Chinese Checkers - 11 days
Kick off in Beijing, explore the Forbidden City, ride around the Hutongs and relax over a delicious Peking Duck dinner. Discover the Great Wall at both Badaling and Juyongguan before taking a high speed train to Luoyang - home to the Longman's Caves and the Shaolin Kung Fu Temple. Continue to Xi'an - home to the Terracotta Warriors before ending in futuristic Shanghai.
Trip Highlights
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Itinerary
Forbidden City
Today, we embark on a guided tour of the nation’s capital. Tiananmen Square, a patriotic vision of grandeur and the Forbidden city, the walled city of the former Chinese emperors boasting stunning temples, courtyards and reception halls. We take an afternoon rickshaw ride navigating the old back lanes and courtyards of Beijing’s Hutongs. 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.
Overnight: Beijing | Breakfast, Dinner
The Great Wall
After a free morning to further explore the city, we drive beyond Beijing to Badaling, to walk a section of the famous Great Wall. Built in the Ming Dynasty, a 6m wide pathway makes a formidable defence, following the highest contours of a steep range of hills. We also visit a Jade Carving Centre before heading to our quaint hotel near Juyongguan Pass, which offers views of the Great Wall.
Overnight: Great Wall | Breakfast, Lunch
Morning at the Great Wall
Beijing - Luoyang. We rise early this morning and head (5 min bus drive) to the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass when it opens to beat the crowds. Later we return to Beijing to explore the famous Pearl Market - an Aladdin's Cave of clothing, jewellery and electronic gadgets before taking an afternoon bullet train to Luoyang. Reaching speeds of up to 305km per hour the journey is an experience in itself! Check in to hotel in Luoyang, late evening.
Overnight: Luoyang | Breakfast
Shaolin Kung Fu Temple
First thing today we drive to the Shaolin Kung Fu Temple (approx 2 hours), set on the foothills of the Songshan Mountain. Here generation after generation of Shaolin monks have devoted themselves to practising Chan Buddhism and a martial art widely recognised as the origins of kung fu. Over the years hundreds, if not thousands, of people have flocked to this very site to learn this ancient discipline and we'll have the opportunity to watch a performance of kung fu during our visit. Returning to Luoyang you’ll have some free time, and the option to walk to Xiyuan Park where ball room dancing, tai chi, aerobics and badminton lessons take place every evening.
Overnight: Luoyang | Breakfast, Dinner
Longman Caves & Xi'an City Wall
Luoyang - Xi’an. Today we explore the UNESCO-listed 6th Century Longman Caves etched into the cliffs ofthe Yi River. The 1300 caves (grottoes) are adorned with 100,000 statues and images of Buddha carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty. This afternoon we board the high speed train to Xi’an (journey time approx 2hrs). After hotel check-in and some time to fresh up we’ll embark on a casual bike ride around the Xi’an City Wall. Looking down as you peddle offers delightful views of the city hubbub and daily life with the Old City in the centre of the walls and the modern city on the outside.
Overnight: Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors
Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Warriors are reputed to be the greatest discovery of the 20th century - 7,000 life-sized clay soldiers stand ready for battle. We visit the archaeological site and the workshop where the replica warriors are crafted. Tonight, optional Tang Dynasty add-on, with dinner and performance.
Overnight: Xi'an | Breakfast, Lunch
Wild Goose Pagoda & lively Muslim Quarter
Xi’an - Shanghai. First up this morning, we tour the lofty Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The complex of temples, pagodas and expansive gardens, constructed during the 7th century offered refuge and a store house for Chinese Buddhists translating the very important Buddhist sutras from India. After we visit the Muslim Quarter and enjoy some
free time to explore the backstreets of this ever lively area. Later tonight we board our overnight train to Shanghai.
Overnight: Sleeper Train | Breakfast, Lunch
Shanghai
Good morning Shanghai! Just the mere mention of ‘Shanghai’ conjures up mystery, romance and general decadence. Pre – 1949, cosmopolitan Shanghai was a magnet for seekers of wealth, idle colonialists, explorers and the dispossessed. Everything went belly up in 1949, when Mao and the communists took to power and swept the good times and rock and roll away. A legacy of these heady times is Shanghai’s Bund where on and around this waterfront promenade are a vast series of grandiose pre-1949 buildings. Just across the Huangpu River is the new Shanghai, a high-tech development of gravity defying skyscrapers.
Today we tour many of the city’s top spots - Yu Gardens and Bazaar- Shanghai’s finest traditional garden, the Bund, Pudong and the Shanghai Plaza Tower and take a cruise along the Huangpu River.
Overnight: Shanghai | Breakfast
Suzhou, Grand Canal Cruise
Shanghai - Suzhou - Shanghai. Today we travel by road to ancient Suzhou. A sort of oriental Venice, ancient Suzhou is interwoven by a series of canals and pretty waterways which feed a series of classical gardens, laid out here since the Song dynasty a thousand years ago, they are justly famous across China. Suzhou sits very close to the Grand Canal, we enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal before exploring the Lingering Garden - a beautiful classical Chinese garden dating back from the Ming Dynasty. Today’s final visit is a silk workshop before returning to Shanghai.
Overnight: Shanghai | Breakfast, Lunch
Shanghai
Tuesday. Our tour ends after breakfast and onward departure transfer to airport.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates noted with a 'G' are guaranteed to operate. All other departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who require their own room and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard when necessary.
Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven, Beijing
The Beijing Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven is an elegant and comfortable hotel with well-furnished and spacious rooms. Practical in design, the guestrooms feature internet access and the hotel also boasts a range of restaurants and bars, as well as an indoor swimming pool. Located just a 10 minute walk from the Temple of Heaven, the hotel is the perfect base from which to explore this fascinating city.
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan, Beijing
Located just a stones throw from the Beitucheng Subway station, with access to Line 10 & Line 8, the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan is a perfect base to explore the many amazing highlights of Beijing. Within walking distance of the hotel you'll find the famous Birds Nest Olympic Stadium. The hotel boasts a stylish restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Peony Plaza, Luoyang
The Peony Plaza Hotel is ideally located in Luoyang city centre, making it easily accessible from all parts of the city. The hotel benefits from a stylish, contemporary design and the guest rooms are tastefully furnished. All rooms feature minibars, free WiFi and LCD TVs with cable channels. The hotel also boasts a sauna and massage centre as well as a rotating restaurant for excellent views of the city.
Wan Nian Grand Hotel, Xi'an
The Wan Nian Grand is a comfortable, friendly hotel with light and spacious guest rooms. Elegantly decorated, the rooms also boast modern amenities and the hotel has a wealth of facilities including an indoor pool and sauna house, a cafe and bar, and well-equipped business centre. The hotel is located 4 kilometres from the railway station and 30 kilometres from the airport.
Ramada Encore Shanghai Hotel , Shanghai
Ideally located close to several plazas and shopping centres, this modern hotel offers you a comfortable stay in one of China’s fastest growing cities. Guestrooms are equipped with all the essential amenities, with free WiFi and access to the breakfast buffet included. The onsite Dakang Restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, and you can expect a tasty menu featuring both Western and Chinese cuisine. Other amenities include a fitness centre, coffee shop and small convenience store.
I was very impressed with almost everything about this tour and the guide, Lisa, who was excellent. The pacing of the holiday was just right for me - we covered a lot of ground but that was exactly what I was hoping for. I was also happy about the ratio of group activities to free time for individuals . Again, that ratio seemed spot on to me.
The only minor quibble was about the two/three visits to local factories (Silk factory, Jade factory)
I'd highly recommend the tour. It was an excellent and fascinating introduction to China and I wish I was still out there!”
I felt it was very well organized. The places we went were interesting and we were able to get a feel for the history and culture of China. I would have liked a day or a few hours to go around each city to explore on my own.
I think if we could have done a cooking class somewhere, that would have been really great because there were a lot of dishes that we ate that I would like to know how to cook. Our tour guides were informative and entertaining. Overall I had a good time and would definitely go on a On The Go Tours again.”
Renny was and absolutely fantastic guide. She made our trip really special and is a credit to your company. Highlights of our tour were the second day on The Great Wall and the boat trip in Shanghai.”
Just wanted to reiterate how wonderfully attentive Lisa was on our tour. Being a small group I'm sure this made her job easier. We had such a wonderful time and felt like we were with old friends.
The only thing I would pick on is the presumption that we wouldn't like the local food I'm sure there would have been some things that we would have found to our liking. A little but of information overload with the facts, figures and history from the local guides also.”
I had an brilliant time. We did everything that I had expected to, interspersed with amazing food experiences too. The hotels were very good and any issues were promptly sorted by Renny. She even managed to get us upgrades a couple of times. Air conditioning didn't work at this time of year, which was a bit of an issue as it was so hot at night and the opening windows were not sufficient.
Renny was very calm and we were confident that we could rely on her to sort things out. She guarded our cases on the train and made sure we all crossed the roads safely. ”
Tristan was a great guide, very helpful and made sure that we were well looked after - the local guides were also very welcoming and informative
The tour was a good mix of sightseeing and relaxation - much needed after long days and lengthy travel!”
This is my fifth OTG tour and one of the best. Feng was absolutely amazing!!! She was informative, professional, and attentive. I really feel like she was our "mom" while in China; even going as far as to show me what street food to try; and which to avoid. There was plenty of guided time and free time; a perfect balance. The local guides in each city were great too! Benny was hilarious, telling us to stay together "like sticky rice"...
I'm already looking for my next tour because OTG has not disappointed me yet. Amazing how much you get for the price. I love how much you see in a limited time! Five star trip for a three star price. Can't go wrong with OTG!!!!!”
The tour far exceeded my expectations. Everything was very well organised such as timings and train tickets etc. The hotels were very good quality and room facilities were excellent. Meals that were included in the tour were delicious and far better than the meals in tours I have done with other companies. Lily was friendly and approachable and kept everyone on the tour happy. She organised the group very well and made sure that we were never late which allowed us to see some of the sites before other tour groups arrived. All in all, I had a fabulous time and would recommend the tour to anyone. My least favourite part of the tour was the overnight sleeper train to shanghai, although it was an authentic experience, the toilets were very dirty. ”
Loved every minute of our holiday. Our tour leader was outstanding, words cannot describe how awesome she was.
Would love to recommend On the Go Tours to family and friends”
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. This trip was perfect from the minute we landed to the minute we left and some! The tour was absolutely perfectly organised and all the tiny details were sorted out for us prior to our visit. So the trip was as wonderful as a trip like this should be. The tour guide met us immediately we landed and then accommodation throughout was really good, guides were really knowledgeable, places we went to were amazing. We had hoped this would be the trip of a life time and it really was. We are already trying to decide on another tour, the choice is so vast, and we will absolutely be using On The Go again! Thank you so much!”
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I was very impressed with almost everything about this tour and the guide, Lisa, who was excellent. The pacing of the holiday was just right for me - we covered a lot of ground but that was exactly what I was hoping for. I was also happy about the ratio of group activities to free time for individuals . Again, that ratio seemed spot on to me.
The only minor quibble was about the two/three visits to local factories (Silk factory, Jade factory)
I'd highly recommend the tour. It was an excellent and fascinating introduction to China and I wish I was still out there!”
