A Taste of China

Iconic images of China, the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Terracotta Warriors are complemented by the futuristic city of Shanghai and the beguiling natural beauty that envelops Guilin. Extend your stay in vibrant Hong Kong or on the relaxing beaches of Sanya.

Guide

The Taste of China tour includes English speaking local guides, transport and internal flights, sightseeing and entrance fees and return flights by scheduled airline.

NB → Extensions are not escorted but assistance will be available locally.

MEAL PLAN
•   Prices include breakfast throughout
•   Lunch on Days 3, 4, 6 and 8
•   Dinner on Days 2, 5, 7 and 10
•   Full breakfast in Sanya and Tibet with lunch on Day 2 and 3 in Tibet.
•   There will be a wide local choice of great value restaurants serving a variety of cuisines so you can dine with flexibility.

ACCOMMODATION
•   4 and 5 star accommodation as detailed respectively.

GROUP SIZE
•   Maximum 25 passengers.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
•   This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers (please call for further information).

EXPERIENCES
•   Where suitable, we have arranged a selection of optional experiences throughout your tour to provide additional sightseeing and enhance your insight into the local culture.
•   All optional experiences are available and payable locally through your local guide.

TRAVEL TIPS
•   Please be aware this comprehensive tour involves a number of early starts, considerable travel and changes in food, climate and altitude.

NB
•   Children under the age of 16 are not permitted unless travelling on a private tour.
•   Due to the number of steps in and around the main attractions, this tour is not suitable for those with walking difficulties.
•   Local conditions may necessitate slight variations to the timings of tour itineraries.
•   Vegetarian diets cannot be adequately provided throughout China.
•   China celebrates The National Week Holiday beginning on National Day (Oct01) with domestic travel increasing dramatically and transport availability limited. Many markets, shops and restaurants close although hotels remain open.

DAY 1 - LONDON TO BEIJING
British Airways overnight flight from Heathrow to Beijing and transfer to the Novotel Xin Qiao (four star) or Shangri La (five star) for three nights. Welcome Peking duck dinner in the evening.

DAY 3 - BEIJING
Enjoy a tour of Beijing’s vast Tian’anmen Square, mesmerising Forbidden City and classical Summer Palace (boat ride included April to October). In the evening enjoy an optional tour of Beijing’s ‘Hutong’ area by rickshaw and return to an illuminated night time Tian'anmen Square.

DAY 4 - BEIJING
Visit the awe-inspiring Great Wall at the Mutianyu section, noted for its meandering chain of Ming Dynasty guard towers, and admire outstanding panoramas from the fortified remains. Photo stop at the spectacular Bird's Nest and Water Cube Olympic venues. Optional  evening visit to a Kung Fu show.

DAY 5 - BEIJING TO XI'AN
Visit the Temple of Heaven, China's largest temple and altar complex and the most stunning example of Ming architecture. Catch locals performing T’ai Chi at the East Gate before flying on to Xi’an with China Eastern Airlines for two nights at the Garden Hotel (four star) or Hyatt Regency (five star), depending on tour option. Tour Xi'an's historic city walls and wander the bustling streets of the Muslim Quarter including a traditional dinner.

DAY 6 - XI'AN
A full day of sightseeing in and around Xi'an commences with a visit to the 8,000 Terracotta Warriors viewing them up close as they stand in traditional battle formation. Return to Xi’an and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Optional Tang Dynasty show in the evening.

DAY 7 - XI'AN TO GUILIN
Fly with China Eastern Airlines to picturesque Guilin, with en route visit to the 40,000 burial objects of the Han Yang Tombs. Transfer to the Guilin Bravo (four star) or Shangri La (five star) for two nights, visiting a tea plantation and enjoying a tea ceremony en route. In the evening witness the ancient tradition of cormorant fishing on an optional tour. The following day take a cruise through the stunning scenery of limestone karsts along the River Li to the quaint town of Yangshuo, where you can explore its pretty rice fields. Discover the shops and cafés before returning to Guilin in the evening.

DAY 9 - GUILIN TO SHANGHAI
Visit Elephant Trunk Hill and the enchanting Reed Flute Cave before flying with China Eastern Airlines to Shanghai and transferring to the Jianguo (four star) or Radisson Xin Guo (five star) for two nights. Relax or take an optional tour to view Shanghai from the 88th floor of the Jin Mao tower with optional evening cruise along the Huang Pu. In the morning, a full day tour includes the classical Yu Garden, traditional Old Town area, cultural Shanghai Museum and ends with a stroll along the colonial Bund. An evening farewell dinner is followed by an acrobatic show.

DAY 11 - SHANGHAI TO LONDON
Morning transfer by coach or optional Maglev train to the airport and fly British Airways to Heathrow, arriving later the same day.

TIBET
DAY 11 - SHANGHAI TO LHASA
Fly from Shanghai to Lhasa, Tibet for three nights at Four Points by Sheraton.
DAY 12-13 - LHASA
Visit the Potala Palace, sear Monastery, a Tibetan local family, Jokhang Monastery and Bakhor Street with a local guide.
DAY 14 - LHASA

Morning at leisure with tour guide. In the afternoon fly from Lhasa back to Shanghai for one night at the Grand Mercure Shanghai Zhongya.
DAY 15 - LHASA TO LONDON
Fly British Airways to Heathrow arriving the same day.

THE BEACHES OF SANYA
DAY 11 - SHANGHAI TO SANYA
Fly China Southern Airlines to Hainan Island and the beach resort of Sanya. Enjoy four nights at the Holiday Inn Sanya Bay in a Deluxe mountainview room.
DAY 15 - SANYA TO LONDON
Early evening Dragonair flight to Hong Kong and onward to Heathrow with British Airways.