China Adventure

Today you'll depart Australia (or New Zealand) for Beijing, China. Upon arrival, a tour representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.

Please note:
• Some travellers may depart on Day 0.
• Some travellers may have an overnight layover in China with accommodation and transfers provided by the airline.
• Some travellers may have an overnight layover in an Australian city with airport accommodation provided (excluding transfers).
• Some travellers may arrive early in the morning of Day 2.

Overnight: Ramada Beijing North or similar, Beijing

Meals included: In-Flight

After breakfast this morning, you'll visit Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world. Afterwards, you'll see the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City, known officially as The Palace Museum, was originally constructed by Emperor Yong Le who was the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The palace was built between 1406 and 1420 but has been burnt down, rebuilt, sacked and renovated countless times so most of the architecture you can see today dates from the 1700s and onwards.

Please note:
• There is a daily limit on the number of tickets available for The Forbidden City, therefore entry cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability. In the event that tickets can not be secured, a visit to The Temple of Heaven will be offered instead.
• The Temple of Heaven, founded in the first half of the 15th century, is a dignified complex of fine cult buildings that are set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods. In its overall layout, it symbolises the relationship between earth and heaven which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony and also recognises the special role played by the emperors within that relationship.

Optional Tour: The Golden Mask Dynasty
Tonight, take the opportunity to attend an optional large-scale dramatic musical, ‘The Golden Mask Dynasty’. Not included, paid on tour. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Please note: Scheduling of attractions and activities may be alternated for the days in Beijing (Days 2 to 4).

Overnight: Ramada Beijing North or similar, Beijing

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you'll travel to a Jade Museum to learn the history of jade where you can observe skilled artisans at work as they create their intricate designs. In Chinese, jade is pronounced as “Yu” and has a history of at least four thousand years in China.

You'll then take a scenic drive through the countryside and mountains to reach China’s most renowned monument, the Great Wall. Along the way, you'll enjoy stopping for a delicious Peking Duck lunch which is one of Beijing's most famous dishes (vegetarian options will be available also).

On arrival at the Great Wall, you'll visit the less-touristy and more original Juyong Pass, avoiding other sections that are the most accessible and consequently, the most crowded. The Great Wall meanders through China’s northern mountain ranges from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert which is a distance of more than 5,600 kilometres.

Optional Tour: Hutong Pedicab Tour & Dinner
In the afternoon, take the opportunity to join an optional tour (not included, paid on tour) of Beijing’s 700-year-old Hutongs (narrow lanes) area by old-fashioned pedicab. You will also visit a local family to experience the local customs and enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner. The optional tour also includes visiting Shichahai, a historic scenic area consisting of three lakes (Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai) which surround places of historic interest, scenic beauty and remnants of old-style hutong and courtyard local residences. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Please note:
• Scheduling of attractions and activities may be alternated for the days in Beijing (Days 2 to 4).
• The old-fashioned pedicab operation may be suspended without prior notice and a replacement optional tour will be offered.

Overnight: Ramada Beijing North or similar, Beijing

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch

After breakfast, you'll head to a traditional Chinese health centre where you’ll learn about acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other wellness practices integral to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

You will then travel to Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia by coach (approx. a 4-5 hour coach ride). Endless epic grasslands, broad and blue sky and herds of lovely horses, sheep and cattle endow Ulanqab the reputation of "The Summer Capital of China's Grasslands". Here you can immerse yourself into the superb refreshing emerald prairie reaching endlessly with surrounding rising and falling hills and the rarely seen landform wonder of valley on grassland. 

Upon arrival, you will enjoy a two-night stay in a private yurt. Your comfortable yurt will include a private ensuite bathroom and air conditioning.

Overnight: Yurt Accommodation

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you will have a free day to take part in a variety of optional activities or explore this amazing area at your own leisure.

Please note that a range of optional activities and shows will be available for purchase on tour and what is available will depend on weather and the season. Potential activities include cultural shows, local dinners, horse-riding, archery to name a few. Your local guide will provide information on what is available during your stay and take payment on tour.

Overnight: Yurt Accommodation

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast you will travel to Beijing Airport for your onward flight to Shanghai where, upon arrival, a tour representative will meet you and transfer you to Suzhou. You can then check into your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Please note:
• A high-speed rail journey may be provided in place of a domestic flight. Train and/or domestic flight tickets will be distributed by your tour guide on arrival in China and in some cases you may find a domestic flight within China included in your attached international flight ticket.
• If you do not provide your passport details at least 60 days prior to departure you may not be in the same flight or train carriage or on the same train as your companions and as other group members.
• If you provide incorrect passport details, you may be required to purchase new tickets at your own expense upon arrival.
• The seating arrangement on high-speed trains consists of a row of 2 seats and a row of 3 seats so due to this, we cannot guarantee you a seat right next to your travel companion on this journey.
• The order of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shanghai from Day 6 to 12 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions will remain the same.

Overnight: Snowy Sea Hotel or similar, Suzhou

Meals included: Breakfast

Suzhou has a history dating back to 514 BC and is often referred to as ‘Venice of the East’. Here you'll visit the famous UNESCO-listed Lingering Garden before stopping by a silk spinning factory as China is renowned for its exquisite silk.

In the afternoon, you'll drive approximately 40 kilometres to Wuxi and visit Lihu Park, a serene oasis nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Lihu. This is where you'll find lush greenery, scenic walking paths and charming bridges so make time to admire the peaceful views as you spot locals cycling around the lake, fishing and boating along the water.

Optional Activity: Grand Canal Cruise - 220 RMB per person
Take the opportunity to cruise along the Grand Canal (not included, paid on tour) to view life along China’s ancient waterway.

Please note: The order of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shanghai from Day 6 to 12 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions will remain the same.

Overnight: Mingdu Hotel or similar, Wuxi

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, you'll gain an insight into China’s enormous manufacturing and production capabilities by visiting a Pearl Factory to learn about freshwater pearls, a key export commodity with great cultural significance since the Han dynasty.

Afterwards, you'll drive approximately 200 kilometres to Hangzhou where you can check into your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Please note: The order of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shanghai from Day 6 to 12 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions will remain the same.

Overnight: Fubang International Hotel or similar, Hangzhou

Meals included: Breakfast

Hangzhou is considered one of the tea capitals of China, so a visit to the city just isn’t complete without a trip to a local tea house. Today you'll make a special visit to the Tea House at Meijiawu Tea Village, located in the hinterland of West Lake Park which is considered one of the most important Longjing Tea productions in China. This is your chance to enjoy the natural environment and beautiful village scenery while learning more about their special tea culture. At the Tea House, you'll learn how to make Longjing Tea including picking, frying and tasting the tea leaves.

Afterwards, you'll enjoy a short boat ride on the UNESCO-listed West Lake where you can marvel at the ethereal beauty of Hangzhou's willow-draped islands.

You'll then drive approximately 175 kilometres to Shanghai to visit the famous Bund, a five-block riverfront promenade with many of Shanghai's banks and trading houses. You'll discover that Shanghai is divided by the Huangpu River with modern mega-high rises on the eastern side and traditional European-style architecture on the western side.

Optional Activity: ERA & The Intersection of Time 390 RMB
Tonight you can take part in an optional activity to watch a superb and thrilling Chinese Acrobatic Show, “ERA: The Intersection of Time” or similar. Not included, paid on tour. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Please note: The order of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shanghai from Day 6 to 12 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions will remain the same.

Overnight: Novotel Shanghai Qingpu Excellence or similar, Shanghai

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, you'll have the chance to step back in time at the Shanghai History Museum, a landmark museum that comprehensively reflects the local history of Shanghai. In the afternoon, you can enjoy free time at leisure or join an optional activity (not included, paid on tour).

Optional Activity: Half-Day Shanghai Tour – 240 RMB
Join a half-day tour of Shanghai visiting the exquisite Yu Garden which is believed to have been built more than 400 years ago. Other attractions include Xintiandi, Old Town and Nanjing Road. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Optional Tour: Huangpu River Night Cruise – 280 RMB
In the evening, take the opportunity to join the optional night cruise on the Huangpu River. Not included, paid on tour. Please see current pricing in Important Information.

Please note:
• If the Shanghai History Museum is closed, you'll visit Suzhou Museum in place of this visit on Day 7 of the tour.
• The order of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shanghai from Day 6 to 12 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions will remain the same.

Overnight: Novotel Shanghai Qingpu Excellence or similar, Shanghai

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is free at leisure or you can take part in an optional activity to Shanghai Disneyland which will include standard admission and return transfers.

Optional Activity: Shanghai Disneyland (standard admission) with Transfers – 780 RMB

Overnight: Novotel Shanghai Qingpu Excellence or similar, Shanghai

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you will transfer to Shanghai Airport for your return flight back to Australia (or New Zealand).

Please note:
• Standard check-out time is 12:00, luggage storage is available at the front desk for those with later fights.
• Some travellers may be required to depart a day later so additional accommodation and transfers will be provided free of charge. This will not apply to passengers departing before 02:00 the following day as they will be transferred to the airport the day prior.
• Some travellers may be required to fly from Hangzhou Airport, if this is required a transfer from Shanghai to Hangzhou will be arranged free of charge.

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Meals included: None