Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

54 CHINA MEAL PLAN: All meals included ACCOMMODATION Shanghai 2 nights 4 ★ Ocean Hotel or 4 ★ Guoman Hotel Shanghai Wuzhen 1 night 4 ★ Passage D’Eau Hotel or 4 ★ Tong An Hotel Wuzhen Xi’an 2 nights 4 ★ Xi’an Jianguo Hotel or 4 ★ Titan Times Hotel Beijing 3 nights 4 ★ Beijing Royal Grand Hotel or 4 ★ Landmark Hotel DAY 1: UK TO SHANGHAI Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Shanghai International Airport. DAY 2: SHANGHAI D On arrival in Shanghai you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy an evening getting acquainted with your group at a delicious welcome dinner. DAY 3: SHANGHAI B/L/D With a population surpassing 25 million, Shanghai is an incredible metropolis not to be missed, with architecture like no other Chinese city. Commencing today’s full-day tour after breakfast, begin at the scenic Yu Gardens, which, dating back to the Ming Dynasty contain a plethora of characteristic features including pavilions, halls and ponds; wander to the Great Rockery which boasts spectacular birds- eye views overlooking the gardens below, before heading to Shanghai’s Old Street where a backdrop of traditional architecture fuses elegantly with an assortment of shops and entertainment centres. Next, journey to the centre of culture at the Shanghai Museum and stroll around its three major exhibition halls, showcasing a dazzling collection of Chinese art, ancient ceramics and calligraphy. Visit the magnificent Bund and enjoy the opportunity to explore a vibrant silk factory. After dinner in the city, visit Shanghai’s main shopping street at Nanjing Road before taking a night cruise along the Huangpu River which divides the city in two parts, enjoying the chance to gently cruise past Shanghai’s emblematic landmarks which line the water course. DAY 4: SHANGHAI TO WUZHEN B/L/D Travel by coach to the water village of Wuzhen where lush gardens, calming waterways and authentic buildings will transport you back in time to a traditional China. Journeying underneath stone bridges and past ancient wooden homes, glide along Wuzhen’s picturesque grand canal before retiring to your hotel for dinner and evening’s stay. DAY 5: WUZHEN TO XI’AN B/L/D Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to the starting point of the Silk Route, the historic city of Xi’an. On arrival into this ancient Shaanxi city, lunch will be followed by a fascinating orientation tour of the birthplace of ancient China, showing you the many highlights of Xi’an. A former military defence, gaze-in- awe at the 14th century City Wall which protectively stands at an astonishing 12 metres high and stretches around a perimeter of 13.7km; surrounded by a dry moat and elevated views of the city, saunter along China’s most complete surviving city fortification. DAY 6: XI’AN B/L/D Today, visit the vaults which house the awe-inspiring ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, the magnificent 8,000 strong Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Taking nearly four decades to complete and over 700,000 workers, this incredible tomb was built to protect China’s first emperor in his afterlife. Positioned in battle formation, this extraordinary feat of craftsmanship replicates the imperial guard combatants and appear to have been constructed so that no two warriors look alike. This evening, enjoy an East meets West banquet dinner in a grand theatre, followed by an authentic showcase of Chinese music and dance at a vibrant Tang Dynasty show. DAY 7: XI’AN TO BEIJING B/L/D After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Beijing, spending the afternoon enjoying your first taste of China’s dynamic capital city. Delight in a leisurely afternoon stroll around the world’s best-preserved imperial gardens and exquisite architecture of Summer Palace, revelling in the tranquillity that exudes this stunning landmark. Offering a visual feast from its regal temples and pavilions, to the perfectly manicured gardens and harmonious lakes, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a marvel to behold. Walk the Great Wall and gaze upon mountains that concealed Mongol invaders thousands of years ago, come face-to-face with an army of Terracotta Warriors and wander the Yu Gardens, an oasis of green in Shanghai. Summer Palace CHINA DISCOVERY TOUR 10 days from £1,199pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ City tours of Shanghai, Xi’an and Beijing ✔ Cruise along Huangpu River and the Wuzhen Canal ✔ Marvel at the Terracotta Warriors ✔ Visit the Great Wall of China and Summer Palace ✔ Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter and ancient city wall ✔ Explore Shanghai’s charming French Concession area ✔ Enjoy a Chinese acrobatic performance and Tang Dynasty show ✔ Traditional Peking duck dinner PACE: To book or for further information visit your local travel agent or call us FREE on 0800 408 0556