The Experience
Travellers can discover the gems of China during this seven-night tour visiting Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, the country’s capital city and heartland. Holidaymakers will have the opportunity to visit the famous Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City, as well as walk along The Great Wall of China and see how the tea is picked at the local tea plantations. The tour will lead participants through the ancient sites, modern streets and natural landscapes alike. The lakeside cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou will allow guests to discover some natural wonders and to soak in the atmosphere so different than in the bustling cities of Shanghai and Beijing.
The Itinerary
Day 1/2, Sun, Hangzhou Arrival:
- Begin the adventure with the international flight to Hangzhou, upon arrival be transferred to the hotel for an overnight stay
Day 3, Mon, Hangzhou - West Lake, Tea Village (breakfast and lunch):
- Embark on a tour of Hangzhou city and discover its rich cultural heritage; later that day visit the West Lake area in Hangzhou, comprising of the West Lake and the surrounding hills, the place that allured famous poets, scholars and artists since the 9th century, known for its temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, causeways, and artificial islands; when in the West Lake scenic area, visit the tea plantation and learn about tea picking process
- Optional tour: in the evening, opt to attend the Romance of Song Dynasty Show (a surcharge applies)
Day 4, Tue, Suzhou - Master of Nets Garden (breakfast and lunch):
- Be transferred from Hangzhou to Suzhou by bus; upon arrival, spend some time exploring the Master of the Nets Garden, one of the finest gardens in China
- Optional tour: after lunch, choose the option to take a boat trip along the longest canal in the world, some sections of which date back to the 5th century BC and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site (a surcharge applies)
Day 5, Wed, Suzhou to Shanghai - Nanjing walking district, The Bund (breakfast, lunch and dinner):
- In the morning explore one of the most famous silk factories in China; be transferred to Shanghai; upon arrival, visit the Nanjing walking district and discover the history and culture of the city; continue to the Bund by the Huangpu River
- Optional tour: enjoy an optional evening on the Huangpu River Cruise (a surcharge applies)
Day 6, Thu, Shanghai - Beijing (breakfast)
- Board a bullet train to Beijing, upon arrival be transferred to the hotel; relax and prepare for the next day of sightseeing
Day 7, Fri, Beijing, The Great Wall of China (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Travel into the rugged mountain landscapes north of the city to the famous Great Wall of China; later on, learn about Jade, China’s most precious stone, and its manufacturing process at the largest Jade factory in Beijing; then visit the 2008 Olympic Games Sites including the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube; before returning to your hotel, experience the oriental foot massage at a traditional Chinese medical centre
Day 8, Sat, Beijing, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City (breakfast)
- Spend time exploring the gems of Beijing
- Optional tour: embark on a tour of Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City or take part in a rickshaw tour of the traditional Hutong areas (a surcharge applies)
Day 9, Sun, Beijing Departure (breakfast)
- Be transferred to the airport in Beijing for a flight home
Please note: itinerary scheduled activities are subject to change without prior notice based upon weather, the traffic conditions and other unforeseen occurrences. All optional excursions and evening entertainment are excluded from the package.
