China... Land of the Emperors

With nearly 4000 years of recorded history, China is one of the world's oldest civilisations. For many centuries, it was the world's most advanced and richest society. China suffered during the 19th century through the imperialism of an industrialised Europe, civil war and the overthrow of imperial rule. However, a resurgent nation is now fast heading to reclaim past glories. Visitors will experience vibrant cities, thirsty for success and timelessly remote, rural areas with sublime scenery which has captivated artists over the millenia.

Our tour to China is the perfect introduction to this fascinating land, including visits to the Terracotta Warrior Army in Xi'an, the limestone Karst scenery of Guilin and the Great Wall of China, which is the largest man-made monument in the world. It also includes visits to the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square and the mysterious Forbidden City, home of the Emperors of China for centuries.

Ming Tombs • Forbidden City • Terracotta Warriors • Great Wall of China • Guilin

Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Shanghai.

Day 2 Afternoon guided tour of the Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Garden, Xintiandi in the old French Concession Area, the Shanghai Museum and the Bund. The Yu Garden is a classical Chinese garden of pavilions and ponds, in which stands the Huxining Teahouse, said to be the model for the design on the willow-pattern plates, much loved by Europeans in another era.

Day 3 Fly from Shanghai to Guilin and transfer to the hotel for 3 nights. Guilin's name means "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus", a fragrant tree found in abundance in the city.

Day 4 The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the highlight of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst mountain peaks hide surprises around each bend of this slow moving river. Water buffalo tread the fields, peasants reap rice paddies and fishermen float by on bamboo rafts.

Day 5 Morning of sightseeing to include Fubo Hill and Reed Flute Cave. Reed Flute Cave is a fascinating gallery of natural limestone caves, filled with a large number of stalactites, stalagmites and rock formations.

Day 6 Fly to Xi'an for a 2 night stay. Enjoy an afternoon's sightseeing including the City Wall and Shaanxi History Museum.

Day 7 Full day trip to see the Terracotta Warriors and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The Terracotta Warriors were created by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang di. 70,000 workers built his tomb which was guarded by over 8000 life-size clay warriors.

Day 8 Fly to Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China, for a stay of 5 nights.

Day 9 Full day guided tour of the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Its Chinese name, Yi He Yuan, translates as, 'Garden for Maintaining Health and Harmony'

Day 10 Guided tour to the Great Wall of China, the largest man-made object on Earth, built during the 5th century BC to protect the Chinese Empire from marauding Mongolian tribes. Then, continue to the Valley of the Ming Tombs to walk along the Sacred Way, the processional funeral route of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Day 11 This morning, visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperor would ritually pray to Heaven for good harvests. It was widely held that the smallest of mistakes would constitute a bad omen for the whole nation in the coming year.

Day 12 Morning guided tour of the Forbidden City, once the home of 24 successive emperors who reigned over the country for over 500 years. Mere mortals were forbidden to enter on pain of death. Inside this city within a city, the emperors, their families and courtiers occupied 9,999 rooms.

Day 13 After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.

All tours are tailored to your requirements and can be adapted for travel by coach and/or air as you prefer. Occasionally itineraries change. Please see our current brochure or contact us for the latest version.

Hotels

All hotels are a minimum standard of 4 star. Full details of the hotels will be provided with your quotation.

Your tour includes:

• Scheduled flights between the UK and China with British Airways

• Domestic flights within China

• 1 night bed and breakfast in Shanghai

• 3 nights bed and breakfast in Guilin

• 2 nights bed and breakfast in Xi'an

• 5 nights bed and breakfast in Beijing

• 11 dinners in local restaurants

• Excursions and admissions as detailed in the itinerary

• English speaking guides

• Gratuities

For a quotation, or to enquire about this tour, fill in our online form, send us an email or call us on 01432 277666.