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Classic China Introduction
This trip covers all the major sights commonly associated with China from the Great Wall to Giant Pandas with neon skylines and classical timeless Chinese landscapes in between.
Our journey starts in China’s capital of the Imperial past and vibrant present - Beijing. Here you will see famous sights such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City but we will also be showing you through your dedicated Tour Leader more of the places ordinary Beijingers consider special.
A comfortable overnight train journey from Beijing is Xian, the home of the Terra Cotta Warriors created in the hey day of Tang Dynasty China over 2,000 years back.
Your next stop of Chengdu is Panda country as this city is capital of the mountainous province of Sichuan, the home to these symbols of China. We will visit the breeding centre to see the work being done to protect these endangered animals.
After Chengdu the stunning limestone karst scenery around Guilin and Yangshuo awaits us. We will cruise along the Lijiang river passing through this extraordinary landscape before relaxing a few days in Yangshuo.
After the tranquility of Yangshuo our trip moves onto a city of complete contrast - Shanghai. Economic centre of China this city can’t keep still with an ever growing skyline and population drawn in by its wealth and opportunity. Fittingly, we end our trip in a place that considers itself the future of China and a modern day classic.
2010 Dates & Pricing for GT-02
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 |
| 16th May 2010 |
30th May 2010 |
| 8th Aug 2010 |
22nd Aug 2010 |
Tour price per person
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UK £ 1,995
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| Additional nights Beijing |
UK £ 60 / 30
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Additional nights Shanghai
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UK £ 90 / 45
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Single supplement*
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UK £ 350
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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
Chengdu
Yin He Dynasty Hotel 4*
88 Xiaxi Shuncheng Street, Chengdu
Tel +86-28-86618888
Guilin
Guishan Link hotel 4*
42 Chuanshan Road, Qixing District, Guilin
Tel: +86-773-5638888
Yangshuo
Regency Holiday Hotel 3*
117 West Street, Yangshou, Guilin
Tel: +86-773-8817198
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 Chengdu overnight soft sleeper class
Plane Tickets:
- Chengdu to Guilin economy class
- Guilin to Shanghai economy class
Other Transport:
- Lijiang River Boat trip Guilin to Yangshuo
Accommodation:
3 nights Beijing - Tailong Plaza Hotel 4*
1 night Xian - Bell Tower Hotel 3*
1 night Chengdu - Yin He Dynasty Hotel 4*
2 nights Guilin - Guishan Link Hotel 4*
2 nights Yangshuo - Regency Holiday Hotel 3*
- 3 nights Shanghai - Holiday Inn Downtown 4*
Transfers:
- Beijing - Airport to Hotel
- Beijing - Hotel to Station
- Xian - Train station to Hotel
- Xian - Hotel to Station
- Chengdu - Train station to Hotel
- Chengdu - Hotel to Airport
- Guilin - Airport to Hotel
- Yangshuo - Boat to Hotel
- Yangshuo - Hotel to Airport Guilin
- Shanghai - Airport 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.
- Chengdu - Full day tour to Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding, Wuhou Temple and the poet Dufu’s Cottage Museum.
- Guilin - Full day tour visiting the rice terraces of Longji and the colourful Zhuang people
- 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-02-6 (on day 6 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-02-14 (on day 14)
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.
Full day to Leshan
Chengdu GT-02-8 (on day 8)
UK £TBC per person (minimum 2 people)
Situated 30km east of Chengdu the 71 meter high Giant Buddha is an astonishing feat of sculpture. The buddha is the main attraction in a park featuring many other sculptures and temples set in lush gardens at the confluence of the Dadu, Minjiang and Qingyi rivers. Lunch is included and the tour starts and finishes back at your hotel.
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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