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Day 15 |
Depart
Sydney aboard China Southern Airlines flight. Set
down at Guangzhou before continuing journey onto Beijing.
On arrival, your National Tour Guide will greet you
and organise the transfer to accommodation.
In the morning visit Tiannamen Square and
tour the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the
emperors for more than 500 years. In the afternoon
tour to the majestic Temple of Heaven where emperors
prayed for good harvests and the welfare of their
subjects. In the evening be entertained by the amazing
Beijing Acrobatic Troupe.
All day tour to the 6 500 kms long, 2 000
year old Great Wall of China, built as a barricade
against the marauding northern neighbours, and the
Ming Tombs in Shisanling Forest where 13 of the 16
emperors from the Ming Dynasty are buried. In the
evening enjoy a Peking Duck banquet.
Morning visit to Fragrant Hills Park. Stroll
through beautiful parkland, ride on the chairlift
to peak for a fine view and tour the 1366 built Azure
Clouds Temple containing 500 Buddha statues. In the
afternoon visit the magnificent Summer Palace resort
where the imperial court spent the summer months escaping
the hot weather in Beijing. Evening free but options
such as attending Beijing Opera or visiting a foot
massage parlour or relaxing at the hotel karaoke bar
or recreational centre can be arranged.
In the morning enjoy a pedicab tour of the
Hutongs. Inspect the architecture and gardens of Prince
Gongwong’s Palace to participate in a tea ceremony.
In the afternoon go shopping at a department store
in Wang Fu Jing street or test your bargaining skills
with the crafty stallholders in the free markets at
Silk Alley. In the evening depart Beijing aboard a
soft sleeper passenger train for a 7 hour overnight
journey to Datong.
Arrive Datong and transfer
to accommodation. In the morning visit Yungang Grottoes,
the site of China’s largest and oldest stone sculptures.
Over a 1 km stretch 50 000 images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas
have been carved into the cliff rockfaces. In the
afternoon visit the Datong Locomotive Factory Steam
Museum. Wander through the factory inspecting the
exhibits before enjoying the train-buffs fantasy of
riding in the cabin of a locomotive.
Join the coach for the
5 hour journey to Taiyuan the capital of Shanxi province.
En- route visit the amazing 1 400 year old Hanging
Temple Monastery. The buildings connected by corridors,
bridges and boardwalks are precariously perched on
sheer cliffs above Jinlong Canyon and contain magnificent
bronze, iron and stone statues of gods and buddhas.
Taiyuan has a 2 500 year history but today is a modern
industrial city with wide, tree-lined avenues and
high residential blocks. In the evening visit the
busy free market and bargain with the wily stall holders
for gifts and souvenirs.
Depart Taiyuan for Pingyao.
This city with an intact 6 km long wall, small temples,
narrow streets and courtyard houses offers a rare
glimpse into the architectural styles of imperial
China. It was granted UNESCO World Heritage status
in 1997. On arrival transfer to accommodation then
set out to tour of the city.
Depart Pingyao and travel
by coach to Hukou Waterfall where the waters of the
Huang He (Yellow River) narrow and cascade 30 metres
down a rock ledge. Continue onto Linfen and in the
evening board the passenger train, snuggle down in
a deluxe soft sleeper berth and travel overnight to
Xian.
Morning arrival at Xian,
transfer to accommodation and relax. Afternoon touring
to the City Wall and Drum Tower, Shaanxi History Museum,
(one of the finest in China), and cloisonné / jade
craft centres. In the evening enjoy banquet and performance
at the Tang Dynasty Cultural Show.
Spend day touring amazing archaeological
wonders. See the 6 000 figures of the Terracotta Army
that protect the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang
(259 BC – 210 BC), the first emperor of united China.
Stroll through Huaqing Pool where the emperors and
concubines of the Tang Dynasty bathed in the hot spring
pools. Inspect the excavations and relics of Banpo
Neolithic Village that date back to the period 4 500
BC – 3 750 BC. Relax and enjoy a free evening with
hotel in house activities.
Depart Xian and on 1.5
hour flight to Guangzhou. On arrival transfer to accommodation.
In the afternoon tour the city visiting The Six Banyan
Monastery, Sun Yatsen,s Memorial Hall, and Shamian
Island. In the evening enjoy a Cultural Performance.
Take a short coach tour into the country
side to Foshan to observe rural life in China. Visit
pottery and porcelain factories. Return to Guangzhou
for a Pearl River cruise, end of tour banquet and
disco.
Tour the famous Qingping Markets and department
stores for final shopping for souvenirs and presents.
Evening departure from Guangzhou and China aboard
the 8.5 hour overnight China Southern Airlines flight
back to Australia.
Morning arrival in Sydney.
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