Day 1

London/Beijing

Begin your unique holiday by making your own way to London Heathrow for an overnight flight to Beijing. 

Day 2

Beijing

On arrival in Beijing transfer to the 4* Novotel Xinqiao Hotel for an overnight stay.   Welcome dinner.  D

Day 3

Jinan

Visit Beijing’s Olympic site before taking the high speed train to Jinan in Shandong province.  Explore Spring Park where some of the purest water in China gushes from natural springs. At dinner sample some specialities of the local Lu Cai cuisine, and stay two nights at the 4*Shungeng Hillview Hotel. BLD

Day 4

Jinan 

Climb Qianfo Mountain with glorious views and hundreds of Buddha statues lining the path. See 7,000-year-old artefacts from nearby villages, and a 72ft-long Ming-era boat excavated from the marshes, at the Shandong Provincial Museum.   BL

Day 5

Qufu

Drive to Qufu, birthplace of the humble scholar Confucius. Stay two nights at the 4*Queli Hotel. BL

Day 6

Qufu

Since Confucius has been revered for centuries as China’s most influential philosopher, successive emperors created an extraordinarily ornate temple and mansion for his descendants which we visit today.  BL

Day 7

Taian 

Drive to Taian to spend two nights at the 4*Lijing Hotel. Visit the magnificent Dai Temple at the foot of China’s most holy Taoist mountain, Taishan, and the starting point for pilgrimages up to the peak.   BL

Day 8

Taian

Take the cable car over Taishan’s pine, gingko and cypress-covered slopes dotted with ancient temples, bridges and gates, to admire the Azure Clouds Temple and worship the harmony of man and nature at its peak.  BL

Day 9

Zibo

See the oldest section of the Great Wall, built across Shandong province from Jinan to Qingdao. At Zibo’s porcelain museum view unique ceramics, some glazed or carved, some the local eggshell black pottery, and some pieces thousands of years old. Stay overnight at Zibo’s 4*Ramada Hotel.  BL

Day 10

Qingdao 

Drive to Linzi to visit the Hall of Immolated Horses and the Football Museum – according to locals football was invented for military training several hundred years BC. Continue to the Folk Art Museum at Yangjiabu village, then head to the port of Qingdao, the twin town of Southampton, and cross the world’s longest bridge over water at 26.4 miles, the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, to stay two nights at the 4*Huanghai Hotel.  BL

Day 11

Qingdao

Mount Laoshan stands 3,700ft above Qingdao, said to be home to a god and a goddess who procure husbands and wives for those who come to ask for one. Enjoy rambling past rocky outcrops and waterfalls, springs of curative water, ancient Taoists temples and majestic trees.  BL

Day 12

Yantai

The Germans occupied Qingdao in 1903 and thus was founded the Tsingtao Beer Factory which still produces beer today using spring water from Laoshan. After a tour of the Bavarian-style brewery drive to Penglai for two nights at the Yantai Ramada Hotel. Visit the Naval Museum. BL

Day 13

Yantai

Drive along the coast to Penglai to see the 14^th century Fortress, cunningly built to be unseen by Japanese pirate ships who plagued the coast here. Stroll through the wooded hills of Penglai Pavilion where there are pretty temples and palaces and beautiful views out to sea. BL

Day 14

Yantai

It is said that the Eight Immortals of Taoism drank wine here before heading out to sea without boats. Wine is still produced today – try some at a local winery. Fly from Yantai to Beijing for an overnight say at the 4* Novotel Xinqiao Hotel.BL

Day 15

Beijing / London Heathrow

Fly from Beijing  to London Heathrow with Air China.  B

Key:

B=Breakfast    L=Lunch    D=Dinner