Style : Group tour
Excavation site of the Terra Cotta - China-P

China Sampler

Alexander + Roberts
4.8 . Excellent
99%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays. Luxury (5*)
10 days
From: $ 3,299 $ 330 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • With only 16 guests or fewer, you’ll have a better vantage and more time at the Terra Cotta Army.
  • Feel the ancient rhythms of Xian as you explore the Muslim market with an engaging, savvy resident.
  • Delve into the traditional ways of China when you meet tea farmers at their home near Hangzhou.
  • An intimate stroll along historic Pingjiang Road is the best way to appreciate the splendor of Suzhou’s centuries-old Song Dynasty architecture.

Short Description

Intimate exploration of the highlights and authentic encounters with her traditional ways reveal more of China’s “True Spirit.”

Style Group tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Lodging Level Luxury (5*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal transport included (including local flights)
Start City Beijing
End City Shanghai

Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Beijing

Check in to your city central accommodations at the 5-star Fairmont Beijing where a luxury room awaits.

Day 2 – In and around Beijing with your Trip Leader

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your day with the Sofitel’s Bistro Buffet breakfast, featuring a tempting selection of Asian and Western cuisine, and then tour Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City. Explore by rickshaw through the narrow lanes of a hutong and sit down to lunch with a local family in their home here in this traditional city neighborhood. This congenial encounter promises genuine insight into the challenges and rewards of balancing ancient traditions with modern city life. This evening, savor a bountiful Peking Duck banquet.

Day 3 – Great Wall & Summer Palace

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Journey into the mountains north of the capital and ascend by cable car to walk with your guide atop the Great Wall - an unforgettable experience! Then tour the lovely Summer Palace, erstwhile seasonal retreat of China’s mighty emperors.

Day 4 – Fly to Xian, ancient capital of thirteen dynasties

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Hilton

Fly to Xian where you’ll be met and escorted to the Hilton Hotel, perfectly situated within the ancient walls of the city. Join an in-the-know city resident to explore a colorful local market, popularly known as the Muslim market. He’ll be at your side guiding your discovery as you peruse the wide variety of products and sample exotic fare from the many vendors. Tonight’s dinner features savory dumplings.

Day 5 – The Terra Cotta Warriors 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tour the excavation site of the Terra Cotta Army, China’s greatest archaeological discovery, and visit the ancient defensive walls of the city.

Day 6 – Above there is Heaven. Below there is Hangzhou

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: JW Marriot

Fly to Hangzhou and transfer to the stylish JW Marriott. Cruise on beautiful West Lake and then spend time with tea farmers in their fields outside of the city. From preparing the soil to picking the tea leaves, this hands-on experience is a fun way to learn about the generations-old techniques that ensure the esteemed quality of the region’s fine teas.

Day 7 – On to Wuzhen and the Garden City of Suzhou

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Renaissance

It’s off the beaten path but this morning’s visit to Wuzhen, a 2,000-year-old town, reveals some of China’s most finely preserved Ming Dynasty homes. Continue on to Suzhou and check in to the first class Renaissance Hotel.

Day 8 – Discover Suzhou

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Fairmont Peace 

Tour the exquisite Garden of the Master of the Nets c and stroll with your guide along historic Pingjiang Road, graced with splendidly-preserved Song Dynasty architecture. Learn about traditional Chinese pastimes as you browse the exotic Bird & Flower Market and join city residents to fly your own kite at the historic Panmen City Gate. Learn how silk is made at a local factory before continue on to cosmopolitan Shanghai where you check in to the city central Fairmont Peace Hotel.

Day 9 – Out and about in Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tour the vast collection of the Shanghai Museum and enjoy a guided stroll along the historic waterfront Bund. Marvel at the iconic 21st-century skyscrapers of the dynamic Pudong district and explore the ancient lanes of Tianzifang, now home to some of the city’s most popular boutiques and studios. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner of fine regional cuisine.

Day 10 – Depart Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast

Your program with us finishes after breakfast.

 

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 3,299
Price Per Day: $ 330 per day
  • Deposit Price: $ 1,000

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Alexander + Roberts.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

2,366 Alexander + Roberts Travel Reviews & Ratings

99%
4.8 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 2,020
Great 291
Average 44
Disappointing 6
Terrible 5
Value
4.8
Guide
4.8
Activities
4.8
Lodging
4.8
Transportation
4.8
Meals
4.8

China Sampler

Paid In Full to Go Nowhere

1.0
Details
Value3.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
I chose the small group China Sampler and paid in full in December 2018 for the April 2020 departure to get the $300 discount. After that it was just waiting and waiting and waiting. I was looking to start making airline flight plans to and return from China in April 2019. But when my travel agent contacted A&R she discovered that I was the only one signed up for the small group tour. This continued through the remainder of 2019. I actually called A&R direct one day to find out what was going on. I was then told about the 90 day out policy before they would cancel the trip. I asked a couple of times through my travel agent if A&R could just go ahead and cancel out the tour and refund my money, but was told there might be some last minute people to sign up for a trip to China. So basically A&R had my $5,000 plus fully paid fee to invest and use as they chose for over a year. January 10 or 20 was the 90 day before date I was told when a decision would be made to cancel. On January 9th I checked the website of A&R and saw by the small group tour for April 9-19 the words "Sold Out". So I'm thinking "Oh, maybe they did get enough last minute people to go?" So I sent my travel agent info on what airline flights I would like to take to China and back. The next day I was sent an email from my agent letting me know that A&R had cancelled the April small group trip to China for the dates I had selected. So the "Sold Out" descriptor apparently was an attempt to save face by not admitting they could not fill the small group trip with enough people to make the trip happen. Not a very "transparent" policy. About a month before A&R did offer to have me join the May China Sampler trip, but those dates did not meet my travel plans. I never received an apology directly from A&R. No offer for a discount on a future tour, nothing. Last time I will ever consider A&R for any type of tour.
Read more

Fantastic

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
They took very good care of me as I was a woman traveling alone, never once did I worry about a thing. It was extraordinary. I am using them again to go to Japan.
Read more

Company Reviews

past cultures was outstanding.

5.0
Details
Value4.0
Guide5.0
Activities4.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
The attention of our guide to our needs and assurance of our visiting all sites - his knowledge of the areas and history and insight into the present and past cultures was outstanding.
Read more

Delighted by the experience

4.0
Details
Value4.0
Guide4.0
Activities4.0
Lodging2.0
Transportation4.0
Meals4.0
Delighted by the experience.

Superb in both Seba Camp

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
The Tour Guides were superb in both Seba Camp (Joseph) and Little Makalolo Camp (Paul). We saw virtually every animal possible in closer proximity than we imagined possible. Accommodations great and food exceptional.
Read more

The places where our tour guide brought us were well chosen

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
The places where our tour guide brought us were well chosen

Details

Optional Activities

Hong Kong Insider Extension from Shanghai

4-Day Small Group Extension from $1,399

This affordable easy-to-add Tour Extension includes your flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong, 3 nights at our stylish city-center hotel, daily breakfast, lunch at Jimmy’s Kitchen and our unique Be a Hong Kong Insider full-day tour.

Guilin

3 day FreeStyle Tour

Our 3-day FreeStyle Travel package includes a choice of fine hotels, daily breakfast, full day sightseeing with Li River cruise and private car airport transfers.


Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal transport included (including local flights)

Group Size

Standard Group - 25 + people

Maximum Number of People in Group: 16

Limited to 16 Guest

Cancellation policy

Cancellations for are subject to penalties of $1000/person up to 31 days, and 100% of program price if cancelled within 30 days. Alexander+Roberts offers a Travel Protection Plan that provides protection for your travel arrangements, your belongings and most importantly, you. Please see our Travel Insurance page for complete details.

Trip ID#:

ChiSamAle

Meals Included

9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 5 Dinners

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