Day 1 - 2 Beijing
Beijing is the capital city of China. Your China tour starts with arriving in Beijing; you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The next day starts with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, where you will see local people practising Tai Chi, singing and doing calligraphy. Then take a leisurely walk through Tiananmen Square to the Forbidden City and enjoy the panoramic view of the Forbidden City from Jing-shan Hill. In the evening, you will sample one of China’s most famous dishes of all - a Peking Duck Dinner before you will marvel at a fantastic Kung Fu show, featuring a fusion of modern musical with Chinese traditional martial arts! simply mesmerising! (1B/1D)
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Day 3 - 4 Beijing
Stepping back in time to ancient China with a walk on the Great Wall at Mutianyu section, one way cable car up to one of high Watch Towner and then walk down, the way back to your hotel, visit a Cloisonné workshop to learn how the Chinese ancient technique of Cloisonné is used to make beautiful fine handcrafts. Take the time for a photo opportunity at the 2008 Olympic Site. Experience the best of China’s modern architecture at the Bird’s Nest National Stadium and Water Cube Aquatic Center. The next morning, enjoy the ride on a traditional rickshaw through the zigzag alleyways called Hutong to catch a glimpse into local Chinese life before heading off to the Summer Palace, where you will relax on a dragon boat ride across the Kunming Lake. Your Beijing tour ends with a transfer to the railway station for a comfortable overnight soft sleeper train to Xian. (2B/1D)
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Day 5 - 6 Xi'an
Having arrived for your Xian tour; you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, take a stroll (or even a bike ride!) on the original City Wall, and then explore the Old Muslim Quarter and Old Mosque. Tonight enjoy the local speciality dumpling dinner before the fabulous Tang Dynasty culture show. The next day, visit the historically significant and the amazing Terracotta Warriors - where 7000 individually-crafted clay soldiers stand on guard. Visit a workshop to learn how to make these warriors. Then continue to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built to house Buddhist scriptures collected by a Chinese Monk. You will see a variety of Buddha statues before flying to Chengdu. (2B/1D)
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Day 7 Chengdu
Chengdu is the hometown of Giant Panda. Today you will visit the fascinating Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre to learn more about these amazing endangered animals and the programs that are being implemented to protect them, watch these adorable pandas eating, playing and walking. Later, explore bustling teahouses and take a stroll in the lively People’s Park before being transferred to the railway station for your train trip to Chongqing, Upon arrival, you are transferred to your Yangtze Cruise ship. (1B)
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Day 8 - 9 Yangtze River Cruise
Your Yangtze River tour sails from Chonqing to Yichang, beginning with sailing through Xiling Gorge, Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. Now is the time to relax and enjoy magnificent views of various shapes of peaks, rolling hills and small towns along the river or you could participate in many of the Chinese cultural activities on board – such as Chinese Brush-painting shows, Chinese silk embroidery lessons and Tai Chi morning exercise classes. As part of your Yangtze Cruise tour, you will get to go ashore, visiting the Ghost City of Fengdu, taking a Sampan (wooden boat) tour to one of the Yangtze’s tributaries, and visiting the Three Gorges Dam project. While on board, your cruise ship will also pass through the world’s biggest five level ship lock. (2B/2L/2D)
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Day 10-11 Shanghai
Natural wonders come to an end when you depart your Yangtze River cruise at Yichang but are soon replaced with man-made ones after your flight to Shanghai. The next morning, enjoy a stroll along the historic riverfront Bund, where you see 52 magnificent colonial buildings. Along the Huangpu River, you can see the contrasting view of “old and modern” Shanghai. Then enjoy the underwater tram through the ‘sight-seeing tunnel’. The tunnel features a light show and music and travels from the Bund to the Pudong New Areas. When you reach the top of Jin Mao Building, one of world’s tallest buildings, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai. Head down to Yu Garden, an exquisite Ming Dynasty style Garden, and wander through the Old Quarter and neighbouring Yu Bazaar. Sample a local special dinner before a beautiful evening cruise along the Huangpu River. (2B/1D)
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Day 12 Depart Shanghai
Your tour to China ends today when you experience one of world’s fastest trains – the Maglev train to the international airport for your return flight to Australia. (B)
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