Ancient China

If you desire to learn more about China’s incredible past, we trust this tour will stimulate the historian in you. Whilst touring China’s most ancient cities you will trace the roots of one of Asia's most fascinating cultures.  This ‘Ancient China’ tour will take you from the present capital of Beijing to the cities of Xian and Luoyang. Tour the most significant sites of the imperial age; climb the Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City in Beijing. You will visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Yungang Caves, the Longman Grottoes and the unforgettable Hanging Monastery. Wander the charming streets of the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Pingyao. Be enthralled with Xian and its many wonders, from its ancient City Wall to the incredible Terracotta Warriors. Your journey ends in the dynamic city of Shanghai where you will soak up its many wonders and perhaps take time to reflect on your amazing journey.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: SOUTH AFRICA TO BEIJING

Fly overnight with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong to Beijing for a four-night stay.

DAY 3: BEIJING

Today we stroll through famous Tiananmen Square past Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, and visit the Forbidden City. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the traditional Hutong area. Tonight we sample the local delicacy, ‘Peking Duck’ and enjoy an evening at the Chinese Opera.

DAY 4: BEIJING

An often quoted saying in Beijing goes, ‘you have not been to China until you have climbed the Great Wall’. Built over 2,000 years ago, it stretches all the way from the Shanhaiguan Pass on the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west, more than 5,000km away. Walk along the wall admiring the panoramic views and reflect on the enormity of the material and labour required for its construction. This afternoon we visit the unique Temple of Heaven, built in the 15th Century.

DAY 5: BEIJING

Enjoy some shopping at the copy markets, before visiting the Summer Palace.

DAY 6: BEIJING TO DATONG

Today we depart on a train journey to Datong, arriving this afternoon for an overnight stay.

DAY 7: DATONG TO WUTAISHAN

Travel to the Yungang Caves, carved into the north cliff face of the Wuzhou Mountain. The caves here contain over 50,000 Buddhist statues and frescoes. We also visit the 1,400- year-old Hanging Monastery.

DAY 8: WUTAISHAN TO TAIYUAN

Discover the beauty of Wutaishan (Five Terraced Mountain). Ensconced within the alpine valley is the monastic village often referred to as the ‘Holy Land of Chinese Buddhism’, wherein lie traditional temples, architecture and sculptures. Afterwards we continue to Taiyuan where we visit the Ming Dynasty’s Twin Pagoda Temple, the Provincial Museum and the Jin Ci Temple, offering a wonderful combination of historical relics and beautiful landscapes.

DAY 9: TAIYUAN TO PINGYAO

Today we travel to Pingyao, a remarkably preserved UNESCO World Heritage listed town.

DAY 10: PINGYAO TO XIAN

Tour Pingyao this morning, visiting the ancient City Wall, the Rishengchang Financial House Museum, the Zhengguo, the Shuang Lin Temple and the Yamen, a former government building of the Qing Dynasty. We later board our overnight train to Xian.

DAYS 11-12: XIAN

Upon arrival in Xian this morning we visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty dance performance this evening. Tomorrow we visit the life-size Terracotta Warriors and visit the ancient City Wall, one of the best preserved in all of China.

DAY 13: XIAN TO LUOYANG

Today we board our train to Luoyang, the imperial capital for more than 13 dynasties.

DAY 14: LUOYANG TO DENGFENG

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Longman Grottoes, located in the Songshan Mountains before continuing to Dengfeng for an overnight stay. Upon arrival we visit the Shaolin Temple.

DAY 15: DENGFENG TO SHANGHAI

This morning we view the Yellow River before we visit its museum in Zhengzhou. Later this evening we board our flight to Shanghai for a three night stay.

DAYS 16-17: SHANGHAI

Today we visit the Shanghai Museum, the Yu Gardens, the Old Town and stroll along the famous Bund. This evening enjoy a Chinese Acrobatic show. The following day we explore the Xintiandi area. Our farewell celebration will be a cruise along the Huangpu River.

DAY 18: DEPART SHANGHAI

Enjoy the morning at leisure before we transfer to Shanghai airport to board our overnight flight to South Africa.

DAY 19: ARRIVE SOUTH AFRICA

Arrive home this morning.

Price Guide

Travel Info

Country Info

Inclusions

Exclusions

Images from Ancient China