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Days 1 to 4 - Beijing
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Stay at the Raffles Beijing
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Spend three days exploring the imperial past of the capital. You will explore the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and the quaint Hutongs as well as walk on the most scenic and impressive section of the Great Wall. Also see the Dashanzi Modern Art district and go inside the famous 'Bird's Nest' stadium and the Water Cube. Dine on superb Peking Duck and have a lunch at Fang Shan restaurant serving Imperial Cuisine. |
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Days 5 to 6 - Xian
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Stay at the Sofitel Hotel Xian
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You fly from Beijing to Xian in First Class and explore the Muslim Quarter, the Great Mosque, Big Goose Pagoda and museum as well as go for a walk along the great city walls. The highlight of your stay will be the guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors museum and the 'little' Terracotta Army of Han Yanling. A private and sumptuous dumpling banquet and a Tang Dynasty Cultural show are also on the program. |
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Days 7 to 8 - Luoyang
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Stay at the Luoyang Grand Hotel
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You travel from Xian to Luoyang by private car and proceed to the hotel. Sightseeing in Luoyang includes the famous Longmen Buddhist Grottoes, a World Heritage Site. You will also take a day excursion to see the White Horse Temple and visit the renowned Shaolin Temple in the Songshan Hills. A walking tour of the Old City and a delicious local banquet will complete your stay in this ancient capital. The city is also famous for the peony, China's most revered flower that can be seen in Spring time, drawing massive crowds to the city. Board the overnight soft sleeper train to Nanjing at night.
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Days 9 to 11 - Nanjing
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Stay at the Crowne Plaza Nanjing or stay at the Kayumanis Villas
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Arrive from Luoyang in the morning and transfer to your hotel. Alternatively be picked up and driven to the exclusive Kayumanis Villas outisde the city. Sightseeing in Nanjing includes visits to the Memorial Museum, Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum, Xuanwu Park, City Walls, Xuyuan Garden, Presidential Hall and the Confucius Temple. You will be served a banquet of local delicacies in the evening. Optionally a bicycle excursion can be organized to the Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum for a fun and healthy way of seeing the leafy streets surrounding the area. |
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Days 12 to 14 - Suzhou
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Stay at the Pingjiang Lodge
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You will take the express bullet train to Suzhou, getting you there in just over an hour. Transfer to your hotel in the Old City. As the home of traditional gardening techniques you will visit several of Suzhou's famous gardens. Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Fishing Net Master's Garden and the Lingering Garden. Also visit Tiger Hill with its distinct pagoda and panoramic views over the city. In the Old City you go for a walking tour to see the quaint backstreets and old homes followed by a short boat trip on the Suzhou canals. Enjoy a traditional Suzhou 'sweet' dinner. |
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Days 15 to 17 - Hangzhou
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Stay at the Shangri-La Hangzhou
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You will be driven by private car to the beautiful city of Hangzhou and stay at the lovely Shangri-La Hotel. Enjoy a walking tour of the stunning West Lake scenic area, see the Lei Feng Pagoda and take a private boat trip on the lake. Also on the program is a visit to the Longjing Tea plantations where you can sample this precious brew. Visit the XiXi Wetlands, witness a traditional tea ceremony and explore the lush natural surroundings of the '9 creeks and 18 gullies'. A visit to Hangzhou is not complete without attending the spectacular 'Impression West Lake' show set on a secluded section of the lake. |
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Days 18 to 20 - Shanghai
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Stay at the Mansion Hotel
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You travel to Shanghai by private car and transfer to your boutique hotel in the former French Concession. Sightseeing in Shanghai includes visits to the Shanghai Museum, the Children's Palace, Yu Gardens, Xintiandi, Moganshan Art District, the new Shanghai World Financial Center and the Bund. Also enjoy a short cruise on the Huangpu River. Dine at on one of the city's top venues such as Laris or Cupola and go for cocktails at the exclusive M1nt Club. On the last morning be transferred to Pudong for your ride on the Maglev, the world's fastest commuter train, taking you to the airport in a mere 7 minutes! |
