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Home > Destinations > Splendours of China (2012)
Home to some of the world’s most fascinating historic sites and unique culture, China will excite and amaze you in this 15-day journey. Enjoy modern Shanghai, historic Beijing and the Great Wall of China, before flying to Xi’an to visit the Terracotta Warriors. Visit the panda breeding centre in Chengdu, then on to charming Guilin.
Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Shanghai with Virgin Atlantic.
On arrival, you will be met by your tour guide and transferred to the Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Puxi for the next 2 nights. The afternoon is at leisure. (D)
The day begins with a visit to the lovely Yu Gardens and the Old Town, followed by a stop at the Shanghai Museum to view 5,000 years of Chinese culture. This afternoon, a cruise along the waterfront Bund on the Huangpu River is included. You will also have some free time at Xintiandi, Shanghai’s fashionable district. (B/L/D)
Take a short train journey to the beautiful canal town of Suzhou. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to retrace the 2,500 years of history that the city has enjoyed. Spend the next 2 nights at the Castle Hotel. This afternoon, visit the Garden of Humble Administration, the silk-spinning factory and Tiger Hill. (B/L/D)
Take a 2-hour rickshaw tour of the city, stopping at the bustling local market and Suzhou Park. This afternoon, enjoy a cup of tea in the quiet Couple’s Retreat Garden. Afterwards, you will have a short cruise on the Grand Canal and a walk on Old Street. (B/L/D)
Visit Luzhi Water Town with its old stone bridges, before continuing to Shanghai airport for your flight to Beijing. On arrival transfer to the Holiday Inn Downtown for 3 nights. This evening visit the Peking Opera. (B/D)
Enjoy a full-day tour of the impressive Great Wall of China. Built over 500 years ago to protect the northern border from invaders, the Great Wall of China is a collection of shorter walls stretching over 3,100 miles and is a World Heritage Site. (B/L)
A full-day tour of some of the world’s greatest cultural highlights. The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. This evening, dinner is a Peking duck banquet. (B/L/D)
This morning, enjoy some free time before transferring to the airport for your flight to Xi’an, China’s ancient capital. Upon arrival, visit the Grand Mosque, before transferring to the Jianguo Hotel for 2 nights. (B/D)
Visit the world famous Terracotta Warriors today, discovered in 1974, there are over 8,000 soldiers and 130 chariots, followed by a visit to the dramatic Wild Goose Pagoda. (B/L)
En route to Xi’an airport, visit the Yangling tomb of the Hang dynasty, dating back 2,000 years. In the early afternoon, fly to Chengdu and visit amazing Dujiangyan, the oldest irrigation system in the world. Dinner is a local Sichuan meal and your overnight accommodation is at the Tianfu Sunshine Hotel. (B/L/D)
In the morning, visit the Panda Breeding Centre to watch these endangered creatures feeding and playing. In the afternoon, visit the ancient Jin Li street where all buildings have been modelled on a traditional old town from the Qing Dynasty. After dinner transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Stay 2 nights at the Bravo Hotel. (B/L/D)
Enjoy a memorable cruise along the Li River which winds through magical scenery, ending in the town of Yangshuo where you have time to explore, before returning to Guilin. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your tour group. (B/L/D)
Enjoy a half-day tour to an ancient local village just outside of Guilin, before a visit to Reed Flute Cave. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong to connect with your overnight Virgin Atlantic flight to London. (B/L)
Arrive at London Heathrow in the morning.
