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The 15 day Eastern China Explorer - Beijing to Hong Kong explores Beijing, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Xi’an, Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai, Suzhou, Tongli, Yangshuo, Bike ride & Hong Kong.

Day 1: Beijing
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Beijing. No activities are planned, so arrive early if you can, as there is plenty to see. There will be a pre-tour briefing with your tour leader late in the afternoon. Please note that your Tour Leader will collect the Local Payment during your group meeting so be sure to take the 450 US dollars to the meeting along with your travel insurance details. Please bring new USD notes/bills in large denominations. Please see the notice board in the hotel reception for details. The briefing is usually followed by a optional group dinner – Beijing Duck is delicious!

Days 2-4: Beijing
Beijing is abundant in cultural and historical sites. The vast Forbidden City, built nearly 600 years ago and off limits to citizens for almost all that time, is a truly amazing place. The size might surprise you (it is huge!), but what makes it fascinating is that every square metre is interesting, ranging from intricately carved walkways to colourful, painted ceilings. Temple of Heaven is the other fine example of extraordinary workmanship and architecture. We will travel to Simatai Great Wall, a largely unrestored and, as such, more authentic section of the famous wall, not crowded with hordes of other tourists. Climbing up this incredible man-made engineer and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. There is also ample free time in the itinerary, allowing you to make your own discoveries and explorations of old Hutongs and shop in Silk Market and Pearls Market. In the evening, you have the chance to enjoy a performance of the unique Beijing Opera or Kongfu (Martial Arts) Show(optional).

We leave Beijing on the overnight train in Day 4, travelling in “soft-class”, four-berth compartments. The 11-hour trip is a great opportunity to make Chinese friends if you share the compartment with locals.
Meals included: 3 breakfasts

Days 5-6: Xi’an
Xi”an topped the other ancient capital cities in China. Many wonderful places are on your exploration list. Food options are excellent here as well, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in local restaurants. Widely known as the first capital of a united China in 221 BC, the city is the deep root of Chinese history.

A half-day tour to the renowned Terracotta Warriors shows us to these unearthed pottery statues, considered one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th Century. Over 6,000 of them were individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, even facial expression. They are standing in battle formation, facing east in order to protect the tomb of China's first Emperor, the great Qin Shi Huang Di. These soldiers were accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974.

A free day can easily be spent wandering the narrow streets among the Muslim quarter where we find quaint shops, lively markets, groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in dingy cafes. For those who are interested in history, please do not miss Shaanxi History Museum, which introduces you the total history of Chinese civilization.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 7-8: Shanghai
We will take a morning flight to Shanghai and will be transferred to our hotel located near the famous Bund or waterfront area, with dozens of imposing European colonial buildings, remnants of the concession era, along the promenade. The shopping area on Nanjing Road is situated nearby. We will enjoy free time in Shanghai, and your tour leader can show you how to find the way to the famous Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar, a representative of private garden in south China and highlight of the city. We might have opportunities to try some wonderful food stalls as well. Acrobat here is recommended for your entertainment at night.

There is a full free day for further exploration of Shanghai. Keen photographers are rewarded by an early start to the day, as scores of locals practise Taichi along the waterfront at dawn. The old French Quarter is also a great place to wander around, and the Jade Buddha Temple and the impressive Shanghai Museum are both well worth a visit. The gleaming towers on the Pudong side reflect China’s march towards modernisation and the rapid rate of changes that are taking place.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 9-10: Suzhou-Tongli
We travel by train to Suzhou, famous for its canals and its silk industry. However its most famous assets are its magnificent landscaped gardens, which are all works of art. We will enjoy a cycling tour around Suzhou to explore these gardens.

On Day 10 we will drive to Tongli, the medieval water village, which evokes the feeling of being transported back in time to a bygone era. It has retained much of its original character, so much so that it is often used as an outdoor film set. On our morning trip there, we get to walk on narrow streets alongside quaint canals and visit another classical Chinese Garden.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 11: Shanghai-Guilin-Yangshuo
We rerturn to Shanghai and catch a flight south to Guilin, then continuing by road to the small town of Yangshuo.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Days 12-13: Yangshuo
Yangshuo, a place nestled amongst the imposing limestone karst formations that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. This small town is a haven for travellers and here we stay in a delightful local style hotel. Yangshuo offers a relaxed and intimate alternative from the major cities of China and is an excellent place to explore by Bicycle. We join one of our local friends and spend a few hours exploring the wonderful scenery in the surrounding countryside, including Moon Hill, and meeting some of the inhabitants of the nearby villages. A boat trip on the Li River to the surrounding market town of Fuli is an option to consider in your free time.

In the afternoon on Day 13 we return to Guilin to board the overnight train for Guangzhou.

Meals included: 1 lunch

Days 14-15: Guangzhou-Hong Kong
Arriving in Guangzhou in the morning, we head to the ferry terminal and catch the hydrofoil to Hong Kong. There is just so much to see and do in Hong Kong. You can take a funicular ride up to Victoria Peak and enjoy magnificent views over the city, wander through the Stanley Market or just shop until you drop! On our last night we can get together for a group dinner or go out and enjoy some of the many bars and nightclubs around town. Every evening there is a spectacular Sound and Light Show on the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island - 8:00 to 8:20pm. Check with your hotel reception for details. Be warned - after Mainland China, you will not find Hong Kong a cheap city!

Our trip ends in Hong Kong on Day 15. Checkout time is usually around 12 Noon; however you are free to leave at any time in the morning. If you are a first-time visitor to Hong Kong, it is recommended that you extend your stay to further explore this exciting city. A journey up to the top of Victoria Peak on the famous Peak Tram is a good introduction to Hong Kong. Additional accommodation can be arranged on request. The hotel staff will be on hand to advise you how to get to the airport.
Meals included: 1 breakfast