Essential China

We arrive in Beijing on a Thursday and are met by our guide and transferred directly to the hotel, with the rest of the day free to spend at leisure exploring the vibrant capital. Despite its modernity, Beijing has a history stretching back 3,000 years and seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and this contrast between old and new provides exceptional leisure opportunities.

We start at the symbolic heart of China, Tiananmen Square and get an overview of communist history on a tour of abundant halls and monuments. We then embark on an in-depth exploration of the Forbidden City, the power base of Chinese emperors for centuries. This contains the Imperial Palace Museum which details the history of each dynasty, represented in four palatial halls with treasures from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. In the afternoon we transfer to the Summer Palace which was built in 1888 as a summer retreat for emperors. Overnight is at the luxury Hotel Eclat Beijing, an iconic property which features a cutting edge pyramid shape glass and steel design. The hotel is in a development which is home to exclusive designer brand boutiques, cinemas, an art museum and luxury dining venues. The hotel features a fabulous interior which includes sculptures and paintings.

From the hotel, we embark on a 1.5-hour scenic drive to this iconic structure at Mutianyu. When we arrive, we set off on a walk along the wall, with plenty of time to admire the views of the fortification that cuts through tree-covered terrain. We can soak up the dense woods and pastures and walk past the watchtowers where guards once stood on a barrier that defended the Chinese capital and Imperial Tombs from raiders. We then return to our vehicle via cable car which provides a different perspective of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch at a local restaurant, we head to Olympic Park which was constructed for the 2008 Summer Olympics. We stop to admire the dramatic National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird’s Nest because the woven steel beams that cover its exterior look like twigs in a bird’s nest. We also view the impressive Water Cube.

Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi Province and it marks the Silk Road’s eastern terminus. It was once home to the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties’ ruling houses. We transfer to Beijing Airport for our domestic flight, travelling economy class and upon arrival we embark on our adventure excursion. Our first stop is at the Wild Goose Pagoda, a grand tiered structure that is a classic example of ancient Chinese architecture, built during the Tang Dynasty. Next, we explore the Great Mosque, China’s oldest and largest Islamic mosque. Overnight is at the Angsana Lintong Xian Hotel which is located near to the site of the Terracotta Warriors. This highly convenient location enables us to make an early start at this UNESCO World Heritage attraction and avoid the crowds queuing to gain entry. The hotel has an award winning spa, indoor and outdoor pools and an outdoor thermal complex including 25 thematic pools comprising natural hot springs.

Marvel at the army of Terracotta Warriors in a battle formation who have stood guard over their emperor until they were discovered in 1974. Among the 8,000 life-sized soldiers, no two are the same adding to the uniqueness of this amazing archaeological site. We explore this UNESCO World Heritage attraction of soldiers, horses and chariots, ahead of transferring in the afternoon to Xi’an Airport for our domestic flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival we are met and welcomed by our guide and transferred directly to the stylish and elegant Yangtse Boutique Hotel. This is situated a short walk from the cosmopolitan riverside Bund area and this significant strategic location enables easy exploration of nearby attractions including Nanjing Road, People’s Square and the Urban Planning Museum. The hotel features a blend of sophisticated Shanghainese charm, including art deco details, swirling staircases and art displays, plus signature Italian and Cantonese restaurants.

We start at Yu Garden, a prime example of a classical Chinese garden built during the Ming Dynasty. Next is the Jade Temple Buddha which was originally constructed in 1882 to house two jade Buddha statues brought from Burma by a monk. The temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty, but fortunately the statues were saved and a new temple was built on the present site in 1928. We then take a stroll along the iconic waterfront bund which is lined with European-style buildings. This architecture dates back to the 1920s and 1930s when the Bund was the focus of European trade in mainland China and this commerce left a legacy of stylish art deco buildings. In the afternoon we venture to Xintinadi for a stroll around the European style villas and buildings of the Former French Concession which has become a fashionable part of the city.

After breakfast at the hotel, our representative will escort us to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for our departure flight. We travel by the magnetic Shanghai Maglev Train from the city centre to the airport.