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12-day Taste of China

Length: 11 nights/12 days

Guaranteed departure dates with minimum of 2 passengers

A short group tour of the highlights of China, including the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, modern Shanghai and the beautiful landscapes of Guilin. Optional extension to Hong Kong.

A select group tour based on mostly 5-star hotels, with most meals included and with cultural evening shows.

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow or regional airports
Day 2 Arrive Beijing. Met on arrival and transfer to 5-star Grand Gongda Jianguo Hotel or similar. Rest of the day free until welcome dinner in evening. (D)
Day 3 Visit to Tiananmen Square, followed by the Forbidden City - the centre of power for China's rulers for over 400 years. The continue to the gardens and pavilions of the Summer Palace, with a stop to see China's famous pandas at the Panda House at Beijing Zoo. After dinner enjoy a colourful and energetic Kungfu Show displaying martial arts. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Full day excursion to the Great Wall at Badaling, before exploring the tombs of the Ming emperors, in particular Changling - the tomb of the emperor Yongle - and the Sacred Road. In the evening enjoy a traditional Peking Duck dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Tour by cycle rickshaw around the 'hutongs' - the traditional residential areas of old Beijing with their narrow alleyways and courtyard houses. Visit a local kindergarten and help a local family make jiaozi, or dumplings for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for good harvests, before transfer to airport for flight to Xian. Met on arrival and transfer to 5-star Grand Noble Hotel or similar. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Excursion to see the famous Terracotta Warriors, created by China's first emperor to guard his tomb for eternity. Return to Xi'an city to visit the Grand Mosque, one of the largest and oldest in China. Dumpling Banquet dinner in the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 7 In the morning visit Xi'an's impressive medieval city wall and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. After lunch, transfer to airport for flight to Guilin. Transfer to 4-star Bravo Hotel. (B, L)
Day 8 Cruise on the Li River to the small riverside town of Yangshuo, past beautiful scenery of limestone peaks and flat rice paddy fields. Browse Yangshuo's shops and market before transfer back to Guilin in afternoon. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Half day city tour of Guilin to include the Reed Flute Cave and Fubo Hill. Transfer to airport for flight to Shanghai. Met on arrival and transfer to 5-star Ramada Plaza Gateway Hotel or similar. (B, L)
Day 10 Full day city sightseeing excursion to include the Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden and old town district, Jade Buddha Temple, and the Bund or waterfront. Evening acrobatic show. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Travel by coach to the city of Suzhou, famous for its classic Chinese gardens and its silk industry. Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Garden of the Master of the Nets before taking a short cruise on the Grand Canal. Transfer back to Shanghai in the evening. (B, L)
Day 12 Transfer to airport for flight back to UK, arriving later the same day. (B)

EXTENSION TO HONG KONG - please ask for prices

Day 12 Transfer to airport for flight to Hong Kong and transfer to Eaton Hotel (4 star) in Kowloon. (B, L)
Day 13 Half day tour of Hong Kong, to include Victoria Peak and Aberdeen Harbour. Afternoon free. (B)
Day 14 Transfer to airport for flight back to UK, arriving later the same day or early the following morning depending on airline schedules. (B)