
| Apr, Nov 11 | $1595 | $460 | $2150 | $975 |
| May, Sep-Oct 11 | $1685 | $530 | $2295 | $1100 |
| Jun-Aug 11 | $1595 | $460 | $2150 | $975 |
| Dec 11, Jan-Feb 12 | $1495 | $365 | $1998 | $850 |
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