Qingdao Holiday Planner. Tailor-made Holidays to Qingdao in China

Day 1: Shanghai

Welcome to China and the start of your holiday! On arrival into Shanghai we will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Once known for its decadent magnetism that attracted fortune-seekers and adventurers, Shanghai looks like a European city in a Chinese setting. The rest of the day and evening is yours to explore.

Day 2: Shanghai

After breakfast today we explore Shanghai. Today, we visit the Oriental Pearl TV tower, explore the Jade Buddha Temple, charming Yuyuan Gardens, and the Old City where we can opt to shop on Nanjing Road and also enjoy a short cruise on Huangpu river at night to enjoy the city lights.

Day 3: Shanghai - Wuhan

This morning we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Wuhan and on arrival transfer you to your hotel. Wuhan is one of China's largest cities - and actually a combination of what was once three independant cities - Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang. Your base for the next few days allows for time to explore this cosmopolitan city.

Day 4: Wuhan

This morning after breakfast enjoy a visit to the striking Yellow Crane Pavilion by the river bridge in the Old City. The River Bridge was one of Communist China's first great engineering feats. We then visit the Hubei Provincial Museum which contains a large collection of artefacts from the Zenghouyi Tomb which were unearthed in 1978.

Day 5: Wuhan

Today is a free day to explore the city at your leisure.

Day 6: Wuhan - Qingdao

After breakfast we transfer you to the airport for your morning flight to Qingdao. On arrival you are transfered to your hotel to freshen up. This afternoon we will explore this picturesque town - often called China's Switzerland due to its Bavarian appearance - it is a welcome breather from the conformity of socilaist town plannning.

Day 7: Qingdao

Today we will head 40km east of the city to Mt Lao. This is a famous Taoist retreat with Temples, waterfalls and secluded walking tracks. The central attraction is the Great Purity Palace - established as a place to perform Taoist rites to saves the souls from the dead.

Day 8: Qingdao

Today is a free day to enjoy this scenic town at your leisure.

Day 9: Qingdao - Beijing

Today we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Beijing, where on arrival we will transfer you to your hotel with the rest of the day free explore.

Day 10: Beijing

Don some comfortable shoes. Today we drive out of the city to Badaling, where we can walk a section of the Great Wall. Some sections are fairly steep, but the walk on the vast wall that snakes for thousands of kilometres is one of those ‘must do’ experiences! Continuing a short distance from Badaling, we visit the tombs of the Ming emperors. We also make a visit to a cloisonne workshop, where we’ll see firsthand the unique Chinese art of combining copper and enamel to make decorative pieces.

Day 11: Beijing

This morning, we explore the heart of Beijing including the vast Tiananmen Square where Chairman Mao’s tomb and various monuments to the people are located. Dominating the city’s heart is the Forbidden City, a centre of power for five centuries and seat of the emperors. Entering through the Gate of Heavenly Peace (replete with Chairman Mao’s portrait), we enjoy a guided walk of this old city within a city.

Day 12: Beijing

Today we visit the Summer Palace and the Temple of heaven. At the Summer Palace on Kunming Lake, we view the lavishly decorated temples, halls and courts, reconstructed in 1902. The Long Corridor, a hand painted 730m covered walkway, offers gentle respite from the elements.