Treasures of China

Delve into the unique world of China during this magnificent tour as you explore Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, and Shanghai. As you’d expect from a vacation to China, a highlight is your visit to the Great Wall of China. Known as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it is the only man-made object that can be seen from space by the naked eye. As you walk along the wall, see how expansive it is and imagine what it was like to construct the wall—at a time without modern machinery to help! As if the Great Wall of China is not enough to astonish you, wait until you see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an. Discovered accidentally in 1974, construction on the roughly 8,000 soldiers, chariots, and horses started in 210 BC—all to help China’s first emperor in the afterlife.

These are just a sample of the many highlights you’ll see on this China tour. You’ll also be entertained by a music and dance show from the Tang Dynasty, which reigned over China a thousand years ago. Ride a rickshaw through one of Beijing’s hutongs, the city’s ancient alleys—an out-of-the-ordinary experience included by Globus to make your vacation unique. Natural beauty abounds in Guilin, where you cruise on the stunning Li River and visit a local tea farm for a hands-on demonstration of the tea-making process and a tea ceremony. In Shanghai, Globus has arranged lunch featuring xiaolongbao, the city’s most famous dish, and a visit to the Yu Yuan Gardens.

History, amazing sights, cosmopolitan cuisine, and loads of fun await you on this fascinating China tour. It’s a holiday of a lifetime!

What's Included:

• Return flights from London Heathrow
• Transfers
• All airport taxes
• Services of a tour director
• Central hotel accommodation
• VIP access to all the sites and their specially arranged "Local Favourites" experiences
• Selected meals (See itinerary)

Highlights:

• BEIJING- Guided city sightseeing including headsets; visit Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Temple of Heaven; hutong tour by rickshaw; Peking Duck welcome dinner

• XI’AN- Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit the Terracotta Warriors and Dayan Pagoda; noodle-making demonstration; “Tang Dynasty” dinner show

• GUILIN- Sightseeing with a Local Guide; Li River cruise; visit a local tea farm

• SHANGHAI- Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; visit Yu Yuan Gardens and a silk factory; xiaolongbao lunch; walking tour of the French Concession; farewell dinner

• SUZHOU- Boat ride on the Old Canal; visit the Garden of the Master of the Fishing Nets

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, China

Welcome to China! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2: Beijing, China

Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Next, explore the FORBIDDEN CITY, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest palace complex in the world. Once the home of China’s great emperors, today it showcases ancient Chinese architecture, landscaped gardens, and displays of rare art and artifacts. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, followed by free time to explore on your own. This evening, savor a special PEKING DUCK WELCOME DINNER. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 3: Beijing. Great Wall Excursion

The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Return to Beijing for some time at your leisure. Tonight, you may choose to attend a performance of the Peking Opera, a traditional form of Chinese theater or attend the Legend of Kung Fu Show, with a fusion of kung fu, dance, and acrobatics. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an

This morning, visit the TEMPLE OF HEAVEN and enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing’s HUTONGS, the city’s ancient alleys. Experience life in this historic neighborhood as you are invited into the courtyard of a family’s home to learn more about their life. A short flight brings you to Xi’an. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Xi'an

One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure trove. Sightseeing begins with the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Next, visit the DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD. This evening, attend the “Tang Dynasty” DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 6: Xi'an - Guilin

Today, fly to Guilin, one of China’s most beautiful areas. Tonight, you may choose to join our optional trip to see trained cormorants dive for fish, the traditional Lijiang fishing method. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Guilin

Savor unique vistas during a leisurely CRUISE on the Li River, where limestone mountains rise sharply from the surrounding plain. The scene conveys a sense of mystery that for centuries artists have tried to capture. Afterward, visit a local TEA FARM for a hands-on demonstration of the tea-making process, followed by a tea ceremony. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 8: Guilin - Shanghai

Fly to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry. This evening, consider an optional cruise on the Huangpu River for stunning views of the Bund. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9: Shanghai

This morning, your sightseeing starts with a stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. Visit YU YUAN GARDENS, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, and a SILK FACTORY to learn about the silk-making process. Then, take a WALKING TOUR of the former French Concession, once Shanghai’s leading residential and retail area. Today, the qualities that made the area so popular endure—from quaint, tree-lined streets and exquisite architecture to charming shops and fashionable restaurants and bars. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch featuring XIAOLONGBAO, Shanghai’s most famous dumpling dish. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may consider joining an optional tour to see a spectacular acrobatic show. Meals included: Breakfast Lunch

Day 10: Shanghai. Suzhou Excursions

Today, travel to the ancient watertown of Suzhou. Start your sightseeing with a BOAT RIDE on the Old Canal, followed by a visit to the tranquil GARDEN OF THE MASTER OF THE FISHING NETS, designed during the Song Dynasty. Enjoy a bit of free time to explore on your own before returning to Shanghai. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner

Day 11: Shanghai

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. Meals included: Breakfast