ANCIENT CHINA

DAYS FROM 18 $6,280 PER PERSON

FULLY INCLUSIVE FROM SYDNEY, MELBOURNE, BRISBANE, ADELAIDE & PERTH

ALL MEALS

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 Walk on the Great Wall

 Marvel at the Hanging Temple

 Feel at peace in Wutaishan

 Face the Terracotta Army

 Witness Shaolin kung fu

 Stroll Pingyao’s ancient streets

PRICE INCLUDES

• 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 16 dinners

• International flights and current taxes

• Domestic transportation

• 4 star accommodation

• Touring with guides and entrance fees

• Visa fees for Australia passport holders

Itinerary

DAY 1: FLY TO BEIJING

Arrive in Beijing, China’s fascinating capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 2: IMPERIAL BEIJING

This morning, head to Beijing’s symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and stroll into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City where you will find a complex full of imperial treasures. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleys of the warren-like hutongs and learn more about living in this traditional area. In the evening, sit down to enjoy the local delicacy, Peking duck.

DAY 3: THE GREAT WALL

Try the art of paper cutting

Experiences

YOU’LL LOVE

Discover the traditional Chinese folk art of paper cutting, an intricate and beautiful craft that’s been practiced since the 6th-century. After a demonstration of the techniques, try your hand at creating your own paper cutting.

Venture into Beijing’s atmospheric old neighbourhoods, the hutongs, exploring the narrow alleyways by traditional rickshaw, passing traditional courtyard houses and getting a glimpse into daily life here.

As part of a visit to the Shaolin Temple, with its long and famous history of martial arts, watch an action-packed kung fu show by the monks and their trainees, who will demonstrate their astonishing skills.

This morning is dedicated to China’s most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. Visit a jade factory, where you will be able to buy a small handcrafted piece. Jade is revered throughout China and is said to bring fortune and prosperity to those who wear it. Spend the afternoon at the idyllic Summer Palace, wandering through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture.

DAY 4: TEMPLE OF HEAVEN

Soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape and mingle with the locals as they practice tai chi, dance or play cards. Later, browse your way through Panjiayuan, Beijing’s most extensive arts, crafts and antiques market.

DAY 5: HISTORICAL DATONG

Travel by bullet train to Datong, watching the rural splendour of China pass by your window. Known for its abundant historical relics and natural beauty, upon arrival visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yungang Caves where you will see the well-preserved rock carvings from the surrounding sandstone cliffs. Today, it is one of the three most famous ancient Buddhist cultural sites of China.

DAY 6: THE HANGING TEMPLE

Visit the 1,400-year-old, gravity-defying Hanging Temple that seemingly floats 50 metres up the face of Jinxia Gorge before travelling on to Wutaishan.

DAY 7: WUTAISHAN

The day starts with a visit to one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains, Wutaishan (Five Terraced Mountain) and a place of scenic magnificence. In Wutaishan’s shadow, an alpine valley shelters many important monasteries, temples and sculptures, some dating back over 1,000 years. Here, visit the Bodhisattva Summit Temple and Xiantong Buddhist Temple. Continue to Taiyuan, the capital and largest city in Shanxi Province and visit the Twin Pagoda Temple, constructed during the Ming Dynasty.

DAY 8: TAIYUAN AND PINGYAO

Enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Jinci Temple before travelling to the old town of Pingyao. Pingyao is a living museum and home to China’s best preserved ancient city walls. Here, take part in a traditional Chinese paper cutting experience, an art dating back to the 6th-century.

See Pingyao’s ancient architecture

DAY 9: EXPLORE PINGYAO

Explore the characterful old town of Pingyao, strolling along the cobbled streets to view the old city walls and the Rishengchang Financial House Museum. There will also be time to see the Yamen, a government building during the Qing Dynasty, before taking the bullet train to the former imperial capital of Xian.

DAY 10: TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of these life-sized warriors and visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop. Later, take a stroll on the beautifully preserved ancient city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. This evening, enjoy a delicious feast of Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

DAY 11: DISCOVER XIAN

Admire the relics at the Xian Museum before visiting the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and watching a calligraphy demonstration. There will also be time to explore the atmospheric alleys of the Muslim Quarter.

DAY 12: LUOYANG

Board a bullet train from Xian to Luoyang, a city that was the capital for more than 13 dynasties. This afternoon, visit the Longmen Grottoes which houses tens of thousands of age-old statues and sculptures depicting Buddha and his disciples carved from the limestone cliffs of Xiangshan and Longmenshan.

DAY 13: SHAOLIN TEMPLE

Travel to Dengfeng and visit the famous Shaolin Temple, best known for its association with martial arts, and walk through the Pagoda Forest, a collection of 228 pagodas of various styles built from the Tang through to the Qing dynasties. Later, witness a kung fu demonstration by the famous Shaolin Monks. Continue to Zhengzhou.

DAY 14: HUANGPU RIVER CRUISE

Fly to the exuberant and cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the ‘Paris of the East’. In the evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a scenic cruise.

DAY 15: COSMOPOLITAN SHANGHAI

Shanghai is China’s great metropolis, east and west colliding on streets lined with skyscrapers and old temples. Visit the classical Yu Garden and stop in the old town before admiring the colonial architecture on the Bund. This evening, take your seats to see the fascinating ERA acrobatic show.

DAY 16: EXPLORE SHANGHAI

Wander through the Xintiandi area to admire the 1920s architectural style, view the artefacts at the Shanghai Museum and explore the Silk Factory. Taste delicious, traditional Shanghainese cuisine for dinner.

DAYS 17-18: FLY SHANGHAI TO AUSTRALIA

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

AVAILABLE AS YOUR OWN PRIVATE TOUR Enjoy flexibility, your own guide and vehicle.

IS THIS TOUR FOR YOU?

With thousands of years of diverse history, China is one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Encounter millennia old culture, traditions and religion with visits to some of China’s greatest and most intriguing sights.

Prices are per person, twin share

Flight and supplement information

• Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth

• Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request

• Land only (Beijing - Shanghai) 17 days from $5,280 per person, twin share

• Single supplement from $1,290

Important note

Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 01 September 2022, subject to change. Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights’ accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.

Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB710pp (AU$158pp) is paid locally in China.