Ancient China

16 days from US$2,000.20 

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Day 1 - Arrive Shanghai

On arrival into Shanghai and after completing any necessary Customs and Immigration formalities you will be met by your friendly China Holidays guide who will transfer you to Holiday Inn / Novotel Shanghai or similar where you will spend three nights.

Holiday Inn	Novotel

Day 2 - Shanghai
After breakfast you will depart for a full day tour of Shanghai. Your day will include a visit to the Yu Gardens; the Old Chinatown and of course the Bund. There will also be a visit to the impressive Shanghai Museum. In the evening enjoy a visit to an acrobatic show. (B/L)

Day 3 - Shanghai
Today we start in Pudong with a visit to the Jin Mao Tower where from the observation deck on level 88, an exceptional view of Shanghai can be had. We then make a visit to Xintiandi where unique ‘Shikumen’ houses dating back from as early as the 1860’s have been carefully restored. After lunch there will be some free time before an evening cruise on the Huangpu River where after dark you will experience the ‘neon’ contrast of the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ Shanghai. (B/L/D)

Day 4 - Shanghai / Zhengzhou

You depart Shanghai this morning when you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Zhengzhou. On arrival your local China Holidays guide will meet you and transfer you to Weilai Conifer Hotel or similar. This afternoon a visit to the National Museum of Henan Province, one of the oldest museums in China and a visit to the Yellow River. (B/L/D)

Weilai Conifer Hotel 未來康年大酒店 The 4-star Weilai Conifer Hotel Zhengzhou, located in the financial district of the city, is only a 30-minute drive from the airport. Weilai Conifer Hotel has 258 guestrooms and suites equipped with satellite television, an IDD telephone, a mini-bar and an in-room safe.

Day 5 - Zhengzhou / Luoyang

This morning you depart by coach to visit the famous Taoist monastery - the Zhongyue Temple, then on to the renowned Shaolin Temple located at the base of Mt. Songshan. Here there will be a demonstration of this ancient art by the Shaolin monks. You will then continue on to Luoyang where you will check into Luoyang Hotel or similar where you will stay two nights. (B/L)

Day 6 - Luoyang
After breakfast at your hotel, a visit to one of the three largest grottoes in China – The Longmen Grottoes, this will be followed by a visit to the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist Temple in China. (B/L/D)

Day 7 - Luoyang / Xi'an

Transfer to the railway station for a relaxing train journey to Xi’an. Upon arrival you will be met by your friendly China Holidays guide and transferred to Mercure / Holiday Inn Xi'an or similar where you will spend two nights.

Mercure	Holiday Inn

Day 8 - Xi'an
Today you will depart for the Terracotta Warriors Museum, one of China’s top historical sites. Here you will see the magnificent Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shihuang which has been painstakingly restored by archaeologists. Then you will get the opportunity to have a go at making some Chinese dumplings followed by lunch. In the afternoon, a visit to the Big Goose Pagoda and the Ancient City Wall. In the evening you will get the opportunity to sample a Chinese dumpling banquet and a performance of a Tang Dynasty Cultural Show. (B/L/D)

Day 9 - Xi'an / Taiyuan / Pingyao

This morning a visit to the Great Mosque before heading to the airport for your onward flight to Taiyuan. Upon arrival you will be met by your friendly China Holidays guide and visit the Jinci Temple and the Provincial Museum. Then you will be transferred to Pingyao Hongshanyi Hotel or similar in Pingyao where you will stay two nights. (B/L/D)

Pingyao Hongshanyi Hotel 平遙洪善驛客棧 The hotel is situated near the south gate of the ancient city. Covering an area of more than 6000 square meters, it is regarded as an advanced foreign-related tour.It is well equipped and is the best folk hotel in the area. The hotel architecture, imitating ancient structures, adopted central air conditioning to maintain the indoor temperature. The hotel main buildings are higher than the middle ones, thus make it a unique structure. The hotel's 10 courtyards have different functions and make you feel as if you are back in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Day 10 - Pingyao
A full day visit in Pingyao, dating from the Ming and Qing Dynasties and is one of China's finest old cities. Your touring will include a visit to the historic Ancient City Wall, Ming - Qing Street, the Cheng Huang Temple and the Ri Sheng Chang Financial House. (B/L/D)

Day 11 - Pingyao / Datong

After breakfast you will leave Pingyao and visit the Shuanglin Monastery, then go to visit the Qiao Family's compound in Qi county on your way to Datong. The journey takes about four hours. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. On arrival in Datong you will check into Chenguang International Hotel or similar where you will spend two nights. (B/L/D)

Chenguang International Hotel 大同晨光國際酒店 The Chenguang International Hotel (Chenguang Guoji Jiudian) is located next to Yuhe Ecological Park and the municipal government. It has easy access to the railway station and airport. The hotel offers various guestrooms ranging from standard rooms to presidential suites. It also has the first revolving restaurant in Shanxi province.

Day 12 - Datong
In Datong today you will visit the Yungang Grottoes, one of the three major cave clusters in China, that punctuate the north cliff of Wuzhou Mountain and the Overhanging Temple, built in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), on a high cliff hemmed in by a precipice on either side. (B/L/D)

Day 13 - Datong / Beijing

Transfer this morning to the airport for the short flight to Beijing. On arrival you will be met by your friendly China Holidays guide and will depart to visit The Forbidden City, home to two dynasties of Emperors spanning 500 years and Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing before arriving at Novotel / Mercure Beijing or similar where you will spend three nights. (B/L)

Novotel	Mercure

Day 14 - Beijing
Today, the highlight for many a visitor to Beijing, a visit to The Great Wall at Badaling, undoubtedly one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world. There will also be time for a visit to the Silk Market where negotiation skills are put to the test as you seek out bargains before returning to your hotel to freshen up before departing for a 'Legends of Kung Fu' performance. (B/L)

Day 15 - Beijing
This morning you will depart to visit the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist Temple outside of Tibet – The Lama Temple, then a visit to the 'Hutongs' the local residential area by Pedicab or cycle rickshaw where you will get an interesting glimpse into the lives of the traditional Beijing citizens. After lunch, a visit to see the architectural wonders of the Temple of Heaven. This evening enjoy a traditional Peking Duck Dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 16 - Depart Beijing
Today you farewell Beijing and China as your guide meets you and transfers you to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

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