DAY 1 UK/Beijing
Meet your travelling companions in the executive lounge prior to your scheduled flight to Beijing.
DAY 2 Beijing
Arrival in Beijing for a three night stay. Afternoon included introductory city tour. You will see Chang An Avenue and the Temple of Heaven. This evening there will be a welcome drink at the hotel.
DAY 3 Beijing
Today we include a visit to the heart of Beijing – Tian an Men Square, bordered by the Qianmen Gate, the Great Hall of the People and the Gate of Heavenly Peace. We proceed to the Forbidden City, to marvel at the Imperial Palace. The most modern architecture can also be seen with the iconic Olympic buildings, The Birdsnest and the Water Cube. We then continue to the magnificent 800- year-old Summer Palace. In the evening join us for a Beijing Acrobat Show.
DAY 4 Great Wall
This morning we include a visit to the Great Wall, which passes within 40 miles of Beijing at Badaling. Lunch is followed by a visit to the Ming Tombs museum where 13 emperors are buried. During the evening there will be a Peking Duck Dinner.
DAY 5 Beijing & Chengde
Early morning transfer to Beijing Central Railway Station for the train to Chengde where you will stay for two nights. This 160 mile train journey, travelling in ‘soft’ (first) class, is a unique experience. Chengde is a thriving market town. At its heart is the picturesque landscape of the Summer Resort, protected by eight Outer Temples. We have included a visit to the Summer Resort during the afternoon.
DAY 6 Chengde
Included morning visit to two of the famous Outer Temples. These are the Putuo Temple, a vast and stunning replica of a Tibetan Monastery, and the Temple of the Wooden Buddha.
DAY 7 Beijing/Xian
After breakfast, return to Beijing by road, we then drive directly to the airport for the flight to Xian. Transfer to your hotel where we stay for two nights’. Dinner on arrival.
DAY 8 Xian
The ‘City of Eternal Peace’, was once the flourishing capital of China. It is here that the first Qin emperor was interred in 200BC with at least 6,000 life-size terracotta figures. We include a visit to the Terracotta Army at Li Shan Mountain. You will also visit Hua Qing Hot Springs. Included Tang Dynasty folklore show this evening.
DAY 9 Xian
Included morning tour of Xian, visiting the Goose Pagoda, and the City Walls. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Beijing. Farewell get-together in the evening and an overnight stay.
DAYS 10 - 12 Harbin
Transfer to Harbin for a 3 night stay. Your stay will include visits to Zhaolin Park, the snow carvings of Sun Island and the ice carvings in the Ice and Snow World. Also included is sightseeing in Harbin and a visit to a safari park to see the Manchurian tigers.
DAY 13 UK
Morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. As you will be flying westwards your arrival is later the same day.
Special note: Temperatures in Harbin are well below freezing, so be sure to take appropriate clothing.