| Valued At | Pay Only | Save |
|---|---|---|
| $7,580 per person | $7,428 per person | $304 per couple |
Your tour package includes:
- International flights and current taxes
- Accommodation
- Mid-tour laundry service
- Domestic transportation
- Touring with guides and entrance fees
- Soft drinks with lunch; soft drinks, local beer & wine with dinner
- Most meals ( 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 8 dinners)
- Chauffeur transfers from home to airport and vice versa (within 60km)
Highlights:
Giant Pandas - Visit these adorable creatures at Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre
Champagne on the Great Wall – Take a Tai Chi class with a master at the Temple of Heaven
Chengdu – Enjoy a quintessential Sichuan hot pot dining experience
Yangtze River – Spectacular scenery of the Three Gorges
Terracotta Warriors - Meet one of the discoverers of the
Terracotta Warriors
Zhujiajiao - Wander the water town of this idyllic destination
Tai Chi - Take a Tai Chi class with a master at the Temple of Heaven
Farewell Cocktails - Enjoy a farewell cocktail in Jinmao Towers' Cloud 9 bar
DAY 1: FLY TO BEIJING
Fly to the imperial capital of Beijing. On arrival you will be accompanied by one of our experienced National Escorts to the hotel.
DAY 2: EXPLORE IMPERIAL BEIJING
Begin the day like many locals with gentle exercise, as you partake in a private Tai Chi lesson with a master in the Temple of Heaven park. Cross vast Tiananmen Square to the Forbidden City – a monument to a dynastic past, the palace served as the home of emperors for 500 years. Your visit includes entrance to the intimate Treasure Hall, a glittering gallery showcasing the everyday trappings of royal life. Dine on Peking Duck and enjoy an optional Chinese kung fu show (at your own expense).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 3: CHAMPAGNE ON THE GREAT WALL
From the Gobi Desert to the Bohai Sea the Great Wall stretches thousands of miles. Visit the beautiful Mutianyu section, stopping at the ideal spot to enjoy a glass of champagne whilst admiring the views of the Wall as it snakes over craggy peaks. Return to Beijing via a jade factory, then take a rickshaw ride through the hutongs where you’ll stop for a lesson in calligraphy with a learned scholar. Enjoy a free evening at lively Houhai Lake where dinner is at your leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 4: ANCIENT CITY WALLS
Fly to Xian. Walk on the 14thcentury walls for an excellent overview of the city. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of your hotel. This evening, watch an optional Tang Dynasty dance performance (at your own expense).
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 5: THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS
Fortuitously found by local farmers digging a well, the Terracotta Warriors are one of the world’s most famous archaeological discoveries. View the enigmatic ranks in the company of an expert who works at the site and who will put their story into context. Next, we have exclusively arranged for you to meet the man who discovered the Warriors – learn about the moment they were uncovered in 1974. On the way back to Xian, visit the workshop of the craftspeople who recreate Terracotta Warriors in the style of their ancient counterparts. Tonight there is an option to take a city tour, which includes the dazzling fountain display in front of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (at your own expense).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 6: CHENGDU
Explore Hanyangling Mausoleum. The artefacts, viewable from the glass walkways above, give a fascinating insight into daily life during the Western Han Dynasty. Fly to Chengdu and enjoy the rest at the day at leisure. Puzzle over a national secret at the optional Sichuan Opera – the face changing art of Bian Lian (at your own expense).
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 7: PANDAS WITH AN EXPERT
Visit Chengdu’s Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding where an expert will explain about the centre's work and talk about the pandas themselves as you observe these peaceful bears in surrounds that mirror their natural habitat. Stroll through the bustling People’s Park to Matchmaker’s Corner. Enjoy a traditional hot pot dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 8: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE
Transfer to Chongqing and visit Ciqikou, a historic district full of traditional architecture – spend a free evening here exploring the ancient town before boarding the Century cruise ship.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 9: CAPTAIN'S WELCOME
The Yangtze has long played a pivotal role in the history, culture and economy of China – a cruise is the perfect way to gain insight into its importance. The first excursion will be to Shibaozhai, a hill-top pagoda beside the river. This evening the captain will host a welcome reception followed by a lavish dinner at the à la carte restaurant.
DAY 10: DRAMATIC YANGTZE GORGES
Prepare for breathtaking vistas as you sweep through the Wu and Qutang gorges before cruising along the scenic Shennong Stream on a sampan to further explore. Back on the boat, expand your knowledge of the dam project with a presentation by the river guide.
DAY 11: THREE GORGES DAM
Created to harness the power of the Yangtze, it is difficult not to be awestruck as you stand on the viewing platform. Also, visit the Three Gorges Dam exhibition centre. Disembark, travel to Wuhan and fly to Shanghai for dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 12: ZHUJIAJIAO
The 1,700 year old Zhujiajiao boasts old stone bridges, wood panelled houses and numerous atmospheric waterways once used to transport goods. Return to Shanghai where the afternoon is free for you to enjoy the facilities of your hotel, or enjoy a acrobatic show (at your own expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 13: STYLISH SHANGHAI
Walk in the Yu Gardens, visit the colonial Bund, the Silk Museum and the Old Town, before admiring the collections of the Shanghai Museum. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening before toasting the end of the tour with a cocktail at Cloud 9 in Jin Mao Tower with views of the Pudong skyline.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAYS 14-15: SHANGHAI TO AUSTRALIA
This morning is at leisure before you are transferred to Shanghai airport to board your flight to Australia, arriving home to same or following day.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 15: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
Arrive home today.