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ACFS 2017 China Cultural Tour
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Australia China Friendship Society
China Cultural Tour April 2017

Departing on 15th April 2017

16 day very unique tour to Shanghai, Kaifeng, Shaolin Temple, Luoyang, Xian, Pingyao, Taiyuan, Datong & Beijing

China-trip

Itinerary

Shaolin Temple is the cradle of the Chinese Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin Martial Arts. Ping Yao is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Han Chinese city which was the major centre for the whole of China in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Luoyang Peony Festival is very popular among Chinese tourists and peony enthusiasts the world over. Each year from mid-April to mid-May, the peonies are in full bloom, generally reaching their peak during the period April 15th-25th, which is the date set for the annual festival. During the peoy fair, gardens are awash with colorful flowers mostly reds mixed with whites, yellows and purples set against a background of thick, vibrant, dark green leaves, like a myriad of precious stones set in bright, shiny rings.

The Yungang Grottoes are an outstanding example of the Chinese stone carvings from the 5th and 6th centuries.

Day 1: 15 Apr Australia to Hong Kong to Shanghai

Today you will fly with Cathay Pacific flights to Shanghai via Hong Kong, the largest city in China. Your tour guide will meet you at the airport then transfer you to Sunrise on the Bund Hotel 4* for 2 nights.

Day 2: 16 Apr Shanghai

Meal: B/L/D

After breakfast, the day begins with a grand city tour of Shanghai – the classical Ming Dynasty Yu Yuan Gardens with pavilions, towers and terraces and Pudong, the new economic district across from the Bund. The tour continues after lunch by a stroll along the spacious promenade of the Bund, window-shopping in bustling Nanjing Road. After dinner you will enjoy the amazing Shanghai Acrobatics Show.

Day 3: 17 Apr Shanghai (high speed train) Kaifeng

shaolinMeal: B/D

This morning you will take high speed train D286 0725/1352 to Kaifeng city (approx. 6 hours), one of the capitals in ancient China. Upon arrival, you visit to the Millennium Theme Park of Qingming Festival where you will experience the social life of Ancient China dated back to 11 century AD. Then visit the dragon pavilion—the original site of the ancient imperial palace. You may also walk around the imperial street of the northern Song Dynasty.

Day 4: 18 Apr Kaifeng (bus) Shaolin (bus) Luoyang

Meal: B/L/D

In the morning you will visit to the Iron Pagoda-the symbolic building of Kaifeng City. Then drive to Shaolin. Visit the Shaolin Monastery. Built in 495AD, it is the cradle of Kung Fu (wushu) and the Chinese Zen Buddhism. There are many attractions here including the Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tianwangdian), the Pagoda Forest, the Dharma Cave and the Shaolin Temple Martial Art Training Centre. After sightseeing, you will drive to Luoyang in the late afternoon.

Day 5: 19 Apr Luoyang

LuoyangMeal: B/L/D

Today you will visit Longmen Caves, which contains the largest and most impressive collection of Early Chinese Buddhist cave art represented by well-preserved pagodas, carvings and statues. In the afternoon, you will visit China Peony Garden for the Luoyang Peony Festival.

Day 6: 20 Apr Luoyang (high speed train) Xian

Meal: B/D

You will take high speed train from Luoyang to Xian (approx. 1.5 hours), the most historic city in China and the capital of ancient China for 11 dynasties. Upon arrival Xian, you will take afternoon tour to Shanxi Provincial Museum.

Day 7: 21 Apr Xian

Meal: B/L/SD

Today’s touring is to the vast treasure of the underground army of the Terracotta Warriors. They are to be found at an archaeological site which so far has yielded some 8000 ancient terracotta soldiers and horses, each a unique, finely detailed sculpture. In the afternoon, you will visit the ancient City Wall and Grand Mosque. Dinner is a sumptuous dumpling banquet and a spectacular Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 8: 22 Apr Xian (high speed train) Pingyao

Meal: B/L/D

Today you will take high speed train from Xian to Ping Yao (it takes approx. 3 hours). You will visit the old town of town of Pingyao. It is the best preserved among the ancient towns in China. It is the assembly place of folk houses in north China where rows upon rows of buildings in the Ming and Qing Dynasties stand in well-preserved conditions.

Day 9: 23 Apr Pingyao (bus) Taiyuan

Meal: B/L/D

Today you will drive to Taiyuan. On the way, we will visit Qiao’s Grand Courtyard, with the area of 8,724 square meters; it was the house of the richest family Qiao in Qing Dynasty in China. Though 2 centuries have been passed, it still keeps its original splendor in architectural style. We will visit the Jin Ancestral Temple; it was originally started in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 – 532 AD) to commemorate the memory of Shu Yu (Zhou Wu), the founder of the state of Jin.

Day 10: 24 Apr Taiyuan (bus) Datong

Meal: B/L/D

Today drive to Datong (3.5 hours), on the way, we will visit Hanging Temple and Yinxian Wooden Pagoda. The Hanging Temple was built during 386-534AD, and restored in 1900 and there are 40 wooden halls and structures linked by an ingenious system of pillars, posts and walkways. Yingxian Wooden Pagoda was  built in 1056 and is the oldest wooden Buddhist pagoda in existence; this pagoda is a 9 story octagonal building and was constructed without using any nails.

Day 11: 25 Apr Datong

datongMeal: B/L/D

Tour to Yungang Grottoes, which has 252 caves and 51,000 statues, the grottoes represent the outstanding achievement  of Buddhist cave art in China in the 5th and 6th centuries. The Five Caves created by Tan Yao, with their strict unity of layout and design, constitute a classical masterpiece of the first peak of Chinese Buddhist art; afterwards we will visit Nine Dragon Screen.

Day 12: 26 Apr Datong (high speed train) Beijing

Meal: B

In the morning, you will take the train to Beijing. Upon arrival, met and transfer to hotel.

Day 13: 27 Apr Beijing

Meal: B/L/D

Today you will visit the Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. From Tiananmen Square enter the Forbidden City. This massive complex was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With  almost 10,000 rooms, this well-preserved imperial palace is the largest in the world. After lunch, ride a trishaw to tour the ancient city alleys of the Hutongs and experience the lifestyle of the local people.

Day 14: 28 Apr Beijing

Meal: B/L/D

Today you will experience the splendour of the Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is an amazing man made structure built over 2000 years ago to protect China from northern invaders. Next to the Summer Palace, the largest and best preserved of all imperial palace gardens. Marvel with fascination at the Marble Boat and the ornately painted Long Corridor. In the evening, enjoy a delicious Peking Duck Banquet.

Day 15: 29 Apr Beijing to Hong Kong to Australia

Meal: B

Today is at your own leisure. You are transferred to the airport for your flight bound for Australia via Hong Kong.

Day 16: 30 Apr Australia

Arrive in Australia in the morning.

Special ACFS price: $3950 per person
Single supplement: $810

Inclusions:

  1. Twin share 4* hotels at mentioned in the itinerary or similar.
  2. Fully inclusive tour with English speaking guide, entrance fees, meals as per itinerary
  3. Cathay Pacific airfare departing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to Beijing via Hong Kong and back from Shanghai via Hong Kong on economy class including taxes and fuel surcharges.
  4. Second class bullet train tickets of Shanghai / Kaifeng, Luoyang / Xian / Pingyao, Datong / Beijing.
  5. Travel by luxury, air-conditioned coaches whilst in China.
  6. Chinese tea and one glass of soft drink included in all lunches and dinners.
  7. All tipping.
  8. CBT travel wallet and travel bag.

Exclusions:

  1. China Visa application fees.
  2. Personal expenses.
  3. Travel insurance (Strongly recommended).

 

 

beijing