China Delights

China is a surprising country full of contrast in both landscape and historical sites. It is no wonder that people return time and time again to
this fascinating land. It has some of the world’s most ancient traditions, yet in its cities you will find futuristic buildings and a frantic pace of life.

Rice fields, river cruises and memorable sites such as Beijing’s Great Wall, Xian’s Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai’s Yu Gardens, Suzhou’s ancient gardens and Hangzhou’s West Lake are some of the must-see attractions of this land that never fails to impress.

In just 21 days you will experience the very heart of this amazing country. The combination of the places visited creates a fusion of China’s
past, present and future. This is a magical tour of amazing experiences!

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: NEW ZEALAND TO SHANGHAI

Fly overnight with Singapore Airlines to Shanghai for a two-night stay. Enjoy a traditional banquet of Shanghai cuisine as your welcome dinner.

DAY 3: SHANGHAI

Explore the Yu Gardens, stroll along the famous Bund and see the antiques and fine arts at Shanghai Museum. You will visit the Old Town and the Xintiandi area with its unique 1920s-style 'shikumen' buildings.

DAY 4: SHANGHAI TO SUZHOU

Travel to Suzhou today where you will visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Master of the Nets Garden. Later this afternoon cruise on a section of the ancient Grand Canal and visit a local silk mill, which is still in operation today.

DAY 5: SUZHOU TO HANGZHOU

Journey to Hangzhou today for a two-night stay. Upon arrival this afternoon you will stroll around the local markets and enjoy an oriental tea-tasting.

DAY 6: HANGZHOU

Today you will visit the Temple of Inspired Seclusion and the Six Harmonies Pagoda before relaxing on a cruise on West Lake in the afternoon.

DAY 7: HANGZHOU - WUZHEN TO SHANGHAI

Travel to the picturesque town of Wuzhen today and take a walking tour of the intricate system of canals, ancient pavilions and overhead bridges. Return to Shanghai where you will enjoy a cruise along the stunning Huangpu River this evening.

DAY 8: SHANGHAI TO GUILIN

Cross the great Nanpu Bridge this morning to explore the Pudong area before flying to  Guilin, one of China’s most beautiful cities, for an overnight stay.

DAY 9: GUILIN TO YANGSHUO

Cruise along the Li River as you travel to the town of Yangshuo. Spend the evening walking the cobblestone streets or relax in a street side café and take in the colourful atmosphere of Yangshuo.

DAY 10: YANGSHUO TO GUILIN

This morning you will visit the local markets before returning to Guilin by road. Upon arrival in Guilin later this afternoon visit Mt. Diecai for a clear view of the surrounding karst landscape. Watch a demonstration of traditional cormorant fishing this evening.

DAY 11: GUILIN TO CHENGDU

Today you will visit the stunning Reed Flute Caves before transferring to the airport to board your flight to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.

DAY 12: CHENGDU - LESHAN

Travel to Leshan today to see the Grand Buddha, an enormous statue hewn from the side of the Lingyun Mountain. The Buddha is over 71m tall and is wide enough for more than 100 people to sit between its feet. Take a short boat trip to view the statue from the river. From here you will travel to the ancient town of Huanglongxi, dating back to the Qing Dynasty, before continuing to Chengdu. Dinner this evening will be a sumptuous Sichuan banquet.

DAY 13: CHENGDU TO XIAN

Visit the famous Panda Research Centre to see these adorable animals being reared in surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. Afterwards, enjoy a city tour of Chengdu. This evening you will be transferred to the railway station to board your overnight sleeper train to the historical city of Xian for a two-night stay.

DAY 14: XIAN

Arrive in the former imperial capital city of Xian this morning and visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. This evening you will feast on a traditional Shui Jiao Dumpling banquet whilst enjoying a performance of music and dance from the Tang Dynasty.

DAY 15: XIAN

Today you will explore one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century, the life-size Terracotta Warriors. You will also visit the ancient City Wall, one of the best preserved in all of China.

DAY 16: XIAN TO BEIJING

Today you will visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum and the lively Muslim Quarter where you can explore the Islamic food markets. Board your overnight sleeper train to Beijing this evening.

DAY 17: BEIJING

Arrive in the capital city of Beijing this morning and visit the 15th-century Temple of Heaven.

DAY 18: BEIJING

An often quoted saying in Beijing goes ‘you have not been to China until you have climbed the Great Wall’. Walk along the wall, admire the panoramic views and reflect on the enormity of the material required for its construction.

DAY 19: BEIJING

Your sightseeing today involves a stroll through the famous Tiananmen Square, passing Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, followed by a visit to the Forbidden City and the exquisite Summer Palace. In the evening enjoy a sample of the local delicacy, ‘Peking Duck’.

DAY 20: DEPART BEIJING

This morning you will have some free time to shop at the copy markets before you are transferred to Beijing airport to board your overnight flight to New Zealand.

DAY 21: ARRIVE NEW ZEALAND

Arrive home this morning.

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