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Taste of China Introduction
A great option for those short on time or on a first visit to China as this trip will give you a Taste of China likely to make you want to come back for more!
The trip starts in China’s imperial capital of the past and current capital of a very different new China, Beijing. Of all China’s many destinations Beijing is probably the highlight with so much to see both from the past to the monuments of the present. The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tianmen Square, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are all tried and tested favourites but in recent years such sights as the Olympic Stadium, National Theatre and burgeoning contemporary art scene all compete for the visitors attention. Your Tour Leader will also show you more of Beijing inside story including early morning Tai Chi sessions in the cities fabulous parks and the resurgence of life and interest in the ancient hutongs.
Onto Xian, the capital of Tang Dynasty China, traditional end of the famed Silk Road and famous these days as the home of the extraordinary Terra Cotta warriors. Xian has a different feel than Beijing and a highlight to many is an evening spent stepping back in time and wandering and eating in the vibrant muslim quarter.
There is no better place to round off your China experience than in Shanghai with it’s neon skyline and cosmopolitan bustle. This vast city, in many respects an expression of China’s future, is where we sadly finish up but there is a very good chance that you will be back to taste some more of China!
2010 Dates & Pricing for GT-01
Below is a table covering our Group Tour dates for 2010. This table is updated frequently and additional dates are often added to meet demand.
Please note that if you get together a group of 6 or more friends we can run a private group tour just for your group starting on any date and is not restricted the departure dates below.
| Trip Start |
Trip Finish |
| 4th April 2010 |
13th April 2010 |
| 2nd May 2010 |
11th May 2010 |
| 4th July 2010 |
13th July 2010 |
| 5th Sept 2010 |
14th Sept 2010 |
Tour price per person
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UK £ 1,145
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| Additional nights Beijing |
UK £ 60 / 30
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Additional nights Shanghai
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UK £ 90 / 45 |
Single supplement*
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UK £ 225
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*To cover a single room in accommodation if required
or unavoidable.
100 % Financial Protection
We are members of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and so your booking with us has 100% financial protection regardless of whether you are booking from the UK or abroad. Our ABTA number is Y1699 and you can check our membership details on ABTA’s website.
Accommodation
Accommodation usually used on this trip is listed below for each destination although occasionally some may be replaced with options of at least the same or a higher standard.
Beijing
Tailong Plaza Hotel 4*
19 East Street, Zhushikou, Beijing
Tel: +86-10-6707 5888
Xian
Bell Tower Hotel 4*
110 Nan Da Jie, Xian, Shaanxi Province
Tel: +86-29-87600000
Shanghai
Holiday Inn Downtown 4*
Great Wall Wing: 585 Heng Feng Road
Plaza Wing: 285 Tian Mu Xi Road
Tel: +86-21-63538008
Included in this trip
Tour Leader:
- Assisstance of a full time Tour Leader who has lived and worked in China.
Train Tickets:
- Beijing to Xian overnight soft sleeper class
- Xian to Shanghai overnight soft sleeper class
Accommodation:
- 4 nights Beijing - Tailong Plaza Hotel 4*
- 1 night Xian - Bell Tower Hotel 3*
- 2 nights Shanghai - Holiday Inn Downtown 4*
Transfers:
- Beijing - Airport to Hotel
- Beijing - Hotel to Station
- Xian - Train station to Hotel
- Xian - Hotel to Station
- Shanghai - Train Station to hotel
Organised Tours:
- Beijing - Full day tour to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Ming Tombs
- Beijing - Early morning park visit to watch the locals practice Tai Chi, Calligraphy and martial arts.
- Half day tour of Beijing’s ancient Hutong’s including a ride on a rickshaw.
- Xian - Full day tour to the Terra cotta Warriors, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall.
- Shanghai - Half day tour to the Yuyuan gardens, Old City and Bund - A visit to the world famous Chinese Acrobats in the evening.
Meals: As indicated in itinerary above (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Other Items: Our exclusive Trip Guidebook personalised to your trip. This 100+ page document covers all the destinations you visit as well as sections on language, food, history and practical information about China and your trip.
NOT Included in this trip
- International Airfare to and from China.
- The Chinese visa (we can help you obtain this on request if you are a UK resident).
- Travel insurance to cover medical treatment in China.
- Discretionary gratuities to drivers, guides and your tour leader.
Additional Excursions
Half day to Yangling Mausoleum
XIAN GT-01-7 (on day 7 of itinerary)
UK £60 per person (minimum 2 people)
A half day private tour visiting China’s first underground museum and built into the mausoleum of Liu Qi, the fourth Emperor of the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220A.D.) and his Empress, Wang. Here you get a chance to walk over the open chambers and may see archaeologists working below as the continue to unearth artifacts. Lunch is included in this tour.
Full day to Suzhou
Shanghai GT-01-9 (on day 9 of itinerary)
UK £130 per person (minimum 2 people)
A full day tour travelling by high speed train to the water town of Suzhou often referred to as “the Venice of the East.” Suzhou is famous for it’s classical gardens and you will visit the most famous two, the Humble Administrators and lingering gardens. Suzhou’s wealth was traditionally based on silk production and you will get an opportunity to visit the Embroidery Institute. Lunch is included. Starts from your hotel and finishes at Shanghai train station.
An extenstion onto Hong Kong is also possible. Contact us from more details.
Important information
The Chinese Visa
Everyone requires a Chinese visa but the good news is that they are now relatively easy to obtain. Normally visas are issued for a 30 day stay in China. You need one fully blank page and a minimum 6 months validity of your passport at the time of entry to China. Allow plenty of time to obtain the visas in order to avoid last minute panics and embassy express fees! You can find more information on Chinese visas by clicking here.
International Flights
None our trips include international flights. This gives you the freedom to source your own flight and take advantage of any frequent flyer or air miles programs you may have.
Luggage
You are required to carry your own luggage on our trips so we advise packing as little as possible and using a “backpack” style bag rather than a suitcase.
Fitness
Our trips are fine for anybody with a reasonable standard of fitness. Where we believe there are special requirements this is mentioned in the trip information.
When to Book
We recommend booking at least 2 months in advance of your trip although it is common for people to book 6 or more months in advance. Any booking made inside of 2 months before trip start date runs the risk of availability issues. Please note that when the maximum number for a group is reached (usually 12 people) booking for that trip is closed.
Booking Terms & Conditions
Our full Booking Terms and Conditions can be found here or we can send to you on request.
 
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