Unbelievable China

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.

Beijing is the monumental capital of China, blending over three millennia of history with dynamic, ultra-modern architecture. As the political and cultural heart of the country, it offers visitors an incredible juxtaposition where ancient alleys stand alongside gleaming skyscrapers.

Please note:
• Some travellers may depart on Day 0.
• Some travellers may have an overnight layover with accommodation and transfers provided.
• Some travellers may arrive very early in the morning of Day 2.

Overnight: Beijing Meida Hotel or similar

Meals included: In-Flight

After breakfast this morning, visit Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world which serves as the symbolic and geographical heart of Beijing and hosts some of the country's most important architectural monuments, governmental buildings, and museums.

Next, 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 rebuilt and renovated countless times, so most of the architecture you can see today dates from the 1700s and onwards.

Afterwards you will have the opportunity to take part in an optional activity, or explore Beijing at leisure.

Optional Activity: Summer Palace and Beijing Zoo with Dinner
Take a trip to the majestic Summer Palace, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.

Then head to the Panda House, the crown jewel of Beijing Zoo. Since the successful captive breeding of the first giant panda in 1963, and the world’s first successful artificial insemination in 1978, the zoo has been at the forefront of panda conservation. Finish with a delicious dinner experience that will allow you to savour authentic regional flavours. 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).

Please note:
• There is a daily limit on the number of tickets available for The Forbidden City, therefore entry is likely, but cannot be guaranteed as it is subject to availability. In the unlikely 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.

Overnight: Beijing Meida Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

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

On arrival at the Great Wall, 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. Afterwards return to Beijing where you may take part in an optional activity, or explore Beijing at leisure.

Optional Activity: 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. 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: Beijing Meida Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch

After breakfast, head to a traditional Chinese health centre where you’ll learn about acupuncture, herbal medicine and other wellness practices integral to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Travel to the airport for your onward flight to Shanghai where, upon arrival, a tour representative will meet you and transfer you to Suzhou. Then check into your hotel for an evening at leisure after an approximately 110-kilometre travel day.

Often called the 'Venice of the East', Suzhou is one of China's most historic and culturally rich cities, celebrated for its elegant stone bridges, tranquil canal networks, exquisite silk industry, and UNESCO-listed classical gardens.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• The order of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shanghai from Day 4 to 10 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions and sightseeing will remain the same.

Overnight: Snowy Sea Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning you will visit the famous UNESCO-listed Lingering Garden before stopping by a silk spinning factory as China is renowned for its exquisite silk. Afterwards enjoy time at leisure or take part in an optional activity.

Optional Activity: Grand Canal Cruise
Take the opportunity to cruise along the Grand Canal to view life along China’s ancient waterway. In the afternoon, you'll drive approximately 40 kilometres to nearby Wuxi. Known as the 'Land of Fish and Rice', Wuxi is a captivating cultural hub in Jiangsu Province nestled right along the shores of Lake Tai (Taihu). On arrival 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.

Please note:
• The order of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shanghai from Day 4 to 10 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions and sightseeing will remain the same.

Overnight: Mingdu Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Wuxi is also known as the 'Bright Pearl of Taihu Lake', as it is a major hub for high-quality freshwater pearls. Cultivated in the nutrient-rich waters of Lake Tai, these pearls are prized globally for their impressive luster, color range, and variety. This morning, you'll gain an insight into China’s enormous manufacturing and production capabilities by visiting a Pearl Factory & shop 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.

Celebrated for centuries as 'Heaven on Earth', Hangzhou is one of China’s most beautiful and storied cities. The city centers around the legendary, willow-lined West Lake, rolling green tea hills, and misty Buddhist temples. It offers a much softer, more romantic pace than neighboring Shanghai, which is just an hour away via high-speed train.

Please note:
• The order of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shanghai from Day 4 to 10 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions and sightseeing will remain the same.

Overnight: Fubang International Hotel or similar

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, 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. Then drive approximately 175 kilometres to Shanghai Shanghai serves as China’s financial capital and premier global megacity. Situated at the mouth of the Yangtze River, it is bisected by the Huangpu River into historic Puxi on the west bank and futuristic Pudong on the east. Known historically as the "Paris of the East," it seamlessly blends classical Chinese traditions with European colonial architecture and high-tech urban design.

On arrival in Shanghai, 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. Afterwards you may take part in an optional activity, or explore Shanghai at leisure.

Optional Activity: ERA & The Intersection of Time
Tonight, 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 4 to 10 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions and sightseeing will remain the same.

Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Jiading or similar

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 join an optional activity or explore Shanghai at leisure.

Optional Activity: Half-Day Shanghai Tour
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 Activity: Huangpu River Night Cruise
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 5 of the tour.
• The order of Suzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shanghai from Day 4 to 10 may be swapped due to operational considerations however, all inclusions will remain the same.

Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Jiading or similar

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. If 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 for their early morning flight.
• 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