Ancient Civilisation & Modern Life

Thursday, 19 September 2024

Fly to Beijing

Depart on a direct overnight flight from London to Beijing, or via an alternative route at one of the major regional airports in the UK if you prefer.

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Friday, 20 September 2024

Welcome to Beijing 

Arrive in Beijing in the morning and be welcomed on arrival for transfer to your chosen hotel for 4 night stay. You will receive a walking orientation tour around your hotel with our guide, familiarising you with the surroundings and answering any questions you may have. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax, or you may prefer to add an afternoon tour.

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Saturday, 21 September 2024

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Hutong tour 

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Sunday, 22 September 2024

Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace 

We start at the Temple of Heaven, considered by UNESCO "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design", to learn about Chinese philosophical beliefs, cosmogony, art, dynastic politics and sacrificial rituals. We visit early to gain wonderful insights into local life, as large groups of elderly Beijingers gather to take communal exercises, sing, socialise and play musical instruments. We continue with a visit to the grand Summer Palace, set amid peaceful landscaped parkland that feels a long way from the noise of downtown Beijing. The park is dominated by the huge Kunming Lake, whilst the palace buildings themselves sit on Longevity Hill. A visit here gives you the chance to learn more about the infamous Empress Cixi, who restored the palaces in the 19th century and spent a lot of her time here. Lunch is included today.

 

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Monday, 23 September 2024

Experience the Great Wall 

We drive two hours north of Beijing to access the iconic Great Wall of China to hike a remote section away from the crowds of tourists. Here we can truly appreciate the full majesty of the wall and savour stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We also visit the restored part of the wall at Mutianyu, providing an experience of the wall in its original state. Lunch is included today.

 

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

Fly to Hong Kong 

Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Hong Kong, where you will be met upon arrival and taken to your chosen hotel for 3 night stay. Hong Kong offers a great mix of exoticism and familiarity. It is perhaps the easiest city for western travellers to get about it, travelling on the efficient MTR underground system, which reaches as far as some of the outlying islands. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to perhaps take the iconic Star Ferry across the water to Hong Kong Island and ride the tram to Victoria Peak, for one of the world's great urban vistas, especially as the sun goes down and the light's begin to twinkle at dusk. 

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Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Special 'local life' Hong Kong tour 

We start in the thriving markets of Mong Kok; the bird market, where locals often gather to socialise with their birds sat next to them in cages, then the goldfish market to admire the amazing colour and detail of the tropical fish on sale here, often at extremely high prices. Next is the Chinese Jade Market and the fruit market, followed by a visit to the Tin Hau Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, revered by fishermen and those who spend their working lives at sea.

We then drive to the south of Hong Kong Island to the Aberdeen fishermen community, where fishing junks are juxtaposed against skyscrapers. We take a short sampan boat ride to learn more about their way of life and enjoy a dim sum lunch aboard the famous Aberdeen Jumbo Kingdom. Next up is the Central business district and the world's longest continuous escalator system. We also visit Hollywood Road in westernised district of Soho is next, known for its antique shops. Finally, we finish at the Man Mo Temple, one of Hong Kong's oldest and most important and where giant incense coils hang from the ceiling, imparting a fragrant, smoky haze. The temple is dedicated to the God of Literature and the God of War. 

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Thursday, 26 September 2024

At leisure in Hong Kong

Today you can explore Hong Kong at your own pace or take one of our optional excursions. You might like to cross the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong to visit Macau, whose Portuguese heritage is mixed with Chinese influences. Reached by a one hour high speed catamaran from Hong Kong, Macau’s colonial buildings, grand churches and intricate azulejos tiling will transport you to the streets of Lisbon. But since the former colony was handed back to China in 1999, the two cultures have converged to create a unique city, where East meets West.

The highlights of the city include the Ruins of St. Paul - a Roman Catholic Church destroyed by fire in 1835, the Senado Square and its typical colonial architecture and Portuguese paving, the 400 year old A-Ma Temple and the peninsula's famous casinos and tower.

Alternatively, tropical and tranquil Lamma Island can be reached by boat from Aberdeen fishing harbour in the south. Closer yet is Lantau Island, famed for its large seated Buddha and temple, reached by a panoramic cable car. At the far end of the island, Tai O is an immensely charming and timeless fishing village, whilst one of the region's best beaches can be enjoyed a short bus ride away at Cheung Sha. 

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Friday, 27 September 2024

Time at leisure and return flight to UK 

An evening flight gives you the morning and afternoon at leisure in Hong Kong. You will be transferred to the airport and helped to check-in for your overnight flight to the UK.

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Saturday, 28 September 2024

Arrive in the UK

Arrive in the UK in the morning.