Day /1
Fly to Beijing
Fly to Beijing from London Heathrow.
Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Shanghai /Itinerary
Day /2-5
Transfer to The Waldorf Astoria Beijing
On arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to The Waldorf Astoria Beijing for a four night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Waldorf AstoriaDay /3
Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, Imperial Palace
Full day of sightseeing including visits to Beijing’s main imperial-era attractions. The morning will start with a visit to the vast Tiananmen Square, which is home to China’s Parliament – The Great Hall of the People. Walking through The Gate of Heavenly Peace from where Mao declared China as the People’s Republic in 1949, visit The Forbidden City, the former home to many of China’s Emperors. After lunch your visit to this magnificent city continues by visiting the Imperial Summer Palace where once again you can marvel at the opulence in which the Emperors once lived. (B,L)
Day /4
The Great Wall of China, Tombs of The Ming Dynasty Emperors
Enjoy a full day visit to The Great Wall of China and to the Tombs of the Ming Dynasty Emperors. The visit to the Great Wall will be at the relatively quieter Mutianyu section, where there will be ample opportunity to explore this section of the Wall and take in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. After lunch at the architecturally interesting Commune by the Wall you will visit the magnificent Ming Tombs and The Sacred Way before returning to the City. (B,L)
Day /5
Beijing - Day At Leisure
Today is at leisure for independent exploration. Why not ride on a traditional pedi-cab through the beautifully preserved Shichahai Hutong or learn to cook with a Beijing houswife in their courtyard homes. Ask our reservations specialists for details. (B)
Waldorf AstoriaDay /6-7
Beijing - Xian
This morning visit the magnificent Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors came to pray for good harvests and today it’s where local residents come for morning exercises such as Tai Chi and Ballroom dancing! It’s a fascinating visit. From here we visit the Hutongs, the small lanes and former courtyard houses of an Old Beijing and although getting commercialized, it remains an interesting visit. After a simple lunch, transfer to the Airport for the short onward flight to Xian, you are met on arrival and transferred to the Sofitel Legend, Peoples Legend Grand Hotel for two nights. (B,B)
Sofitel Legend, Peoples Grand HotelDay /7
Xian - The Army of Terracotta Warriors
Without a doubt the highlight of any visit to Xian and possibly even China is to explore the legacy of The Army of Terracotta Warriors and visit the incredible burial site, where they were discovered only recently. A full day is organized that passes by the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang and visits the Warriors themselves who stand guard over Emperor Qin’s tomb. A simple lunch is offered whilst visits are also planned to the impressive Shaanxi Museum and to the Wild Goose Pagoda. (B,L)
Day /8
Xian - Chengdu
This morning a visit is arranged to the Old City of Xian and where your guide will bring alive Xian’s association with the mighty Silk Road. Here, visit the old City Walls, where a short bike or buggy ride is enjoyed, The Islamic Quarter and also the Great Mosque, which is a beautiful spot in the midst of peaceful gardens. Lunch is offered. Before arriving at Xian’s Airport a visit to the fascinating Terracotta Warriors of the Han Dynasty is arranged and which date from about 80 years later than the better known ones visited yesterday. Late this afternoon fly onwards to Chengdu, on arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Chengdu for an overnight stay. (B,L)
The Ritz-Carlton ChengduDay /9-11
Chengdu - Shanghai
This morning a visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute is planned and for the child in all of us it’s a great experience getting so close to these magnificent Bears. This is one of the world’s leading research centres on the breeding habits of Pandas. After lunch, visit the main sights of Chengdu including its fascinating Daoist Temple and People’s Park, always very busy in the afternoon, and a visit to a traditional Sichuan Park tea-house. Late this afternoon fly onwards to Shanghai where you will be met on arrival and transferred to The Peninsula Hotel for a three night stay.(B,L)
The Peninsula ShanghaiDay /10
Explore Shanghai
This visit the city’s famous Bund, flanked by the magnificent buildings previously owned by the great trading houses and banks of the early 1900’s. Also visit the Yu Gardens before an afternoon visit to the excellent Shanghai Museum and the fascinating, if unimaginatively named, Urban Planning Centre. Indulge in a traditional Shanghainese cuisine at Din Tai Feng Restaurant for lunch. (B,L)
Day /11
Zhouzhuang, Chinese Gardens, Humble Administrator's Garden
Travel to the traditional water village of Zhouzhuang where a visit is made to one of the town’s old merchant’s houses before continuing to Suzhou. Lunch is offered at the Suzhou Pan Pacific Hotel and this afternoon, explore Suzhou’s remarkable classical Chinese style gardens, which are on the United Nations’ World Heritage List and visits are planned to The Humble Administrator’s Garden and The Garden of the Master of the Nets before returning by road to Shanghai. (B,L)
Day /12
Return to London Heathrow
Transfer to Shanghai's Pudong Airport for your flight to London Heathrow.(B)