DYNASTIC HERITAGE, RURAL CHINA and EXOTIC CULTURE

Day 1

Fly to Beijing

Depart on a direct overnight flight from London or a regional UK airport to Beijing. 

 

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Day 2

Welcome to Beijing

Arrive in Beijing in the morning where our guide will transfer you to your hotel for a 4 night stay. You will receive a walking orientation tour around your hotel with our guide, familiarising you with the surroundings. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax, or you may prefer to add an afternoon tour.

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Day 3

Temple of Heaven, Hutongs & Forbidden City Tour

We start early to visit the Temple of Heaven located in a delightful park. The Temple of Heaven, considered by UNESCO "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design", was created as a place of learning about Chinese philosophical beliefs, cosmogony, art, dynastic politics and sacrificial rituals. In the park, you will gain insights into local life, as groups of elderly Beijing residents gather to take communal exercises, sing, socialise and play musical instruments. We continue to the Hutong district, where we explore the ancient narrow streets by foot and rickshaw and enjoy an included lunch at a family hutong home. In the afternoon, we visit Tiananmen Square and explore the mythical and vast Forbidden City, home to 24 Chinese Emperors. Here you can learn about China's dynastic past.

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Day 4

Experience the Great Wall

Today we visit one of the wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China. We travel for 2 hours out of Beijing to a remote section of the wall where in the footsteps of soldiers from the Ming Dynasty, we walk a wild section away from the crowds. It is a unique experience where you will truly appreciate the full majesty of the Great Wall and savour stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We also visit the restored part of the wall at Mutianyu, allowing you a look at the Wall in its original state. Lunch is included.

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Day 5

At leisure

Today is at leisure.

We have a range of optional excursions you can book with your guide including a calligraphy or paper cutting class or perhaps attempt to cook the Chinese way by making some local dumplings.

Day 6

Bullet Train to Xi'an  

Transfer to Beijing West station for your high speed Bullet Train to the ancient city of Xi'an, a journey of around four and a half hours. On arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay, with time at leisure in the afternoon. Once the starting point of the legendary Silk Road and a capital for eleven dynasties, Xi'an has retained a great deal of its mystique and boasts an impressive array of sights, which we will explore over the next two days. 

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Day 7

The Terracotta Warriors

We begin today with a visit to the famous Terracotta Army, just outside Xi'an. 8,000 individually sculptured clay warriors, horses and archers proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder in three large excavated pits, protecting the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang. At first it is the sheer number that overwhelms, but on closer inspection you begin to notice the extraordinary level of detail, with each figure seemingly sporting a different expression and hairstyle. It's not hard to imagine this as a real army in waiting, awakening at the slightest hint of danger. Afterwards we visit the home of the farmer who accidentally discovered the Terracotta Army.

After an included lunch, we return to the city and explore the Muslim Quarter where we visit a traditional courtyard mansion, owned by a former official during the Ming Dynasty. Dating back 400 years, the property shows the wonderful architectural style of the time and offers cultural activities and demonstrations including shadow puppetry and paper cutting. Following this there will be time to explore the temple and the lively food market. 

 

Day 8

Bullet Train to Chengdu   

Take the high speed Bullet Train to Chengdu, where you will be met upon arrival by your guide for the next few days and transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay. You'll have today at leisure, perhaps to relax in the large People's Square, taking tea at one of the large outside teahouses and observing local life. South of the river is the lively Jinli Street, lined with traditional buildings and shops and stalls selling locally created artwork, handicrafts, paper cuts and calligraphy. This is a great place to spend the afternoon shopping for gifts and souvenirs. 

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Day 9

Pandas and Dujiangyan Irrigation System 

No visit to Chengdu would be complete without going to the nearby Panda Research Base - there is simply no better place to see these charming and highly endangered animals up close. Designed to replicate the natural bamboo habitat of the panda to encourage breeding, the centre is respected the world over for its ongoing research and conservation efforts, not just for the giant pandas, but also for red pandas and black swans. We visit early in the morning to see the baby pandas at their most active, returning to the city for midday.

After an included lunch, we continue to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. This extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage site was originally constructed back in 256BC, during the Qin Dynasty. It is the oldest irrigation system in the world and thought to be the only major system of its kind not to feature a dam.  Another major feat of engineering is the magnificent Anlan Suspension Bridge which crosses the river. Surrounding the irrigation system are a number of impressive temples, halls, towers, statues and gardens. 

 

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Day 10

Leshan Giant Buddha  

Today we will drive 2 hours south of Chengdu to visit the magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha. Measuring in at 71 metres high, the 1,200 year old Buddha watches over the confluence of three rivers and looks out onto the sacred Mount Emei. We will take a boat ride to enjoy panoramic views of the Buddha and then climb up the steps to come face-to-face with it, for a close up view. We will then return to Chengdu by road. Lunch is included today.

 

Day 11

Fly to Guilin and Longji rice terraces

Take an morning flight to Guilin, where you stay for two nights. We journey through the mountains to explore the incredible Longji Rice Terrace landscape, enjoying the best panoramic vistas of the area and learning about the local life. The landscape changes throughout the year, depending on the seasons. In spring, the terraces are irrigated and so brim with water, before turning lush green over the summer. The autumn brings beautiful golden hues, before snow falls add to the drama in winter. Lunch is included, before transferring back to Guilin by road. 

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Day 12

Cruise the Li River 

The highlight of a trip to Guilin is the chance to drift down the Li River to Yangshuo, passing through the infinite limestone sugarloaf peaks which rise dramatically out of the ground, so creating one of the most arresting vistas in the country. Bamboo groves and paddy fields line the river's edge, where we can also observe water buffalo and local peasants working the land. Lunch is included on-board. Return to Guilin by road late afternoon. 

Day 13

Fly to Hong Kong

Fly from Chengdu to Hong Kong, where you will be met on arrival for a private transfer into the city to your hotel for a 3 night stay. Hong Kong offers a great mix of exoticism and familiarity. It is perhaps one of the easiest cities for western travellers to get around, travelling on the efficient MTR underground system, which reaches as far as some of the outlying islands. You will enjoy a day at leisure to perhaps taking the iconic Star Ferry across the water to Hong Kong Island. Here you can ride the tram to Victoria Peak, for one of the world's great urban vistas, best to go as the sun goes down as the light's begin to twinkle at dusk. Lunch is included today.

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Day 14

Special 'local life' Hong Kong tour 

We start in the thriving markets of Mong Kok visiting the bird market, where locals gather to socialise with their birds sat next to them in cages. In the goldfish market, see the amazing colourful tropical fish on sale, often at extremely high prices. Next is the Chinese Jade and fruit markets, followed by a visit to the Tin Hau Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, revered by fishermen 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 the 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. We visit the central business district with the world's longest continuous escalator system and Hollywood Road, known for its antique shops. Finally, we finish at the Man Mo Temple, where giant incense coils hang from the ceiling, imparting a fragrant, smoky haze. The temple is dedicated to the Gods of Literature and War. 

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Day 15

At leisure in Hong Kong 

Today is free for you to explore Hong Kong at your own pace. Or take an optional excursion by ferry across the water to Macau, a bastion of Portuguese heritage, and an excellent day trip. Also worth considering is a visit to the tropical and tranquil Lamma Island, 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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Day 16

Time at leisure & return flight to UK 

Enjoy another full day of sightseeing or shopping. You will be picked up and transferred to the airport in the late afternoon in plenty of time for your overnight return flight to the UK.