a chinese new year - 11 days

Tour Information
Starts in: Beijing
Ends in: Beijing
Prices and Departures: Click here
Local Payment Required: No
Breakfast: Daily, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 4
Hotel rating: 3 - 5
Guide: Yes

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: Beijing
Beijing - breakfast. 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. Dinner and overnight – Beijing

Day 3 - 25 Dec: Merry Christmas! Beijing
Beijing - breakfast. 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! Continuing, we explore the nearby tombs of the Ming Emperors and enjoy a visit to a cloisonne workshop. Tonight, Xmas dinner and choreographed acrobatic show. Lunch, dinner (Chinese banquet-style) and Overnight – Beijing

Day 4 - 26 Dec: Summer Palace
Beijing - breakfast. 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 – soft sleeper train

Day 5 - 27 Dec: Longman Grottoes
Luoyang - breakfast. 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. Dinner and overnight - Luoyang

Day 6 - 28 Dec: Luoyang/X’ian
Luoyang - breakfast. 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

Day 7 - 29 Dec: Xi’an/Terracotta Warriors
Xi'an - breakfast. Today, we visit the Terracotta Warrior archaeological site where some 7,000 warriors stand in battle ready position, a factory that shows how the terracotta figurines were crafted and Huaqing Hot Springs. This evening, On Broadway - Chinese style, we can attend a Tang Dynasty dinner and performance with Chang’an music and dance originally performed for the illustrious Tang emperors. Check out our Tang Dynasty bolt-on for more details. Lunch and overnight – Xi’an

Day 8 - 30 Dec: Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi'an - Harbin - breakfast. 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 hotel

Day 9 - 31 Dec: Ice Sculpture Festival
Harbin - brekakfast. Today we hit Sun Island Park for the Harbin Ice Festival. Carvers will still be adding final touches to their masterpieces. This evening we head out to Zhaolin Park to further view the creations. 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'. Hot pot dinner and overnight Harbin – 5 hotel

Day 10 - 01 Jan: Ice Festival - Happy New Year!
Harbin - Xi'an - breakfast. We spend the day at leisure enjoying the festivities at the Harbin Snow and Ice World. Overnight train to Beijing – soft sleeper train

Day 11 - 02 Jan: Beijing
Beijing - breakfast. 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!

On the go is a specialist operator of cultural and adventure tours in China. Fun and informative group tours of China offering frequent departures at realistic prices starting in Beijing or Shanghai include highlights such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, Yangtze River Three Gorges cruising, Suzhou, Guilin and Yangshuo. Specialist individual China touring itineraries including highlights such as the Silk Road, Yunnan Province, Confucius’ birthplace in Qufu, city stays in Beijing or Shanghai, Christmas tour departures and a range of regional bolt ons are also a hallmark. We can also arrange for you to conclude arrangements at Hong Kong.