Tour Details
  • Starts in: Beijing / Ends in: Beijing
  • Departs: 23 December 2010
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:10, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 4
  • Hotel Rating: 3 - 5 star
  • Tour Guide: Yes
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A Chinese New Year - 11 days

Enjoy Christmas and 5 star New Year’s eve climbing the Great Wall, sightseeing in Beijing, tackling terracotta warriors & throwing snowballs at Harbin’s Ice Sculpture festival!

Day 1: 23 Dec: Beijing
Welcome to China and the start of your holiday! We meet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel. Overnight - Beijing
Day 2: 24 Dec: Forbidden City
This morning, we explore the centre of Beijing, including massive Tiananmen Square and the sprawling Forbidden City. Boasting some 9999 rooms, the city within a city was once the sole preserve of the Chinese emperors. This afternoon we take rickshaws to the Hutongs areas of Beijing. As our trusty rickshaw driver peddles us through the network of alleys, old back lanes, traditional courtyards and compact houses, we gain a fascinating snapshot into the city’s traditional way of life. There is time to meet a local family and take a peek inside their home, before returning to our hotel. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a city restaurant Overnight - Beijing (B, D)
A Chinese New Year - 11 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
People walking a section of the Great Wall of China
Day 3: 25 Dec: Christmas at The Great Wall
We drive beyond Beijing to Badaling, where we can walk a section of the famous Great Wall. Climbing the Great Wall on Xmas day, now that’s something special. The wall is a little steep in sections, but the photo opportunities are worth a million dollars! Afterwards we visit a cloisonne workshop. Tonight, Xmas dinner and choreographed acrobatic show. Overnight - Beijing (B, L, D)
Day 4: 26 Dec: Summer Palace
We start with a morning walk through the local market, followed by a sightseeing tour of the Summer Palace, set on Kunming Lake. The lake may be frozen solid but there is no chance of ice skating on it. This afternoon we visit the famed Silk Alley markets, boasting more than 1000 stores and every souvenir imaginable. Later this evening we travel by train to Luoyang. En route we’ll get an opportunity to view the Beijing 2008 Olympic Stadium – commonly referred to as the ‘birds nest’ and aquatic centre. Overnight - Sleeper Train to Luoyang (B)
A Chinese temple with red lanterns
Day 5: 27 Dec: Longman Grottoes
Arrive Luoyang and transfer to our hotel. Later we explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Longman Caves. Carved into the cliffs along the Yi River, the 1300 caves (grottoes) were hollowed out during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Creating temples within the caves they then sculpted and decorated the interior with 100,000 statues and images of Buddha and his disciples. Experts consider the Longman Caves to be the artistic triumph of all Buddhist stone carvings. Later this afternoon we tour the stunning White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China Overnight - Luoyang (B, D)
Day 6: 28 Dec
Early this morning we walk to Peony Square to watch or partake in a little exercise. Hundreds of local people enjoy their daily exercise by practising ballroom dancing, performing tai chi, sword fighting and play sports like badminton and hacky sack in the early hours of the morning. Boarding the morning train, we travel onward to Xi’an. Arriving in Xi’an, we complete our hotel check in and have the afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight - Xi'an (B)
An on the go group enjoying a traditional Chinese buffet
Day 7: 29 Dec:Terracotta Warriors
Today, we visit the Terracotta Warrior archaeological site where some 7,000 warriors stand in battle ready position and a factory that shows how the terracotta figurines were crafted. Tonight, optional Tang Dynasty Bolt-on, with dinner and performance. Overnight - Xi'an (B, L)
Day 8: 30 Dec: Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi’an - Harbin. This morning we bike ride (solo or tandem) on top of the amazing old City Wall, offering unique views of the city and residents going about their daily lives. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque, with time to explore. Evening flight to beijing and onward connecting flight to Harbin. Overnight - Harbin - 5 star hotel (B)
An ice sculpture at the Harbin Ice Festival in China
Day 9: 31 Dec: New Years Eve and Ice Sculpture Festival
Today, we hit Sun Island Park for the Harbin Ice Festival. The festival is open to visitors from 20 Dec, (though the official festival opening occurs on 05 Jan). This is a wonderful time to visit as carvers may still be adding the most intricate of detail to their masterpieces. In previous years we have seen just that! This evening we head out to Zhaolin Park to further view the mamouth creations stunningly illuminated with thousands of coloured lights. Before the stroke of midnight we will take a prized position in our hotel bar. Ring in the New Year with plenty of lights, ice and local 'Dragon Fire - Spirit'. Overnight - Harbin - 5 star hotel (B, D)
Day 10: 01 Jan: Ice Festival - Happy New Year!
We spend the day at leisure enjoying the festivities at the Harbin Snow and Ice World. Overnight - Sleeper Train to Beijing (B)
Day 11: 02 Jan
Arrival into Beijing, hotel breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport. We hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and New Year tour in China! (B)

Visit the caves of Datong
Datong is an ancient cultural city dating back more than 2,000 years, the region’s biggest attraction is the UNESCO-listed Yungang Caves. Built more than 1,500 years ago, the 53 caves are a treasure trove of ancient Buddhist art comprising a fine collection of carved-sandstone Buddhist figures. See our Datong bolt on for more info. Take a look at our other great bolt-ons.