All the essential China sightseeing in a neat package that begins in Beijing with Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. You travel on to Xi'an (pronounced shee-an) to experience the archeological find of the 21st century... the Terracotta Army - an underground spirit army made from clay, and which has now become as important a tourist attraction as the Great Wall. Fly on to the modern metropolis of Shanghai, where East-Meets-West...  visit ancient gardens and shrines and shop in street markets and glittering malls. Ideal for travellers with budget or time restraints, our detailed itinerary below tells all about this best-seller..  

 

Day 1

Stopover destination - Beijing

Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport your professional local English speaking guide will meet you in the Arrival Hall.  With your guide, enjoy the views of Beijing CBD & the SOHO Business Street on your way to the hotel. After checking-in and freshening up, your guide will take you for a stroll of the area around your hotel - the famous Wanfujing Street. Visit the Snack street off Wanfujing street where where you can sample local delicacies before returning to your hotel.

 

Day 2

Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Show)

After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of Beijing visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.  Drive along Chang an Avenue  - and your guide will point out the National Grand Theatre and the ancient City Walls. After seeing how the nobility lived, enjoy a lunch of Jiaozi (steamed dumplings) in the company of a Chinese family. Later, take a pedi-cab tour of the ancient courtyard houses called the Hutongs and the popular Houhai Lake Bar Street. After dinner, be amazed by the exciting and dramatic Kung-fu show before returning to the hotel.

 

Day 3

Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, special Dinner)

Today you journey to the the Great Wall at Mutianyu where a cable car will take you up to the top. Stroll along this incredible wonder and enjoy the breathtaking views. After a late lunch at a good Chinese restaurant, return to Beijing to visit the tranquil Imperial gardens of the Empress Dowager's Summer Palace. Tonight, enjoy a delicious Peking Roasted Duck dinner before returning to your hotel.

 

Day 4

Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, visit Beijing's most revered shrine, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven and then to the Lama Temple - the largest Tibetan monastery outside of Tibet. After lunch at a good Chinese restaurant, drive through "Chinese Wall Street"- en route to  the famous Xiushui market where you can shop up a storm.

 

Day 5

Beijing - Xi'an (Breakfast, special Dinner)

Today you will have some free time in the morning before saying goodbye to your Beijing guide as you will be transferred to the train station. Enjoy the scenery en-route on your high speed train journey to the ancient city of Xi'an. Upon arrival, your local Xi'an guide will meet you at the train station and take you to visit the Ancient City walls that surround this old city. You could rent a bike on the wall and ride around the entire wall in an hour and a half. Visit the Big Goose Pagoda where you will be able to climb to the top of the pagoda for a bird's view of Xi'an. In the evening, enjoy a Dumpling banquet with piquant sauces.

 

Day 6

Xi'an (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum to learn about China's history and have a better understanding before your visit to the Terracotta warriors. After some hand-pulled noodles for lunch, you will visit the thousands of life size Warriors and Horses. Your visit includes a Circlorama 360 film presentation of the history of the warriors. In the afternoon, return to Xi'an to visit the Grand Mosque in the Muslim Quarter and see how Chinese Muslims live. Stroll on the Muslim food street and enjoy the famous local snacks. 

Optional extra - if you like extravagant costumes, elaborate staging and Chinese dances, ask your guide about the Tang Dynasty dinner and show.

 

Day 7

Xi'an - Shanghai (Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning head to Shu Yuan Men for a unique shopping experience. It is time to say goodbye to your Xian guide as you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, your local Shanghai guide will meet you at the airport and take you to visit the Oriental Pearl TV tower, for a bird's-eye view of this modern city. Then to the historic Bund for a riverside stroll with shopping later in famous Nanjing Road. After dinner, a Shanghai by cruise on the Huangpu River to see the wonderful city lights by night.

 

Day 8

Shanghai (Breakfast, special Lunch, Show)

After breakfast, visit the classic Yuyuan Chinese water Gardens and bustling Yu Bazaar nearby, where you can pick up some souvenirs. Lunch is at a Mongolian Barbecue, which is as much a show as it is an exotic eating experience. Later, enjoy a walk along the adjoining Shanghai Old Street, with its endless streams of pedestrians, traditional shops, tea houses and theatres. Later experience Shanghai's past, present and future at the incredible Urban Planning Museum on People's Square. This evening enjoy the feel of old Shanghai at Xintiandi for drinks and dinner.  Your day ends with the heart-stopping Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

 

Day 9

Shanghai (Breakfast)

Today you will have a full day at leisure for independent sightseeing or shopping. Ask us about our special interest tours in and around Shanghai, visit an ancient watertown, or you could visit the beautiful city of Hangzhou with its lake and tea terraces. 

 

Day 10

Shanghai - Stopover destination - Johannesburg (Breakfast)

After breakfast, you will have a free day until your evening transfer to the station for the ride of your life on the Maglev bullet train which will take you at 431km/hr to the airport for your flight to your onward destination.