Classic China

Day 1 (Door to Door)

In-flight

Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Beijing.

Day 2

Arrive Beijing

We arrive in Beijing and are greeted by the Trafalgar Tour Director who will escort you to your hotel.
Hotel: Hilton (D)

Day 3

Beijing

Begin your first full day in Beijing with an exciting visit to Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing and largest open city square in the world. Tiananmen Square has been the site of many important events in China's history. Here, you will see Tiananmen Tower, the Monument to the People's Heroes, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and the National Museum of China. Then, walk through Tiananmen Gate, the "Gate of Heavenly Peace" and the entranceway to the Forbidden City. Explore the Forbidden City, a 250-acre complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens. It is the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace in the world. Construction on the palace started in 1406 and 24 emperors have lived and ruled China from within its walls. We continue on to another Beijing gem, the Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden. You will have time to take in its beautiful natural elements as well as the graceful designs of its pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges. (BB, L, HD)
Hotel: Hilton (D)
Dining Highlights: At the end of the day, enjoy a feast as you indulge in a succulent Peking Duck Dinner, a must for any visitor to Beijing.

Day 4

Beijing sightseeing and The Great Wall

This morning, we travel 40 miles north of Beijing for a memorable walk on a wonder of the ancient world - the Great Wall. Original construction began in the 3rd century BC as a way to keep out warring invaders. Additional sections extended the wall over the centuries to its present length of nearly 4,000 miles. Before returning to Beijing, we stroll along the tree-lined Sacred Way, bordered by massive animal statues guarding the Ming Tombs, the once lavish burial chambers of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Back in Beijing, we see the sites of the 2008 Olympics, including the striking "Bird's Nest" Stadium, before ending the day with an evening at the spectacular Beijing Opera. While attending the opera, enjoy a traditional Chinese tea service with light refreshments. (BB, L, D)
Hotel: Hilton (D)

Day 5

Beijing - Xi'an

Step back in time as you take a ride in a rickshaw for a behind-the-scenes tour of the hutongs, the ancient lanes in the old residential area of Beijing. While here, enjoy a Chinese Home-Hosted Highlight Lunch with a local family. Later in the day, we fly to Xi'an, a legendary city known as the cradle of Chinese culture, as well as home to the most signifi cant archaeological excavation of the 20th century - the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. (BB, HL, HD)
Hotel: Sheraton (D)
Dining Highlights: Spend your first evening in Xi'an dining on a Traditional Dumpling Dinner.

Day 6

Xi'an

Discover the amazing life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor. You'll then visit the City Wall, one of the most complete city walls that has survived in China, as well as one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. (BB, L, HD)
Hotel: Sheraton (D)
Dining Highlights: Later in the evening, we indulge in a Tang Dynasty Dinner and cultural show featuring music, dance and traditional costumes.

Day 7

Xi'an - Shanghai

We fly to Shanghai, a city filled with a striking blend of cultures. European buildings stand alongside Chinese structures and ancient temples. We visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the highest tower in Asia, with a revolving teahouse and a sightseeing platform which offers fantastic views of the waterfront promenade, the Bund. We also visit the Old Shanghai Museum before being taken to an amazing performance of the Shanghai Acrobats. (BB, L, D)
Hotel: Regal International (D)

Day 8

Shanghai sightseeing

Today we tour Old Town and visit the lovely Yu Yuan Gardens, considered to be the most lavish gardens in the region. Later, we stroll along the Bund, Shanghai's famed waterfront promenade, which is home to over 50 buildings offering a variety of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Deco. Also included in today's city tour is a delicious Dim Sum Highlight Lunch, served at a local restaurant. (BB, HL, D)
Hotel: Regal International (D)

Day 9 (Door to Door)

Depart Shanghai

Say farewell to China as we transfer to Shanghai International Airport for your return scheduled flight back to the UK. On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home. (BB)

Dates and prices

Destination Info