The Best of Shanghai, Xian & Beijing with Hong Kong add-on

Day 1: UK/Shanghai
Today you will depart on your scheduled flight to Shanghai, arriving on day 2

Day 2: Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai, where you will be met by a Local Guide and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 3: Shanghai
Shanghai is a vibrant and exciting seaport, and the fastest developing city in China, if not the world. At its heart is the Huangpu River, with its constant and extraordinary stream of water traffic and the famous riverside boulevard, the Bund, which is lined with magnificent former colonial buildings.

Our included sightseeing programme shows you the best of Shanghai. Highlights include the thronging shopping thoroughfare of Nanjing Road, the traditional Old Town, with its ancient Wu Xing Ting Teahouse, and the classic Yu Yuan Gardens. You will also visit the beautiful Jade Buddha Temple.

This evening there is the opportunity to see the spectacular Shanghai Acrobats.

Day 4: Xian
Today, after breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. On arrival you will visit the City Wall to experience a traditional welcome ceremony before continuing to the Shanxi Museum, home to many traditional artefacts. You’ll then transfer to your hotel where you can relax and enjoy an overnight stay.

Day 5: Xian
Xian, the ‘City of Eternal Peace’, was once the flourishing capital of China and the most important city in Asia. During today’s included excursion you will see quite simply one of the world’s most remarkable sights, the Terracotta Army at Li Shan Mountain. Discovered in the 1970s by farmers digging a well, this staggering collection of at least 6,000 life-size terracotta figures representing the individuals of the Imperial Guard were interred in 200 BC with the first Qin emperor. They are grouped in battle order, rank by rank, some mounted on horse-drawn chariots, others armed with spears, swords and crossbows in a dazzling display of Chinese military power.

Later in the day you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing, where three nights’ accommodation has been arranged.

Day 6: Beijing
Beijing is an extraordinary city. Ancient temples and palaces, with golden curved roofs and exquisite marble and jade, stand proudly beside the vast 20th century civic buildings created by Chairman Mao and his people. The most modern architecture can be seen with the iconic Olympic buildings. These include the National Aquatics Centre, better known as the Water Cube and the National Stadium, better known as the Bird’s Nest.

Daily life in Beijing, a city of bustling street markets and food stalls, horses and carts, crowded buses, and friendly people, is a truly spellbinding sight to the first-time visitor.

Today we include an introductory city tour, visiting the heart of Beijing – Tiananmen Square. It is the largest public square in the world, bordered by the Qianmen Gate, the Great Hall of the People and the Gate of Heavenly Peace. You will go through the gate, which forms the entrance to the incredible Forbidden City, to marvel at the magnificent buildings that house the Imperial Palace from which China was ruled by the imperial dynasties for hundreds of years. After lunch you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where the emperor would pray for a good harvest. During your guided tour you will see magnificent collections of Chinese bronzes, porcelain, paintings, jade and other treasures.

Day 7: Beijing
It’s the final day of your holiday today, and one which will see you enjoying another fabulous highlight, a visit to the Great Wall of China. This iconic structure is some 3,800 miles long and at least 2,600 years old. The Great Wall winds through the hills of northern China and passes within 40 miles of Beijing at Badaling, where it is wide enough to allow five horsemen to ride abreast. Here you will have plenty of time to walk along the historic ramparts and marvel at its size and grandeur. This afternoon we have arranged for you to visit the magnificent Summer Palace.

Day 8: Beijing/Hong Kong
On the final day of the main tour you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong, where you will stay for the next four nights. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and this evening at leisure.

Day 9: Hong Kong
Join this morning’s included sightseeing tour of Hong Kong Island. Your first stop will be the top of Victoria Peak for the best view in town. Your tour then introduces you to such sights as Repulse Bay, and the fishing village of Aberdeen, famous for its floating community.

Days 10 – 11: Hong Kong
Many fascinating optional excursions will be available to you (at extra cost). You can take a day trip across the Pearl River to the former Portuguese colony of Macau, which reverted back to Chinese rule in December 1999, take a harbour cruise or sail along the coast to Aberdeen for a fabulous seafood lunch. A ride on the Star Ferry is an absolute must – for just a few pence you can see the whole city from a spectacular vantage point.

Alternatively, explore at your own pace. You can stroll through the busy streets, shop for bargains and soak up the unique atmosphere of one of the world’s greatest cities.

Day 12: Hong Kong/UK
Today you’ll transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK, arriving later the same day.

Please note
We want you to get the most from your holiday with us so please be advised that this tour is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.

To introduce you to China’s many extraordinary sights, our itineraries are very busy with some early starts and long days, but they are also extremely rewarding.

Your meals
All your meals are included whilst in China. Breakfast is Western continental-style, followed by Chinese lunch and dinner, each consisting of a variety of local dishes.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

4-star Lan Tian in Shanghai
4-star Wan Nian in Xian
4-star Chang An Grand in Beijing
All hotels above feature a restaurant and a bar. Guest rooms all have en suite facilities and air-conditioning.

In Hong Kong You will stay at the:

4-star Cosmopolitan
This comfortable hotel features a restaurant and bar. Guest rooms are equipped with en suite facilities, air-conditioning, safe, mini-bar, TV, telephone, tea and coffee-making facilities.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Shanghai tour (full day)
Xian city walls for welcome ceremony and visit to Shanxi museum
Xian – Terracotta Army (half day)
Beijing tour, including Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven (full day)
Great Wall of China and Summer Palace (full day)
Hong Kong Island tour

Optional excursions

Shanghai Acrobats show
Macau
Harbour cruise to Aberdeen
Star Ferry trip

Your holiday includes

All meals on the main tour
Scheduled flights and internal flights as described
Overseas transfers and other transportation
6 nights’ accommodation
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager and Local Guides
4 nights’ accommodation on a room-only basis for the Hong-Kong add-on
The services of a Local Representative for your Hong Kong add-on
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”