11 day Beijing Delights/Shanghai Surprise

Shopping and cultural tour in 2 great cities

Click here to see our Beijing/Shanghai photo gallery

Whats Included

10 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels
10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 3 dinners
All transfers, tours, entrance fees as listed
Tips for guides and drivers
1 domestic airfare
Tour manager from Australia
Local english speaking guides in each city

Tour Highlights

Magnificent Forbidden City
Stepping onto the Great Wall of China
Cooking demo in the old Hutongs
Shopping in some fabulous markets
Exploring old gardens and backstreets
360 degree views of Shanghai from Jinmao Tower
Beautiful water towns of Suzhou and Tongli
Evening dinner/boat cruise

Tour Notes

Exclusions:

International airfares

Personal expenditure such as drinks with meals, laundry service, telephone calls etc.
Hotel porterage
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Visa fees

Please consult your doctor for advice on vaccinations to your destination.

Australia and New Zealand passport holders require a visa to enter China. Other nationalities should check their visa requirements.

*All tour prices are current at the time of publication and are susceptible to currency fluctuations. We reserve the right to alter the tour price in accordance with changes in foreign exchanges rates and changes in prices for services including fuel surcharges and airfare taxes.

Beijing has been the cultural heart of China for centuries. Shanghai, once known as the “Paris of the East”, is an exciting city blending east and west. If you have never been to China before, this is a perfect introduction. Capture China's history in Beijing and fast moving 21st century in Shanghai. Along the way shop in some very interesting markets. A perfect tour for women.

DAY 1 ARRIVE BEIJING

Arrive in Beijing. Transfer from the airport is provided. Meet our tour manager and fellow travellers tonight at the hotel.

DAY 2 BEIJING (B/L/D)

This morning we will visit the Temple of Heaven, a vast temple complex used by past emperors for annual ceremonies of prayer for a good harvest. Walk through the temple park and observe the locals exercising, singing and dancing. Then its onto the Pearl Market located nearby, get lost in two floors of pearls and bargain away. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we see the Summer Palace, a beautiful park-like retreat that was once the summer home of emperors. Dinner later at a local restaurant.

DAY 3 BEIJING (B/L)

See the magnificent Forbidden City via the less used north entrance. We will have a little time to ourselves to explore this vast complex before we meet the crowds coming from the main south entrance. Exit the south entrance and see Tiananmen Square. After lunch we will explore an historic street with many traditional stores before finishing the day at the Olympic Bird's Nest Stadium and Watercube for a photostop.

DAY 4 BEIJING (B/L)

Morning Hutong (traditional area of Beijing) backstreets tour by richshaw visiting the home of a local family and the Bell Tower. It is worth the climb to the top for the views. Next to a cooking school nearby and observe 6 dishes being prepared for us which will be our lunch. Transfer to the Silk Market. This huge multi story complex has many small booths selling everything from silk, jade, chopsticks and fans to clothing, handbags, watches and sunglasses, just to name a few. Shop around first and then bargain hard! Early evening we will transfer to an acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theatre for an amazing performance.

DAY 5 BEIJING (B/L)

Today we visit one of the highlights of China, The Great Wall. We see Mitianyu section which is a little quieter than other areas. This well preserved wall with 22 watchtowers makes an interesting walk with impressive scenic views. After lunch we visit one of the Thirteen Ming Tombs before returning to Beijing.

DAY 6 BEIJING/SHANGHAI (B)

Late morning we will depart for our flight to Shanghai. On arrival at Pudong Airport we will transfer to our hotel. Free afternoon to relax.

DAY 7 SHANGHAI (B/L/D)

Our first stop is to the Fabric Market, the cheapest market for cloth in town. Wool, silk and cashmere are among the fabulous fabrics on sale here along with tailors galore who can put together that special garment for you . After lunch at a local restaurant visit Yuyuan Gardens, a beautiful 400 year old Chinese garden and then some free time in the interesting bazaar nearby. Dinner will be at a special restaurant on The Bund with views over the river and city.

DAY 8 SHANGHAI (B/L)

Visit Jinmao Tower for panoramic views of Shanghai. We then spend time shopping in the markets nearby for handbags, clothing, shoes, jewellery and souvenirs. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit Jade Buddha Temple, then Xintiandi, a restored traditional area that now houses some of Shanghai’s swankiest shops and restaurants.

DAY 9 SHANGHAI (B/L)

Today we visit Suzhou, Venice of the East, located about one hour from Shanghai. Visit Panmen Gate, used to protect the ancient city of Suzhou, Auspicious Light Pagoda, a seven story octagon pagoda and magnificent Humble Administrator's Garden. After lunch we see the Silk Museum where you will see silk production from silk worm to finished fabric. Drive to Tongli, a beautiful old water village for a boat ride on the canal. Some free time for shopping – lots of interesting craft stalls here.

DAY 10 SHANGHAI (B/D)

See Fuyou Antique Market, a treasure trove of old and not so old. We return to the Fabric Market so you can pick up any tailoring from our visit on Day 7. Return to the hotel for a free afternoon to do as you choose. Shanghai has a great museum within walking distance of our hotel if you are interested. Later enjoy an evening farewell dinner cruise which really captures Shanghai's kaleidoscope of lights.

DAY 11 SHANGHAI - DEPARTURE (B)

Hotel rooms are available until 12 noon. Tour services finish here.

Transfer to Pudong Airport is included.

We can assist with an extended stay if you wish (Shanghai Expo is on) in China.

SEE OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Tour Price Information

Beijing Delights/Shanghai Surprise Tour

Land cost per person - twin share from	$TBA

Single supplement from	$TBA

Bookings close

Prices are in Australian Dollars.

We can arrange your international flights.

ABOUT THIS TOUR

Beijing holds a treasure trove of cultural delights. We take you to the important sites of the city, and no trip to China is complete without visiting the Great Wall. See the less visited Mitianyu section of the wall. A fun cooking demonstration in an old quarter of Beijing (hutong), a visit to the Olympic site to see those unusual buildings, and time for shopping in some very interesting areas. Shanghai, the modern face of China, is a fabulous city for women travellers, especially for those who love to shop. Downtown Shanghai has a large pedestrian mall with many individual stores, and department stores which are open until late at night. Visit some truly magical places such as Suzhou, an historic water town known as the “Venice of the east”, and the unspoilt water village of Tongli. Have fun bargaining for that special handbag in the markets and spend time in the enormous Fabric Market sorting through a huge array of fabrics for that special garment.

This is a land package and does not include international flights. We can provide the best available airfare to suit your requirements. Please note this tour requires a minimum number to proceed (see below). The earlier you book, the earlier we can confirm the tour is going ahead, and international flights can then be arranged.

SMALL GROUP SIZE

We like to keep our groups small. Our maximum group size is 15 and our minimum is 9 for the tour to proceed.

INCLUSIONS IN THE TOUR

We provide many meals throughout the tour (except drinks) indicated in the itinerary by (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch and (D) = Dinner. Tours and entrance fees as listed in the itinerary. Airport transfers are included for both arrival and departure.

ACCOMMODATION

Our 4 star hotels are centrally located near restaurants and shops.

TRAVELLING

Our own private transport to explore both Beijing, Shanghai and beyond. We allow generally 2 hours for shopping stops. In most stops there can be found a cafe if you do not wish to shop the whole time. A basic level of fitness is required (please bring comfortable walking shoes).

TIPPING

Tipping for guide and drivers is included. You may wish to tip hotel porters if luggage is taken to your room and this will be your responsibility.

GUIDES

A tour manager from Australia will be there to assist the group to make it enjoyable for you. Local guides will be used at each destination to share with us their knowledge on the places we visit.