May 22
Australia (or New Zealand) – Beijing, China
Today, you'll depart to Beijing, China. Upon arrival, a tour representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
Please note:
• Some travellers may depart on Day 0.
• Some travellers may have an overnight layover in China with accommodation and transfers provided by the airline.
• Some travellers may have an overnight layover in an Australian city with airport accommodation provided (excluding transfers).
• Some travellers may arrive early in the morning of Day 2.
Which meals are included?
C-Kong International Hotel Beijing
May 23
Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City (or Temple of Heaven)
After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world. This is followed by the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City which was originally constructed by Emperor Yong Le, the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The palace was built between 1406 and 1420, however has been burnt down, rebuilt, sacked and renovated countless times. Most of the architecture you'll see today dates from the 1700s and onwards.
Optional Tour: Summer Palace and Beijing Zoo with Dinner
Take a trip to the majestic Summer Palace, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.
Then head to the Panda House, the crown jewel of Beijing Zoo. Since the successful captive breeding of the first giant panda in 1963, and the world’s first successful artificial insemination in 1978, the zoo has been at the forefront of panda conservation.
Finish with a delicious dinner experience that will allow you to savour authentic regional flavours.
Not included, paid on tour. Please see current pricing in Important Information.
Please note:
• Scheduling of attractions and activities may be alternated for the days in Beijing (Days 2 to 4).
• There is a daily limit on the number of tickets available for The Forbidden City, therefore entry cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability. In the event that tickets can not be secured, a visit to The Temple of Heaven will be offered instead. The Temple of Heaven, founded in the first half of the 15th century, is a dignified complex of fine cult buildings that are set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods. In its overall layout, it symbolises the relationship between earth and heaven which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony and also recognises the special role played by the emperors within that relationship.
Which meals are included?
C-Kong International Hotel Beijing
May 24
Great Wall of China
After breakfast, you'll head to a jade museum to learn the history of jade. In Chinese, jade is pronounced as “Yu” and has a history of at least 4,000 years in China. Observe skilled artisans at work as they create their intricate designs.
You'll then take a scenic drive through the countryside and mountains to reach China’s most renowned monument, the Great Wall. You will visit the less-touristy and more original Juyong Pass, avoiding other sections which are the most accessible and consequently most crowded. The Great Wall meanders through China’s northern mountain ranges from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert at a distance of more than 5,600 kilometres.
This evening, don't miss the exciting optional Hutong pedicab tour and local dinner (charges apply).
Optional Tour: Hutong Pedicab Tour & Local Dinner
Tour Beijing’s 700-year-old Hutongs (narrow lanes) area by old-fashioned pedicab. You will then visit a local family living in a courtyard style home to experience the local customs, including a delicious home-cooked dinner. You'll also visit Shichahai, a historic scenic area consisting of three lakes that surround places of historic interest and scenic beauty. Please see current pricing in Important Information. Not included, paid on tour.
Please note: Scheduling of attractions and activities may be alternated for the days in Beijing (Days 2 to 4).
Which meals are included?
C-Kong International Hotel Beijing
May 25
Beijing – Xi'an
After breakfast, make a stop at a traditional Chinese health centre where you’ll learn about acupuncture, herbal medicine and other wellness practices integral to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
You'll then travel by high-speed train (or domestic flight) to Xi'an. Upon arrival, a tour representative will meet you and then escort you to check into the hotel.
Please note:
• High-speed train tickets are subject to availability, and if train tickets are unavailable a domestic flight will be provided in place of this. Train and/or domestic flight tickets will be distributed by your tour guide on arrival in China and in some cases you may find a domestic flight within China included in your attached international flight ticket.
• If you do not provide your passport details at least 60 days prior to departure, you may not be in the same train carriage or on the same train as your companions and other group members.
• Seating arrangement on high-speed trains consists of a row of 2 seats and a row of 3 seats. Due to this, we cannot guarantee you a seat right next to your travel companion on this journey.
• Scheduling of attractions and activities may be alternated for the days in Beijing (Days 2 to 4).
Which meals are included?
Metro Park Xi’an Huan Yu Hotel
Terracotta Warriors & Horses
The highlight today is visiting the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum. Unearthed near Xi’an, the thousands of life size sculptures of soldiers, chariots and horses are considered a world wonder. With different facial expressions and weaponry adorning each soldier, the Terracotta Warriors were believed to have been created to accompany the Qin Emperor into the afterlife. This site is among the top archaeological excavations of the 20th century. You will be amazed by the scale of the Terracotta Warriors Army. En route, you'll also visit the Terracotta Warriors Reproduction Factory.
Finish the day back at your hotel where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, or alternatively take part in an optional activity.
Optional Tour: Xi'an At Night with Grand Tang Dynasty Everbridge City & Dinner
Tonight, enjoy an early dinner of local cuisine at a restaurant. You'll then head to Grand Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, the only large-scale Tang style architectural complex pedestrian street in China. As the top destination for showcasing and experiencing Tang culture in Xi’an, it has attracted a large number of tourists with its unique Tang culture and technological exhibitions. Datang Everbright City is brightly lit at night with antique style buildings shining brilliantly between the turns of light and shadow, recreating the magnificent Tang Dynasty. On the way back to the hotel, the view of the Ancient City Wall is another highlight for the nightlife in Xi'an.
