Ancient China
Ancient China
$3952
Ancient China
18 Days Starting in UK and ending in UK
Tour operator:
Tour code:
428
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 28
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Art Galleries & Museums, Boat/Cruise Excursion, Rail Excursion
Tour Overview
With thousands of years of fascinatingly diverse history, China is one of the world's oldest and most monumental civilisations. Encounter millennia-old culture and religion with visits to some of China's greatest and most intriguing ancient sights.
Visit the beautiful Shaolin Temple, a 5th century building, home to Buddhist teachings, as seen on BBC One's Sacred Wonders.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2: Fly Overnight To Beijing
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in Beijing, China's fascinating capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3: Imperial Beijing
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and stroll into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City where you will find a complex full of imperial treasures. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleys of the warren-like hutongs and learn more about living in this traditional area. In the evening, sit down to enjoy the local delicacy, Peking duck.
Day 4: The Great Wall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. Visit a jade factory, where you will be able to buy a small handcrafted piece. Jade is revered throughout China and is said to bring fortune and prosperity to those who wear it. Spend the afternoon at the idyllic Summer Palace, wandering through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture.
Day 5: Temple Of Heaven
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Later, browse your way through Panjiayuan, Beijing’s most extensive arts, crafts and antiques market.
Day 6: Historical Datong
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel by bullet train to Datong, watching the rural splendour of China pass by your window. Known for its abundant historical relics and natural beauty, upon arrival visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yungang Caves where you will see the well-preserved rock carvings from the surrounding sandstone cliffs. Today, it is one of the three most famous ancient Buddhist cultural sites of China.
Day 7: The Hanging Temple
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the 1,400-year-old, gravity-defying Hanging Temple that seemingly floats 50 metres up the face of Jinxia Gorge before travelling on to Wutaishan.
Day 8: Wutaishan
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day starts with a visit to one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, Wutaishan (Five Terrace Mountain) and a place of scenic magnificence. In Wutaishan's shadow, an alpine valley shelters many important monasteries, temples and sculptures, some dating back over 1,000 years. Here, visit the Bodhisattva Summit Temple and Xiantong Buddhist Temple. Continue to Taiyuan, the capital and largest city in Shanxi Province and visit the Twin Pagoda Temple, constructed during the Ming Dynasty.
Day 9: Taiyuan And Pingyao
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Jinci Temple before travelling to the old town of Pingyao. Pingyao is a living museum and home to China's best preserved ancient city walls. Here, take part in a traditional Chinese paper cutting experience, an art dating back to the 6th century.
Day 10: Explore Pingyao
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the characterful old town of Pingyao, strolling along the cobbled streets to view the old city walls and the Rishengchang Financial House Museum. There will also be time to see the Yamen, a government building during the Qing Dynasty, before taking the bullet train to the former imperial capital of Xian.
Day 11: Terracotta Warriors
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of these life-size warriors and visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop. Later, take a stroll on the beautifully preserved ancient city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. This evening, enjoy a delicious feast of Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.
Day 12: Discover Xian
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Admire the relics at the Xian Museum before visiting the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and Shuyuanmen Ancient Culture Street where you will see a calligraphy demonstration. There will also be time to explore the atmospheric alleys of the Muslim Quarter.
Day 13: Luoyang
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Board a bullet train from Xian to Luoyang, a city that was the capital for more than 13 dynasties. This afternoon, visit the Longmen Grottoes which houses tens of thousands of age-old statues and sculptures depicting Buddha and his disciples carved from the limestone cliffs of Xiangshan and Longmenshan.
Day 14: Shaolin Temple
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Dengfeng and visit the famous Shaolin Temple, best known for its association with martial arts, and walk through the Pagoda Forest, a collection of 228 pagodas of various styles built from the Tang through to the Qing dynasties. Later, witness a kung fu demonstration by the famous Shaolin Monks. Continue to Zhengzhou.
Day 15: Huangpu River Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Board the bullet train to the exuberant and cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. In the evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a scenic cruise.
Day 16: Cosmopolitan Shanghai
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Shanghai is China's great metropolis, east and west colliding on streets lined with skyscrapers and old temples. Visit the classical Yu Garden and stop in the old town before admiring the colonial architecture on the Bund. This evening, take your seats to see the fascinating ERA acrobatic show.
Day 17: Explore Shanghai
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wander through the Xintiandi area to admire the 1920s architectural style, view the artefacts at the Shanghai Museum and explore the Silk Factory. Taste delicious, traditional Shanghainese cuisine for dinner.
Day 18: Fly Shanghai To Uk
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3* plus - 4* -
4* accommodation
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Domestic transportation
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Touring with guides and entrance fees
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All meals
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Drinks with Meals
Accommodation
Mercure Beijing Downtown
The 4-star Mercure Beijing Downtown is very well connected across the city, with easy access to the city centre and multiple transport links. The elegant and spacious guest rooms offer free internet access and satellite TV. Along with room service, other in room amenities such as a refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities are provided.
Datong Hotel
Featuring 221 spacious rooms, the Datong Hotel is situated in a lively area of the city centre. All of its chic and spacious air conditioned rooms come with flat screen satellite television, and en-suite and a safety deposit box. The onsite restaurant offers Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine. The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool and a fitness centre.
Friendship Hotel
Wutaishan Friendship Hotel features modern accommodation in the Wutaishan Scenic Area. Rooms are elegantly furnished and include satellite television, tea making facilities, free Wifi and an en-suite bathroom. The hotel also has an onsite fitness centre, supermarket and restaurant, which serves local Chinese dishes.
Shanxi Grand Hotel
The centrally located Shanxi Grand Hotel in Taiyuan has modern en-suite rooms which include satellite television, free Wifi, air conditioning, tea making facilities and a safety deposit box. The hotel’s onsite restaurant serves local and international cuisine. There is also a fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool for your use.
Chengjia Laoyuan Homestay
Conveniently located within walking distance from the famous Mingqing Street, the 3-star Chengjia Laoyuan Homestay offers classical charm and convenience. Guestrooms feature traditional heated brick beds and the homestay offers a quaint and peaceful courtyard for your relaxation. An authentic Chinese breakfast, lobby bar and Wi-Fi in public areas is also available.
Dajing Castle Hotel
Formerly known as Grand Park, the Dajing Castle hotel is a 4-star hotel located in the heart of Xi'an's Beilin district. Blending traditional and contemporary elements, the guestrooms boast comfortable interiors that exude style and elegance. Each room is equipped with modern amenities, including a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a minibar, and a safety deposit box. The ensuite bathroom is well-appointed with bathrobes and slippers for added convenience. The hotel features Wi-Fi, a fitness center, sauna, massage service, buffet breakfast and atrium bar.
Peony Hotel
Right in the heart of Luoyang, the Peony Hotel has well-appointed en-suite rooms with modern amenities, including a flat-screen TV, electric kettle and a minibar. The hotel also features a restaurant serving Cantonese, Sichuan, and Western flavours, a massage parlour and a fitness centre.
Xinhuajianguo Hotel
The 4-star Xinhuajianguo Hotel is located in downtown Zhengzhou and offers guests comfortably furnished en-suite rooms. Facilities include satellite TV, free internet access, a mini bar and other amenities. The onsite restaurant boasts superb Chinese cuisine. Other services and facilities include a sauna, beauty salon, fitness room and laundry service.
Hongqiao Jinjiang Hotel
Formerly known as the Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel, the 4-star Hongqiao Jinjiang Hotel is located in the heart of Shanghai and welcomes visitors to a luxurious and relaxing retreat from the city. Guests will have easy access to the major metropolitan area as well as the Shanghai Public Library and Honggiao Golf Club.
Experiences
Kung Fu Show
As part of a visit to the Shaolin Temple, with its long and famous history of martial arts, watch an action-packed kung fu show by the monks and their trainees, who will demonstrate their astonishing skills.
Traditional Art of Paper Cutting
Discover the traditional Chinese folk art of paper cutting, an intricate and beautiful craft that's been practised since the 6th century. After a demonstration of the techniques, try your hand at creating your own paper cutting.
Chinese Calligraphy Demonstration
Immerse yourself in the local culture with a visit to the Shuyuanmen Ancient Culture Street where you will see a demonstration of the long-practiced art of calligraphy.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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What is 'Happy to Share'?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance in line with our normal booking conditions. Either way, our Operations Team will contact you around 75 days before departure to let you know whether a share partner has been found or not. We regret that Happy to Share requests cannot be accepted within 75 days of departure. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to change or withdraw this arrangement at any time.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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