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For many centuries China has been largely unknown to the western world and not until recent years has its colourful and dynamic history begun to be explored in depth. Our own exploration begins with the charming, traditional water cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou and the vibrant, modern city of Shanghai. We continue to the incredible collection of terracotta warriors in Xi'an, before embarking on a journey that follows in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims and travel along parts of the mystical Silk Road. Culminating with a stay in Beijing where we see two of China's highlights, the Great Wall and Forbidden City, following which there will be time to contemplate on your experiences of this intriguing and eclectic land.
20 DAYS FROM £2495
The Great Wall of China Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an
Hangzhou · Shanghai · Suzhou · Xi'an · Dunhuang Turpan · Kashgar · Urumqi · Beijing
This holiday includes 18 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 9 evening meals
DAY 1
LONDON · BEIJING
DAY 7
SUZHOU
China
We begin with Titan's VIP Home Departure ServiceTM to London Heathrow Airport and our direct scheduled Air China flight to Beijing.
DAY 2
BEIJING · HANGZHOU
We commence the day with a visit to the Humble Administrator's Garden, built in the early 16th century. After lunch we continue to Tiger Hill and a visit to a silk factory to see how this delicate material is made.
After arriving into Beijing, transfer to your Air China flight to the beautiful and mystical city of Hangzhou and the Wanghu hotel, where we spend the next two nights. Dinner included tonight.
DAY 8
SUZHOU · SHANGHAI · XI'AN
DAY 3
HANGZHOU
Today we have a full day tour, commencing at the Flowery Harbour Park before a cruise on the beautiful West Lake. After lunch we see Lingyin Temple and visit a tea farm to see how the well-known Dragon Well Tea is produced. To conclude the day we return to the city and take a walk along the old streets of Hangzhou before returning to our hotel.
Today we return to Shanghai for our flight to Xi'an. Following our arrival in the capital of the Shaanxi Province, we stop to see the Tomb of the Han Dynasty dating back 2,000 years. Xi'an, was the largest city in the world during the Tang Dynasty of the 7th - 10th century and became the eastern origin of the Silk Road, linking it with many central Asian regions and Europe. The Aurum Hotel, where we have dinner tonight, is where we spend two nights.
DAY 9
XI'AN
DAY 4
HANGZHOU · SHANGHAI
We travel to the water town of Xitang for lunch. We then continue northeast to Shanghai, known in the colonial days as `Paris of the East' and now a city dominated by modern skyscrapers converging with colonial architecture. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Jianguo.
To be in Xi'an is to witness one of the most significant archaeological `finds' and treasures, an underground army of terracotta warriors, discovered in 1974 by unsuspecting peasants digging a well. On the periphery of Xi'an city walls we conclude the day by the Wild Goose Pagoda, reaching a remarkable seven storeys in height.
DAY 10
XI'AN · DUNHUANG
DAY 5
SHANGHAI
Early risers can go and see the dawn crowds, who gather along the Bund to practise `ta'i chi', as well as other forms of exercise before their day truly commences. An enlightening full day tour of this lively and vibrant city awaits where we visit the traditional Old Town. After lunch we visit Yu Garden and Nanjing Road, one of China's longest shopping roads.
DAY 6
SHANGHAI · SUZHOU
As the flourishing former capital of China, Xi'an provided the strategic link between East and West with caravan trains bringing gold and horses in exchange for silk, before sea trade routes were discovered. Today we commence our journey along this classical and ancient road first boarding our flight from Xi'an to Dunhuang. We begin our tour after lunch first seeing the White Horse Dagoba and shimmering Crescent Lake in the giant sand dunes at Minsha. The Dunhuang hotel is where we have dinner this evening.
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As we escape the frenetic pace of city life today we head for Suzhou, often described as `Venice of the East' owing to its labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets intertwined with picturesque canals, After lunch we visit the Lingering Garden followed by a cruise along the Grand Canal. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Bamboo Grove.
DAY 11
DUNHUANG · TURPAN
The remarkable Mogao Grottos, are UNESCO World Heritage listed and have produced an array of artefacts which allow us to gain insight into the diversity of people and traders, who made their way along the Silk Road. We then board our overnight train where we have dinner before the train departs.
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