China Express – 7 days land only

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- Return airport/hotel transfers
- 4 nights 3 - 4 star hotel accommodation as per itinerary
- 2 nights accommodation on-board trains (soft sleeper cabin)
- Selected meals
- All relevant transfers & transportation
- Services of a tour leader & local guide at local sights
- Rickshaw ride through Beijing's Hutongs
- Chinese acrobatic performance
- A bike ride on medieval City Wall in Xi'an
- Highlights include Beijing, Badaling & Xi'an

** A high season surcharge starting from an additional R2000 per person applies for set travel dates 10 SEP 2016 - 22 OCT 2016 **

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Beijing

Saturday. Hello China! Arrive Beijing & included airport transfer to our hotel.

The Forbidden City

This morning, we explore the heart of Beijing, China's pulsating capital, including the vast Tiananmen Square where Chairman Mao’s tomb lies & various monuments to the people are located. Dominating the city centre is the Forbidden City, a centre of power for five centuries & seat of the emperors. Entering through the Gate of Heavenly Peace (replete with Chairman Mao’s portrait), we enjoy a guided tour of this old city within a city. Later we take an exciting rickshaw ride through the Hutongs of Beijing, weaving through old back lanes, traditional courtyards & compact houses, gaining a fascinating snapshot of the city’s traditional way of life. This evening, we enjoy an eye boggling Chinese acrobatic performance. Swinging ropes, juggling hoops, spinning plates & human pyramids are just a few tricks these show stoppers pull out followed by a Welcome Dinner of Peking Duck at a city restaurant.

Great Wall of China

Don some comfortable shoes, today as we walk a section of the famous Great Wall. Zig zagging some 6000 kilometres, ducking & weaving through mountain peaks & lush terrain, climbing the Great Wall is one of those ‘must do’ experiences! Afterward we visit a cloisonne workshop, viewing the unique art of decorating copper with colourful enamel.

This evening take an optional Beijing by Night city tour & see some of the capital's monuments illuminated against the night sky (payable locally).

Summer Palace

Beijing - Xi’an. Free morning, why not opt to take a walk through the local street market or head to Wangfujing Street for an alternative breakfast of stir fried scorpions or silk worms on a skewer? Later we visit the beautiful Emperor’s Summer Palace & drive past the 2008 Olympic Stadium & Aquatics Centre. Free time is offered in the cavernous Silk Alley Market, before travelling by express soft sleeper train to Xi’an in Shaanxi Province.

Terracotta Warriors

We pull in to Xi'an in the morning - home to the Terracotta Warriors archaeological site. 7,000 Warriors stand battle ready & have done so for the past 2,200 years. Have a go at counting them! Later on we visit a clay workshop specialising in making replica figurines. Tonight, optional Tang Dynasty Bolt-on, with dinner & performance.

Xi'an

Xi’an - Beijing. Today we tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda & take a casual bicycle ride on top of the 9 mile Xi’an City Wall (no need to go the entire way around) perimeter peeking down upon the lively city beneath us. Later, this evening we board the express soft sleeper train back to Beijing.

Beijing

Friday. Arrive Beijing & transfer to a nearby hotel for breakfast. Our tour concludes after breakfast & onward departure transfer to the airport. Please ensure that onward international flights are booked after 14:00pm. This will allow sufficient time for arriving into Beijing, breakfast, transfer to the airport & check in prior to your flight. Alternatively, extra nights accommodation are available should you require.