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

CHINA

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