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The Very Best of the Ancient Kingdom - 18 Days

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The Very Best of the Ancient Kingdom
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China is one of the world’s four ancient civilizations, and the Shang Dynasty was the first to have historical records remaining. Back to 1600 BC, many bronze objects and jade articles have been found to support these early archaeological records. Prior to the unification of China by the first Emperor in 221 BC, Beijing had been for centuries the capital of the ancient states of Ji and Yan and has a long and rich history that dates back over 3000 years. Back then it was called Jin City in the Western Zhou Dynasty. Ever since Emperor Qin united China in 221 BC, China has played an important role in North China. During the dynasties Liao (916-1125), Jin (1115-1234), Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Beijing has played an important role in north China. During these dynasties, 34 emperors lived and ruled here. The world-renowned Forbidden city as built during this period.

 

Major attractions

Tiananmen Square

The Tiananmen was built in 1415 during the Ming dynasty and now the city square in the center of Beijing. It is located in the North, separating it from the Forbidden City. The square is within the top 10 largest city squares in the world.

 

 

Forbidden city

The Forbidden City is a palace in Beijing and it was the former Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty (1420-1912). It was the home of the emperors and their household as well as the ceremonial and political center of government for almost 500 years.

 

 

Summer Palace

The palace is built in 1750 and it was largely destroyed in the war of 1860, but restored in its original state in 1886. The summer palace is said to be the best preserved imperial garden in the world and the largest of its kind that still exists in China. It is an outstanding expression of the creative art of Chinese landscape garden design, incorporating the works of humankind and nature in a harmonious whole.

 

 

Temple of heaven

The temple of heaven was built in 1430 during the Ming Dynasty located in Beijing. It was the place where emperors of the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty held the Heaven of Worship Ceremony. It is the largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China’s ancient sacrificial buildings.

 

 

world-renowned Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210-209 BC as a purpose of protecting the emperor even in his afterlife. The terracotta army was first discovered on 29 March 1974 and It was estimated in 2007 that the Terracotta Army held more than 8000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses.

 

 

Standard tour – package with 3/4 s

star hotels

Departure date
10 pax
Single sup. (hotel)
June-Aug
EUR 2209/pp.
EUR 599/pp
Apr-May
Sep-Nov
EUR 2239/pp.
EUR 629/pp

 

Departure date
6-9pax
2-5pax
Single sup. (hotel)
June-Aug
 EUR 2559/pp
EUR 3199/pp
EUR 669/pp
Apr-May
Sep-Nov
EUR 2589/pp
EUR 3239/pp
EUR 699/pp

 

Deluxe tour – package with 4/5 star hotels
Departure date
10 pax
Single sup. (hotel)
Jun-Aug
EUR 2349/pp.
EUR 749/pp
Apr-May
Sep-Nov
EUR 2169/pp.
EUR 809/pp

 

Departure date
6-9pax
2-5pax
Single sup. (hotel)
Jun-Aug
EUR 2759/pp
EUR 3419/pp
EUR 879/pp
Apr-May
Sep-Nov
EUR 2849/pp
EUR 3489/pp
EUR 949/pp

There are a few things to know before you enter China. Traveling to China can be a very special experience, but keep in mind that it does come with challenges. Do not worry! down below we have written down some tips for you before going to China, so you can be prepared at all times.

 

Get your visa before entering China

This might be one of the most important steps because without a visa you will not be able to enter China.

 

Purchase VPN before you go to China

You might or might not already know this, but you are not able to access Facebook, Google, YouTube, etc. This is because these sites are banned in China. There is a way to still access these sites, by purchasing a VPN. VPN disguises the computer’s or mobile’s IP address.

 

Learn the basic Mandarin

It is not necessary, but it does help a lot! Especially in the "smaller" cities of China where a lot of people do not speak English. If you are only going to visit big cities like Beijing or Shanghai, most younger people are able to speak English.

 

Bring your own napkins

Most of the toilets in China do not provide toilet papers. What is worse than finding out there is no toilet paper after you have used the toilet? This is why you should always carry napkins with you.

 

Do not tip in China

In many western countries, it is usual to tip a waitress for her or his service. This is not the case in China. You are not expected to tip.

 

Get a SIM card in China

You can easily find a cheap SIM card at the airport for your stay in China. This is very handy because you are able to contact others or use Google if it is necessary.  For example, if you want to search for a specific location.

Afbeeldingsresultaat voor zhongguoyidong

 

Download WeChat (Weixin)

The most used app where locals use to communicate with is WeChat. You can download the app for free on your phone If you like to communicate with Chinese people you have met and stay in contact.

Afbeeldingsresultaat voor wechat logo

Day 1
Home country

Flight to Beijing.

Day 2
Beijing

Arrive Beijing and transfer to hotel. Take a stroll in Tiananmen Square and visit the quaint hutong quarter by Lake Houhai. Enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3
Beijing

Morning visit to the Forbidden City, the complex of imperial palaces which were home to the Emperors for over 500 years. Grand halls and courtyards gradually give way to more intimate domestic quarters, giving a glimpse into the pampered isolation of the Emperors. Afternoon visit to the beautiful Summer Palace where the Emperors went to escape the heart of the city. (BL)

Day 4
Beijing

Drive north to the less-crowded and more scenic part of the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Afternoon visit to the Ming-era Temple of Heaven where the Emperors performed annual sacrificial rituals for good harvests. Enjoy a Beijing Duck dinner. (BLD)

Day 5
Xi'an

Visit the ornate Lama Temple and the serene Confucius Temple with its cypress trees and large stone tablets, before flying to Xi'an. On arrival visit the Ming City Wall. Transfer to hotel (B)

Day 6
Xi'an

Visit the world-renowned Terracotta Army – 7000 individually crafted life-sized figures, complete with chariots and horses. Afternoon visit to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Grand Mosque and Muslim quarter. This evening there is an optional Tang- era music and dance dinner performance. (BL)

Day 7
Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu and visit the People’s Park where the locals congregate for serious tea drinking and practise Tai Chi, ball room dancing, singing and walking the ‘cat walk’. Join the locals for afternoon tea. Optional Sichuan opera performance after a dinner of typical Sichuan cuisine. Stay at hotel in Chengdu. (BD)

Day 8
Leshan

Drive to Leshan and take a cruise to marvel at the magnificent Giant Buddha, hewn from the mountainside in the 8th century, and 233ft high. Back in Chengdu visit the quaint old quarter at Jinli. Enjoy a Sichuan flavour dinner followed by optional Sichuan opera performance. (BLD)

Day 9
Chengdu

This morning see the world’s beloved Giant Pandas at the Panda Research Base. Visit the quaint old quarter and the Shu Brocade Institute.Take the train to Chongqing and board the Yangtze river cruisesfor your 3-night cruise to Yichang. (BD)

Day 10
Yangtze cruise

Optional excursion to Fengdu. In days gone by, Fengdu was believed to be the abode of devils and the 700 temples on Mingshan Hill with their bizarre statuary bear testimony to the city’s notoriety as the ‘City of Ghosts’. Afternoon shore visit to the quaint wooden temple of Shibaozhai. Captain’s welcome dinner. (BLD)

Day 11
Yangtze cruise

Pass through the shortest and narrowest gorge, Qutang Xia (8km). Mists frequently swirl around the mysterious limestone peaks in Qutang Xia, some nearly 1200 meters high, while the river rushes by, swift as an arrow. Cruise through the second gorge, Wu Xia, 44km long with its peaks rising to dizzy heights above the river. Visit the Daning River or Shennong Stream. (BLD)

Day 12
Yangtze cruise

Enter the western section of Xiling Gorge. Moor at Yanjiawan for a shore visit to the Three Gorges Dam construction site, one of mankind’s greatest engineering feats to date. Resume sailing through Xiling Gorge, which, stretching 75km, is the longest of the gorges and known for its swift current

and dangerous shoals. Arrive Yichang and fly to Shanghai to stay at hotel for 3 nights. (B)

Day 13
Shanghai

Visit the elegant Yuyuan Garden. Opposite are the Huxing Teahouse and the old Chinese quarter of Shanghai where cobbled streets are lined with traditional shops selling herbal medicines, handicrafts, Chinese tea and a variety of tantalising snacks. We sample a Shanghai ‘dim sum’ lunch at the quarter’s most famous restaurant and explore the quaint bazaar. Afternoon admire bird’s eye views from the Oriental Pearl Tower. This evening there is a cruise on the Huangpu River to see the illuminated Bund and Pudong District. (BD)

Day 14
Shanghai, Suzhou

Take a day trip to Suzhou by train. Visit the ancient city gate at Panmen and the Garden of the Master of the Nets. Explore the bustling old town and continue to a silk mill to see the ancient technique involved in producing the region’s silks. Enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal to Marco Polo Bridge. (BL)

Day 15
Guilin

Fly to Guilin and visit the Tea Research Institute. Overnight at hotel in Guilin. (B)

Day 16
Yangshuo

Take the world-renowned Li River cruise to Yangshuo and drift gently through magical landscapes. Browse through Yangshuo’s colourful shops and stay at the hotel. Admire impressive scenery at the sunset view point. Evening spectacular son et lumiere show on the river by a cast of 600. (BLD)

Day 17
Yangshuo

Morning visit to the extraordinary Silver Cave. Lunch is taken at a riverside setting. This afternoon admire magical scenery along the Yulong River with free time to relax and enjoy the resort. (BL)

Day 18
Yangshuo

Return to Guilin, fly to Shanghai/Beijing or Hong Kong to connect with your homeward flight.

The tour cost includes:

  • Twin room in specified hotels and room type specified
  • Domestic flights: Beijing-Xi’an, Xi’an-Chengdu, Yichang-Shanghai, and Shanghai-Guilinin economy
  • Bullet train ticket: Chengdu-Chongqing (first class)
  • Service of professional English-speaking local guides accompanying for all transfers and sightseeing
  • Transfers as specified on the itinerary
  • The entrance fees to all listed sightseeing
  • Meals as specified B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Not included in the tour

  • International flights in Economy.
  • Chinese Visa
  • Travel Insurance
  • Gratuities
  • Meals not specified & drinks
  • Sightseeing not specified
  • Personal expenses, i.e. Laundry, communication, use of internet, souvenirs etc.

**All flight timings are subject to change without notice. In cases were we are aware of any major schedule changes made to your itinerary before your departure, we shall revise your arrangements and notify you accordingly. However, it is possible for changes to occur whilst you are in China. Our representatives will do all that is necessary to rectify the problems these changes may cause and will endeavour to seek your advice concerning new arrangements. However, at times there can be limited options and some decisions may have to taken without your consent to protect the well being of your tour in general**

Price From EUR3,199.00/person*2
3,199.00
Total: = 3,199.00 EUR
Total = 2p *