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Classic China

Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- EXPLORE Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
- VISIT Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall of China, the Sacred Way in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, the 'Bund' waterfront and Jinmao Tower in Shanghai
- SEE local people practicing T'ai Chi in the morning, the Shanghai Acrobats
- CONNECT WITH LOCALS
- DIVE INTO CULTURE
- LOCAL SPECIALIST
- MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Short Description
Follow in the footsteps of the ancients - up the ornate steps of the Forbidden City and to the ramparts of the Great Wall, snaking its way across the rolling countryside, and through the winding ancient alleys of Beijing's hutongs to learn about Chinese traditions over a home-cooked lunch.
Itinerary
Day 1: Say Ni hao to China
Launch your discovery of China in its cultural heart. Transfer to your Beijing hotel where you'll meet your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception drink and local appetisers this evening.
Day 2: Discover the icons of Beijing
Delve into Beijing's rich imperial heritage, beginning your encounter with the remnants of centuries-old dynasties in the world's largest public space, Tiananmen Square. Tread in the footsteps of emperors, passing through the south gate to the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City, the imperial palace for emperors and their households for over five centuries. Immerse yourself in the ancient rituals, traditions and history of this palace complex before lunch. Continue to the tranquil Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO Heritage Site, once visited by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to pray for good harvests and divine guidance. This evening, the salty, sweet flavours of succulent Peking Duck take centre stage during a Regional Dinner.
Day 3: Journey to the Great Wall
We leave the city behind, bound for the iconic Great Wall of China at Juyongguan. Standing on its ramparts, we look down on the Chinese countryside which its walls successfully defended against marauding nomadic invaders. Watch it snake thousands of miles into the distance as you imagine how these man-made fortifications were built and rebuilt from the 5th century B.C. to the 16th century. Then, walk the Sacred Way past the imposing stone statues that guard the Ming Tombs and remains of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
Day 4: Explore Beijing
A leisurely start to our morning sees us embark on a rickshaw tour around the ancient narrow alleyways of the courtyard Hutong residences. We 'Connect With Locals', joining a family for a delicious meal of traditional Chinese cuisine at a 'Be My Guest' lunch, followed by a visit to a tea house, where a 'Local Specialist' prepares and serves tea, explaining the historic tea-making ritual. This afternoon, we'll indulge in a relaxing foot massage at the Foot Reflexology Centre.
Day 5: Travel to Xi'an
We fly to Xi'an, which reveals its role as the ancient departure point of the Silk Road. Visit the Great Mosque, one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved mosques in China. According to historical records it was built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty and is a combination of Islamic art and traditional Chinese architecture.
Day 6: Uncover Xi'an's treasures
Visit a local primary school (during school-term) to exchange a few Chinese and English words with the children and teachers. Trafalgar will donate some much-needed supplies as part of your school visit and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Next, descend into Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s subterranean tomb to see his terracotta army for the afterlife, another UNESCO-listed site. For lunch, enjoy a traditional meal of Chinese noodles, then continue with a visit to a Jade factory, the favoured stone of emperors and more precious to the Chinese people than gold.
Day 7: Onwards to Shanghai
This morning, your choice of activities gives you an opportunity to mimic the graceful movements of a skilled T'ai Chi 'Local Specialist', or consider joining a cycle tour around part of the ancient City Wall of Xi'an. We 'Dive Into Culture' at a local restaurant, watching a demonstration in the art of making dumplings, with an opportunity to sample these for lunch. Savour the juicy flavours of these boiled, steamed and fried treats, transporting you back to ancient China, before transferring to the airport for our flight to Shanghai. Ascend to the 88-storey Jinmao Tower for panoramic views of the skyscrapers that loom over the most populous city on earth.
Day 8: Experience Shanghai
Stroll down Shanghai's famous 'Bund' with a 'Local Specialist', admiring the neoclassical colonial buildings that have lined this city's renowned waterfront since the early 1900s. Learn how this marshland was transformed into one of the world's most important trading hubs. Then, continue to the winding streets and vibrant markets of Old Shanghai to discover the how the customs and traditional lifestyle of this area have remained relatively unaltered. Enjoy some free time for lunch and shopping in the Old Town before we 'Dive Into Culture' during a visit to a silk museum. This evening, indulge in a performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
Day 9: Shanghai Your Way
Spend a day exploring the Paris of the East on your terms - shop for delicate Chinese ceramics, or consider joining an Optional Experience to Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town founded more than 1,700 years ago. In its heyday, Zhujiajiao was a bustling market town. Today, old historical buildings such as rice shops, banks, spice stores and even a Qing Dynasty post office can still be found as you stroll down its ancient streets and wander across the many stone bridges that crisscross its canals. This afternoon, you'll have some free time at leisure before joining your travel companions for a Farewell Dinner.
Day 10: Farewell Shanghai
Our mystical encounter with China at its end, take a transfer to Shanghai Airport for your onward flight.
Availability
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19,631 Trafalgar Travel Reviews & Ratings
Classic China
Reviews from previous and similar itineraries
Best of China 2019
Personalized care and helpfulness was definitely offered throughout, very nice touch to the trip.
Overall a great trip, but some considerations below:
The hotel in Beijing – Novotel Peace and the hotel in Chengdu – Crowne Plaza were way below standard – maybe a rating of 2 stars. They were dirty, dark, stained and hot without air circulating in the rooms. After extensive days with waking up early and returning late, you just want to rest in a clean environment with cool air. I would never stay hotels like these.
This trip is not for people who cannot handle extensive walking and climbing. Trafalgar lists this as from 5 to 99 years old. Not possible. There were days we did 10 miles of walking, just a caution for anyone considering. We had someone in our tour that was 82 years old and we all took turns taking care of him.
Some aspects of the itinerary could be different, but think that is all based on personal preference; however my fellow travelers did feel the same way. The cruise down the Yangtze River was just ‘ok’, time could have been spent better elsewhere. Like Xian, truly amazing city but too short a time.
NOTE: Some were charged single supplement, others were not ... I paid for the single supplement and was none too happy about that!
Also note that you need to budget for the optional tours that are not included.
Classic China
Classic China
My only concern was the very bad weather conditions (poluted air) that makes me sick.
Classic China
Classic China
Classic China
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
Roundtrip air to/from trip start & all internal transport
Group Size
Intimate Group - 12 max
Accommodations
- The Kunlun Jing'An
Additional Information
- Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
- Luxury air-conditioned coach or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air flights: Beijing to Xi'an and Xi'an to Shanghai.
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- Optional Experiences and free time
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
- Handcrafted Highlights
Trip ID#:
trafalgar-CLCN17
Meals Included
- 9 breakfasts
- 5 lunches
- 3 dinners
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