Harbin Ice Festival – 11 days land only

{tab Description}

- Return airport/hotel transfers
- Internal flight from Xi’an to Harbin
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Beijing
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Luoyang
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Xian
- 2 nights 5* hotel accommodation in Harbin
- Selected meals
- An overnight train ticket from Harbin to Beijing
- A ticket for the high speed train journeys between Beijing & Luoyang & between Luoyang & Xi'an
- Assistance of an English speaking specialist guides at local sights
- City tours of Beijing, Luoyang, Xi'an & Harbin
- Rickshaw ride through Beijing's Hutongs
- Chinese acrobatic performance
- A bike ride on the medieval City Wall in Xian
- Highlights include Beijing, Luoyang, Harbin , Badaling & Xian

 {tab Day 1} 

Beijing

Welcome to China and the start of your holiday! Arrive Beijing Airport and included transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day offers free time.
Overnight: Beijing

{tab Day 2}

The Forbidden City

This morning, we explore the centre of Beijing, including massive Tiananmen Square and the sprawling Forbidden City. Boasting some 9999 rooms, the city within a city was once the sole preserve of the Chinese emperors. This afternoon we take rickshaws to the Hutongs areas of Beijing. As our trusty rickshaw driver peddles us through the network of alleys, old back lanes, traditional courtyards and compact houses, we gain a fascinating snapshot into the city’s traditional way of life. There is time to meet a local family and take a peek inside their home, before returning to our hotel. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a city restaurant
Overnight: Beijing | Breakfast, Dinner

{tab Day 3}

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. Today we drive beyond Beijing to Badaling, where we can walk a section of the famous Great Wall. Climbing the Great Wall on Xmas day, now that’s something special. The wall is a little steep in sections, but the photo opportunities are worth a million dollars! Afterwards we visit a cloisonne workshop. Tonight, Xmas dinner (Chinese banquet style) and choreographed acrobatic show.
Overnight: Beijing | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

{tab Day 4}

Summer Palace & Silk Alley

Beijing - Luoyang. Today we start with a sightseeing tour of the Summer Palace, set on Kunming Lake. The lake may be frozen solid. This afternoon we visit the famed Silk Alley markets, boasting more than 1000 stores and every souvenir imaginable. Later today we drive past the Beijing 2008 Olympic Stadium en route to the train station where we take the late afternoon bullet train to Luoyang. Reaching speeds of up to 305km per hour the journey is an experience in itself! We arrive to Luoyang late this evening.
Overnight: Luoyang | Breakfast

{tab Day 5}

Longman Grottoes

Today we explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Longman Caves. Carved into the cliffs along the Yi River, the 1300 caves (grottoes) were hollowed out during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Creating temples within the caves they then sculpted and decorated the interior with 100,000 statues and images of Buddha and his disciples. Experts consider the Longman Caves to be the artistic triumph of all Buddhist stone carvings. Later this afternoon we tour the stunning White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China before having a delicious local dinner.
Overnight: Luoyang | Breakfast, Dinner

{tab Day 6}

Luoyang - Xi'an

Early this morning we walk to Peony Square to witness and maybe even partake in a little local exercise. Hundreds of local people enjoy their daily exercise by practising ballroom dancing, performing tai chi, sword fighting and play sports like badminton and hacky sack in the early hours of the morning. It's a marvel to watch! After some free time we board a high speed express trains to Xi'an, evening at leisure.
Overnight: Xi'an | Breakfast

 {tab Day 7}

Terracotta Warriors

Today, we visit the Terracotta Warrior archaeological site where some 7,000 warriors stand in battle ready position and a factory that shows how the terracotta figurines were crafted. Tonight, optional Tang Dynasty Bolt-on, with dinner and performance.
Overnight: Xi'an | Breakfast, Lunch

{tab Day 8}

Xi'an

Xi’an - Harbin. This morning we bike ride (solo or tandem) on top of the amazing old City Wall, offering unique views of the city and residents going about their daily lives. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque, with time to explore. Evening flight to Beijing and onward connecting flight to Harbin.
Overnight: Harbin | Breakfast

{tab Day 9}

Ice Sculpture Festival

Today, we hit Sun Island Park for the Harbin Ice Festival. The festival is open to visitors from 20 Dec, (though the official festival opening occurs on 05 Jan). This is a wonderful time to visit as sculptors will still be adding final touches to their masterpieces. This evening we head out to Zhaolin Park for theenchanting Ice Lantern Garden Party. Ice blocks standing some 8 metres tall, resembling giant ice lollies are sculpted into the most unusual designs; a rooster, a dragon boat, a pair of cupids fluttering in the heavens and a cavalry about to do battle. Each is lit up with hundreds of Traditional Chinese lanterns and a multitude of neon creating the most spectacular photo opportunities. Before the stroke of midnight we will take a prized position our hotel bar. Ring in the new year with plenty of lights, ice and ‘local Maitai firewater spirit’. Before the stroke of midnight we will take a prized position in our hotel bar. Ring in the New Year with plenty of lights, ice and local 'Dragon Fire - Spirit'.
Overnight: Shangri La Hotel - 5 star | Breakfast, Dinner

{tab Day 10}

Happy New Year!

Harbin - Beijing. Happy New Year. We spend the day at leisure enjoying the festivities at the Harbin Snow and Ice World. Imagine sliding down a 100m ice luge resembling the Great Wall of China. You can pick up some serious speed if wearing a slick winter coat. Climbing to the top of a replica of the Emperor’s Summer Palace in Beijing, complete with towers, guard house, moat and seven arched bridge or sail away on Empress Dowager Cixi’s ice marble boat. Living up to its name the ‘Ice World’ is totally beyond imagination, unusual, enchanting, inspiring and down right bizarre. What will be on offer this year is anyone's guess. Later this evening we bid farewell to Harbin boarding our overnight sleeper train to Beijing.
Overnight: Soft Sleeper Train to Beijing | Breakfast

{tab Day 11}

Goodbye China

Arrival into Beijing, hotel breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport. We hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and New Year tour in China! Note: Onward flights should be booked for departure after 2pm.
Breakfast

{/tabs}