Today your journey to China begins: you fly to Beijing.

“Ni hao” and welcome to China! That China is one of the most populous countries on earth becomes clear today in Beijing, a metropolis of more than 20 million people. On arrival, your guide gives you a warm welcome and helps you get your bearings and buy your metro ticket. You then travel to your hotel by public transport – simply the quickest way, so you can dive straight into your China adventure. Alternatively, a taxi is never far away, or you can book a private airport transfer through us. Depending on your arrival time, an early check-in is a good idea so that you can move straight into your room (optional, bookable in advance). As soon as the group is complete, you continue by public transport – today’s motto is not to waste time in traffic jams but to have more time for the real highlights. With your guide at your side, you will soon be moving through the urban jungle like a pro and reach the hutongs in the heart of Beijing. On a walk through these narrow lanes, which form the historic old town, you immerse yourself in old, traditional Beijing. Specifically, you visit Dashilan hutong behind Tiananmen Square with its colourful mix of small markets, everyday shops, modern cafés and food stalls. A visit to a woman who lives here rounds off the experience: over a cup of tea, you gain a deeper insight into life in the hutongs. Afterwards you have some free time to have a coffee, grab a bite to eat or simply stroll through the hutong – your guide will be happy to give you tips. You then return together to your hotel by public transport. After a short break, look forward to a classic dinner in a local restaurant close to the hotel, where you try traditional Peking duck and chat with your fellow travellers about the days ahead. 3 nights in Beijing. (D) Please note: the order of the programme on this day may vary; the services included remain the same.

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast Sunworld Hotel is located in central Beijing in Dongcheng District on Dengshikou Street, just minutes from Wangfujing shopping street, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City – an easy base for exploring both historic and modern Beijing. The hotel has a restaurant serving local specialities and international cuisine, a bar and a wellness area with spa treatments and traditional Chinese massages. There is also a 24-hour reception, luggage storage, room service and free Wi-Fi. The rooms have a double bed or two single beds as well as a private bathroom, air conditioning, TV, fridge, safe and tea and coffee making facilities.

Straight after breakfast, you visit Tiananmen Square, considered one of the largest public squares in the world and of great historical importance. The Gate of Heavenly Peace, where the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949, forms the entrance to the “Forbidden City” (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage). The imperial palace got its name because ordinary people were once denied access. Marvel at this architectural masterpiece, where the emperors lived and ruled until the end of the imperial era. During the exterior visit, your guide explains its origins, history and present-day significance. Next, you visit Coal Hill in Jingshan Park. The hill was created from the earth excavated for the palace moat and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the red roofs of the Forbidden City. You then continue to the Temple of Heaven (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage). Its temples stand in extensive gardens and reflect the symbolism of heaven and earth in every detail – let this architectural masterpiece and important religious symbol impress you. (B) (Distance: approx. 30 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr) Please note: the order of the programme on this day may vary; the services included remain the same.

Your day begins with a visit to the Summer Palace (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), one of the most popular excursion destinations for Beijingers in good weather. It lies on a hillside, and its temples and pavilions border the artificial, flower-lined Kunming Lake. On the onward journey by bus, a snack is handed out that you can eat straight away or take with you onto the Great Wall of China (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) – because this very special highlight, one of the most visited sights in the world, is next on the programme. You experience the impressive structure in the early evening at sunset, when most visitors have already returned to their hotels. (B/S) (Distance: approx. 100 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs) Please note: the order of the programme on this day may vary; the services included remain the same.

In the morning, you take the high-speed train in 2nd class to Xi’an, arriving after about 5.5 hours. After a short rest at the hotel, you take a closer look at the lively old town: the square with the Bell and Drum Towers and the bustling Muslim Quarter with its Great Mosque. In the evening, your guide invites you to explore the smells and flavours of Xi’an on a food tour of the night market in the Muslim Quarter. At the many food stalls, your guide shows and explains local delicacies, so you can try and share lots of small dishes. 2 nights in Xi’an. (B/S) (Train distance: approx. 1,190 km; journey time: approx. 5.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast At the Titan Times Hotel you can end the day just as you like: relax in the pool or with a massage in the spa, use the well-equipped fitness centre or browse the souvenir shop. Xi’an’s old town is about a five-minute walk away. The restaurant serves Chinese and international dishes, and you can round off the day with a drink at the bar. The spacious rooms feature a comfortable bed, air conditioning and flat-screen TV, among other things.

After breakfast, you walk a stretch of the ancient city wall which, as the longest surviving city wall in China, measures around twelve kilometres and encircles the entire old town. You then discover the Small Wild Goose Pagoda (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), a structure more than 1,300 years old from the Tang dynasty. The slender pagoda stands for Buddhist culture and the Silk Road; the peaceful park and the special architecture offer a fascinating insight into ancient China. At lunchtime, you enjoy the local speciality Biang Biang noodles in a local restaurant – a simple yet refined noodle dish. Afterwards, you explore the vast mausoleum of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, with its Terracotta Army (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage). For more than 2,000 years, thousands of warriors, horse handlers and archers stood guard over the emperor’s soul in battle formation – each figure individually designed. The view into the excavation pits is truly impressive. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 45 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

After a relaxed breakfast, you head to the station and board a modern high-speed train (2nd class) that takes you comfortably and quickly to Shanghai. Enjoy the journey through China’s varied landscape and let the impressions of the past days sink in. In Shanghai, your transfer to the hotel awaits so that you can unwind after the train ride. 3 nights in Shanghai. (B) (Train distance: approx. 1,500 km; journey time: approx. 7 hrs)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast In the lively area around the historic Jing’an Temple, Holiday Inn Shanghai Jing’an awaits you. The hotel is very centrally located near well-known shopping centres, restaurants and venues; Jing’an Temple is within walking distance. Besides its lively surroundings, it impresses with modern facilities and architecture, and the breakfast buffet offers Chinese and international specialities. The 118 stylish, modern rooms each have a private bathroom with a large shower, air conditioning, TV and free Wi-Fi.

Today you explore Shanghai, a metropolis between modernity and tradition, authentically by public transport – by far the best way to get from A to B quickly, and you’re already practised from Beijing. Your first destination takes you high up: the Shanghai Tower is China’s tallest skyscraper and an architectural marvel. From the observation deck, you enjoy an impressive view of the city’s enormous size. You then discover historic Shanghai on a walk through the French Concession, which still exudes the charm of bygone times while embracing modern influences. Magnificent colonial-style buildings line the streets, interspersed with small boutiques, galleries and cafés full of the creative energy of young China. In a stylish, modern teahouse in the heart of the French Concession, you take a tea break and discover the world of tea in a refreshingly contemporary way – with an authentic tea ceremony and high-quality tea. This also gives you an insight into the modern tea culture of young China. Afterwards, you visit the Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai’s most beautiful spiritual sites, especially because of its precious white jade Buddha statues, once brought to China from Myanmar. An evening stroll along the Bund promenade on the Huangpu River, lined with historic buildings and offering great photo opportunities, rounds off the eventful day. The crowning finale is a visit to a modern rooftop bar on the Bund, where you enjoy a well-earned sundowner above the rooftops of the city. (B) (Distance: approx. 56 km; driving time: approx. 1.5 hrs)

One day in Shanghai is simply not enough! Today you have time for your own activities to get to know the metropolis better and revisit places you particularly liked the day before. Your guide will be happy to help you find your way and suggest more places worth seeing – but you are in charge of the programme. Would you like to stroll through the old town again at your leisure or browse galleries and small boutiques in the Tianzifang artists’ quarter? Art lovers should also visit the M50 art district. The Xintiandi district, which combines tradition and modernity and offers countless places to shop, eat and go out, is also well worth a visit. Or would you rather spend more time on the Bund and soak up everyday Chinese life? Agree on plans as a group or set off on your own – just as you like. If you would rather explore the quieter surroundings than the bustle of the city, you can join an optional day trip to Suzhou and the nearby water village of Luzhi (bookable locally). In the evening, you meet one last time for a farewell dinner together, look back on the journey and enjoy the Chinese metropolis one last time. (B/D)

Today it’s time to say goodbye. Whether you depart from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) international airport, you make your own way to the airport by public transport or taxi, or book a private transfer through us. From there you fly back to Europe, arriving the same day. (B)