China Highlights

Tour Activities (Included)

BEIJING

The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

The Forbidden City was the seat of Imperial power for 500 years, and is now a major tourist attraction in China. And Tiananmen Square is the biggest public square in the world. >>more

The Temple of Heaven 

The 500-year-old Temple houses altars on which sacrifices and offerings were laid to the gods in a glorious setting of gardens, trees and sculptures.

Beijing Olympic stadium – the birds nest

The spectacular Bird’s Nest stadium, hailed as the finest arena in the world, is full of hidden symbolism. Architectural critics have said the bird nest, sets standards of construction which may not be surpassed for decades.

Mutianyu Great Wall

The Mutianyu Great Wall is known for its beautiful surroundings – dense woods and rich pastures changing colors with the seasons of a year. 

Ming Tombs

The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial and integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value.

The Summer Palace 

The largest and the best preserved of all imperial palace gardens, which boasts delights such as the famous Marble Boat and the ornately painted ‘Long Corridor’.

Hutong tour with rickshaw ride

The word “hutong" means narrow lanes. In Beijing, there are mainly two hutong areas – Shichahai area in Dongcheng District and Qianmen area in Xuanwu District, both well preserved. >>more

Beihai Park 

As with many of Chinese imperial gardens, Beihai Park was built to imitate renowned scenic spots and architecture from various regions of China.

XIAN

The Terra-Cotta Warriors, Bronze Chariots and Horses

Over 6,000 clay warriors could be assumedly unearthed from the pit if it would be completely excavated. With its artistic momentum, it could be acclaimed a piece of great masterwork. >>more

Xian City Wall

The Xi’an City Wall is the best preserved, oldest and largest ancient city defence system in China. It is beautiful and impressive during the daytime, but a knockout at night with the lighting of the walls and lanterns. >>more

Muselin quarter

Muslim quarter is a fascinating area where you can find exotic food, interesting people (some of the residents are still look like their Arabian cousins) and great souvenir stalls. In Xian itself this is the most enjoyable and interesting place to see and experience. 

The largest musical fountain square in Asia

Every night in Dayan Pagoda Northern Square, dubbed the “largest musical fountain square in Asia", this beautiful symphony of water, music and light is set against a dramatic backdrop of the thousand year old Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Probably the best free attraction in Xian!

Shaanxi Museum

With the completion of the Shaanxi History Museum, it collected over 370,000 precious relics which were unearthed in Shaanxi Province, including bronze wares, pottery figures, and mural paintings in Tang tombs.  >>more

SUZHOU

Humble Administrator’s garden

It is the largest garden in Suzhou and is generally considered to be the finest garden in all of southern China. No other gardens in the country has been honored more than this one. >>more

Master of the Nets Garden

It is the smallest of the Suzhou residential gardens, yet it is the most impressive because of its use of space which creates the illusion of an area that is much greater than its actual size.

HANGZHOU

West Lake

The lake is like a shining pearl inlaid on the vast land of China, reputed for its beautiful scenery, a multitude of historical sites, brilliant cultural relics, and a profusion of native products. >>more

Lingyin Temple

“Ling-yin" means “Soul’s Retreat" in Chinese, Therefore, the temple’s name is commonly literally translated as Temple of the Soul’s Retreat. >>more

Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea plantation

Just like the West Lake, the Longjing Tea is a refined perfection made by man, nature and culture. In the Longjing Tea Plantation, tea plants distribute among everywhere.>>more

Six harmony pagoda 

The name ‘Liuhe’ comes from the six Buddhist ordinances and it is said that the reason for building this pagoda is to calm the tidal waters of the Qiantang River, and as a navigational aid. Upon ascending the pagoda, visitors will have a spectacular view of the Qiantang River Bridge spanning the surging tides of the Qiantang River.

Yellow Mountain

The area is well known for its scenery, sunsets, peculiarly shaped granite peaks, Huangshan Pine trees, and views of the clouds from above. Yellow Mountain is a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature, as well as modern photography. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of China’s major tourist destinations. >>more

SHANGHAI

Yu Garden and Chenghuang Temple

Yuyuan Garden is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in the northeast of the Old City of Shanghai, China.Yuyuan literally translated means Happy Garden. >>more

Jade Buddha Temple

The Jade Buddha Temple is a good place to go whether you are a Buddhist or not, the peaceful and transcendent atmosphere adds a kind of richness to our busy modern society. >>more 

Nanjing Road 

Nanjing Road is the world’s longest shopping district; around 6 km long, and attracts over 1 million visitors daily.

The Shanghai Xintiandi 

Xintiandi is a new tourist attraction in downtown Shanghai, featuring the city’s unique “Shikumen " houses and a maze of narrow alleys, which have been converted into specialist F & B, retail, entertainment and cultural facilities

The Bund

The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai.

Xitang ancient town

Xitang is only 90km away from Shanghai. It is a small, mysterious and typical water township in southern China with over a thousand years of history. >>more

 

Optional activities (at additional costs)

BEIJING

Special private tour within the Forbidden city

Private access to Chong Hua palace >>more

Family visit 

Go to an ordinary family courtyard home for a tea break, experience their day life.

Private Kongfu class

Private Kong fu class is available in the garden next to Temple of Heaven. The class includes an English speaking coach. Learn the philosophy and also practice basic Kungfu.

XIAN

The Traditional Tang Dynasty show

The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show is an outstanding exponent of this ancient stable and prosperous society, keeping alive its splendid culture and providing an insight into the peaceful life style of the period.

Cycling on the City Wall

It’s amazing how Xian history envelops you, when biking atop the old City Wall and enjoying a great view of the city.  >>more

Terracotta private tour

Private up and close encounter with the warriors, and view the workshop where they get restored.

SUZHOU

Grand Canal Night Cruise

What most visitors fail to realize is that large part of the city moat is actually the Grand Canal. Over 20 historical attractions of Suzhou are united by it, making for an exquisite night tour.

Shantang Street

Shantang Street has a long history of about 1,100 years, its layout and architecture are best to represent the characteristics of Suzhou’s old alleys, and it has connections to many ancient Chinese celebrities and anecdotes

Master-Of-Net Garden Classical Night Garden Party

The Garden Party is highly welcomed by the guests and suggested by China National Tourism Administration as a special appointed tourism program. >>more

HANGZHOU

West Lake Cruise

Cruising on West Lake, visitors are sure to revel in its charm. West Lake, like a landscape painting, will cause you to marvel at its beauty and will perhaps make you feel as though you have stepped into a land of magic and fantasy.

Impression West Lake (night show)

Staged entirely upon the lake itself, Impression West Lake, directed by Zhang Yimou, is a grand open-air show of light, music, dance and theatrics. >>more

SHANGHAI

Huangpu river night cruise

Local people honor the Huangpu River as Mother River, and as you view the lights and spectacle from the deck of your evening cruise, you will understand why. >>more

Acrobatic show 

The Acrobatics at Shanghai are not to be missed. They are held each night and last for about 2 hours. You can enjoy gravity-defying contortionism, juggling, unicycling, chair-stacking, and plate-spinning acts at the stage.

Visit Shanghai Museum

The museum has a collection of over 120,000 pieces, including bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, furniture, jades, ancient coins, paintings, seals, sculptures, minority art and foreign art.

Experience the nightlife

Shanghai has been called the Paris of the east, now they’re saying it’s China’s New York. But it should be unique. >>more

 

Diner Options (at your own costs)

BEIJING

Imperial cuisine

An interesting and unique experience, as if you were the guests dining in an ancient Chinese Palace, tasting the signature dishes used to serve the royal families. >>more

The old Peking flavor

Beijing has a huge number of restaurants with different cuisines from all over China as well as from many parts of the world. There are also quite a few types of food which are unique to Beijing. >>more

Peking duck banquet and restaurant tour

You can take a behind-the-scene kitchen tour to see the process of making the best tasting Ducks in Bejing at DaDong Duck, the best Duck restaurant in Beijing.

XIAN

Shaanxi cuisine

Shaanxi Cuisine, also known as Qin Cuisine. Firstly, various kinds of materials deriving from both north and south China are adopted. Second is the special cooking skills of the local chefs. Finally is its frequently use of salt, vinegar, capsicum and garlic, making the savory flavor of sour, spicy and fragrant.

SHANGHAI/SUZHOU/HANGZHOU

Jiangnan cuisine

Many star dishes of Jiangnan region such as Beggar’s Chicken, roasted pork thigh, or savory cubes of pork belly are slow cooked to develop rich flavors.  Other fresh ingredients, including seafood, are cooked very simply to feature the flavor of the central ingredient.

Our experienced local guide will also recommend other alternatives according to your taste. We generally do not include lunch or dinner costs, to allow greater flexibility and better food choices.

 

Sample Itinerary

Day1  Arrive Beijing

Upon arrival in Beijing, you will meet your tour guide and transfer to the hotel. Touring program starts from the next day.

Day2  Beijing(B) 

The Forbidden City

The Tiananmen Square

The Temple of Heaven

The National stadium-the birds nest

Dinner: The old Peking flavor

Day3  Beijing(B)  

Mutianyu Great Wall

Ming Tombs

Dinner: The Imperial Cuisine

Day4  Beijing(B)  

The Summer Palace

Hutong tour with rickshaw ride

Family visit

Beihai Park

Dinner: Peking duck banquet and restaurant tour

Day5 Beijing/Xian(B)

Transfer to airport for flight to Xian. Rest of the day will be at your leisure.

The traditional Tang Dynasty Show

Day6 Xian(B)

The Terra-Cotta Warriors

The ancient city wall

Muselin quarter

Dayan pagoda northern square for the “largest musical fountain square in Asia”.

Dinner: Shaanxi Cuisine

Day7 Xian/Suzhou(B)

Fly to Shanghai then transfer to Suzhou

Humble Administrator’s garden

The Master of the Nets

Grand Canal Night Cruise

Dinner: Jiangnan cuisine

Day8 Suzhou/Hangzhou(B)

West Lake

West Lake cruise

Impression West Lake (night show)

Day9 Hangzhou(B)

Lingyin Temple

Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea plantation

Dinner:Jiangnan cuisine

Day10 Hangzhou/Yellow Mountain (B)

Enjoy the free time at your own leisure in the morning. In the afternoon, we will drive to Yellow Mountain (3 hrs), overnight in Tunxi.

Day11 Yellow Mountain/Shanghai(B)

In the morning, you will take a cable car up to Yellow Mountain. In the evening, transfer to Yellow mountain airport and fly back to Shanghai.

Day12 Shanghai(B)

Yu Garden and Chenghuang Temple

Jade Buddha Temple

Nanjing Road

Shanghai Xintiandi

Experience the night life

Day13 Shanghai (B)

The Bund

Shopping

Huangpu River night cruise

Day14 Shanghai/Home(B)

At leisure before transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

 

Our services include:

• 5 star hotel accommodations with breakfast or 4 when 5 star is not available
• First class domestic flights in China
• English speaking guide
• Private car transfer with Buick GL8
• Entrance fees as mentioned

Tour price: AUD6,797pp

Rates are valid until 31/12/2012(Exclude Chinese national holiday). Rates and availability are subject to change without notice. Rates are based on twin shared room and at least two passengers travel together.