China SplendourFrom $5,145 - 14 Days - Fully Inclusive from New ZealandThis tour is the perfect choice to see both the beauty of Sichuan Province as well as the most famous sites in China, visiting the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, the Terracotta Warriors in Xian and the Great Wall in Beijing. We also admire the splendour of the Nine Villages Valley, the Grand Buddha at Leshan and the pandas at the famous reserve in Chengdu. TOUR ITINERARYDay 1: New Zealand to ShanghaiFly with Singapore Airlines to Shanghai for 2 nights. Our welcome dinner this evening will be a sumptuous banquet of traditional Shanghai cuisine. Day 2: ShanghaiExperience this exciting city by visiting the beautiful Yu Gardens, the Old Town, the superb antiques and fine arts at the Shanghai Museum. This afternoon we take a stroll along the famous Bund before we enjoy a breathtaking cruise on the Huangpu River this evening. Day 3: Shanghai to ChengduThis morning we will be transferred to the airport to board our flight to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province for an overnight stay. Chengdu is renowned for its natural beauty as well as its popular and distinct cuisine. Days 4-5: Chengdu to Nine Villages ValleyToday we fly to the breathtaking Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou), a botanical gallery that is heavily forested and home to many protected species. Entering the valley is like being transported into a different world, where crystal clear lakes gather at the foot of every waterfall and rich coloured forests are dotted with flowers. We stay in the valley for the next 2 nights to further explore its beauty. Day 6: Nine Villages Valley to ChengduToday we travel to Huanglong where we will walk or take an optional cable car ride to the temple at the head of the valley. Huanglong is renowned for its hundreds of sparkling mineral pools where beautiful colours intertwine and the water cascades down the mountainside. This afternoon we continue to the airport and fly back to Chengdu. Day 7: Chengdu - LeshanToday we travel to Leshan where we will marvel at the Grand Buddha, an enormous statue carved into the side of the Lingyun Mountain. The Buddha is over 71 metres tall and is wide enough for more than 100 people to sit between its feet. A local saying is, 'the Mountain is a Buddha, the Buddha is a Mountain'. Day 8: Chengdu to XianThis morning we visit the famous Panda Research Centre to see these endearing animals being reared in surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. We then transfer to the airport for our flight to the former Imperial Capital, Xian. Enjoy a sumptuous Shui Jiao Dumpling Banquet this evening. Day 9: XianToday we visit one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century, the life-size Terracotta Warriors followed by the ancient City Wall and enjoy a stroll through the lively Muslim Quarter. This evening we witness a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. Day 10: Xian to BeijingEnjoy a morning visit to the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and the renowned Shaanxi Provincial Museum before flying to the capital of China, Beijing for a 3 night stay. For dinner this evening we sample the local delicacy ‘Peking Duck’. Day 11: BeijingBeijing is a city full of wonders. During our sightseeing today we enjoy a stroll through famous Tiananmen Square and pass Chairman Mao's Mausoleum. Later this afternoon we visit the 15th Century treasure filled Forbidden City. Our evening entertainment will be a fascinating performance of traditional Chinese Acrobats. Day 12: BeijingAn often quoted saying in Beijing goes ‘you have not been to China until you have climbed the Great Wall’. Begun over 2000 years ago, it stretches all the way from the Shanhaiguan Pass on the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west, more than 5,000km away. Walk along the wall admiring the panoramic views and reflect on the enormity of the material and labour required for its construction. It is estimated that a million people were used at different stages during the construction periods and that thousands died building it. This afternoon we will also wander through Day 13: Beijing to New ZealandTransfer to the airport for our overnight flight to New Zealand. Day 14: Arrive New ZealandArrive home this morning. |
Price Guide
Please note that Christchurch passengers will need to depart 2 days earlier from New Zealand and require an extra night in Shanghai at their own expense. This will extend the itinerary to 16 days. Travel Info
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