The BIG THREE !-SHANGHAI, XI'AN AND BEIJING
ENJOY WORLD EXPO IN SHANGHAI AND SHANGHAI SIGHTSEEING, THEN JOURNEY ON TO THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS IN XI'AN AND THE GREAT WALL AND OTHER GREATS IN CAPITAL CITY BEIJING. A WONDERFUL TRIP.
Flying Singapore Airlines.
Day One: 08/05/10 Saturday Melbourne.
Arrive Melbourne airport at around 22:00.
Day Two: 09/05/10 Sunday Melbourne/Shanghai
Leave Melbourne at 01:05 by Singapore Airlines SQ218, arrive Singapore )6:00, transit in Singapore, SQ828, leave at 07:35, arrive Shanghai 12:45 in the afternoon. Met by tour guide and transferred to hotel. Have a rest and the collected by guide to go for dinner. (D)
Day 03 10/05/10 Monday Shanghai
Visit Yu Garden. Yu Garden Market. Xintiandi and Shikumen House. Pearl Factory. Visit the famous Yu Yuan Garden, an exquisite small walled garden in the old part of the city. Close by is a fascinating market area- the buildings are new but they have been built in the old Chinese style. Xin Tian Di follows, an old area of Shanghai which has been re-vamped without losing it's charm. Here we will look at the Shikumen House, an original house from the area, set up to look like a house from the 1930s, with all the domestic paraphernalia, clothes, photos from that era. Three stories of treasures. We will also visit a pearl factory. (B,L,D)
Day 04 11/05/10 Tuesday Shanghai
Visit Shanghai Museum, walk along The Bund to see the spirit of Shanghai. The Bund is famous as it has many European-style buildings built as banks or commerce- related establishments. The "Mother River" of Shanghai, the Huangpu, is another Bund attraction. We wil walk along the embankment, check out the river craft, and enjoy the view. Silk factory. Acrobatic show at night. (B,L,D)
Day 05 12/05/10 Wednesday Shanghai
World Expo. http://en.expo2010.cn/
Please have a look at the amazing sights and experiences awaiting you at World Expo.
You will have a 2-day pass. (B,L,D)
Day 06 13/05/10 Thursday Shanghai
Free day. You can visit World Expo again, as you have a 2-day ticket or, arrange something else, for example a trip to Suzhou (but extra cost to you). It is your "free" day in Shanghai. Enjoy! (B)
Day 07 14/05/10 Friday Shanghai/Xi'an
Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport after breakfast. Fly to Xi'an by CA1216 at 12:55, arrive at 15:30. Transit to hotel followed by famous Dumpling dinner. ( B,D)
Day 08 15/05/10 Saturday Xi'an
Visit Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Pool. Visit Terracotta Warriors in morning. This will be a highlight of the tour. In afternoon, learn about the life of a woman in the Tang Dynasty-and no ordinary woman- the Lady Yang, concubine to the Emperor. We v isit Huating Pool, a spa complex from those ancient times, where Emperor and concubine would bathe. Beautiful gardens and mountains as a backdrop. Visit a farm. This is very special and "off the tourist track". The area is famous for fruit trees- a lot are pomegranates. ( B,L,D)
Day 09 16/05/10 Sunday Xi'an
Visit Bell Tower, City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Artists Street. In the morning, see Big Wild Goose Pagoda, with its marvellous art and sculpture and gardens. Close by is the Artists' Street with art supplies, market stalls, galleries and interesting things to see. After lunch, visit the Bell Tower and City Wall. Xi'an is a walled city and you can enjoy the view from both the Wall and the Bell Tower. If we have time,we may be able to visit the "Muslim Market".(B,L,D)
Day 10 17/05/10 Monday Xi'an/Beijing
Fly to Beijing by CA1206 at 08:30, arrive at 10:20. Forbidden City/Tiananmen Square/Wang Fu Jing Shopping Street/Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine with free consultation. See the sights at the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and walk Beijing's most famous shopping street- Wan Fu Jin. We find out about Chinese traditional medicine at Tong Ren Tang (B,L,D note breakfast may be a packed box, as we are leaving early) .
Day 11 18/05/10 Tuesday Beijing
Great Wall. Spirit Way. Ming Tombs. Hutong Tour (bicycle rickshaws thru narrow laneways), including a kindergarten if possible. The Great Wall in the morning, followed by the Ming Tombs and the Spirit Way. A Hutong Tour- the old laneways of Beijing by rickshaw- may include a visit to a kindergarten or private house. Jade and/or cloisonne factory as well, make this a very interesting day. (B,L,D)
Day 12 19/05/10 Wednesday Beijing
Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. Late lunch.Trip to artist's village outside Beijing. Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace in the morning, and , after a late lunch, we visit an artists' village around one hour by coach from Beijing. Farmers have moved from this village leaving buildings for artists to rent as studios. The rent is relatively low. We will meet and talk to artists and see their studios ( and the village- many older people still live there). Free in evening. Maybe shopping at Silk Street or Yashow Market ?(B,L)
Day 13 20/05/10 Thursday Beijing/Melbourne
Free in the morning. Collected by guide at 12:00. Taken to airport. Depart for Melbourne by SQ805 at 16:00, arrive Singapore at 22:25, transit at 23:40 by SQ237. (B)
Day 14 21/05/2010 Friday Melbourne
Arrive Melbourne 09:00
Cost :
$3,769.00 pp twin share (based on 10 people, note it may be more expensive if less than 10). Single supplement: $945.00
Including :
- International air ticket by Singapore airlines (Economy class).
- Accommodation in China (5 star in Shanghai, 4 star in Xi'an and Beijing).
- Meals and sightseeing as per itinerary.
- English speaking tour guide with tour.
- Visa fee.
- Transportation for the group as per itinerary.
Not including :
- Tipping (around $10.00 per day) and personal expenses.
- Departure tax and related surcharge (at present $550.00 but may change).
- Travel insurance.
Note:
- Itinerary, etc, may change because of unforeseen circumstances.
- Small group travel: 16 people maximum.
- Men and women are welcome.
- If numbers are sufficient, transport may be arranged from South West Victoria to and from the airport.
- Di Clanchy will accompany the group.
Deposits of a non-refundable $500.00 can be paid to China Birds Pty Ltd, Di Clanchy, Box 210, Port Fairy, 3284. Cheques made payable to "Premier Towns Travel".
For more details : 03 55681343, 0408361552, diclanchy@chinabirds.com.au
China Birds and Premier Towns Travel.
Temple of Heaven, Beijing
Shanghai
Shanghai, The Bund
Terracotta Warriors
Beijing, Temple of Heaven