HIGHLIGHTS OF CHINA TOUR - BEIJING, XIAN & SHANGHAI
Depart Xiamen afternoon at 18.20, 27th Sept. and finish midday in Beijing 4th Oct.
USD840/ppl, and Single Supplement: USD286/ppl, this price also includes gratuities.
If you need a flight from Beijing back to Xiamen we can arrange it for USD256 total.
For booking this tour or for further information please contact Heather Howard at h.howard@gdrc.hfi.unimelb.edu.au
8 days, departing Xiamen 27 September 2007
Post-conference, why not take time out to sample a taste of this wonderful country?
This is the perfect China experience; Shanghai with its grand colonial Bund riverfront and Chinese Old Quarter; Xian with the world renowned Terracotta Warriors; Beijing to enjoy the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and of course, the formidable Great Wall of China.
China is a country like no other – the scale, the grandeur, the history, the mystery, the people – all offer the most wonderful and challenging experience for the traveler. Chinese civilisation, dating back over 5,000 years, has influenced Asian culture more than any other. From the contrasting cities of Beijing and Shanghai, to the ancient history of the Terracotta Warriors in Xian and from the desert landscapes of the Silk Road to the lush mountains of Yunnan Province, China is awesome. Scratch the surface of the “Middle Kingdom” and you will enjoy an unforgettable journey.
This tour is graded EASY. It is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. While accommodation is in comfortable centrally located first class hotels with private western style bathrooms, this is not ‘sanitised’ travel; by day you may walk through markets, crowded streets and villages, meet local people, and sample local food. English is not widely spoken and a degree of patience and appreciation is sometimes required as you travel through this incredible country.
Inclusions
• 7 nights’ first class hotel accommodation as listed.
• Meals as indicated: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch
• 3 domestic flights; Xiamen – Shanghai – Xian – Beijing
• All transfers and transport in modern air-conditioned vehicles
• Sightseeing as specified with expert guides throughout
Weather
Because of China’s immense size, it experiences great diversity in climate. Northern China experiences four seasons with the hottest months being June to September with temperatures ranging from 20 to 35 degrees. Most of the rain also falls during this time. Spring (late March to May) and autumn (October to early November) bring clear skies and temperatures from 10 to 25 degrees. This is when most people visit China. In the winter months (November to February) temperatures can reach below 0 degrees. In southern China, summer is from April to September and generally hot and humid except in mountainous areas. This period also experiences rain. Spring and autumn are most pleasant although mountain areas can be cold and travellers should be prepared for all weather.
HIGHLIGHTS OF CHINA ITINERARY
Day 1 - 27th Sept. – Xiamen to Shanghai
Fly Xiamen to Shanghai. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Free time to relax.
Accommodation: 2 nights at the Sofitel Hyland Hotel
Stylish hotel located in the heart of the shopping area and within walking distance to the Bund.
Day 2 - 28th Sept.– Shanghai
Full day of sightseeing commences with a journey to Yu Yuan Gardens, the finest example of gardens from the Ming Dynasty. Continue with a walk through the old quarter of Chinatown. Visit the Jade Buddha temple which house two extremely rare white jade Buddha’s before a stop at the Children’s Palace. (B, L)
Day 3 - 29th Sept. – Shanghai to Xian
This morning will include a visit to the Bund, Shanghai’s most famous historical street. You will have time to admire the magnificent colonial art deco architecture on the banks of the Huangou River. Next visit Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s premier shopping district before being transferred to the airport for the onward flight to Xian. On arrival in Xian you will be met and transferred to your hotel. If there is enough time in the afternoon, why not head to the heart of the city (10 minutes walk away from the hotel) and climb the Bell Tower and take in the expansive views across the city. (B)
Accommodation: 2 nights at Gloria Plaza Hotel
Comfortable and centrally located hotel only minutes away from the heart of the city.
Day 4 - 30th Sept.– Xian
The highlight today is a visit to the 2000 year old Terracotta Warriors which were discovered only as recently as 1974 by farmers digging a well. The warriors are a life size army buried in full battle formation to guard the tomb of the first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. The tour continues to the Neolithic Ban Po village which dates back 4000 years before visiting the Big Wild Goose Temple, one of the most photogenic temples in China. (B, L)
Day 5 - 1st Oct. – Xian to Beijing
This morning you take a walk along part of the original surrounding city walls that date back to the reign of Hongwu, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Then visit the Tang museum before transferring to the airport and flying to Beijing.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Free time to relax. (B)
Accommodation: 3 nights at the Novotel Peace Hotel
Ideal hotel, centrally located close to the famous Wangfujing Avenue and within walking distance to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with the magnificent Forbidden City which was home to the Ming and Qing dynasties for over 500 years. A visit to this unique and incredible site begins as you walk through the gates of Heavenly Peace
Day 6 - 2nd Oct. – Beijing
Few cities have such a profound sense of history and culture as Beijing. A full day sightseeing begins with the Temple of Heaven, once Beijing’s tallest building and a perfect example of Ming architecture. Finally a journey to the Summer Palace set amongst 700 acres of park. Then take tricycle to visit Hutong, to enjoy common local ppl’s life (B, L)
Day 7 - 3rd Oct. – Great Wall & Ming Tombs
This morning travel north-west of Beijing to visit China’s most famous attraction – the Great Wall of China. Built over 2000 years ago the Wall stretches 5000 kilometres from the ocean in the east to the Gobi Desert in the west. Walk along a well preserved section of this true wonder of the world, and admire the panoramic views. The day continues with a visit to the Avenue of Spirit Guardians at the Ming Tombs before returning to Beijing. (B, L)
Day 8 - 4th Oct. – Depart for home
This morning you hop on a rickshaw and head into one of Beijing’s few remaining ‘hutongs’ or traditional lanes in the backstreets of the city for some close-up glimpses of local life. Later transfer to Beijing airport to meet your onward flight.