Local Life, Spellbinding Scenery, Ancient Culture & History

Saturday, 24 May 2025

Fly to Beijing

Depart on a direct overnight flight from London, or via an alternative major UK regional airport to Beijing.

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Sunday, 25 May 2025

Welcome to Beijing

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

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Monday, 26 May 2025

Temple of Heaven, Hutongs and 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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Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Hike the Great Wall of China  

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 hike 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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Wednesday, 28 May 2025

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.

Thursday, 29 May 2025

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 chosen hotel for a 3 night stay, with time at leisure in the afternoon. China's capital for eleven dynasties and once the starting point of the legendary Silk Road, Xi'an has retained much of its mystique and boasts an impressive array of sights, which we will explore over the next two days. 

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Friday, 30 May 2025

See the 8,000 strong Terracotta Army  

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 to explore the Muslim Quarter. We will visit a traditional courtyard mansion, owned by a former official during the Ming Dynasty. Dating back 400 years, the property highlights 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. 

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Saturday, 31 May 2025

Xi'an at leisure or optional tours 

Today you will have time at leisure to explore Xi'an and pursue your own interests. Alternatively, you may wish to undertake additional tours, including:

• Cycle around the ancient city walls
• Big Goose Pagoda, built to house precious Buddhist scripts
• Shaanxi Historical Museum - one of China's most renowned museums
• Han Yangling museum and archaeological sites
• Venture into Huxian County to see the colourful folk art of the Huxian painters. Learn about calligraphy and painting and experience the farmers' way of life in China

 

Sunday, 01 June 2025

Bullet Train to Chengdu 

Today you will 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 3 night stay. You'll have today at leisure, perhaps to relax in the large People's Square, stopping to try the 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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Monday, 02 June 2025

Pandas & 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.

From here we continue on 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 is thought to be the only one 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. Lunch is included today.

 

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Tuesday, 03 June 2025

Leshan Giant Buddha 

Today we will drive around 2 hours south of Chengdu to visit the magnificent Leshan Giant Buddha. Measuring 71 metres high, the 1,200 year old Buddha watches over the confluence of three rivers and looks out onto the sacred Mount Emei. After an included lunch, we 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. 

Wednesday, 04 June 2025

Fly to Guilin  

You will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Guilin, where you will be met on arrival and shown around the striking rock formations and ancient inscriptions of the nearby Reed Flute Caves. We will then take a scenic two hour drive north to Longsheng, where you will stay overnight in a charming lodge. There will be time to have an included lunch, walk around Ping'an village and enjoy the peaceful countryside. 

 

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Thursday, 05 June 2025

Longji Rice Terraces  

Today we will explore the incredible Longji Rice Terrace landscape, enjoying the best panoramic vistas of the area and learning about local life here. 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 adding to the drama in winter. Lunch is included, before transferring back to Guilin by road, where we stay overnight.

 

Friday, 06 June 2025

Cruise on 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 awe-inspiring vistas in the country. Bamboo groves and paddy fields line the river's edge, where we can also observe water buffalos and local peasants working the land. Lunch is included on-board. In Yangshuo, as the light begins to fade, traditional fishermen emerge on their bamboo rafts, to which cormorants are tethered, to help them locate the best fish, a tradition practiced since ancient times.

In the evening, you might also choose to enjoy the spectacular Impression of Liu Sanjie show, which takes place by the Li River in Yangshou. It fuses musical, lighting, dance and story telling elements to create a dramatic spectacle. It is performed by local actors from the nearby minority villages and was directed by proclaimed film director Zhang Yimou, who was responsible for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Stay in Yangshuo for 2 nights.

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Saturday, 07 June 2025

Hike or cycle through wonderful landscapes

This morning we will take a guided hike or cycle ride to explore the beautiful countryside and karst landscape around Yangshuo in more depth. There is also the option of undertaking an early morning bamboo raft ride to enjoy the river at a quieter time. After lunch (included) you will have the rest of the day free to relax or explore at your leisure, perhaps watching the local cormorant fishermen show in the evening. 

Sunday, 08 June 2025

Fly to Shanghai 

You will now fly east to Shanghai, where you will be welcomed upon arrival and transferred to your hotel for 3 night stay. Your guide will give you a short introduction to the city.

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Monday, 09 June 2025

Highlights of Shanghai tour

Shanghai is China's most developed mega city, a futuristic metropolis symbolised by its forest of towering skyscrapers. However, if you know which street to turn down, you can still find relics of a bygone era and the occasional oasis of calm.

Our special tour introduces you to Shanghai's rich history and local life, starting at the classic Yu Gardens. We admire the European buildings of the riverside Bund area, once known as the "Paris of the Orient" and enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Huangpu River. Take an included lunch in the French Concession before discovering the traditional houses of Xintiandi, now converted into upscale shops, restaurants and bars. 

 

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Tuesday, 10 June 2025

At leisure or optional tours 

Enjoy time at leisure in Shanghai to relax, shop or pursue your own interests. Alternatively, venture out of the city to see the nearby classical Chinese gardens and silk industry of Suzhou or visit one of the ancient water towns which surround the city, such as Wuzhen, where traditional houses line sleepy canals, crossed by wooden bridges and disturbed only by small hand rowed boats. Wuzhen offers a slow pace of life, in sharp contrast to Shanghai, and boasts over 6,000 years of history. It links with the Grand Canal, one of the world's most historic and important waterways. 

 

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Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Return flight to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your mid-morning return flight, landing mid-afternoon UK time.