The Grand Emperor
Shanghai - Suzhou - Beijing - Xi'an - Yichang - Yangtze River (cruise) - Guilin - Yangshuo - Hong Kong
Duration
20 days
Tour Type
Group
Price From
£5,530 pp
Travel in style with Emperor Tours on this 5* luxury tour where you’ll be treated like an Emperor or Empress!
Arrive in Shanghai and savour this vibrant, modern city. Be shown around the historical landmarks and take a day trip out to the unique garden city of Suzhou with its waterways, bridges and pagodas. You’ll then take the high speed express train to Beijing – another cultural feast of iconic landmarks. Whilst in Beijing a day at the Great Wall of China is an absolute must and your chance to admire one of the Great Wonders of the World.
It’s then time to transfer to the ancient capital of the Middle Kingdom – Xian – and amongst other sights you’ll visit the magnificent life-size Terracotta Warriors.
Change of pace as you board the 5* Yangtze River Cruise, taking in the Three Gorges Dam, Shennong Stream and a shore excursion to Shibaozhai – one of the most spectacular destinations along the river.
Back on land at Chongqing you then take a short flight to picturesque Guilin and return to the water again you’ll cruise along the scenic Li River to Yangshuo with its stunning landscapes and lively market.
Final stop is the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong with time to take in the sights and sounds of this amazing city.
Day 1 - UK to Shanghai
Day 1 - UK to Shanghai
Take international scheduled flight from London Heathrow to Shanghai.
(We can also arrange flights from other UK airports; upgrade to premium economy class or business class available on request)
Day 2 - Shanghai
Day 2 - Shanghai
Day 3 - Shanghai
Day 3 - Shanghai
We begin our tour today to the Jade Buddha Temple – one of the few working monasteries in the city.
We then continue to the Old Town and the enchanting Yuyuan Garden, a place of peace and comfort in the heart of bustling Shanghai, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.
Finally today we visit the Shanghai Museum which possesses a collection of over 120,000 precious works of art.
In the evening we’ll be entertained by the famous State Shanghai Acrobatic show.
Day 4 - Shanghai / Suzhou
Day 4 - Shanghai / Suzhou
This morning we journey by coach to Suzhou – China’s garden city, known as the ‘Oriental Venice’, renowned for its canals, arched stone bridges and silk products.
We spend time at two of Suzhou’s most popular gardens – Humble Administrator’s Garden and Garden of the Master of the Nets, with their charming natural beauty and harmonious construction.
We also have time to visit the city’s famous Silk Museum and Panmen Gate, the oldest city gate in existence in Suzhou city consisting of water and land gates.
We end our day returning to Shanghai in the evening.
Day 5 - Shanghai to Beijing
Day 5 - Shanghai to Beijing
This morning we will transfer to Shanghai Station for the high speed express train to Beijing (approx. 5 hrs, first class seats).
Upon arrival we will be met and transfer to the 5* Artyzen Habitat Dongzhimen Beijing located in the centre of this amazing city.
Rest of day at leisure.
Shanghai - 5* Radisson New World Hotel
Shanghai - 5* Radisson New World Hotel
Beijing - 5* Artyzen Habitat Dongzhimen Beijing
5* Artyzen Habitat Dongzhimen Beijing
Visit the website to see more!
Xian - 5* Sofitel on Renmin Square Hotel
5* Sofitel on Renmin Square Hotel
Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is located very centrally within the Xian city walls near many historical sites including the Bell Tower Drum Tower Great Mosque and Forest of Steles.
For more information click here.
Includes
Excludes
General Information
Flight Times: 11.5 hours direct from London Heathrow to Shanghai.
Time Difference: +7 hours in summer time / +8 hours in winter time (BST).
Currency: Chinese Yuan (official name Ren Min Bi) £1 = approx. 9 CYN.
Money: You can take Sterling cash with you and exchange in China – hotels and banks all provide a currency exchange service. Credit cards are widely accepted and there are ATM machines for withdrawing cash in local currency.
Tipping: Tipping is at your own discretion. We recommended £5 (approx. 45 CYN) per day for your tour guide but it’s entirely up to you based on how good you think your guide and driver are.
Visa: All visitors to China are required to apply for a Chinese visa in advance of travel. Upon booking Emperor Tours will provide visa forms and detailed instructions explaining the application process.
Language: The official language spoken in China is standard Mandarin (Pu Tong Hua).
Best Times to Visit: Generally Spring and Autumn months – end of March to early June and September to early November.
Festivals
Here are the main Chinese festivals and what you will expect to see and experience during these festivities…
Chinese New Year – 1st-15th of the first lunar month
Scrolls and paper-cut pictures, firecrackers and fireworks, New Year visits to family and friends, eating celebratory dishes.
Lantern Festival – 15th day of the first lunar month
Lanterns and fireworks, guessing lantern riddles, folk dances and eating celebratory dishes.
Qingming Festival – April 4th or 5th of the solar calendar
Tomb sweeping, Spring outings and kite flying.
Dragon Boat Festival – 5th day of the 5th lunar month
Dragon boat racing, eating celebratory dishes and tying five-colour silk thread.
Double Seventh Festival – 7th day of seventh lunar month
Praying for skillful hands, appreciating the stars, and eating noodles, and wontons.
Mid-autumn Festival – 15th day of the 8th lunar month
Appreciating and offering sacrifice to the moonlight and eating moon cakes.
Chongyang Festival – 9th day of the 9th lunar month
Eating Chongyang cake, drinking chrysanthemum wine, climbing mountains and appreciating beautiful chrysanthemums.
Winter Solstice – Dec. 21st, 22nd or 23rd in solar calendar
Eating dumplings in Northern areas and sticky puddings in Southern areas.
Laba Festival – 8th day of the 12th lunar month
Eating laba rice porridge.
NOTE: A lunar month is the time between two successive syzygies (new moons or full moons).
Food & Drink
Our China Group Tours include most meals however if you are venturing out to eat on your own all our hotels are in city centres so it’s very easy to find local restaurants. Your guides will be more than happy to recommend restaurants of various cuisines to you. It’s not expensive to eat out in China – a simple meal in a local restaurant costs around £10 per person.
It’s advisable not to use the minibar in your hotel room as it can be very expensive, and you can find cheap soft drinks, beer and wine in supermarkets. Emperor Tours provide bottled water for guests and your hotel will also provide free bottled water in your room.
Social Etiquette
China is a fairly relaxed country regarding etiquette, but there are a few things to be aware of:
Greetings and goodbyes – shake hands but never kiss someone’s cheek.
Religion – dress sensitively when visiting Buddhist (especially in Tibet) and Taoist temples, churches and mosques.? You should avoid touching monks, especially women.
Eating and drinking – its polite to help fill your neighbour’s plate at the dinner table and toast the host and others at the table. At the start of dinner, wait until toasting starts before drinking from your glass.
Gestures – don’t use too many hand movements or excessive body language.
Health Advice
Before you travel, please make sure that you have obtained appropriate medical / travel insurance. There is no compulsory requirement for vaccination – the common recommendations are Hepatitis A and Typhoid and Malaria tablets are required if you travel to Yunnan Province or Hainan Island.
If travelling in Summer months, please bring sunscreen, mosquito repellent etc.
It is not safe to drink tap water in China – please drink boiled water or bottled water only.
Tour Dates & Prices
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Optional tour extensions:
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Optional tour extensions:
Optional tour extensions:
Optional tour extensions:
Optional tour extensions:
Optional tour extensions: