Golden Triangle & Gardens of China: Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Suzhou - 9 Days (CN-04)

This fantastic tour is a great way to discover the highlights of China and to get under the skin of some of its finest cities. China is huge and its enormous cities offer the traveller a hub on which to focus – they offer excellent museums, galleries, shops, restaurants, architecture and so much more. Each one has its own distinct identity, people and style. You will also visit famous gardens of Suzhou and enjoy a harmony of natural beauty.
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from $1,995 per person, 9 days



Day 1. Beijing
You’ll be met by our driver and be transferred to the hotel. We start with the past on this tour and delve into Beijing’s famous ‘hutongs’. Our rickshaw will get us in amongst it all.
Day 2. Beijing
Today we start in the heart of the city, in Tiananmen Square. Next, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace and explore the elegant Summer Palace. In the evening we will treat ourselves to a roast duck dinner.
Day 3. Beijing
Time to meet China’s most famous symbol - the Great Wall! After, we’ll see the site of Beijiing 2008 Olympics. In the evening, prepare to be amazed by the antics of Beijing finest Acrobatic Shows.
Day 4. Beijing - Xian
This morning you board the morning bullet train to Xian. You will be met at the station and taken to start your Xian city tour. We will also enjoy the Tang Dynasty Singing & Dancing Dinner Show that night.
Day 5. Xian
A real Chinese highlight is in store today: the marvellous Terracotta Army that attracts millions of tourists from around the globe every year. Afterwards, on to Shanghai to board an overnight sleeper.
Day 6. Shanghai
You’ll be met from the train and taken to the hotel. Then you’ll start exploring this fascinating city accompanied by our guide.
Day 7. Shanghai
Starting in old Shanghai you will visit a peaceful garden next to the City God Temple. Then you’ll move to the future with a visit to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. We’ll finish on Nanjing Road, city’s main shopping street.
Day 8. Shanghai
Today you will travel to China’s own garden city – Suzhou. Sometimes called ‘Eastern Venice’ it excels in the art of islands, water and landscape design. Transfer back to Shanghai in the evening.
Day 9. Shanghai
Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to the airport.
Click here to view detailed day-by-day itinerary of this tour

Quick Facts
  • Season: Four Seasons
  • Days: 9
  • Group Size: 2-14
  • Tour Grade:   Gentle

Day 1. Beijing
Airport arrival, you’ll be met by our driver and be transferred to the hotel. We start with the past on this tour and delve into Beijing’s famous ‘hutongs’ – ancient city areas with narrow streets or alleys. The word ‘hutong’ dates back to the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. Our rickshaw will get us in amongst it all and you will quickly see how the city’s architecture has developed. (D)
Day 2. Beijing
Today we start in the heart of the city, in Tiananmen Square. This imposing square is the fourth largest in the world, spanning 440,000 square metres. It stands at the Tiananmen Gate (the Gate of Heavenly Peace), separating it from the Forbidden City. Next, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace. The Forbidden City is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world, while the Palace has become the Palace museum and it houses a vast collection of Chinese artwork. Next we will explore the elegant Summer Palace, a place of Chinese landscape garden design and natural beauty. In the evening we will treat ourselves to a roast duck dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 3. Beijing
Time to meet China’s most famous symbol – the Great Wall! You will visit the Badaling Great Wall situated in Yanqing County, approximately 70 kilometres (44 miles) north of Beijing, which is the most well-preserved section of the Wall. It is easy to see why the wall is a wonder of the world and on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After, we’ll see the site of the Olympic Green and the Olympic park built in Beijing for 2008 for the Summer Olympics. In the evening, prepare to be amazed by the antics of Beijing finest Acrobatic Shows. (B,L,D)
Day 4. Beijing - Xian
This morning a taste of ultra-modern China as you board the morning bullet train to Xian. This high-speed train covers 711 miles from Beijing to Xian in just 4h and 40min. Enjoy the passing countryside. You will be met at the station and taken to start your Xian city tour. One of the four ancient capitals of China key sights that we will explore include: Big Goose Pagoda, Little Goose Pagoda, the City Wall, the most intact city wall in all of China, the Bell Tower, which signalled the gates city gates opening at dawn and the Great Mosque, one of the first Mosques built in China. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy the Tang Dynasty Singing & Dancing Dinner Show that night. (B,L,D)
Day 5. Xian
A real Chinese highlight is in store today: the marvellous Terracotta Army that attracts millions of tourists from around the globe every year. On the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list since 1987, the site was accidentally discovered in 1974 by local farmers. This famous stone army is estimated to have over 8000 soldiers, 520 horses, and 130 chariots and you will have a chance to examine the pits and walk up the burial mound of the emperor. Afterwards, on to Shanghai to board an overnight sleeper. Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to transfer you to the railway station to catch your train to Xian railway station. A choice of 2 and 4 berth compartments is available. (B,L,D)
Day 6. Shanghai
You’ll be met from the train and taken to the hotel to leave your luggage then you’ll start exploring this fascinating city. Shanghai is the largest and busiest city in China with its ultra-modern architecture, quiet gardens, People’s Square, the Shanghai Museum and the famous Bund, a mile-long riverside promenade. We will see all this, and more, today. (B,L,D)
Day 7. Shanghai
Today’s tour is a mix of old and new. Starting in old Shanghai you will visit a peaceful garden next to the City God Temple. Spread across five acres you’ll find a rockery, a chamber of ten thousand flowers, pavilions and towers. Then you’ll move to the future with a visit to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Built in 1994, the Pearl has 15 viewing levels. You’ll finish on Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s main shopping street and the longest shopping street in the world (5.5km). (B,L,D)
Day 8. Shanghai
Today you will travel to China’s own garden city – Suzhou. Sometimes called ‘Eastern Venice’ it excels in the art of islands, water and landscape design. There is a harmony of natural beauty and man-made structures here. You will take a boat trip on the Grand Canal to see the city from a different perspective and there will also be a stop at a silk factory to learn about the process of how this delicate fabric is made. This isn’t a shopping stop, but an education. Transfer back to Shanghai in the evening. (B,L,D)
Day 9. Shanghai
Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby with a “China & Beyond” signboard and take you to the airport to catch your flight home. (B)


Want to travel on different dates?
Please see below for our group tour dates, if you would like to travel on a different day, please let us know and we will come back to you with an offer. There might be additional surcharges for a private tour but all depends on the number of people in your party and your travel preferences.

 

Peninsula Palace *****

Category: De Luxe 5* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Wangfujing, Goldfish Lane, 8

Peninsula Palace The Peninsula Palace Hotel Beijing is located within main shopping areas of Wangfujing and Dongdan in the heart of Beijing. It only takes a few minutes to walk to the popular scenic spots such as Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and The Museum of Chinese History.

Opened in 1989, the hotel has an imposing, traditional Chinese architectural-style exterior, integrated with the ultimate in luxurious, modern hotel amenities and facilities.

There are 525 guest rooms, which have been refurbished to the most luxurious standard based on the Peninsula's tradition of comfort, interwoven with subtle Chinese influences. The newly designed guest rooms and suites feature hardwood floors covered with carpet, a 42” plasma television, high-speed broadband Internet access, silent fax machine and The Peninsula signature technology - a bedside electronic panel that controls all lighting and audio-visual equipment in the room, as well as a special control panel by the door displaying outside temperature and humidity levels.

The hotel has a lounge, restaurants, fitness centre, sauna, spa, indoor pool, prestigious shopping Arcade with 50 exclusive designer boutiques.

Peninsula Palace Peninsula Palace Peninsula Palace Peninsula Palace



Howard Johnson Paragon ****

Category: Business 4* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Jianguomen Avenue, 18

Howard Johnson Paragon The hotel is located in the city centre, next to the famous shopping mall - Henderson Centre, a 10-minute walk to the famous Tian Namen Square, Summer Palace and just across the street to the Beijing Railway Station.

There are 280 rooms equipped with a private bathroom, hairdryer, cable/satellite TV, coffee/tea maker, Internet access, iron and ironing board.

The hotel has a restaurant, bar/lounge, room service, baby sitting on request, beauty salon, fitness centre, free parking, game room, ironing/laundry services, business centre, meeting /conference rooms, non-smoking rooms and rooms for the disabled.

Howard Johnson Paragon Howard Johnson Paragon Howard Johnson Paragon Howard Johnson Paragon



Red Wall ***

Category: Tourist 3* hotel
Address: China, Beijing, Sha Tan North Street, 31

Red Wall The hotel is located in the centre of Beijing and within 5 minutes walk to its major attractions: Forbidden City, traditional Chinese folk house (Hutong and Siheyuan), Wangfujing shopping street, Red Building of Beijing University, including relics of the city wall of Beijing.

The hotel has a total of 200 rooms including standard rooms, deluxe standard rooms, executive suite rooms equipped with a private bathroom, hairdryer, air conditioning, cable/satellite TV, high-speed Internet access, telephone, safety box, iron and ironing board and mini-bar.

There is a gym, sauna, massage, beauty salon, restaurant, coffee bar and meeting room. The restaurant offers Chinese and Western cuisines including Chinese imperial cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and Guangdong cuisine.

Red Wall Red Wall Red Wall Red Wall



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