China Dreams
China Dreams
Blend city and nature in this all-encompassing tour around China
This 13 day tour strikes the perfect balance between China’s breathtaking countryside, striking history and bustling cities. Spend time in the illustrious capital of Beijing, followed by the ancient city of Xian. Guilin, Yangshuo and Zhujiajiao provide a glimpse of China’s remarkable and dramatic landscapes such as the picturesque Li River in Guilin. Finally, the bustling and vibrant city of Shanghai will bring you to China’s present.
Locations you will be visiting
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Beijing, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Beijing with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
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Xian, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Xian with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
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Guilin & Yangshuo, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Guilin & Yangshuo with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
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Shanghai, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Shanghai with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
China Dreams
13 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 Fly to Beijing
Catch your scheduled flight from the UK to Beijing. Alternatively, we can arrange departures from your local airport.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore the surrounding area. Your guide will be pleased to advise you on what is best to do. In the early evening you will be taken to dinner where you will meet your fellow group members.
- Meals included: Dinner
DAY 3 Beijing City Tour
In the morning you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors worshipped the god of heaven and prayed for good harvests for the year to come. This will be followed by a stroll through Tiananmen Square, the biggest square in the world,
before continuing on to the Forbidden City, which served as the grand imperial palace for centuries. Your final stop of the day will be the Hutongs, for a personal insight into the everyday life of Beijing’s traditional
citizens.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 Great Wall
Today visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a post along the wall offering breathtaking views in a less crowded atmosphere. Mutianyu was constructed in the mid-6th century and its rich history can be identified in its uniquely preserved building. This will be followed by an opportunity for photographs at the Birds Nest Stadium and Water Cube, venues for the memorable 2008 Olympics and 2015 World Championships. In the evening, enjoy a tasty Peking Duck feast, a must for all visitors to the city.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Beijing to Xian
This morning visit the Summer Palace, a magnificent complex of lakes, gardens, palaces and remarkable views, followed by a relaxing boat ride on the beautiful Kunming Lake. You will then catch a bullet train to Xian (approx. 5 hours 30 minutes), where you will check into your hotel for a two night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport:
DAY 6 Terracotta Warriors
The Terracotta Warriors are today’s first stop. A breathtaking collection of 10,000 life size statues of the Chinese army made over 2,000 years ago. This will be followed, in the afternoon, by a visit to the ancient city wall in Xian, which is best explored on foot or by bike. It is the most complete city wall still surviving in China, and is one of the largest military defensive systems in the world. In the evening you will try a dumpling dinner while being entertained by the Tang Dynasty Show, a colourful performance of traditional music and dance.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Xian City Tour and to Guilin
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will visit to the Shaanxi Museum which has over a quarter of a million artefacts on display, including treasures from many periods of China’s history. The next stop, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, will uncover China’s unique architectural style and will be followed by a visit to the Muslim Quarter to see local life in the community. Finally, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guilin for an overnight stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 8 Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
A morning transfer takes you to the start of your boat cruise on the stunning Li River towards Yangshuo, where you can see tranquil rural scenes of buffalo farming the rice terraces and the towering karst mountain peaks. In the evening there is an optional spectacular ‘Impressions of Liu Sanjie’ show, staged on the river.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 9 Yangshuo to Guilin
With a morning free at leisure to explore this beautiful area independently, maybe walk or cycle through the surrounding countryside, or perhaps join an optional cookery class. Return to Guilin, for an overnight stay and in the evening, you could treat yourself to a spell-binding cormorant fishing show, which is bookable locally and subject to availability.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 Reed Flute Caves and to Shanghai
Your day starts with breakfast, followed by a visit to the Reed Flute Caves, a remarkable collection of colourfully illuminated stalactites and stalagmites. Afterwards your guide will take you to Fubo Hill and Elephant Trunk Hill for uninterrupted panoramic views, before transferring you to the airport for a flight to the bustling city of Shanghai, and a three night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 11 Shanghai City Tour
Today’s itinerary starts at the Yu Yuan Gardens followed by the Jade Buddha Temple. The centuries old Yu Yuan Gardens are home to beautiful pavilions, walkways, streams, courtyards and flowering plants. The Jade Buddha Temple is home to two exquisite white jade, porcelain sculptures of Buddha. After a trip to the Shanghai Museum, there will be an opportunity to visit the modern waterfront buildings of the Bund. Later, you can enjoy a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the whole city from the top of the Shanghai World Financial Centre.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12 Zhujiajiao
The ancient water town of Zhujiajiao, is today’s first stop. Known as the Pearl Stream, and with a history dating back over 1,700 years, you can expect to see Ming and Qing Dynasty bridges, and the Ma Family Garden before heading back to Shanghai for an afternoon at leisure.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 13 Fly to UK
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
Optional Extras - Cultural Experiences
There is some free time in your itinerary for you to explore on your own, or treat yourself to an excursion. Use the links below to create a to-do list, or, if you’d prefer us to book you onto one of these or any other excursions, please let us know when booking your tour.
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View this packageChina
China: Beijing Opera
Delight at a performance of traditional Beijing Opera
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View this packageChina
China: Impressions of Liu Sanjie in Yangshuo
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View this packageChina
China: Cycling in Yangshuo
Explore the countryside, cycling in Yangshuo
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View this packageChina
China: Tai Chi Lesson
Practise this ancient martial art with a Tai Chi lesson
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
Departures and Prices 2022 / 23
Single supplement from £368
Land only from £1,898
(without international flights)
Prices and products are subject to availability at the time of booking.
The deposit for these arrangements is £300 per person. Balance is due 12 weeks before departure.
This itinerary is also available as a Private Tour. Please ask for details.
China: China Dreams
price
from£2,898
Make an enquiry
from£2,898
What's included:
- International flights in economy class departing from London Heathrow with British Airways
- Domestic flights in economy class
- Bullet train in first class
- 4★ accommodation based on twin share
- Transfers
- English speaking guides
- Meals as stated
- Entrance fees to the sites listed
- Airport taxes
- Local tips: RMB500 (approx £58) per person,
- Personal spending
- Travel insurance
- China visa and fees
When making an enquiry or reservation we will request your contact details, however no payment will be required at this stage. We will contact you for payment details and to confirm your booking, your details and the details of those travelling with you along with any extras you’d like to add.
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