*Enchanting China

B:breakfast  L: lunch   D: dinner

Day 1 Beijing D
On arrival in Beijing transfer to the 4*Grand Mercure Xidan Hotel for three nights. This evening take a stroll through Tiananmen Square to see Mao’s Mausoleum and the Monument to the People’s Heroes, symbolically right in front of the former imperial palace, the Forbidden City. Welcome dinner.

Day 2 Beijing B/ L/ D
Walk along one of the most dramatic sections of the Great Wall of China. Also tread along the Sacred Road that leads to the Ming Tombs where the emperors are buried. Peking Duck dinner.

Day 3 Beijing B/ L/ D
From Tiananmen Square enter the Forbidden City, the imperial palace where the emperor and his thousands of ministers, slaves, concubines and eunuchs dwelt. Later stroll through the elegant gardens of the Summer Palace around Kunming Lake.

Day 4 Xian B/ L/ D
Visit the impressive circular Temple of Heaven, the symbolic meeting point of Heaven and Earth, then fly to Xian for two nights at the 4* Bell Tower Hotel.

Day 5 Xian B/ L/ D
See the 7,000 terracotta soldiers that have stood guard over China’s first emperor for over 2,200 years. Climb Xian’s immense city wall and enjoy the Tang Dynasty music and dance show.

Day 6 Hangzhou B/ L/ D
View some of China’s finest artefacts at the Provincial Museum–neolithic ceramics painted with scenes of everyday life, bronze swords and statues, gold and silver artwork and ancient wall murals. Fly to Hangzhou for two nights at the 4* Best Western Meiyuan Hotel.

Day 7 Hangzhou B L D
Romantic cruise on the scenic West Lake, then visit a traditional pharmacy and an extravagant manor house that belonged to a prosperous 19th century local businessman. Walk along the historic ‘Culture’ Street.

Day 8 Nanjing B/ L/ D
Drive to Nanjing and stay two nights at the 4* Ramada Plaza Hotel. See the double-decker road and
railway bridge across the Yangtze, the longest of its kind.

Day 9 Nanjing B/ L/ D
See the almost majestic mausoleum of Dr Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China, and visit the Confucius Temple. Finally, relax by the island-studded waters of Xuanwu Lake.

Day 10 Wuxi, Suzhou B/ L/ D
On the way to Suzhou call at the exquisite waterside Li Gardens at Wuxi, and the vast Taihu Lake with its flowers, trees, bridges and pagodas. Stay two nights at the 4* Bamboo Grove Hotel.

Day 11 Suzhou B/ L/ D
Visit two of Suzhou’s favourite classical gardens, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, and the Garden of the Master of the Nets. Admire exquisite handicraft at the Silk Embroidery Institute.

Day 12 Shanghai B/ L/ D
Visit the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao, then drive to Shanghai and the 4*Lansheng Hotel for two nights. Stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s riverside promenade with futuristic skyscrapers on one bank and grand 19th century European architecture on the other.

Day 13 Shanghai B/ L/ D
Admire the very best of China’s ancient treasures at the Shanghai Museum. Stroll through Yuyuan Garden, an oasis of calm and beauty in the midst of the bustling city.

Day 14 Beijing B/ L/ D
See off at Beijing Airport