Ancient China
17 nights / 18 days
Fully Guided
All Available Dates - Call 01 2366852 To Book Now
07 Apr 2025
05 May 2025
08 Sep 2025
06 Oct 2025
06 Apr 2026
11 May 2026
07 Sep 2026
05 Oct 2026
With thousands of years of fascinatingly diverse history, China is one of the world's oldest and most monumental civilisations. Encounter millennia-old culture and religion with visits to some of China's greatest and most intriguing ancient sights.Visit the beautiful Shaolin Temple, a 5th century building, home to Buddhist teachings, as seen on BBC One's Sacred Wonders.
B Breakfast Included
L Lunch Included
D Dinner Included
Day 1 - Fly overnight to Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, China's fascinating capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 2 - Fly overnight to Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, China's fascinating capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3 - Imperial Beijing
This morning, head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and stroll into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City where you will find a complex full of imperial treasures. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleys of the warren-like hutongs and learn more about living in this traditional area. In the evening, sit down to enjoy the local delicacy, Peking duck.
Day 4 - The Great Wall
This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. Visit a jade factory, where you will be able to buy a small handcrafted piece. Jade is revered throughout China and is said to bring fortune and prosperity to those who wear it. Spend the afternoon at the idyllic Summer Palace, wandering through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture.
Day 5 - Temple of Heaven
Begin today soaking up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Chinese architecture and orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Later, browse your way through Panjiayuan, Beijing's most extensive arts, crafts and antiques market.
Day 6 - Historical Datong
Travel by bullet train to Datong, watching the rural splendour of China pass by your window. Known for its abundant historical relics and natural beauty, upon arrival visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yungang Caves where you will see the well-preserved rock carvings from the surrounding sandstone cliffs. Today, it is one of the three most famous ancient Buddhist cultural sites of China.
Day 7 - The Hanging Temple
Visit the 1,400-year-old, gravity-defying Hanging Temple that seemingly floats 50 metres up the face of Jinxia Gorge before travelling on to Wutaishan.
Day 8 - Wutaishan
The day starts with a visit to one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, Wutaishan (Five Terrace Mountain) and a place of scenic magnificence. In Wutaishan's shadow, an alpine valley shelters many important monasteries, temples and sculptures, some dating back over 1,000 years. Here, visit the Bodhisattva Summit Temple and Xiantong Buddhist Temple. Continue to Taiyuan, the capital and largest city in Shanxi Province and visit the Twin Pagoda Temple, constructed during the Ming Dynasty.
Day 9 - Taiyuan and Pingyao
Enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Jinci Temple before travelling to the old town of Pingyao. Pingyao is a living museum and home to China's best preserved ancient city walls. Here, take part in a traditional Chinese paper cutting experience, an art dating back to the 6th century.
Day 10 - Explore Pingyao
Explore the characterful old town of Pingyao, strolling along the cobbled streets to view the old city walls and the Rishengchang Financial House Museum. There will also be time to see the Yamen, a government building during the Qing Dynasty, before taking the bullet train to the former imperial capital of Xian.
Day 11 - Terracotta Warriors
After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of these life-size warriors and visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop. Later, take a stroll on the beautifully preserved ancient city walls that enclose Xian's old town. This evening, enjoy a delicious feast of Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.
Day 12 - Discover Xian
Admire the relics at the Xian Museum before visiting the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and Shuyuanmen Ancient Culture Street where you will see a calligraphy demonstration. There will also be time to explore the atmospheric alleys of the Muslim Quarter.
Day 13 - Luoyang
Board a bullet train from Xian to Luoyang, a city that was the capital for more than 13 dynasties. This afternoon, visit the Longmen Grottoes which houses tens of thousands of age-old statues and sculptures depicting Buddha and his disciples carved from the limestone cliffs of Xiangshan and Longmenshan.
Day 14 - Shaolin Temple
Travel to Dengfeng and visit the famous Shaolin Temple, best known for its association with martial arts, and walk through the Pagoda Forest, a collection of 228 pagodas of various styles built from the Tang through to the Qing dynasties. Later, witness a kung fu demonstration by the famous Shaolin Monks. Continue to Zhengzhou.
Day 15 - Huangpu River Cruise
Board the bullet train to the exuberant and cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. In the evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a scenic cruise.
Day 16 - Cosmopolitan Shanghai
Shanghai is China's great metropolis, east and west colliding on streets lined with skyscrapers and old temples. Visit the classical Yu Garden and stop in the old town before admiring the colonial architecture on the Bund. This evening, take your seats to see the fascinating ERA acrobatic show.
Day 17 - Explore Shanghai
Wander through the Xintiandi area, famous for its preservation of 1920s architectural style while offering a vibrant contemporary lifestyle experience. Continue your exploration at the Shanghai Museum, home to a rich collection of artifacts, then delve into the intricate world of silk production at a silk factory. Taste delicious, traditional Shanghainese cuisine for dinner.
Day 18 - Fly Shanghai to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
Call 01 2366852 To Book Now
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