Travelling by local transport and staying in simple hotels, we experience everyday life in modern China. We also
discover imperial China’s most famous cultural highlights including the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Great Wall at
Mutianyu and the Terracotta Army in Xian. We finish the trip exploring the vibrant streets of Shanghai, China’s most
cosmopolitan city.
What we say
Staff Member Pete Smout travelled on this tour in 2012.
"If you want to see China without spending thousands or you can’t take several weeks off work then this is the ideal tour. 9 days and you see 4 cities, Beijing, Xian, Suzhou and Shanghai. This includes the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors. Very busy tour ends with a few days to relax in Shanghai."
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour Beijing
Arrive in Beijing and check-in to the hotel.
Overnight Simple Hotel
2
Exploring Beijing
Beijing is the political and cultural centre of this vast country. Today you will have free time where you can chose to do a number of things. You may wish to wander across Tienanmen Square into the iconic Forbidden City, the one-time home of the Ming and the Manchu (Qing) emperors and the largest and best preserved collection of ancient buildings in the whole of China.Alternatively you could visit the Temple of Heaven or just walk through the Houtongs in the area.
Overnight Simple Hotel
3
Walk the Great Wall before catching the overnight train to Xian
It's a busy day today as we drive out of the city to Mutianyu to visit the Great Wall. Its construction commenced in the 3rd century BC by Shi Huangdi, thousands of conscripted workers laboured on it and many lie buried in its brick and stone ramparts. Returning to Beijing we are scheduled to leave the city this evening on the sleeper train. The main railway station is a hive of activity.
Overnight Basic Train
4
Arrive in Xian; free to explore the city
We arrive in Xian in time for breakfast. We make the short journey from the train station on foot. Our stay in Xian reveals the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilisation. Xian (Changan) served 11 dynasties and was the very starting point of the Silk Road between Central Asia and Europe. Its ancient monuments include the Great Mosque, a wonderful 15th century working mosque within the old muslim Hui District. There is also the option to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a 7-storey high structure with a superb overview of the city.
Overnight Simple Hotel
5
In Xian visit the Terracotta Army
Today we take the public bus and visit one of the highlights of any visit to China – the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses who guard the Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. There are literally thousands of lifesize warriors, dating from 200BC. This dramatic find of the 1970s is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century. We should have time to stop at the on-site factory to see how the warriors are made today. In the early evening we take the overnight sleeper train to Suzshou.
Overnight Basic Train
6
Suzhou, the garden city
Suzhou sits astride the Grand Canal which was completed in 610AD and linking the Yellow River with the Yangtse, and Beijing with Hangzhou, the 1,800 km Grand Canal was a magnificent engineering feat. Over the centuries it has transported food north from the fertile lands in the south. Over 2,500 years old, Suzhou is sometimes called the ‘Venice of the Orient’ with a series of bridges, canals and ancient buildings. But a little of Suzhou's special magic lies in its famous gardens, perhaps the most beautiful in all China. This afternoon we have time to explore this lovely old town with the opion to take boat ride on the pretty canals or visit to the large 'Humble Administrator’s Garden' which has streams, ponds and beautifully decorated pavilions scattered throughout. Here water reflects land and provides a fresh tableau at every turn.
Overnight Simple Hotel
7
Fast train to Shanghai
We continue our exploration of the town. There is time to make an optional visit to the 'Lingering Garden' which features a man-made mountain and lake, garden courts and elegant buildings, a real contrast to the garden from yesterday. Early afternoon we catch the train to Shanghai. Shanghai is one of Asia’s most vibrant and dynamic cities. It began as a fishing village in the 11th century, but after the end of the first opium war and of the five newly opened treaty ports Shanghai soon became the most cosmopolitan city, with Asian, Russian, European and Jewish influences. Here were cabarets and ballrooms, fine shops and satirical newspapers, and with such style and influence Shanghai was dubbed the ‘Paris of the Orient’. Today its elegant past is still noticeable as you walk down ‘the Bund’.
Overnight Simple Hotel
8
In Shanghai
Time in Shanghai is left free for your own exploration. You may wish to visit the 16th century Yu Yuan Gardens or stroll along the Bund.
Overnight Simple Hotel
9
Tour ends in Shanghai
Our tour ends this morning.
