A China Experience

For a brief introduction to China or for visitors with limited time available, our China Experience tour is the perfect choice as it covers the essentials of China in one concise and memorable programme. Visiting such icons as the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, the Terracotta Warriors in Xian as well as the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, we also have time to explore the charming, ancient canal town of Wuzhen.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: SOUTH AFRICA TO SHANGHAI

Fly overnight with Cathay Pacific to Shanghai for a three-night stay. Our welcome dinner this evening will be a banquet of traditional Shanghai cuisine.

DAY 3: SHANGHAI - WUZHEN

Today we travel to the picturesque town of Wuzhen. A town with an intricate system of canals, ancient pavilions and overhead bridges, combined with an abundance of handmade traditional wares and charismatic locals. We have plenty of time to explore this charming town at a leisurely walking pace before returning to Shanghai later this afternoon.

DAY 4: SHANGHAI

Enjoy a full day tour as we explore this exciting city. Visit the Yu Gardens, the Old Town, Shanghai Museum and the Xintiandi area, with its 1920s style ‘shikumen’ buildings unique to Shanghai. Enjoy a stroll along the famous Bund to see its collection of neoclassical buildings and indulge in some shopping along Nanjing Road. Enjoy a panoramic cruise on the Huangpu River this evening.

DAY 5: SHANGHAI TO XIAN

Today we fly to the historic city of Xian. This evening we feast on a traditional Shui Jiao Dumpling banquet, a specialty of the region, while enjoying a performance of music and dance from the Tang Dynasty.

DAY 6: XIAN

Visit one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century, the life-size Terracotta Warriors. We also visit the ancient City Wall, one of the best preserved in all of China.

DAY 7: XIAN TO BEIJING

This morning we visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and Shaanxi Provincial Museum before strolling through the Muslim Quarter and exploring the Islamic food markets. We then fly to Beijing and visit the 15th-century Temple of Heaven. Tonight we sample the local delicacy, ‘Peking Duck’.

DAY 8: BEIJING

Today we stroll through famous Tiananmen Square past Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, and visit the treasure filled Forbidden City. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the traditional Hutong area. This evening witness a fascinating Chinese Acrobatic show.

DAY 9: 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. It is estimated that one million people were used at different stages during the construction period and that thousands died building it. This afternoon we wander through the Summer Palace, admiring the landscaped beauty.

DAY 10: DEPART BEIJING

Enjoy some shopping time at the copy markets before we transfer to Beijing airport to board our overnight flight to South Africa.

DAY 11: ARRIVE SOUTH AFRICA

Arrive home this morning.

Price Guide

Travel Info

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Inclusions

Exclusions

Images from A China Experience