China tours, Monks & Warriors
| country: | China |
| location: | Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors |
| departures: | 2010: 28 Mar, 16 May, 25 Jul, 8 Aug, 17 Oct 2011: 10 Apr, 22 May, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 16 Oct |
| price: | From £1729 - £1999 (15 days) including flights from the UK. From £1059 - £1099 excluding flights. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
The Middle Kingdom, as China was once known, has countless treasures - both natural and historical. In this well-paced trip we have brought together the must-see sights, whilst keeping the spirit of adventure alive. From the vast Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City, you journey through ancient walled cities to see the world-famous Shaolin Monks before coming face-to-face with the Terracotta Warriors, and finally arriving at the gardens of Suzhou and cosmopolitan Shanghai.
Forbidden City & Great Wall
Beijing has been the heart of imperial China for centuries, and on your visit to the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven you’ll see the city in all its glory. Heading north, you’ll walk a little visited section of the Great Wall – a superb piece of engineering, almost 2000 years old and offering stunning views across the countryside.
Shaolin Monks and Terracotta Warriors
You travel to Pingyao, a city where life seems to continue as it would have done in imperial times. The holy mountain of Song Shan is home to the Shaolin temple, the birthplace of kung fu. Watch in awe at the strength and agility of the monks who still live and train here. After visiting the countless statues of Buddha at Longmen, you arrive at the ancient city of Xian. The city is home to the thousands of life size statues that make up the Terracotta Warriors.
Suzhou
Suzhou is renowned thorughout China for the beuaty of it's gardens, and you have time to marvel at their singular beauty before the finale of your trip, a stay in Shanghai - a fascinating contrast of history & modernity.
Forbidden City & Great Wall
Beijing has been the heart of imperial China for centuries, and on your visit to the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven you’ll see the city in all its glory. Heading north, you’ll walk a little visited section of the Great Wall – a superb piece of engineering, almost 2000 years old and offering stunning views across the countryside.
Shaolin Monks and Terracotta Warriors
You travel to Pingyao, a city where life seems to continue as it would have done in imperial times. The holy mountain of Song Shan is home to the Shaolin temple, the birthplace of kung fu. Watch in awe at the strength and agility of the monks who still live and train here. After visiting the countless statues of Buddha at Longmen, you arrive at the ancient city of Xian. The city is home to the thousands of life size statues that make up the Terracotta Warriors.
Suzhou
Suzhou is renowned thorughout China for the beuaty of it's gardens, and you have time to marvel at their singular beauty before the finale of your trip, a stay in Shanghai - a fascinating contrast of history & modernity.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Depart on overnight flight to Beijing. |
| Day 2: | Arrive Beijing Following your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. This afternoon you have time to relax and meet the other members of your group before perhaps heading out to enjoy the first of many superb Chinese meals. Hotel – 3 nights |
| Day 3: | Beijing; Forbidden City And Temple Of Heaven Although the original terminus of the Silk Route was Xian, the infamous Kublai Khan made Peking his capital and extended the route. During the Ming dynasty, two of the city’s greatest monuments were built; the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven. The complex of buildings within the Forbidden City itself became the symbolic and literal heart of the capital and the empire. Symbolism abounds; dragon and phoenix represent emperor and empress and construction was in accordance with the principles of Yin and Yang, the balance of negative and positive. This afternoon you continue your tour of Beijing’s architectural marvels by exploring the beautiful temples of Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park. Built at the same time as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven complex was the altar of sacrifice for the emperors at the time of the winter solstice. The ‘Prayer Hall for Good Harvests’ is a beautiful, circular building with a wonderful triple roof and sumptuous interior. It is here that the emperor and his retinue would gather to pray for an abundant harvest. A visit today not only allows a glimpse into the past but enables you to marvel at the craftsmanship of the artists who created such stunning buildings. This evening you may have an opportunity to see the famous Peking Opera (optional). |
| Day 4: | Beijing; Great Wall Today you set off for another of this fantastic trip’s highlights; a visit to one of China’s best-known attractions - the Great Wall. Stretching over 5000km, the wall was built as a defence against invasion from the horsemen of the far north. This section, the foundation wall which was first built in the mid-6th Northern Qi dynasty, is older than others. During his reign in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), General Xu Da built what you see today. Built mainly of granite, the wall is 7-8 metres high and, at the top, 4-5 metres wide. It stretches for 2250m as it passes through lush, undulating hills. On your return to Beijing, you are free to explore or perhaps make your way to Tiananmen Square where you can buy paper kites to fly with the locals, who are always keen to meet foreign visitors.Please note that the order of sightseeing in Beijing may change from that shown above. |
| Day 5: | Beijing/ Sleeper Train To Luoyang Today is free for you to explore Beijing at your leisure. You have a day to wander through the hutongs or perhaps visit some of the capital’s less well-known attractions, such as the Yonghe Gong, a traditional Tibetan style temple. Another option is the famous Summer Palace; built by the Empress Cixi during the late 1800s, it is home to the famous marble boat - a sight which has to be seen to be believed! Later you transfer to the station and board your overnight sleeper train to Luoyang. Berth on overnight train - 1 night |
| Day 6: | Luoyang And Shaolin Temple On arrival in Luoyang you head out to the revered Shaolin Temple, the spiritual home of kung fu. Famous for the legendary monks who could balance on one finger, or hang from a tree by their neck, the Shaolin Temple remains one of China’s most famous sights. The original kung fu was based on the movements of animals (tigers and snakes for instance) and is the basis of many of the martial arts which are practised today. During your time here you will see kung fu displays and have time to wander around the renowned temple. Surrounding the temple there are countless other fantastic sights to visit, for example the stone memorials of the Forest of Dagobas or the holy mountain of Song Shan. On your way back to Luoyang, you visit the Baima Si (White Horse Temple). The temple is a peaceful place, said to be the first Buddhist Temple in China, where you can mingle with the monks and enjoy the pleasant surroundings. Hotel – 1 night |
| Day 7: | Longmen Caves This morning you drive out to the incredible Longmen Caves, 13km south of Luoyang. The site has over 100,000 images of Buddha carved into caves and niches in the rock, which stretches for over a kilometre past the Yi River. The statues of Buddha are carved in a variety of styles that display the influence of northern characteristics, even traces of Greek techniques. The most impressive sections of the caves are the ten thousand Buddha cave and the 17m high image of Buddha built for Empress Wu Zetian. In the afternoon you transfer by charter bus to the Imperial city of Xi’an. Human activity in this area dates back 6000 years, but it was the Zhou dynasty which established Xian as its capital on the Fen River. Under the Tang dynasty a magnificent city was built which was used thereafter as a model for other Chinese cities and also for the Japanese capital at Nara in 710. As terminus of the Silk Road, Xian was the world’s largest, richest and most cosmopolitan city and capital of a powerful nation. Many monuments reveal Xian’s importance over the centuries and reflect the fact that it was the capital of an empire some twelve times in its history. Hotel – 2 nights |
| Day 8: | Terracotta Army Xian is famous of course for the Terracotta Warriors, guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Although this vast army was buried some 22 centuries ago, it was only discovered in 1974. The 6000 plus figures guarded the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and remain a spectacular sight to this day. On your return to Xian you visit the famous Shaanxi History Museum – a treasure house of priceless items dating from prehistory right up to the Qing dynasty. After your visit the remainder of the day is free for you to sightsee at leisure. This evening you will have the opportunity to visit the popular Tang Dynasty Show (optional). |
| Day 9: | Three Gorges Taking a flight of one hour to Chongqing you board the Three Gorges riverboat in the early evening. From here you embark on your river journey on the mighty Yangtse. The Changjiang (Yangtse River) runs a distance of 6300km, is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world. We view your time on the Yangtse as a river journey, rather than a cruise. Cabin - 3 nights Please bear in mind that you travel on a Chinese riverboat and although we book the best available class, some travellers may find the facilities much more basic than they were expecting. It is occasionally possible that as a result of berth allocations arranged by the boat operators, individuals of differing sexes may have to share a cabin. |
| Day 10: | Three Gorges Early this morning you can make an optional trip to the ‘Abode of Ghosts’ – with temples dedicated to the kings of the underworld! The section of the Yangtse through which you pass meanders through the mountains between Sichuan and Hubei provinces which form the world-renowned Three Gorges: Qutang, Wuxia and Xiling Gorge. This spectacular section of the river is a marvellous sight. Towering vertical cliffs rise up on either side of the channel and the sense of seclusion is incredible. Your route takes you via Wanxian, an old trading city, which clings precariously to the hillside. This fortress-like complex can be reached by a series of steps. Beyond its hostile exterior, a market bustles with traders selling products made from bamboo and rattan cane. (BLD) |
| Day 11: | Three Gorges As you pass through the 8km long Qutang Gorge, amazing views unfurl before you. Its angry waters were once described by the poet Su Dongpo as “like a thousand seas poured into one cup”. The Yangtse carves its way between the hills of Sichuan and Hubei provinces, where peaks nestle high above in the clouds offering awe-inspiring views. Next you enter Wuxian Gorge, a 45km stretch of fantastic precipices where the goddess Yao Ji and her eleven sisters quelled some unruly river dragons and then turned them into mountains. The last leg of your journey on the Yangtse passes through the third and final gorge – Xiling - the longest of all. Please note: local conditions on the river, such as tides and traffic, may mean that you pass through one or more gorges very early in the morning or late in the evening. (BLD) |
| Day 12: | Shanghai Arriving at Maoping you visit the new dam project, with its five locks - a magnet for domestic Chinese tourists who flock to see this famous site. A visit makes an interesting side excursion. Leaving your boat at Taiping, you continue your journey to the town of Yichang and take an afternoon flight to the bustling cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. Located at the mouth of the Yangtse, Shanghai always had the potential to be a great trading port. The British realised this and in 1842, after the first Opium War, they began a process of colonisation that was to turn a small fishing town into the ‘Paris of the Orient’. Today Shanghai remains one of China’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. Hotel – 3 nights (B) |
| Day 13: | Suzhou Lying less than an hour away from Shanghai by train and with a history dating back some 2500 years, Suzhou is one of Jiangsu’s oldest cities. Located on the famous Grand Canal it has always occupied a strategic trading position and was wealthy when Marco Polo passed this way in the late 13th century. The city walls no longer exist but the surrounding moat and gateways do. Inside the heart of the city there is a network of canals and the wonderful gardens for which Suzhou is renowned. Created by wealthy merchants and various ruling mandarins, the gardens are a living testament to the importance that was placed on areas of secluded retreat even as far back as the 16th century. The city is best seen on foot or by bike and on arrival you take to two wheels to explore. There were once over 100 gardens in Suzhou and many remain today. Laid out in a traditional Chinese style, one must forget mental pictures of Versailles or Hampton Court Palace; these gardens are all babbling brooks, hump-backed bridges, tiny pavilions, moon gates and beautifully manicured trees and shrubs, all carefully composed to maximise the atmosphere of tranquillity and calm. All of the gardens have evocative names. Two of the best known are the ‘Garden of the Master of the Nets’ and the ‘Garden for Lingering In’. You return to Shanghai, where there may be the opportunity to see the famous Shanghai acrobatic troupe (optional) this evening. |
| Day 14: | Free In Shanghai This morning an orientation walk will take you to the famous Bund (where, in the early morning, locals practice Tai Chi) and also to Nanjing Road – trendy heart of the modern city. Time should allow a visit to Yu Yuan Gardens, which continue to attract thousands of people every year or the Shanghai Museum which houses priceless treasures, especially bronzes, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy (entrance fees for own account). The rest of the day has been left free for you to explore more of this vibrant city. This is the time to pick up those last minute souvenirs, or explore the less visited corners of the city. |
| Day 15: | Depart Shanghai The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those on group flights to the UK transfer to the airport and fly to London. |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: We stay in small locally-run hotels and eat in local restaurants. We use a local Chinese agent, driver and a Local Group Leader. This fulfils part of our commitment to make a positive contribution to the local economy and is the best way of ensuring that our money reaches as many people as possible. Local overseas leaders offer a great way to find out more about the local culture, speak the language, understand the day-to-day life around them and help to ‘open doors’ to a fuller experience. The Local Group Leaders have a set of environmental guidelines that they work with and will share this information with you during your trip.
Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |