Xi'an Holidays

Sample Itinerary - REF CHINA 2082

If you like the itinerary below please quote REF CHINA 2082 when enquiring for further details.


Great Wall

Day 1: Beijing


Forbidden City

Day 2: Beijing

Today, we embark on a tour of the nation’s capital. The famous portrait of Mao Zedong, China’s communist father still looks out over gargantuan Tiananmen Square from the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Afternoon rickshaw ride through the Hutongs of Beijing. This evening, we enjoy an eye boggling Chinese acrobatic performance. Swinging ropes, juggling hoops, spinning plates and human pyramids are just a few tricks these show stoppers pull out followed by a Welcome Dinner of Peking Duck at a city restaurant.

Ming statue

Day 3: Beijing

Today, we travel beyond Beijing to Badaling, where we take a walk along the famed Great Wall. No matter how many pictures you’ve seen, the Great Wall of China is very impressive. Following a ridge of barren hills through northern China, it stretches as far as the eye can see - at least 6,700 kilometres. Continuing, we visit a cloisonne workshop of decorative metal and enamel sculpture. This evening take an optional Beijing by Night city tour and see some of the capital's monuments illuminated against the night sky (payable locally).

Summer Palace

Day 4: Beijing - Datong

Spend the morning touring the famous Summer Palace on Kunming Lake. This vast complex is replete with lavishly decorated temples, halls and courts, reconstructed in 1902 at the whim of the extravagant Dowager Empress Cixi. We visit the famed Silk Alley markets and drive past the Beijing 2008 Olympic Stadium en route to the train station where we take an overnight train to Datong.

Day 5: Datong

Arriving into Datong, we transfer you to your hotel. After breakfast we head out to visit the peculiar wood-structured Hanging Monastery, built on the cliff at the foot of Mt. Hengshan - it gives a breath-taking view of Chinese architecture. We also visit Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple, The Nine Dragon Wall and The Shanhua Temple.

Day 6: Datong - Xi'an

Today you shall go on a whole day excursion to the Hanging Temple and the Wood Pagoda. Later today you shall be transferred to the train station where you shall board an overnight train to Xian.

Day 7: Xi'an

Most famous for the legendary Terracotta Warriors, perhaps the greatest find of the 20th century and only just usurped by the discovery of King Tut’s gold-laden tomb in Egypt. These warriors comprise more than 7,000 life-sized soldiers which stand in military formation in excavated pits under the cover of a modern protective hanger. Made of local clay, no two faces are alike, each is said to be an individual portrait. We visit the Terracotta Warrior archaeological site and a workshop where warrior figurines are made. This evening we can attend a Tang Dynasty dinner and performance with Chang’an music and dance originally performed for the illustrious Tang emperors.

Day 8: Xi'an - Yangshuo

Xi’an - Guilin - Yangshou. Early this morning opt for our Panda excursion to the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Centre a 2 hour drive from Xi’an. Later, we tour take a casual bicycle ride on top of the 9 mile Xi’an City Wall (no need to go the entire way around) perimeter peeking down upon the lively city beneath us. Later we fly south to Guilin. Onward transfer to Yangshuo (approx 1.5hrs drive). Hot pot lunch, late evening hotel check in.

Day 9: Yangshuo

Yangshuo - Guilin. Renowned for the striking scenery of vast areas of karst limestone outcrops that rise up from flat rice paddy fields.Today, we take a 2 hour rafting cruise along the calm clean waters of Yu Long River. The remainder of our time in Yangshuo is spent at leisure. Choose to hike, hire a bicycle or motorbike and head off on one of the many mountain trails or stop to watch the local fishermen use their trained cormorants to catch fish - a centuries old tradition, though somewhat commercialised these days.

Day 10: Yangshuo - Chengdu

Today time can also be spent exploring West Street, laden with quirky shops, tea shops, antiques, calligraphers and art studios. In the late afternoon we return to Guilin from where you shall board a flight to Chengdu.

Incense pot

Days 11-13: Chengdu - Yangtze & Three Gorges

Today you shall go on a guided visit to the Panda Breeding Centre in the morning. In the afternoon you shall take a high speed train to Chongqing to board Yangtze Cruise.

Day 14: Yangtze & Three Gorges - Shanghai

Today you shall Disembark the cruise at Yichang and then transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Shanghai.

Day 15: Shanghai

Guided visit in Shanghai, Bund, TV Tower, Yu Garden, old city

Day 16: Shanghai

Today we bid you farewell and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight home.

China Spotlight

Tiger Leaping Gorge


China Weather

Weather in Shanghai
Fair, 3°C
Local Time: 6:04 AM

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last updated - 27 Dec 2014 11:35 PM