China Highlights

China is a truly unforgettable destination, offering a wealth of captivating sites. Every day will present you with something unique and delightful - just being there will fascinate you.

This tour is designed to suit the first time traveller. It covers what we consider to be the ‘highlights’ of China, the amazing places you have heard about and would love to see with your own eyes.

Your tour starts in Shanghai; its energy and vitality is unmatched. The grey limestone rock formations of Kunming’s Stone Forest will astound you. This is nature at its best! At Dazu you will see some of the world’s finest rock carvings, the Beishan Frescoes and the Baodin Stone Carvings. Experience China’s rail network as you travel overnight by train to Beijing, where you can marvel at the Great Wall.

In 28 days you will certainly feel acquainted with this ancient land. With so much on offer you won’t be disappointed!

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: NEW ZEALAND TO SHANGHAI

Fly overnight with Singapore Airlines to Shanghai for a two-night stay. Your welcomedinner will be a banquet of traditionalShanghai cuisine.

DAY 3: SHANGHAI

Visit the Yu Gardens, the antiques and fine arts at Shanghai Museum, the Old Town and explore the Xintiandi area.

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. Stop at a traditional silk mill and cruise along the Grand Canal.

DAY 5: SUZHOU TO HANGZHOU

Journey to Hangzhou where you will stroll through the local markets and enjoy an oriental tea-tasting.

DAY 6: HANGZHOU

Visit the Temple of Inspired Seclusion, the Six Harmonies Pagoda and relax on a cruise on West Lake this afternoon.

DAY 7: HANGZHOU - WUZHEN TO SHANGHAI

Tour Wuzhen today and explore this charming town at a leisurely pace. Return to Shanghai later this afternoon.

DAY 8: SHANGHAI

Stroll along the famous Bund and shop on Nanjing Road. This evening enjoy a cruise along the stunning Huangpu River.

DAY 9: SHANGHAI TO GUILIN

This morning you will cross the great Nanpu Bridge to explore the Pudong area before flying to Guilin.

DAY 10: GUILIN TO YANGSHUO

Cruise along the Li River as you travel to the  town of Yangshuo for an overnight stay.

DAY 11: YANGSHUO TO GUILIN

Today you will return to Guilin, visiting Mt. Diecai en route. This evening enjoy a display of traditional cormorant fishing.

DAY 12: GUILIN TO KUNMING

Travel to the Reed Flute Caves this morning before boarding your flight to Kunming. This evening sample ‘Across the Bridge Noodles’, a specialty of the region.

DAY 13: KUNMING

Visit the Stone Forest where vast limestone columns rise in surreal shapes and images.

DAY 14: KUNMING TO CHONGQING

Today you will see the Western Hills, often called the ‘Sleeping Beauty Hills’ as they resemble a woman’s prone body wrapping around Dianchi Lake. Later you will fly to Chongqing.

DAY 15: CHONGQING TO DAZU

Tour the city today taking in Erlin Park, the People’s Hall and the General Stilwell Museum. Continue to the town of Dazu where you will visit the Beishan Frescoes.

DAY 16: DAZU TO CHENGDU

Visit the Baodin Stone Carvings this morning before travelling to Chengdu.

DAY 17: CHENGDU - LESHAN

Travel to Leshan today to see the Grand Buddha, an enormous statue hewn from the side of the Lingyun Mountain. Later you will visit Huanglongxi, an ancient town dating back to the Qing Dynasty, before returning to Chengdu. Enjoy a sumptuous Sichuan banquet this evening.

 DAY 18: CHENGDU

Visit the Panda Research Centre to see these delightful animals being reared in surroundings reminiscent of their natural habitat. You will also visit a local bamboo park.

DAY 19: CHENGDU TO XIAN

Tour the city of Chengdu today before boarding your overnight sleeper train to Xian.

DAY 20: XIAN

Arrive in Xian this morning and visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Feast on a traditional Shui Jiao Dumpling banquet whilst watching a performance of music and dance from the Tang Dynasty this evening.

DAY 21: XIAN

See one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century, the life-size Terracotta Warriors, followed by a visit to the ancient City Wall.

DAY 22: XIAN TO BEIJING

Visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, walk through the Muslim Quarter and explore the Islamic food markets. This evening board your overnight sleeper train to Beijing.

DAY 23: BEIJING

Arrive in Beijing this morning where you will visit the Forbidden City and pass Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum in Tiananmen Square.

DAY 24: BEIJING

Take an exciting walk along the Great Wall and tour the unique Temple of Heaven.

DAY 25: BEIJING

Discover the landscaped beauty of the Summer Palace and be entertained by an acrobatic show this evening.

DAY 26: BEIJING

Visit the Lama Temple today and enjoy some free time to shop at the copy markets. In the evening, sample the local delicacy, ‘Peking Duck’.

DAY 27: DEPART BEIJING

This morning you will be transferred to Beijing airport to board your overnight flight to New Zealand.

DAY 28: ARRIVE NEW ZEALAND

Arrive home this morning.

Price Guide

Travel Info

Country Info

Inclusions

Exclusions

Images from China Highlights