On arrival in Beijing, China’s majestic capital, you will be transferred to the International Hotel for a stay of 5 nights. The hotel is centrally situated in the heart of Beijing close to historic sites, and whilst here there will be various full or half day tours including Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Tianan’men Square is the largest square in the world created by Chairman Mao and used for parades of up to a million people. It was infamously brought to the world’s attention by the pro-democracy demonstrations in 1989. The Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, has over 9000 rooms, covering an area of 720,000 square metres and is the largest and best kept ancient construction in China
A full day tour includes visits to the Avenue of Statues/Sacred Way and the Ming Tombs.

The Great Wall of China at Badaling will give you an opportunity to see a beautiful and very well preserved section of this amazing construction. With a history of more than 2000 years, it began as independent walls for different states when first built, and it was not until the unification of China by Emperor Qin, that the sections became joined and it became the ‘Great Wall’, stretching nearly 4000 miles across China, involving over 1 million people in its construction and taking more than 10 years to complete. Your last day in Beijing is free for you to explore and take in the sights and sounds of this exciting city.

A short flight of 1 ½ hours takes you to Zhengzhou for a stay of 2 nights at the Sofitel Hotel. An afternoon sightseeing tour to Kaifeng, once the Imperial capital during the northern Song Dynasty (AD960-1126) is included. This charming city’s history has been dominated by its position on the Yellow River. Kaifeng was also the first city in China where Jews settled when they arrived, via India, along the Silk Road. There are also visits to see the 55 metre tall Iron Pagoda and the Dragon Pavilion in Quingmin Park. Another half day sightseeing tour will take in Guanxing Tai, China’s oldest Observatory and there are visits to the Zhongyue Temple and Shaolin Temple where you will see a display of Kung Fu.

The next two nights are at Luoyang at the Hua Yang Hotel with visits to the Longmen Grottoes and the Museum of Ancient tombs. After your stay in Luoyang a half-day journey by train through rural China will take you to Xi’an where more fascinating discoveries await you. You will stay for 3 nights at the Howard Johnson Hotel. A full day excursion will take you to the sensational archaeological excavations of China’s ‘Terra Cotta Army’. Life size figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations comprising 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots and even weapons have been unearthed and most of them restored to their former grandeur. Other highlights of your stay in Xi’An include visits to the City Wall, ‘The Tang Dynasty’ show and dinner, the Great Wild Goose Pagoda Temple and plenty of time to explore Xi’An.
Your tour ends with 3 nights in evocative Shanghai, staying at the Jin Jiang Hotel.

Situated on the estuary of the Yangtze River with two million of its population ‘floating’, the mix of culture, traditions and modern commerce creates a photographers’ paradise. Shanghai also has some of the finest restaurants in China, with an amazing variety of cuisines and where you are welcomed at any time. If you have not found time already for gifts to bring home, this is where you will find a huge diversity of shops with a simply amazing array of choice. We are sure you will enjoy to the full the oriental experience of Shanghai. We include visits to the Jade Buddah Temple, Yu Yuan Gardens and the Bund, and of course you will also have plenty time to explore on your own and relax before the journey home .