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China’s Cultural Gems & Vibrant Delights


  • Great Wall of China in Summer
  • Terracotta Army - Lumle holidays
  • Yangsho - Lumle holidays

China’s Cultural Gems & Vibrant Delights

 China

16 days from £1799 pp  including flight

Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum, the eighth wonder of the world and the Muslim quarter, Xi’an city’s glamour and gourmet.

At a Glance

  • Explore the Forbidden City
  • Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum
  • Cruise along the Li River
  • Explore the charm of Shanghai
Print this trip

Join this awe-inspiring sixteen-day tour to discover the highlights of China! Explore the Forbidden City, home to emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasty for over 500 years. Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum, the eighth wonder of the world and the Muslim quarter, Xi’an city’s glamour and gourmet. Cruise along the Li River, to see one of China’s natural masterpieces. Explore the charm of old Shanghai.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Beijing: from ancient walled capital to showpiece megacity in barely a century, it spins a breathless yarn of history, culture, and innovation.

Xi’an: Xi’an’s Ming-era city walls remain intact, vendors of all descriptions still crowd the narrow lanes of the warren-like Muslim Quarter. 

Guilin: Guilin’s natural endowments will amaze you, yet, thanks to imperfect urban planning, there is a pervasive feeling that the city is past its prime.

Shanghai: home to the world’s second-tallest tower and a city with a diverse architectural heritage is like no other cities on earth.

Short itinerary

Day 1 : DEPART LONDON HEATHROW
Day 2 : ARRIVAL BEIJING
Day 3 : BEIJING
Day 4 : BEIJING
Day 5 : BEIJING
Day 6 : BEIJING – XIAN
Day 7 : XIAN
Day 8 : XIAN
Day 9 : XIAN – GUILIN – YANGSHUO
Day 10 : GUILIN
Day 11 : GUILIN
Day 12 : GUILIN – SHANGHAI
Day 13 : SHANGHAI
Day 14 : SHANGHAI
Day 15 : SHANGHAI
Day 16 : SHANGHAI DEPARTURE

Tour Ends

 Day 1 : DEPART LONDON HEATHROW
You will board to plane from London Heathrow to Beijing. Overnight in board.
 Day 2 : ARRIVAL BEIJING

Upon arrival you will be met by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Your tour starts in Beijing, marking the beginning of your holiday, the capital of most populous country on the earth. With wide range of sightseeing opportunity, the places, unwinds the China's ancient history and displays the modern culture.

Overnight in Beijing.
 Day 3 : BEIJING

Morning after breakfast. Kick start your today’s sightseeing with an excursion to best-preserved section of the Great Wall of China. The Jvyongguan section is the most popular section of the wall and is the best representation of the former splendour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The magnanimous length of the wall can be seen from the space. Enroute, enjoy the countryside and stop at an impressive Jade exhibition where you can learn about the historical significance of this precious stone. After arriving at the Great Wall you will have at least two hours to explore and learn about the history of this magnum opus. This stretch was built in 1505 in the strategically important Guan Valley in order to keep out the Mongol hordes coming from the North. Nowadays, tourists flock from all over the world and the Jvyongguan section is the most visited part of the Great Wall. On your way back to Beijing, stop at Olympic Park with an opportunity to explore the beautifully architected Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube Aquatics Centre.

Spend rest of the day at leisure or embark on an optional Golden Mask show: Set in the era of the Golden Mask Dynasty, a legendary age in China, the story tells the story of a queen, who wears a golden mask, and creates a splendid dynasty. It is a fabulous insight into China's history and arts.

Overnight in Beijing.
 Day 4 : BEIJING

Morning after breakfast. Meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby. Drive to Tiananmen Square, gaze across it and take in the full weight of its historical and cultural significance. People travel from all over the world to see Mao’s portrait and visit his mausoleum, which lies on the opposite end of the Square. Walking towards to Forbidden City, where emperors ruled, concubines fluttered their fans, and eunuchs schemed for five hundred years. It is a life preserved in chambers, where emperors ruled, gardens, where empresses and concubines strolled and in the palace where the emperor's courtesans lived for centuries behind the towering red walls. Lunch at a local tourist restaurant (included). In the afternoon, venture to one of Beijing’s few remaining ‘hutongs’ or traditional lanes in the backstreets of the city to gain a perspective into fascinating and authentic ‘old’ Beijing. Hutongs, the narrow alleys and lanes first laid out during the Yuan dynasty (1268-1364AD), and the siheyuan, traditional courtyard homes that border these leafy streets, define old Beijing. Here, we can get an idea of what the entire city once looked like and experience the traditional way of life, the silhouette of imperial dynasties, Chinese local lifestyle, the impact of western countries. Visit the Buddhist Miaoying Temple, which has an iconic White Stupa that was completed in 1279, under the leadership of Kublai Khan.

Please note: the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so the order of the itinerary may be changed to accommodate this closure.

Optional Summer Palace tour & Peking Duck dinner: Visit Summer Palace, used for centuries as the royal family’s retreat outside the city to escape the summer heat. After the tour, enjoy a dinner of a famous local specialty: Peking Roast Duck. Observe an expert chef slice the crispy skin, and learn the best way to eat this dish.

Overnight in Beijing.
 Day 5 : BEIJING

Today you will be at leisure to explore the city on your own. Or you may choose to take an optional excursion to Temple tour encompassing Temple of Heaven, Hutong & Lama temple. A religious complex where you could have the opportunity to watch the locals practising Tai Chi in the tranquil surroundings. After that, hop on a rickshaw, the most popular form of transportation in the Hutong neighbourhood, and visit Bell Tower and Drum Tower from the outside before stepping into one of the local Siheyuan courtyard houses to learn about Chinese paper cutting. Enjoy a traditional lunch of Beijing noodles before finally visiting the Lama Temple, also known as the Yonghe Temple, which is considered as the largest and best-preserved Buddhist monastery in modern China. 

Overnight in Beijing.
 Day 6 : BEIJING – XIAN

Wake up to the breakfast at the hotel. At an appointed time you will be transferred to Beijing West Railway Station in the afternoon to take a high-speed train direction to Xi’an. Once in Xi’an North Railway Station, you will be greeted by the guide who will assist you with the transfer and check in to your hotel.

Upon arrival in Xian you may choose to spend the day at leisure or embark on an optional night tour. Beginning with the North Square of the Wild Goose Pagoda, then heading all the way to The Grand Tang Mall, also known as Datang Everbright City. This pedestrian-friendly park offers a thrilling experience that takes you back to the Tang Dynasty with lights, statues, and stalls.

Overnight in Xi’an.
 Day 7 : XIAN

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and get ready for your pick-up for a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Praised as the eighth wonder of the world, this collection of terracotta warriors, horses, chariots and weapons unearthed at the site of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor provides a fascinating insight into ancient China. Around 2,000 warriors have been excavated since their chance discover in 1974, but it is estimated that there may be up to an impressive 8,000 in total. This silent army is a fascinating highlight to any tour. On the way back we´ll visit a jade factory and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This well-preserved ancient Buddhist pagoda was built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and it is one of the oldest surviving structures of its kind in China. To wrap up our excursion we´ll visit a local jade factory and we learn about the process of fining and shaping of this beautiful precious stone, adored by the Chinese for its calming effects. Once back in the hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Optional Tang Dynasty show with dumpling banquet dinner: Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with fabulous music and dancing from the era of the Tang Dynasty, China's golden age. The show is a unique way to get to know the historical culture of the ancient city of Xi'an. Enjoy a dumpling banquet for dinner, included with this activity!

Overnight in Xi’an.
 Day 8 : XIAN

Enjoy leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Day is yours to relax or indulge into your own activities or you may choose to embark on optional Mt. Huashan day trip with cable car: Known as one of China’s Five Sacred Taoist Mountains, Mt. Huashan has five main peaks and only one hiking trail that is 15 kilometers long from south to north. You will explore this mountain of great religious significance by cable car.

Please note: This optional activity is not appropriate for people with vertigo, fear of heights, reduced mobility, etc. Overnight in Xi’an
 Day 9 : XIAN – GUILIN – YANGSHUO

Today after early breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Guilin. A city that represents China’s classic landscape, is forming a cross-pattern of limestone karsts and rice paddies. Upon arrival you will head to Yangshuo a popular spot amongst both international and domestic tourists. This is the place to be in to explore the local tradition and culture. Proceed for a walk through the town and pave your way to the Li River for an immersive experience of landscape immortalized by plenty of Chinese paintings. Afterwards, enjoy a boat cruise on the Li River to admire the beautiful landscape. Later on walk along the West street and enjoy the lively atmosphere. After the sightseeing return to the hotel.

In the evening you may choose to take an optional Liusanjie impression show: Enjoy the unparallel beauty of the Li River at night as it is lit up in an Impression Light Show. The waters of the Li River set the stage and a dozen beautifully lit rock formations form a natural backdrop.

Overnight stay in Yangshuo
 Day 10 : GUILIN

Morning after breakfast at the hotel. Your embarkation will take you to Elephant Trunk Hill, a trunk shaped rock which extends into the river. Later, pay a visit to local Pearl factory. After the sightseeing is finished you will be transferred to the hotel.

Spend the day at leisure or embark on optional Four Lake night cruise with Cormorant fishing show: Downtown Guilin lights up at night, and the best way to enjoy its beauty is to take a night cruise around the city’s Four Lakes scenic area. Enjoy panoramic views of the city’s multicoloured nighttime skyline and enjoy a Cormorant Fishing Show.

Overnight stay in Guilin
 Day 11 : GUILIN

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Entire day is at leisure, or you may choose to embark on optional Longji Terrace Fields tour: Drive to Longsheng to visit the famous Longji Terrace Fields—rice terraces built into the hillsides, a true sight to be seen. Nicknamed "the Dragon's backbone" for its green undulating forms, what we see today was mostly constructed over 650 years ago. The Longji region has some of the most extensive rice terraces around. These terraces change with the seasons: filled with water from the mountains before planting, becoming green during the growing season and then golden when the rice is ready for harvest. The people still preserve some of their traditional lifestyle and unique customs. You'll notice women only cut their hair at 16 years old, symbolizing their entrance into adulthood. The hair isn’t thrown away, but is kept by the grandmother. When the woman marries, the hair is made into an ornamental headdress and brought to the husband's home as a souvenir! Next, pass through the Yao and Zhuang villages to get a closer look at the local culture.

Overnight stay in Guilin.
 Day 12 : GUILIN – SHANGHAI

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport, fly to Shanghai, the face of modern China, is teeming with energy and activity, and offers travellers a true diversity of areas and experiences. You’ll be met and greeted by the guide and driver after arrival in Shanghai.

Overnight in Shanghai.
 Day 13 : SHANGHAI

Morning after breakfast proceed for half day tour of Shanghai. Roll back in time in the alluring traditional Yu Garden, visit the Shanghai Museum for immersive cultural and historical experiences, also explore the modern version of the city. Pay a visit to an authentic silk factory to find out how this coveted fabric is made. After the sightseeing head back to the hotel.

Optional acrobatic show: Experience one of the world's oldest performing arts as you are immersed in an evening of culture and entertainment. Note: Available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Overnight stay in Shanghai.
 Day 14 : SHANGHAI

Day free to explore the city on your own or sit back and relax.

Overnight stay in Shanghai.
 Day 15 : SHANGHAI
Today spend the day at leisure or explore the city on your own.

Optional Shanghai full-day city tour: Drive to Yu Garden, wander the maze of pavilions and arched bridges of Yu Garden, one of Shanghai’s premier sights. Today the area is also home to a lively market that specializes in traditional Chinese arts and crafts. You can peruse antiques, silk fans, bamboo articles, shell carvings, paintings, or simply try some Shanghai Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), vegetarian buns, and chicken soup. Followed by a visit to Jade Buddha Temple, the temple is an active site of worship and home to a couple of famous Buddha statues that were brought from Burma in the 1800s. It took ten years to complete its construction. Lunch at a local tourist restaurant (included). Take a walk in the French Concession Quarter, home to the city’s most stylish streets. The former Shanghai French Concession was a region under French control from 1849 until its return to the hands of the Chinese government in 1946. While this Shanghai neighbourhood is no longer of French ownership, the area is still ruled by a laid-back attitude and European architecture. Now one of the most vibrant shopping districts in Shanghai, the former French concession is where much of Shanghai’s disposable cash is splashed. Overnight in Shanghai.

Overnight stay in Shanghai.
 Day 16 : SHANGHAI DEPARTURE

Enjoy your farewell breakfast at the hotel, then prepare to check out of your room at the scheduled time and transfer to Shanghai Airport for your onward or return flight.

Tour Ends

What's included

  • Return flight from London Heathrow
  • All shared transfers
  • Four nights at the 4-star Beijing Marriott Hotel Changping or Similar, Beijing
  • Bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an
  • Three nights at the 4-star Jianguo Hotel or Similar, Xi'an
  • Internal flight from Xi'an to Guilin
  • One night at the 4-star New Century Hotel or Similar, Yangshuo
  • Two nights at the 4-star Guilin Bravo Hotel or Similar, Guilin
  • Internal flight from Guilin to Shanghai
  • Four nights at the Novotel Shanghai Qingpu Excellence or Similar, Shanghai
  • Daily breakfast
  • All tickets included in the itinerary
  • Transportation included in the itinerary
  • Excursions with an English-speaking guide

What's not included

  • Lunches, dinners and beverages
  • Optional excursions and entrance tickets
  • Tips to drivers and tour guides
  • Other personal expenses
  • Travel Accident Insurance
  • Visa to China
  • Airport tax where applicable
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Anything not mentioned in what's included

Your Hotels

Beijing: Marriott Hotel Changping
Xi´an: Jianguo Hotel
Yangshuo: New Century Hotel
Guilin: Guilin Bravo Hotel
Shanghai: Novotel Shanghai Qingpu Excellence

Please note

  • Forbidden City is closed on Mondays
  • Please check the China tourist visa requirements with your local embassy or authorities
  • We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems, security reasons or Corona restrictions. 
  • Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
  • No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed 

What do I need to bring?

Comfortable and light clothing is best suited to travel in the warm months and warm clothing in the colder months in China. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or sparse clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses and a hat can be very useful during your stay.

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AVAILABILITY OPTIONS

OPENED: This date is available and open for bookings.
LIMITED: There are very limited number of available places on this departure. Immediate booking.
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CLOSED: This date is currently unavailable. Please contact us, if you are interested in travelling on this date.

Your Program Duration = 16 Days
All the Prices are in GBP (£) Per Person.

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Travel Info

    • Flight time 9¾ hours (Beijing)
    • Timezone UTC +8
    • Recommended airlines British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines and Virgin Atlantic
    • Best season Spring and autumn are traditionally considered the ideal times to visit China

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