Days 1-3 | Beijing Your South China Holiday begins in Beijing.
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On Day 1 you can arrive at anytime. The all important welcome meeting will be around 6pm on Day 1 and this is where the local payment will be collected as well as your insurance details and next of kin information.
Your group leader will leave a note at reception telling you exactly when and where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information if you cannot see the note. If you are going to be late please inform the hotel reception (see joining point instructions). Your leader will leave details for your late arrival on where and when to meet.
Your leader will collect your local payment on day 1. Please bring notes/bills in large denominations. Due to restrictions on changing money in China, only US$50 and US$100 notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition (no creases, marks, stamps or tears) will be accepted.
Your tour of Southern China begins in the capital Beijing with its beauty and blend of history, culture and modernization.
The hotel in Beijing is clean, twin-share with private bathroom and in a great location.
For those who arrive early, a great way to get started is by renting a bike from nearby our hotel and venturing onto the streets to get a feel for this enormous city. You could ride to the Temple of Heaven or just see where your wheels take you. A metro and taxi ride can take you to the Summer Palace, once an imperial residence, or visit the Panjiayuan Market for some bargain hunting and bargaining.
A trip to the 798 Art District will give you a taste of where art is heading in today's China as you wander the multitude of galleries housed in an old factory complex or head into the winding lanes of Beijing's hutong districts and literally get lost in a world that is fast disappearing. Beijing's food is a highlight too, from the famous Beijing Roast Duck to dumplings or noodles in a tiny backstreet eatery to some of the best international dining in China there is no chance you will go hungry while here! We definitely recommend arriving a few days early to make the most of Beijing's sights and experiences.
Please note that we include a visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City so there is no need for you to visit these sights prior to the trip commencing.
We take an early morning trip to the Mutianyu Great Wall on day 2 (About 2 hours drive from Beijing). An incredible piece of engineering, the Wall stretches 6,000 km westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from the 'barbarians' of the north and even though it failed in this purpose, it is still without a doubt one of the country's most remarkable achievements, and an iconic destination. It's a 30 minute climb up some steep steps to the wall itself but well worth the effort! There is also the option of taking a chair lift or cable car to the top and back if you are after a more leisurely experience and great views. We'll have a few hours to explore the winding wall before heading back to the city for the afternoon.
Please note that the wall is quite steep in places so make sure you have some appropriate footwear for this activity.
On the way out to the Wall your leader will teach you some basic words of Mandarin to help you communicate during your time in China.
On day 3 of the trip we will take the subway from our hotel to the vast Tiananmen Square, the very heart of the nation for local Chinese and truly a grand sight. From there we will enter the Forbidden City, former home to China's Imperial rulers, for a guided tour of the palaces, buildings and seemingly never ending grand courtyards.
In the evening of day 3 we board an overnight train to Xi'an (approx. 12 hours). Train travel in China may not be luxurious but it is certainly one of the best ways to come face to face with the country and its people as it is the main form of transport for local Chinese. We use hard-sleeper class trains for our overnight train journeys which are not as rough as they sound - compartments are open-plan and clean, with padded berths (six to a compartment), pillows, sheets, a blanket and hot water available. Most trains have a dining carriage where meals are available three times a day, and there are snacks available on the train along the way.
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Days 4-5 | Xi'anUpon arrival in Xi'an early in the morning of day 4, we set out for an orientation walk to get you better acquainted with this ancient city. We will walk past some of the interesting sites you can further explore in your free time as well as point out the best local facilities and the tastiest places to buy snack food.
The imperial centre of China for 2,000 years, Xi'an is now a vibrant, modern city dotted with many interesting historical sites. A monument pays homage to the fact that this was the start of the famous ancient trading route of the Silk Road and the city is still surrounded by city walls along which you can climb to walk or cycle for a unique way to experience the city. For more views, ascend to the top of the Bell or Drum Towers in the centre of the city. As home to many Hui, an ethnic Muslim minority, Xi'an has a unique Islamic flavour in the streets surrounding the Great Mosque known as the Muslim quarter, the night markets and in many of the tantalising local specialties such as pao mo (lamb broth that you break flat bread into), hand pulled noodles and hot pot. In the evening you can try your voice at karaoke with your group or head down to the South Park to live it up with the locals as they dance, practice martial arts, play games, fly kites and take part in other traditional pastimes.
While in Xi'an we take a trip to the place that has perhaps made Xi'an most famous around the world - the site of the Terracotta Warriors. It takes around an hour to get there and you'll hear all about this incredible archaeological find, discovered by farmers digging a well in 1976 after being buried for thousands of years. These clay statues of soldiers, horses and chariots all standing in battle formation were commissioned by the emperor of the Qin dynasty as part of his mausoleum and a number of pits are now on view to the public.
On our way back from the Terracotta Warriors, we stop for lunch and to meet with our friends at Xi'an Huiling (meaning "wise spirit") - a special Intrepid-supported project for people with intellectual disabilities.
Our hotel in Xi'an is clean, twin-share with private bathroom and in a great location.
On the evening of day 5 we board an overnight train for Suzhou (approx. 15 hours).
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Days 6 | Suzhou After our morning arrival in Suzhou we will go for a brief orientation walk to get to know the area around our hotel before having the day free to explore.
Our hotel in Suzhou is clean, twin-share with private bathroom and in a central location.
Suzhou has a population of over 5 million but with its many traditional gardens and network of canals you can easily still find some charming and serene places to spend your time. Some of the best known gardens are the Garden to Linger In, the Humble Administrator's Garden and the less visited but just as impressive Couple's Garden.
As you ramble around the garden paths you'll find rock formations, ponds, pavilions and courtyards all of which are carefully constructed so as to reflect the principles of Feng Shui. Aside from gardens, you could rent a bike to navigate between the sights, stop off to learn about one of China's most famous inventions at the Silk Museum and then bargain for some yourself later at one of the souvenir stalls you'll find along the way.
Tonight we'll attend a performance of traditional music, opera and theatre in the wonderfully well preserved Garden of the Master of the Nets (seasonal). During the winter months we will offer an alternate activity.
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Days 7-9 | Shanghai On the morning of day 7 we travel by private bus to the thriving metropolis of Shanghai (approx. 2 hours). After check in, we will have a brief orientation walk to point out all the local facilities near the hotel.
Everywhere you look in Shanghai you are confronted with both the city's incredible historic past and how quickly it is looking to the future. Stroll along the Bund with its row of neoclassical and 1930s art deco buildings and you can look across the Huangpu River at the futuristic skyline of the Pudong special economic zone.
Take in the cosmopolitan flavour of the French Concession and contrast it with the Nanshi district - the old Chinese city. Mingle with stylish shoppers Xintiandi (New Heaven and Earth) and give your credit card a work out or mix with the crowds at one of the city's Antique Markets as you hone your bargaining skills.
Other options in Shanghai include taking a glimpse into how Shanghai will look by your next visit at the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, visiting the Jade Buddha Temple, gazing at the architectural spectacle of the city on a Huangpu River boat trip, watching a jaw dropping performance by the Shanghai Acrobats or indulging in some fine dining at some of the world's best restaurants.
There is so much to do here that we recommend you consider booking an extra night's accommodation after this trip to see all the sights of Shanghai.
On the morning of day 8 we visit the famous Shanghai Museum with its impressive collections of bronze, sculptures, jade, calligraphy and other traditional crafts, after which you have time to choose which activities you'd like to do to complete your Shanghai experience.
Our hotel in Shanghai is clean, twin-share with private bathroom and in a great location.
Day 9 is departure day and we say "zai jian" to our group. There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12:00 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. If you would like some more time to explore we recommend you book accommodation well in advance to extend your stay.
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Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
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