CHINA

Ancient China

From $4,792 per person Twin Share - 19 Days - Fully Inclusive From New Zealand

If you desire to learn more about China’s incredible past, we trust this tour will stimulate the historian in you. Whilst touring China’s most ancient cities you will trace the roots of one of Asia's most fascinating cultures.

This tour will take you from the present capital of Beijing to the ancient cities of Xian and Luoyang. Tour the most significant sites of the imperial age; climb the Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City in Beijing. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Yungang Caves, the Longman Grottoes and the unforgettable Hanging Monastery.

Wander the charming streets of the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Pingyao. Be enthralled with Xian and its many wonders, from its ancient City Wall to the incredible Terracotta Warriors.

Your journey ends in the dynamic city of Shanghai where you can explore ancient and modern China.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: NEW ZEALAND TO BEIJING

Fly overnight with Singapore Airlines to Beijing for a four-night stay.

DAY 3: BEIJING

Today you will stroll through the famous Tiananmen Square, passing Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, and visit the treasure-filled Forbidden City. Take a rickshaw ride through the traditional Hutong area. Sample the local delicacy, ‘Peking Duck’, for dinner and enjoy an evening at the Chinese Opera.

DAY 4: BEIJING

An often quoted saying in Beijing goes ‘you have not been to China until you have climbed the Great Wall’. Built over 2,000 years ago, it stretches from the Shanhaiguan Pass on the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west, more than 5,000km away. Walk along the wall, admire the panoramic views and reflect on the enormity and labour required for its construction. This afternoon you will visit the 15th-century Temple of Heaven.

DAY 5: BEIJING

This morning you will have some free time for shopping at the copy markets before wandering through the landscaped beauty of the Summer Palace.

DAY 6: BEIJING TO DATONG

Today you will depart on a train journey to Datong, arriving this afternoon.

DAY 7: DATONG TO WUTAISHAN

Travel to the Yungang Caves today. The caves are carved into the north cliff face of the Wuzhou Mountain and they contain over 50,000 Buddhist statues and frescoes. You will also visit the 1,400-year-old Hanging Monastery.

DAY 8: WUTAISHAN TO TAIYUAN

Discover the beauty of Wutaishan (Five Terraced Mountain). Ensconced within the alpine valley is the monastic village often referred to as the ‘Holy Land of Chinese Buddhism’, wherein lie traditional temples, architecture and sculptures. Afterwards continue to Taiyuan where you will visit the Ming Dynasty’s Twin Pagoda Temple, the Provincial Museum and the Jin Ci Temple, offering a wonderful combination of historical relics and beautiful landscapes.

DAY 9: TAIYUAN TO PINGYAO

Travel to Pingyao today, a remarkably preserved UNESCO World Heritage listed town.

DAY 10: PINGYAO TO XIAN

Tour Pingyao this morning visiting the ancient City Wall, the Rishengchang Financial House Museum, Zhengguo, the Shuang Lin Temple and Yamen, a former government building of the Qing Dynasty. Later you will board your overnight sleeper train to Xian.

DAYS 11-12: XIAN

Upon arrival in Xian this morning you will visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. Enjoy a Tang Dynasty dance performance this evening. Tomorrow you will visit the life-size Terracotta Warriors and the ancient City Wall, one of the best preserved in all of China.

DAY 13: XIAN TO LUOYANG

Board your train to Luoyang today, the former imperial capital of China for more than 13 dynasties.

DAY 14: LUOYANG TO DENGFENG

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Longman Grottoes, located in the Songshan Mountains, before continuing to Dengfeng for an overnight stay. Upon arrival you will visit the Shaolin Temple.

DAY 15: DENGFENG TO SHANGHAI

This morning you will view the Yellow River before visiting its museum in Zhengzhou. Later this evening board your flight to Shanghai.

DAYS 16-17: SHANGHAI

Today you will visit Shanghai Museum, the Yu Gardens, the Old Town and stroll along the famous Bund. This evening enjoy an acrobatic show. The following day you will explore the Xintiandi area. Your farewell celebration will be a cruise along the stunning Huangpu River.

DAY 18: DEPART SHANGHAI

This morning is free at your leisure before you are transferred to Shanghai airport to board your overnight flight to New Zealand.

DAY 19: ARRIVE NEW ZEALAND

Arrive home this morning.

Price Guide

From $4,792 per person 19 Days, Fully Inclusive Twin Share
Departing Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with Singapore Airlines
From $995 Single Hotel Supplement
Approx US$67 per person Compulsory Tipping (See Booking Conditions)
Tour
Code
Depart
Date
Return
Date
Price
NZD
2012      

CAC1202

02 Apr 20 Apr

$4,792

CAC1204

30 Apr 18 May

$4,792

CAC1208

28 May

15 Jun

$4,792

CAC1210

16 Jul 03 Aug

$4,792

CAC1212

03 Sep 21 Sep

$4,792

CAC1214

17 Sep 05 Oct

$4,792

CAC1216

15 Oct 02 Nov

$4,792

CAC1218

29 Oct 16 Nov

$4,792

2013      

CAC1302

01 Apr 19 Apr

$4,792

CAC1304

29 Apr 17 May

$4,792

CAC1306

27 May 14 Jun

$4,792

CAC1308

15 Jul 02 Aug

$4,792

CAC1310

02 Sep 20 Sep

$4,729

 Important note: Above prices do not include Tipping. Please note the tipping amount of US$67 per person is payable on arrival in China.

Travel Info

Country Info

Inclusions

  • International airfares
  • All transportation in China
  • Accommodation, all meals and entrance fees
  • National Tour Escort accompanying you throughout your destination with a minimum of 10 passengers and/or English speaking local guides in each city.
  • Taxes and Charges
  • New Zealand and China departure taxes (where included in air tickets)

Exclusions

  • Personal expenditure such as drinks, laundry service and souvenirs
  • Compulsory Tipping
  • Visa Fees
  • Arrangements and taxes in Singapore (unless stated)
  • Land Only package excludes arrival and departure transfers
  • Local airport taxes if applicable
  • Insurance of any kind

Images from Ancient China

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