We Love —
- Embark on an in-depth & diverse tour of China, visiting iconic cities and sights, as well as lesser-known rural landscapes.
- Travel from Beijing to Shanghai and discover world-renowned sites including the Great Wall of China and the Temple of Heaven.
- Our members can choose from 4* or 5* hotels throughout to suit your budget, with the option to upgrade to a Half Board Stay,
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Destinations —
Also known as the Middle Kingdom, China is the third largest nation in the world bordering 14 countries that include Russia, Mongolia, and Vietnam. Due to its size, this country boasts a diverse landscape ranging from snow-capped mountains to enchanting deserts. With a long history that dates back to around 1250BC, China is also full of fascinating artefacts, making it a thrilling destination with a little something for everyone.
Our Offer —
8-night China Essentials Tour in 4* accommodation
or
8-night China Essentials Tour in 5* accommodation
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Day 1: Beijing
Day 2: The Forbidden City
Day 3: Great Wall of China
Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an (Overnight Train)
Day 5: Xi'an
Day 6: Xi'an - Shanghai (2 Hour Flight)
Day 7: Shanghai
Day 8: Shanghai - Tongli - Suzhou - Shanghai
Day 9: Departure
Your Itinerary —
The first stop on this itinerary is the capital city of Beijing. Upon arrival, your guide will collect you from the airport and transport you to the hotel. The first trip on the itinerary will be Tiananmen Square, a huge public square in the centre of the city.
You will then head to the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan), where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests as a tribute to the sky. In the afternoon, hop in a rickshaw or take a bike ride along the majestic Shichahai Lake (Houhai), and explore the charming hutongs of Beijing.
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Forbidden City, which was the imperial residence for over 400 years. Home to 24 different emperors, this remarkable landmark will take at least half a day to explore. Notable sights within the Forbidden City include the halls of Supreme Harmony, Perfect Harmony and Preserved Harmony, the room of the cultivated spirit, the concubine halls, and many treasures.
Then climb the Coal Hill for panoramic views of the old city. The tour will then visit the Lama Temple and the Confucius Temple. The Lama temple is one of the most important and best preserved Buddhist temples in the capital, forming part of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. You will then have some time to rest in a tea house before taking part in an authentic tea ceremony.
Optional Tour: Legend of Kung-fu (payable locally).
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we visit the Great Wall of China, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Great Wall is 6700 km long and it was constructed to protect the Middle Kingdom from invasions. This tour will take you to the Mutianyu section where you will ascend to the wall by foot.
Good walking shoes are required for this hike. There is an additional fee for those who wish to take the cable car up and a toboggan ride down. Those who wish to discover a wilder section of the wall can choose to replace the Mutianyu section with Huanghuacheng Wall at no extra cost.
After exploring the Great Wall, we will then visit the Changling Tomb which is one of the Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Emperors. We will reach the site by following the Path of the Spirits lined with 36 statues.
In the morning you will enjoy a trip to the Beijing Zoo to observe the giant pandas. The next trip will be to the Summer Palace, an imperial garden where it is possible to climb up to the Pavilion of the Buddha. In the afternoon you can enjoy a quick photo stop at the former 2008 Olympic site before visiting the antique market of Liulichang and Dashalan shopping district.
In the evening you will take an overnight train to Xi'an in a soft bunk (a cabin for 4 people).
Arrival in Xi'an & transfer to the hotel for breakfast. The first trip in Xi’an is the incredible excavation site of the Terracotta Army. This site was discovered in 1974 and consists of an army of 6000 life-size terracotta statues complete with horses and tanks.
Return to town & stop en-route at Great Wild Goose Pagoda Square which will give you a pleasing view of the city.
Optional Dinner with a traditional show with dances & music from the Tang Dynasty (payable locally).
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your day with a visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda which is located in a peaceful park where locals practice morning Tai Chi, Qigong, and folk dances. You will then visit the Shaanxi History Museum which documents the discovery of China’s jade stone (closed on Mondays).
In the afternoon take a stroll through the old town which boasts spectacular architectural sites including the Great Mosque.
Afterwards, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the airport.
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will uncover this diverse city which combines ancient customs and a bustling cosmopolitan atmosphere. This tour includes a ferry ride along the Huangpu River to the futuristic Lujiazui district where we will climb to the 100th floor of the International Financial Center to enjoy panoramic views of Shanghai.
Your guide will then take you to the old town of Shanghai for a walking tour of its winding alleyways and 16th Century buildings. End the day with a walk through the former French Concession including the Xintiandi district and the Fuxing Park.
Optional excursion: Shanghai Circus (payable locally).
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will depart Shanghai and head to Tongli, a beautiful village with crisscrossing canals that flow beneath charming stone bridges. In order to fully enjoy the tranquillity of this village, visit the famous meditation garden of SanQiao.
The next stop on this day trip will be Suzhou which is home to the preserved area of Pingjian Road. Return to Shanghai at the end of the day.
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home.
Your Hotels —
Our members will stay at the following accommodation (or similar) with this offer.
4* Category Hotels
If opting for the 4* category, you will stay at the below hotels (or similar) in a Standard Room on a Bed & Breakfast board basis. You may choose to upgrade to a half board stay at the next stage of the booking process (breakfast & lunch or evening meal served in the main restaurant - drinks excluded).
Xi'an: 1 night at Sunda Gentleman International Hotel
Shanghai: 3 nights at The Bund Hotel
Sleeps up to
5* Category Hotels
If opting for the 5* category, you will stay at the below hotels (or similar) in a Standard Room on a Bed & Breakfast board basis. You may choose to upgrade to a half board stay at the next stage of the booking process (breakfast & lunch or evening meal served in the main restaurant - drinks excluded).
Xi'an: 1 night at Grand Noble
Shanghai: 3 nights at Radisson Blu New World
Sleeps up to
Please note: the bed for the 3rd/4th guest sharing is likely to be a sofa bed or camp style bed. If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Your Journey —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Private transfers from Beijing airport to the hotel, returning from the hotel to Shanghai airport are included.