hutongs to hong kong - 13 days

Tour Information
Starts in: Beijing
Ends in: Hong Kong
Prices and Departures: Click here
Local Payment Required: No
Breakfast: 10, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 2
Hotel rating: 3 - 4
Tour leader: Yes (for groups of 6 or more)
 

Day 1: Beijing
Welcome to China and the start of your holiday! We'll meet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel. Overnight – Beijing

Day 2: Tiananmen Square
Beijing - breakfast. This morning, we embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the nation’s capital - host of the 2008 Olympics. Tiananmen Square, partly framed by illustrious Chang-an Avenue, is essentially the heart of Beijing. A patriotic vision of grandeur, Tiananmen Square is a square for the public and also home to the mausoleum of Chairman Mao and the striking Monument to the People’s Heroes. Probably one of Beijing’s most famous sights is the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Up above the gate and looking out across to all his people, is Chairman Mao. Heading back a few centuries, we step into the Forbidden City, the walled city of the former Chinese emperors. Entry was forbidden to all but those on imperial business until 1911, when the last emperor, Puyi, was overthrown. This afternoon we take rickshaws to explore the Hutongs of Beijing. As our trusty rickshaw driver peddles us through the network of alleys, old back lanes, traditional courtyards and compact houses, it gives us a fascinating snapshot of 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: The Great Wall
Beijing - breakfast. Today, we drive beyond Beijing to Badaling, where we can walk a section of the famous Great Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty. Here, the 6m wide pathway, with regular watchtowers, makes a formidable defence. Though never directly attacked, the wall was taken over by aggressors sweeping around from the side. Continuing, we explore the nearby tombs of the Ming Emperors and enjoy a visit to a cloisonne workshop. Tonight, an evening of choreographed Chinese acrobatic performances. Lunch and overnight – Beijing

Day 4: Summer Palace
Beijing - Luoyang - breakfast. An early morning walk through the local market. Scorpions, dragon flies and silk worms on a skewer are all on offer for the brave. Later we tour the Summer Palace, set on Kunming Lake, to 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. It is said that the Dowager Empress Cixi liked to travel with a retinue of at least 1,000. Her arrival at the rebuilt Summer Palace in 1905 was met by 458 eunuchs, and her two main meals consisted of some 100 dishes. Nice! This afternoon we visit the famed Silk Alley markets, boasting more than 1000 stores and every souvenir imaginable. Later, 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: Luoyang
Luoyang - breakfast. Arrive Luoyang and transfer to hotel. Later we explore the UNESCO world heritage listed Longman Caves etched into the cliffs along the River Yi. The 1300 caves (grottoes) were hollowed out to create temples inside the mountain. Carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty and adorned with more than 100,000 statues and images of Buddha and his disciples, experts consider them an artistic triumph of Buddhist stone carving. Later this afternoon, we tour the stunning White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China. Dinner and overnight - Luoyang

Day 6: Xi’an
Luoyang – X’ian - breakfast. Early this morning we walk to Peony Square to watch or partake in a little exercise. Many Chinese get 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. Arrival into Xi’an, hotel check in and afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight – Xi’an

Day 7: Xi’an/Terracotta Warriors
Xi’an - breakfast. Renown for its noodles, Xi’an in Shaanxi Province is perhaps most famous for Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Warriors. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers digging a well, the 2,200 year old terracotta warriors comprise more than 7,000 life-sized soldiers which stand battle-ready 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. Today, we visit Huaqing Hot Springs, a scenic spot in the shadow of Li Mountain, before continuing to a workshop where crafts people make replicas of the terracotta warriors. We then visit the archaeological site of the Terracotta Warriors. 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: Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Xi’an - Shanghai - breakfast. Today, we visit the city symbol, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, before enjoying a leisurely bike ride on Xi’an’s medieval City Wall (solo or tandem) dating from the Ming dynasty. We then visit the local Muslim Quarter. This evening we board our sleeper train to Shanghai. Lunch and overnight - sleeper train.

Day 9: Shanghai
Shanghai. Arrive Shanghai and hotel check in. Focus your eyes on spectacular Shanghai. Perhaps China’s most modern city, its amazing Pudong skyline is breathtaking. After time to freshen up,we enjoy a tour of the many city sights and enjoy a cruise on the Huangpu River. Overnight – Shanghai

Day 10 - Shanghai/Hong Kong
Shanghai – Kowloon/Hong Kong - breakfast. A free day to further explore Shanghai, check out the old city or opt to shop on Nanjing Road. This evening we board the sleeper train bound for Hong Kong. Overnight - sleeper train

Days 11 & 12: Hong Kong
Train – Kowloon/Hong Kong - (breakfast Day 12). This evening we arrive into Hong Kong - the worlds largest and most successful experiment in capitalism! Day 12 is free for you to explore the city at leisure. Perhaps head up Victoria Peak to look down over the islands and the new territories, or why not end your Chinese adventures with a sampan (junk) boat ride around Aberdeen’s harbour and a seafood dish in one of the famed restaurants by the water front. Overnight (2) - Kowloon

Day 13 - Hong Kong
Hong Kong – breakfast. Tour ends after breakfast. Hong Kong International airport is a quick 24min journey on the Airport Express train, running at 12 minute intervals.