General Cultural trips to China

AM - Tiananmen Square

In the morning you will set out to discover Beijing's imperial treasures. Start by standing in Tiananmen Square, one of the largest and grandest public plazas in the world, before progressing on to the Forbidden City.

Enter the imposing walls of the Forbidden City, once the domain of the Ming Dynasty, for an exclusive tour through the vast complex of courtyards and lanes. For lunch, you will visit one of the oldest neighbourhoods, called Hutong, where you will learn to make Chinese dumplings.

PM - Hutong Walking tour

In the afternoon you will be taken around Hutong by a tour who has spent his/her entire life as a local resident. Listen to their stories as you learn about traditional Chinese life and discover what is left of old Beijing.

AM - The Great Wall

Following breakfast at the hotel you will visit the Great Wall at the Huanguacheng Section. Huanguacheng great Wall is an essence of the Ming Great Walls. it used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital. Being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surround countryside is an unforgettable experience.

PM - Return to Beijing

After enjoying a local countryside lunch during your hike on the Great Wall, you will be transported back to Beijing where you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

AM - Tianjin

Take the Bullet Train from Beijing to Tianjin, to ensure the neighbouring city. With a population of nearly 14 million, Tianjin is the largest open costal city in north China.

PM - Chinese lessons and walking tour

Upon arrival you will be transferred to the Tianjin Foreign Studies University for check in. Enjoy a local buffet lunch before you start learning Mandarin Chinese in the campus. After your Chinese lessons take a visit to Beijing museum on campus and learn more about the natural history of China.

In the evening you will have a walking tour at Tianjin's 5 Avenues with your tour guide after dinner. “Five Avenues” is a general name for a block mainly composed of five roads, namely Machang Road, Munan Road, Dali Road, Changde Road, and Chongqing Road, which are juxtaposed from south to north. This block is by far the most complete preserved group of western-style buildings in Tianjin which were built around 100 years ago. It is known as the "World Architecture Expo Garden".

AM - Chinese lessons

Start the day off with Chinese Tai Chi lessons after breakfast. Tai Chi is a major branch of martial arts. The name Tai Chi is derived from the endless changes in fighting techniques, which are explained by the philosophical theories of "Yin Yang" and "Tai Chi" in ancient China. After some morning exercise you will then learn to write Chinese characters and calligraphy. Chinese calligraphy is an ancient art of writing Chinese characters. . It is an original expressive art of Chinese nationality, known as: poetry without words, dance without lines; Painting without pictures, music without sound.

PM - Train to Xi'an

Xi’an, one of the four ancient capitals in the world. It is the birthplace of Chinese civilization. As the starting point of the Silk Road, Xi’an is China’s most influential capital with over 3,100-year city history and 1,100-year capital history. Taking the overnight train is a good chance to observe real China and doing interactions with your fellow Chinese travellers in the 15.5 hrs train ride.

AM - Small Wild Good Pagoda

In the morning you will transfer to your hotel and leave your luggage there before you visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a world heritage site, the Buddhist pagoda survives from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). As part of the artistic heritage of Buddhist architectures of the Tang Dynasty it is witness as to how Buddhism was introduced to China and integrated with the culture of Han nationally.

PM - Muslim Street

Muslim Street is famous as a snack treat because rich delicious Xi'an delicacies and typical Shannxi snacks are concentrated here. This featured bluestone-paved old street is also the favourite haunt for locals because of the tastiest food and leisure atmosphere. So make up your mind for some dinner ideas at your own cost tonight before you head back to hotel.

AM - Terra Cotta Warriors

In the morning you will take a 1.5hr transfer to visit the magnificent and world famous Terra Cotta Warriors. Originally four armies were planned, one at each point of the compass, life-size and lifelike. Three have been found and it is assumed the emperor's successors decided enough was enough before the fourth was begun.

PM - Ancient City Walls

In the afternoon you will visit the Ancient City Wall, which is the largest, and best persevered ancient city wall in China. You can either take a leisurely walk on the wall or rent a bike to ride along.

AM - Bullet Train to Shanghai

After breakfast hop on the bullet train and take the 7.5hr journey from Xi'an to Shanghai.

PM - Arrive in Shanghai

Once you have arrived in Shanghai you will have the rest of the day to explore what you can of the city at your own pace.

AM - Shanghai Museum

In the morning take in the Shanghai Museum, a large museum of ancient Chinese art. It is divided into 11 galleries and 3 exhibition halls.

PM - Nanjing road & Bund of Huangpu River walking tour

After lunch at the museum your tour guide will take you on a walking tour of the Nanjing road and Bund of Huangpu River. The Bund is a fantastic spot to take in the spectacular views of the Huangpu river.

After dinner you can take in the sights further by enjoying a river cruise on the Huangpu River, taking in several landmarks including Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower and the Old Harbour commercial centre.

AM - Flight back to the UK

Spend what remaining time you have left in Shanghai exploring what you want to before your transfer back to the airport ready to return to the UK.