The Experience

Holidaymakers can discover the gems of China during this seven-night tour visiting Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai. Travellers will have the opportunity to visit the famous Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City, as well as walk along The Great Wall of China and see how the tea is picked at the local tea plantations. The tour will lead participants through the ancient sites, modern streets and natural landscapes alike. Discover the wonder and beauty of the lakeside cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou in contrast to the bustling Shanghai.

The Itinerary

Day 1: International flight to Beijing 

• Arrive in Beijing, yout tour guide and be transferred to your hotel for an evening of leisure.

Day 2: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City 

• Discover Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public plazas in the world 

• Head to the Forbidden City which once belonged to the Ming Dynasty, take a tour of the complex and explore its numerous courtyards and lanes 

• Opt for a rickshaw tour of the traditional Hutong area and dinner with a local family.

Day 3: The Great Wall and Olympic Games Sites

• Visit the Great Wall of China and admire this ancient defence structure set amongst mountain landscapes

• Learn about Jade, China’s most precious stone which is manufactured in Beijing 

• Head to see the 2008 Olympic Games Sites including the Bird’s Nest 

• Indulge in a complimentary foot massage at a traditional Chinese medical centre

Day 4: Beijing to Hangzhou

• Spend the morning at leisure, relax at the hotel or explore the city
• Take a chance to participate in a tour of the Temple of Heaven and practice the martial art of Tai Chi; later be transferred to Hangzhou

Day 5: Hangzhou - West Lake, Tea Village

• Visit the West Lake area in Hangzhou, where the West Lake is situated; the West Lake area is home to numerous temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, causeways and artificial islands
• Visit the tea plantation and learn about the tea picking and processing
• In the evening take part in an optional evening performance - The Romance of Song Dynasty Show

Day 6: Suzhou- Master of Nets Garden

• Be transferred from Hangzhou to Suzhou by bus and embark on a tour of Suzhou city on arrival
• Spend the morning in the Master of the Nets Garden in Suzhou which is one of the most recognisable gardens in China, admire the garden’s vegetation, architecture and art
• Optionally, take a boat trip along the longest canal in the world - Suzhou’s Grand Canal

Day 7: Suzhou to Shanghai - Nanjing walking district, The Bund

• After breakfast, explore the most famous silk factory in China and learn about the manufacturing processes of silk
• Be transferred to Shanghai by bus; visit the Nanjing walking district and discover the history and culture of Shanghai at the Shanghai Museum
• Head to the Bund by the Huangpu River, where history blends with tradition
• Optionally, enjoy the evening Huangpu River Cruise and take in the famous sites of Shanghai, such as the People’s Hero Monument, the Bund, and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Day 8: Departure

• Depart home

Check full itinerary here and frequently asked questions here