Historical Ancient Capitals of China

Guaranteed Departure on every Monday with minimum 2 people !

Itinerary Highlights

· 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Day 1 London/Xian ( By flight: GS7988 2110-1615) Begin your unique holiday by making your own way to London Heathrow Airport for an overnight direct flight to Xian with Tianjin Airlines..

Day 2 Xian On arrival in Xian, met by your private guide and take a private transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay at the 4* Ramada Xian Bell Tower Hotel. Free for the rest of the day to overcome the jetlag.

Day 3 Xian 7,000 Terracotta Soldiers have stood guard over China’s first emperor for over 2,200 years, and now, painstakingly repaired along with their chariots and horses, they still stand in battle formation in giant exhibition halls erected around the pits where they were discovered in the 1970s. Followed by a visit to Terracotta Replica Workshop. This afternoon see Xian's immense City Wall complete with towers and battlements and the Muslim Quarter surrounding the imposing Great Mosque. B/L

Day 4 Xian Free at leisure to explore this ancient on your own pace today. B

Day 5 Xian / Luoyang-Shaolin Monastery (By High speed day train G820 0935-1107) This morning will take less than 2 hours’ high speed bullet day train to Luoyang. Met on arrival, drive to the world known Shaolin Temple- Shaolin temple. En-route, to visit Luoyang Museum. Luoyang Museum is world-famous for its large quantity of various kinds of relics. Neolithic pottery article, bronze artifacts of Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, colored pottery-made tomb figures of Han and Hui dynasties, and tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty. Among them, the pottery-made tomb figures and tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty are considered to be of first grade. Staying overnight at martial art themed 4*Chanwu Hotel which is very close to the UNESCO world heritage site – Shaolin Monastery and also is well known as Shaolin Temple. B/L

Day 6 Shaolin temple/Luoyang Today, enjoy a half day trip to Shaolin Temple, a famous Martial Arts Monastery and the birthplace of both Kungfu and Zen Buddhism. You will also enjoy the 40-mintute Martial Arts performance in the temple. Transfer back to Luoyang in the afternoon to visit another UNESCO world Heritage site - Longmen Grottoes which has been a treasure house of wide collection of Buddhism sculptures caves and temples. Back to Luoyang and stay overnight at 4* New Friendship Hotel in Luoyang. B/L

Day 7 Luoyang/Xian (By High speed day train G1701 1357-1519) Free to explore this ancient city on your own pace. Met at hotel lobby at 1215 for taking private transfer to train station for your high speed day train back to Xian. Met on arrival and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stayat the 4* Ramada Xian Bell Tower Hotel. B

Day 8 Xian/ London ( By flight : GS7987 1540-1900) Enjoy your free time in the morning. Met at hotel lobby at 1200 and drive to airport for your homeward direct flight back to London with Tianjin Airlines, arrival London on the same day. B

Your holiday price includes:

* Return International flight with Tianjin Airlines in economy class and all taxes.

* 1st Class High speed day train from Xian to Luoyang and Luoyang to Xian.

* All internal transportation and transfers in China by private transfer as specified within itinerary.

* 6 nights’ 4* hotel accommodation with private facilities staying at Standard Double/Twin Sharing Room.

* Meals in China as stated (B=breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner).

* Comprehensive sightseeing with all entrance fees as per itinerary.

* Sightseeing as stated with Private English-speaking local guides..

* Safe and secure with ATOL & IATA.

The Legendary Shandong Province

Steeped in History, Culture and Natural Beauty, an intriguing guided journey through the spiritual heartland of China where Confucius was born, sacred mountains were worshipped by Emperors. The cradle of Confucianism & Taoism and where Buddha gazes unperturbed over all.

Itinerary Highlights

· 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Day 1 London/Beijing Begin your unique holiday by making your own way to London Heathrow for an overnight flight to Beijing with Air China.

Day 2 Beijing/QingdaoArrive in Beijing, make your own transit arrangement at Beijing Airport for taking your onward flight to Qingdao for two nights at the 4* Sanfod Hotel. B/L
 

Day 3 Qingdao Today to explore Mt. Laoshan which is culturally significant due to its long affiliation with Taoism and is often regarded as one of the "cradles of Taoism". Mount Lao is featured in many legends and local traditions. It is located to the east coast of the city that spans a coastline of 87 kilometers, this tall and majestic mountain is famous for its marvelous mountainous scenery, coastal landscape and significant importance in Taoism. You can see a narrow and rapid stream running through the steep cliff and rushing into the green pond at Longtan Waterfall, followed by the visit to legend Taiqing Palace which is the oldest Taoist Temple with a history of more than 2,000 years as well as the largest, with an area of 30,000 square meters. The whole palace consists of three parts: Sanqing Hall in the middle, Sanguan Hall to the east and Sanhuang Hall to the west. Back to your hotel after the day tour. B/L

Day 4 Qingdao/Tai’an We will start off the day with the Qingdao Beer Museum. It is a large-scale beer museum housing century-old German brewing equipment allowing people to have a better understanding of the renowned Tsingtao Beer followed by the visit to the ironical site of Qingdao - Zhan Bridge Pier that was the first wharf at Qingdao and the pier itself was started built in 1891 and frequently enlarged, then onto Xiaoyushan for an overall view of Zhan Bridge and Small Qingdao Island. Xiaoyushan (Little Fish Hill) is Qingdao's old town teeming with stone houses, villas, and German-style buildings. After a lunch, move on to Badaguan Scenic Area, a must-see leaf district in Qingdao full of European-style and castle-like buildings. Drive to Tai’an for a two-night stay. B/L

Day 5 Tai’an/Qufu/Tai’an After breakfast, you will drive to Qufu, the mother town of Confucius, the city contains numerous historic palaces, temples and cemeteries. At the heart of Qufu is the Confucius Temple, first built to honour the sage shortly after his death in 479BC. It is a place used to worship Confucius, and together with the Confucius Family Mansion and the Cemetery of Confucius, together, these three sites have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Confucius Temple was enlarged over the centuries, the 50-acre temple complex today boasts grandeur similar to the Forbidden City, with sealing-wax red walls and roof tiles glazed yellow (a colour normally preserved for the emperor). Also, the Cemetery of Confucius is one of top things to do in Qufu. Located in the north of the city, it is the largest clan cemetery in the world. B/L

Day 6 Tai’an/Shanghai G137(1542-1917) 2nd class Today’s highlight will be visiting the sacred Mount Tai ('shan' means 'mountain') that was the object of an imperial cult for nearly 2,000 years, it is the most famous sacred mountain of China, with exceptional historic, cultural, aesthetic and scientific value, and the artistic masterpieces found there are in perfect harmony with the natural landscape. It has always been a source of inspiration for Chinese artists and scholars and symbolizes ancient Chinese civilizations and beliefs. Mount Taishan is considered one of the most beautiful scenic spots in China and was an important cradle of oriental East Asian culture since the earliest times before 219 BCE. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will take scenic shuttle bus and round trip cable car to visit the Mountain, including the visit to south gate to heaven, the heavenly street, the grand----view peak, the sea exploring rock and so on. Transfer to train station for your high speed day train to Shanghai after the visit. Met on arrival and drive to your hotel for a 3-night stay. B/L

Day 7 Shanghai Admire the very best of China's treasures at the Shanghai Museum and Later inspect some of the region’s fine needlework at the Silk factory, next you will stroll through Yuyuan Garden, an oasis of calm and beauty in the midst of the bustling city. Then visit Jade Buddha Temple with its lovely white jade statues and great incense burners, later stroll along the Bund, Shanghai's riverside promenade with futuristic skyscrapers on one bank and grand 19th century European architecture on the other. It used to be named as the Pearl of Oriental in the 30s’ of last century. Back to hotel after the day tour. B/L

Day 8 Shanghai Enjoy your free time in Shanghai today. B

Day 9 Shanghai Fly from Shanghai to London Heathrow with Air China. B

Private Tour Price: from £1995 per person

Departure date: Every Wednesday

Your holiday price includes:
* Return International flight with Air China in economy class and all taxes.
* 1st Class High speed day train from Tai’an to Shanghai.
* All internal transportation and transfers in China by private transfer as specified within itinerary.
* 7 nights’ 4* hotel accommodation with private facilities staying at Standard Double/Twin Sharing Room.
* Meals in China as stated (B=breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner).
* Comprehensive sightseeing with all entrance fees as per itinerary.
* Sightseeing as stated with Private English-speaking local guides.
* Safe and secure with ATOL & IATA.