Highlights of China

17th - 25th September 2012

Forbidden City

• Learn about jade carving and design your own custom-made jade name seal stamp.

• Savour traditional Chinese food and drink, including a Peking Duck dinner, dumpling making and tea ceremony.

• See the famous pandas at the Beijing Zoo!

Day 1: Overnight Flight 

Day 2: Beijing, China - Tour Begins

Experience one of the most fascinating cities in the world, Beijing. Over the next several days, you will experience the beauty and intrigue of this ancient culture.

Day 3: Beijing

Begin your journey in Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China. After a short lesson on the local language, depart for a morning visit to the Summer Palace, ranked among the most noted classical gardens in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Beijing Zoo, home of the famous pandas. See the new habitat that has been created for those pandas rescued from the earthquake region who are now happily residing in their new home! Then, learn about jade carving and help design your very own custom-made jade name seal stamp, a perfect way to commemorate your visit to Beijing. Tonight, a traditional dumpling dinner is included. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. 

Day 4: Beijing

Begin your day with a visit to the famous site of Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Next, visit the Forbidden City, a vast network of palaces including five halls, seventeen palaces and numerous other rooms and buildings which have been home to 24 Chinese Emperors over 491 years. This evening you will be treated to a dinner featuring Peking Duck, followed by a colourful performance of the Peking Opera. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

Day 5: Beijing

Today is at leisure to explore this fascinating, constantly changing city independently. Your Tour Manager will be available to offer suggestions on how best to spend your day! Today breakfast will be included.

Day 6: The Great Wall

No visit to China would be complete without seeing The Great Wall, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World! Behold this awesome site and have the chance to walk along a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. travel through the Valley of the Ming Tombs where you will walk along the Sacred Way, or Divine Road, which means “the road leading to heaven.” Feel the excitement of the 2008 Summer Olympics when you view the Olympic Green where you have the opportunity to take photos of two famous structures - the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube! Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

Day 7: Beijing

Enjoy a full day of leisure to relax or independently explore this wonderful city. You may take an optional tour to Xian*, which includes a visit to the Terra-Cotta Warriors Museum. Today breakfast will be included.

Day 8: Beijing

This morning you’ll visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperor came twice each year to thank the gods for the good harvest and pray for the new harvest. You will also see the locals doing their morning Tai Chi exercises, playing cards or board games. Afterwards, experience ancient Beijing on a traditional rickshaw tour through its narrow streets and alleys. With help from an interpreter, you will learn about a local family’s history and way of life when you share lunch with them in their Hutong home. They will also teach you the art of traditional dumpling making! Next you’ll visit with a kite master and learn the history of the favourite pastime of many locals, followed by a traditional tea ceremony. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

Day 9: Beijing – Arrive Home

Your tour ends in Beijing. Arrive home the same day. Today breakfast will be included.

 Book before 31st January, 2012:  Twin/Double £1,649; Single £1,879

Book after 31st January, 2012:  Twin/Double £1,699; Single £1,929

Book early and SAVE £50 per person

PRICE INCLUDES:  Return Door to Door Transfers to Heathrow Airport (**within 100 miles of Heathrow - supplement for distances over), Return Scheduled Flights from Heathrow, Services of a Local Tour Manager, Chinese Visa, Meals & Sightseeing as per itinerary and Luggage Handling

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