Great Wall & Warriors – 9 days

Day 1: Beijing

Saturday. Huan ying, welcome to China and the start of your holiday! Airport arrival transfer and hotel check in.

Day 2:  Forbidden City

This morning, we tour the centre of Beijing, China’s magnificent capital, including the massive Tiananmen Square and the sprawling Forbidden City. Boasting some 9999 rooms, the city within a city was once the sole preserve of the Chinese emperors. This afternoon we take a rickshaw ride through the Hutongs of Beijing and this evening, we enjoy an eye boggling Chinese acrobatic performance. Swinging ropes, juggling hoops, spinning plates and human pyramids are just a few tricks these show stoppers pull out followed by a Welcome Dinner of Peking Duck.

Day 3: The Great Wall

After a free morning to further explore the city, we drive beyond Beijing to Badaling, to walk a section of the famous Great Wall. Built in the Ming Dynasty, a 6m wide pathway makes a formidable defence, following the highest contours of a steep range of hills. This evening we spend the night at our quaint hotel near Juyongguan Pass, which offers views of the Great Wall.

Day 4: Morning at the Great Wall

Beijing – Xi’an. We rise early this morning and head (5 min bus drive) to the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass when it opens to beat the crowds. We have time to enjoy and explore the wall before visiting a Jade Carving Centre to learn about this ornamental rock and its importance in Chinese culture. After lunch we head back to Beijing. Free time is offered in the cavernous Pearl Market – three floors of shoppers paradise with clothing, jewellery, gadgets and much more, before travelling by express soft sleeper train to Xi’an in Shaanxi Province.

Day 5: Xi’an & Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Upon arrival into Xi’an we transfer to our hotel for breakfast and check in with time to freshen up. Today we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of Xian’s most iconic landmarks, followed by the vibrant Muslim Quarter. Later we enjoy a leisurely bike ride atop the Xi’an City Wall. Dating back to 1370 the 12m-high walls are some of the few remaining urban fortifications still standing in China today and after extensive restorations the City Walls offer ample opportunities from which to explore Xi’an. Tonight, we offer our Tang Dynasty dinner and show. Check out our Tang Dynasty bolton for more details.

Day 6: Terracotta Warriors

Xi’an – Shanghai. Today’s highlight is the Terracotta Warrior archaeological site. Standing in battle-ready formation and numbering into the thousands, the Terracotta Army is Xian’s most popular sight and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, 13 years after the army was discovered. Built by local craftsman during the 3rd century BC for emperor Qinshihuang, the life-sized warriors and horses were designed to offer protection in the afterlife. Later we visit to a clay workshop specialising in making replica figurines of the Terracotta Warriors. After an early dinner before boarding the overnight express train bound for spectacular Shanghai.

Day 7: Sizzling Shanghai!

Focus your eyes on spectacular Shanghai. Perhaps, China’s most modern city, its amazing Pudong skyline is stunning. After breakfast at our hotel, we take a tour of the many city sights including Yuyuan Garden and The Bund, with a cruise on the Huangpu River.

Day 8: Suzhou – an oriental Venice

Shanghai – Suzhou – Shanghai. Today we travel by road to ancient Suzhou. A sort of oriental Venice, ancient Suzhou is interwoven by a series of canals and pretty waterways which feed a series of classical gardens, laid out here since the Song dynasty a thousand years ago, they are justly famous across China. Suzhou sits very close to the Grand Canal, we enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal before exploring the Lingering Garden – a beautiful classical Chinese garden dating back from the Ming Dynasty. Today’s final visit is a silk workshop before returning to Shanghai.

Day 9: Shanghai

Sunday. Shanghai. Our tour ends after breakfast and onward departure transfer to airport.