Images of China

A highly popular classic journey. This tour provides the discerning traveller with a wonderful contrast between the natural beauty of Guilin, the fascinating monuments of Imperial Beijing and the amazing Terracotta Warriors.

Full Itinerary

Day 1 - Heathrow / Beijing
Non-stop overnight flight on British Airways.

Day 2 - Beijing
Upon arrival at Beijing airport, you will be transferred to the Novotel Xinqiao, your hotel for the next 3 nights. After check-in, you will have some time at your own leisure, before departing the hotel for a welcome dinner in a local restaurant (D)

Day 3 - Beijing
After breakfast in the hotel, depart for a full day sightseeing, including a walk through Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world, where you can see the Great Hall of the People and other historical monuments. You will then spend the rest of the morning in the Forbidden City, located directly behind the Tiananmen tower gate, and where the Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors and empresses lived and ruled from 1420 to 1924. After lunch, you will visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors worshipped and prayed during the Ming and Qing Dynasties for a good harvest. Return to your hotel for a short rest before departing for dinner and the Peking Opera (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Beijing
After breakfast in your hotel, depart for a full day of sightseeing including the Great Wall at Badaling, which lies 45 miles northwest of Beijing. This provides a good opportunity to see the countryside surrounding Beijing. A stop at a Jade workshop is included. In the morning you will walk along the beautiful Sacred Way guarded by stone statues of the emperors’ officers and officials and stone animals, dating from the 15th century. After lunch, there will be a 20-minute drive to the Great Wall at Badaling. Approximately two hours will be spent at the Great Wall, along which you will be able to walk and climb or travel by cable car (optional, price not included). Peking duck dinner in a local restaurant (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Beijing / Xian
After breakfast and check-out, depart the hotel for the Summer Palace. After lunch, you will be transferred to Beijing airport for your flight to Xian (ticketed locally). Upon arrival in Xian you will be transferred to the Royal Xian Hotel for 2 nights (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Xian
After breakfast in the hotel, a full day of sightseeing will start with a one-hour drive to the Terracotta Warrior Museum in the suburbs of Xian - Lintong. The visit to the Museum usually begins with a presentation film explaining the period of history during which the Terracotta Warriors were constructed. A visit of about two hours will be spent studying the thousands of Terracotta Warriors and their chariots. After lunch, visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall. Dinner followed by the Tang Dynasty show in a local theatre (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Xian / Guilin
After breakfast, you will have time at leisure to explore the city by yourself. After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guilin (ticketed locally). Upon arrival in Guilin, you will be transferred to your hotel, Guilin Plaza for 2 nights (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Guilin
Guilin: After breakfast in the hotel, you will be taken to the pier for a relaxing cruise trip on the Li River through the most famous karst topographies. Chinese lunch is usually served on board. Subject to the water level in different seasons, you usually disembark the boat in Yanshuo in the early afternoon. A stroll through the markets will give you a real feel for the life in the area. Afterwards, you will take your bus back to Guilin through the most beautiful landscape seeing villages, rice paddy fields and water buffalo along the way. You will have time at leisure in your hotel before dinner in a local restaurant (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Guilin / Hong Kong
Guilin/Hong Kong: Morning at leisure. After breakfast in the hotel, the morning is at leisure. After lunch you will visit the Reed Flute Cave, containing some extraordinary underground scenery. Your will be transferred to the airport for your flight for Hongkong (ticketed locally). Transfer on arrival to the Kowloon Hotel for 3 nights. (B,L)

Day 10-11 - Hong Kong
At leisure. (RO)

Day 12 - Hong Kong / Heathrow
Non-stop overnight flight on British Airways to Heathrow.

Day 13- Heathrow
Morning arrival.

Supplements: Single supplements available on request

What's Included
English speaking local guide • All entrance fees as appropriate • Air-conditioned transportation • Twin or double bed & private bathroom • Meals included as detailed: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D), No Meals (RO). Breakfast is usually a Western-style buffet in your hotel. Most other meals are taken in local restaurants

Please Note
Local conditions can and do change, sometimes at short notice and it is possible that we may be advised to change the programme or runnings of any excursions or tour, including accommodation, sometimes without prior notification. Aternative but similar hotels may be used at certain times of the year. For departures in 2008, the accommodation in Hong Kong will be the Miramar Hotel in Kowloon. Local domestic airport taxes are not included and are payable locally (approx £10 each segment.)