TRAILFINDERS TAILORMADE TRAVEL WORLDWIDE

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1 Private Tour to China prepared for Mrs Bernadette Kavanagh, Mr Conleth Kavanagh, Ms Margaret Byrne, Ms Anne Corbett, Ms Anni Kavanagh & Mr Peter Liebrich by Debbie O'Leary Dublin Cork Limerick Page 2 Page 8 Page 11 Page 12 Detailed itinerary Accommodation summary What s Included in the Price? China map Booking Reference No RL2QC9-CN03 Page 1

2 Detailed Itinerary Day 1 Tuesday 6 th June Welcome to China! You will be met on arrival by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Once a small fishing village, Shanghai has gone through an exhilarating transformation to become a high rise metropolis, boasting cutting edge technology, a pulsating nightlife and a cosmopolitan atmosphere which places it far ahead of the rest of China. Shanghai is however also a city of great contrast, tucked between the shopping malls and ultra-modern architecture is the old Shanghai where you can still find small street markets, classical Chinese gardens, Buddhist temples and winding alleyways. Overnight Shanghai Jinjiang Tower (Deluxe Rooms) Today s meal inclusions None Day 2 Wednesday 7th June This morning enjoy a half day private tour of the Paris of the East. Visit the Jade Buddha Temple, housing two Buddha statues transported from Burma in 1882 then continue onto Shanghai s beautiful historic waterfront, the Bund (meaning embankment). Lined with dozens of impressive historical buildings in various architectural styles from Gothic Revival to Neo-Classical and Art Deco, enjoy a stroll along the spacious walkway with lovely views across the Huangpu River. Head into the beautiful zen-inspired Yu Yuan Gardens, which span out over 5 acres. The area is divided into six sections and separated from each other by a dragon wall consisting of undulating gray tiled ridges culminating in a dragon s head! Finish your tour with a visit to the Waima Wharf Silk Exhibition Hall. Silk fabric was first developed in ancient China and was originally reserved for Emperors before it slowly spread into the wider Chinese culture. Today, some of the best silk comes from Shanghai. You will see a demonstration of the silk manufacturing process, including cocoon sorting, cocoon boiling, silk reeling and weaving and during spring, you may see living silkworms. This afternoon, you have plenty of time free for more sightseeing or some serious retail therapy! **Tour also for Anni and Peter Please make your own way to and from the Shanghai Jinjiang Tower Overnight Shanghai Jinjiang Tower (Deluxe Rooms) Today s meal inclusions Breakfast Page 2

3 Day 3 Thursday 8th June Today, transfer to the railway station for your train to Suzhou. Train G7204 departs Shanghai at 0921, arrives Suzhou at (2nd class soft seat) * According to rail authority rules only passengers with a valid ticket can access the platform, this means the guides can only accompany you as far as the ticket check point.. From there you will have to find your carriage and seat yourself. The guides will always try to help you as much as they can and depending on the particular station/guard on duty they will try to access the waiting room/platform with you but this is very rarely allowed. Suzhou, known as the Venice of the East is home to an appealing collection of canals, cobbled streets and most famously a large number of beautiful gardens. Originally there were hundreds of gardens throughout Suzhou, however the pressures of modernization has meant only a handful remain. The principle of Chinese garden construction is obvious here, creating an illusion of the universe in a small space through a combination of rocks, water, trees and buildings sitting harmoniously together. Spend today discovering Suzhou. Suzhou produces one third of the world s silk and today you will visit the biggest silk factory in the city to see living silkworms, cocoon sorting, cocoon boiling, silk reeling and weaving. You will also visit one of Suzhou s finest gardens the Humble Administrator s Garden, take a boat ride on the Grand Canal. Following a relaxing lunch, enjoy a rickshaw tour of the old streets of Suzhou. Later, transfer to train station for your train to Shanghai. Train G7235 departs Suzhou at 1631, arrives Shanghai at 1658 (2nd class soft seat) Upon arrival back in Shanghai, transfer to your hotel. **Tour also for Anni and Peter Please make your own way to and from the Shanghai Jinjiang Tower Overnight Shanghai Jinjiang Tower (Deluxe Rooms) Today s meal inclusions Breakfast & Lunch Page 3

4 Days 4-6 Friday 9th June - Sunday 11th June At leisure. Overnight Shanghai Jinjiang Tower (Deluxe Rooms) Each day s meal inclusions Breakfast Day 7 Monday 12th June Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing. Flight MU5107 departs Shanghai at 1100, arrives Beijing at Upon arrival in Beijing you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. China s modern capital Beijing is a melting pot of past & present. This vast, symmetrical metropolis is the seat of communist power and offers a huge diversity of attractions with imperial history & traditional hutongs sitting side by side with the skyscrapers and shopping malls of the city s gleaming future. Overnight Beijing International Hotel (Standard Rooms On Business Floor) Today s meal inclusions Breakfast Day 8 Tuesday 13 th June Today you will enjoy a half day private tour exploring the highlights of Beijing. Visit Tiananmen Square, a massive meeting place for all kinds of events. View the magnificent Tiananmen Gate (the Gate of Heavenly Peace) with its unique imperial roof decorations and two lions standing either side, and in the centre of the square there is the Monument to the People s Heroes, a ten-story monument to commemorate the people s heroes in modern Chinese history. Walk across from Tiananmen Square to the Forbidden City, which lies at the heart of Beijing's historical centre. This enormous palace complex was the home of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, the Palace Museum contains imperial collections of Chinese art. **Tour also for Anni and Peter Please make your own way to and from the Beijing International Hotel Overnight Beijing International Hotel (Standard Rooms On Business Floor) Today s meal inclusions Breakfast Page 4

5 Day 9 Wednesday 14 th June After breakfast, set off for an interesting full day private tour of the Great Wall of China, recognized as one of the greatest wonders of the world. Construction of the iconic wall began as early as the 7th Century and it was built to protect the Chinese empires against invasions from various nomadic groups. The series of fortifications are made of stone, brick, wood and other materials. Drive out of the city (90km / approx. 2hrs) to reach the Great Wall, where you will spend some time exploring the Mutianyu section, one of the most well-preserved sections. Take the cable car to reach the top for a wander along this magnificent structure. Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant before you return to the city. Visit the Temple of Heaven, located in south eastern Beijing; another UNESCO World Heritage Site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties made visits for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. **Tour also for Anni and Peter Please make your own way to and from the Beijing International Hotel Overnight Beijing International Hotel (Standard Rooms On Business Floor) Today s meal inclusions Breakfast & Lunch Day 10 Thursday 15 th June Today you will enjoy a half day private tour exploring the highlights of Beijing. Drive to the west of the city to visit the Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the summer retreat for the Qing Dynasty emperors and offers a comprehensive collection of imperial gardens, lakes and palaces. **Tour also for Anni and Peter Please make your own way to and from the Beijing International Hotel Overnight Beijing International Hotel (Standard Rooms On Business Floor) Today s meal inclusions Breakfast Days Friday 16th June - Saturday 17th June At leisure. Overnight Beijing International Hotel (Standard Rooms On Business Floor) Each day s meal inclusions Breakfast Page 5

6 Day 13 Sunday 18th June Private transfer to the train station for your train to Xian Train G655 departs Beijing at 0943, arrives Xian at (2nd class seat) * According to rail authority rules only passengers with a valid ticket can access the platform, this means the guides can only accompany you as far as the ticket check point. From there you will have to find your carriage and seat yourself. The guides will always try to help you as much as they can and depending on the particular station/guard on duty they will try to access the waiting room/platform with you but this is very rarely allowed. You will need to be able to carry your own bags on and off the train and platforms. Please note that all trains in China have a baggage allowance of 20kg per person. Met on arrival in Xian and transfer to your hotel. Xian, the capital of Shaanxi province lies in the fertile Wei River valley and was the centre of early Chinese civilization. Situated at the end of the Silk Road Xian was the capital of China for 1,100 years, and thirteen imperial dynasties. The remnants of this rich history can be seen in and around the city, most famously at the site of the First Emperors Terracotta Army. This underground army of Terracotta Warriors was stumbled upon by peasants digging in 1974 and is part of a grand tomb built by the first Chinese Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. So far over 7,000 of the figures have been excavated and restored by archaeologists and exhibited for public view. The Great Wild Goose Pagoda is probably the second most well-known site in Xian. Originally the pagoda belonged to a vast Buddhist temple complex, of which only a few buildings still remain. Nowadays it s a popular viewing platform with commanding views across Xian and the surrounding countryside. Overnight Xian Grand Noble Hotel (Superior Rooms) Today s meal inclusions Breakfast Page 6

7 Day 14 Monday 19 th June Begin your day with a visit to the grand and ancient Big Wild Goose Pagoda, probably the second most well-known site in Xian. Originally the pagoda belonged to a vast Buddhist temple complex, of which only a few buildings still remain. Just outside Xian (40km / approx mins) visit the Art Ceramics Factory which makes different sized reproductions of the terracotta warriors and offers a unique experience to understand the production of the original warriors. Then head toward the world famous Terracotta Army Museum (40km / approx mins) to discover this magnificent excavation; an unforgettable sight not to be missed! You will enjoy lunch before you enter the museum complex. The underground army was stumbled upon by peasants digging in 1974 and is part of a grand tomb built by the first Chinese Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. So far over 7,000 of the figures have been excavated, restored by archaeologists and are exhibited for public view. Return toward the city and enjoy a short walk along the impressive city wall along with a visit to the Great Mosque, one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China. Overnight Xian Grand Noble Hotel (Superior Rooms) Today s meal inclusions Breakfast & Lunch Day 15 Tuesday 20 th June Today you will be transferred to the train station for your train back to Beijing. Train G88 departs Xian at 1320, arrives Beijing at 1755 (2nd class seat). Met on arrival in Beijing and private transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Today s meal inclusions Breakfast Page 7

8 Details of Your Accommodation Jin Jiang Tower Hotel (4*) Shanghai With a good location in the central business district near the city centre and surrounded by shopping centres, restaurants and bars, this modern hotel offers good value for money with great facilities. The hotel s health and fitness centre is equipped with a gym, sauna, and indoor pool, while the 4 restaurants offer a range of dining options. Guest rooms are equipped with modern amenities and feature large windows which overlook the city. Beijing International Hotel (4*) Beijing This modern hotel is situated centrally within Beijing, close to the train station, and offers a comfortable and well equipped stay within easy access to the main sights of the city. The hotel offers an indoor recreational facility including a gym, spa and pool. Dining is a real delight with the 28 th floor Starlight Revolving Restaurant & Bar offering spectacular 360 degree views of the city as well as a further 4 restaurants, Four Seasons Bar and the informal Sky Café. The hotel is comprised of 1000 guest rooms which all feature large windows to afford great skyline views. Page 8

9 Grand Noble (4*) Xian Boasting a fantastic location in the heart of Xian, the Grand Noble is close to the Beilin Museum, Bell Tower, Drum Tower and the Tanshi local market. The hotel features a gym and spa in which to unwind after a busy day sightseeing. As well as a relaxing bar the hotel has a restaurant offering a wide range of international cuisine. The 428 guest rooms are spacious and comfortable. Page 9

10 Hotel Contact Details Beijing International Hotel: No.9 Jiangguo Mennei Street, Beijing, China (86 10) Grand Noble: No. 334 East Street, Xian City, Shaanxi Province, (86 29) Jin Jiang Tower Hotel: 161 Changle Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, Page 10

11 What s Included in the Price? Meet and greet by our local representative and private transfers to and from the airport (unless specified otherwise). Your accommodation in a double and a twin room with any meal inclusions as specified on the itinerary. Transportation and sightseeing using a comfortable air conditioned vehicle on a private basis with an English speaking local guide. Your vehicle will have space for one suitcase and one hand bag per person. If you expect to travel with more luggage than this please contact your Travel Consultant. Entrance fees for sightseeing as detailed on your itinerary. Economy flights using the service of scheduled carriers as detailed on your itinerary. Please note the flight schedule on your itinerary should be treated purely as a guide. Flight services are generally only confirmed two or three months before travel and even then can be subject change with little or no prior notice from the airlines. We will always endeavour to inform you of any changes to your schedule that will affect your tour itinerary, however please be aware that exact flight numbers and times will be reconfirmed to you locally. Please note baggage allowance on flights within China varies but is generally 20kg. This may differ from your international allowance. Applicable local government taxes. What s Excluded? Unless shown on your itinerary all meals, snacks and drinks. Optional hotel expenses such as local and international telephone calls, internet access and laundry. Charges for using cameras and video cameras at monuments. Gratuities at your discretion for local guides, drivers, bellboys, waiters etc (details of suggested rates for gratuities is provided in our Holiday Essentials document that accompanies your confirmed itinerary). Local airport taxes. We recommend that you check in advance with your guide if there is a local departure tax to pay and ensure you have made provision for this prior to arrival at check in. Any visas as indicated in the visa advice section of your main itinerary. The Trailfinders Visa Service can help you obtain your visa and as a valued client you will be eligible for a discounted rate. Please call (UK) or (Ireland). Page 11

12 China Map Central America Map Page 12