Iconic China, Pandas & Exotic Cities

Friday, 01 December 2023

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. 

 

---

Saturday, 02 December 2023

Welcome to Beijing

Arrive in Beijing in the morning and be welcomed on arrival for transfer 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 and answering any questions you may have and ensure all your family needs are taken care of. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax.

---

Sunday, 03 December 2023

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.

---

Monday, 04 December 2023

Experience 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.

---

Tuesday, 05 December 2023

At leisure - meet a local family

Today is at leisure. For families, we can arrange a visit and meeting with a local family with children the same age ranges as your family. This cultural exchange is a wonderful experience to understand how young people live in China today.

Perhaps also visit a recommended shopping centre. 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.

Wednesday, 06 December 2023

Bullet Train to Xi'an 

Today you will be transported to Beijing West station for 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. 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. 

---

Thursday, 07 December 2023

The 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 can visit the home of the farmer who accidentally discovered the Terracotta Army.

After an included lunch, we will visit the home of the farmer who accidentally discovered the Terracotta Army and also attend a clay workshop, where you will have the opportunity to create your very own Terracotta Warrior figures! From here we return to the city to enjoy a cycle ride around the ancient city walls and have a walk around the vibrant Muslim Quarter. There will be time to visit a mosque and perhaps sample some of the delicacies of the street food market. 

---

Friday, 08 December 2023

At leisure in Xi'an 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: 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; a mandarin speaking class with a local teacher.

 

Saturday, 09 December 2023

Bullet Train to Chengdu 

Today 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, taking tea at one of the large outside teahouses and observing local life here. 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. Further optional opportunity for the children (and adults) to have an optional mandarin speaking class with a local teacher.

 

---

Sunday, 10 December 2023

Pandas and Dujiangyan Irrigation System 

No visit to Chengdu would be complete without going to the nearby Panda Research Base - simply the best  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 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 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. 

---

Monday, 11 December 2023

Leshan Giant Buddha

Today we will drive around 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.

Tuesday, 12 December 2023

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 chosen hotel for a 3 night stay. Hong Kong offers a great mix of exoticism and familiarity. It is easy for western travellers to get around it, 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 take 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, especially as the sun goes down and the light's begin to twinkle at dusk. 

 

---

Wednesday, 13 December 2023

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 the skyscrapers. We take a short sampan boat ride to learn more about their ways of life and enjoy an included dim sum lunch aboard the famous Aberdeen Jumbo Kingdom. Next up is the Central business district and the world's longest continuous escalator system. 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. 

---

Thursday, 14 December 2023

At leisure in Hong Kong or optional excursions

Today is free to explore Hong Kong at your own pace. Or take an optional excursion, perhaps taking the ferry across the water to Macau, a bastion of Portuguese heritage, is an excellent day trip, as 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. 

---

Friday, 15 December 2023

Return flight to UK

You will most likely be flying back in the evening and so will have ample time for last minute shopping, relaxing or sightseeing. You will be transferred to the airport for your overnight return flight. 

 

---

Saturday, 16 December 2023

Arrive in the UK