Transport

All transportation during the tour is included; High speed train (Beijing-Zhengzhou, Luoyang-Xian, Nanjing - Hangzhou, Hangzhou- Shanghai ), 2nd class; Overnight Train (Xi’an-Nanjing), soft sleeper. Truly China Travel believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Truly China Travel uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun. Depending on which trip you’re on while in China, you may find yourself travelling by: Bicycle Cycling through China is a great way to see the country from ground level. Whether you’re pedalling through the hutongs or the countryside, you’ll see the sights and get to meet locals along the way. High-speed train Speed across China in a super fast bullet train. It’s one of the most effective ways to cover long distances in a short time. You can also book an extra arrival transfer on the first day and extra departure transfer on the last day through us.

Accommodation

All accommodations in double and twin share rooms with private facilities, including breakfast. Hotel (10 nights), Overnight Train (1 night) Beijing Chongwenmen Hotel, a 3-star hotel (2 nights) Dengfeng Chanyue Hotel, a 4-Star hotel (1 night) Xi’an Forest City Hotel, a 3-Star Hotel (2 nights) An overnight train from Xi’an to Nanjing, a Soft Sleeper train (1 night) Nanjing Metropolo Jinjiang Hotels, a 4-Star Hotel(1 night) Hangzhou Orange Hotel, a 3-Star Hotel (2 nights) Shanghai Metropolo Jinjiang Hotels, a 4-Star Hotel (2 nights) Travelling with Truly China Travel is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible. When travelling with us in China you may find yourself staying in a: Overnight Sleeper Train Your overnight journey will give you plenty of time to finally learn how to play mah-jong, mingle with the locals or simply relax and watch the scenery whiz by. Monastery Enjoy the simpler things in life, waking up to the sound of monks chanting amongst peaceful mountain scenery. Staying in a monastery is truly an unforgettable experience. Special Information A Single Supplement for Adult, Senior and Youth/Student to have your own room is bookable on this trip, with the exception of the overnight train, subject to availability. If you wish to arrive a few days early in Hong Kong, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Others

Private bus and entrance tickets for the excursions: Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing; Tian’anmen Square & Forbidden City in Beijing; Shaolin Kungfu Temple; Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang; Terracotta Army in Xian; Muslim Quarter walking tour in Xian; City tour in Nanjing; Visiting Sun Yatsen’s Mausoleum in Nanjing; West Lake walking tour and Longjing tea farm exploration in Hangzhou; Yuyuan Garden and Old Shanghai street walking tour in Shanghai.

Guide

English speaking tour guides in each destination, except on the trains; All Truly China group trips are accompanied by one of our tour guides. The aim of the tour guide is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Your guide will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Truly China Travel we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your guide can recommend a scenic spot guide service in most of the main scenic spot of your trip.

Meals

There are 10 breakfasts included, and normally they are Chinese and Western buffet, there are no lunch and dinner included on this tour. VEGETARIANS & VEGANS: Vegetarians in China certainly won’t go hungry as there are always plenty of meat free options on menus including vegetable, tofu and egg dishes. Your tour guide can advise on some local favourites. Dairy is uncommon in Chinese cooking, although in some regions like Tibet, Xinjiang and Yunnan you will find milk products as part of the local cuisine. Vegans should also have few problems finding tasty meals in most locations. Nearly all cities will have vegetarian restaurants, often near to temples or monasteries that specialise in Buddhist cuisine. DIETARY NEEDS: Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may wish to supplement inclusions with their own supplies from markets or supermarkets. Please note that some dietary requirements, such as Gluten Free, will be uncommon in China and you may need to explain to your tour guide what you can and can’t eat as well as research common dishes before you travel. ALLERGIES: For those suffering from particular food allergies, your tour guide will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic and research suitable local foods before travelling.

Not included:

Optional

Beijing - Temple of Heaven Beijing - Summer Palace Beijing - Peking Opera Beijing - Lama Temple Xi’an - Cycling on City Wall Xi’an - Bell & Drum Towers Xi’an - Small Wild Goose Pagoda Xi’an - Big Wild Goose Pagoda Xi’an - Great Mosque The above Optional Activities are for tourists to reference only, and tour guides from travel agencies cannot force or indirectly force tourists to consume.

Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won’t be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

Others

International flight and departure tax; Arrival transfer on Day1 and departure transfer on Day12; Lunches and dinners; Other optional excursions and entrance tickets; Tips to drivers and tour guides; Other personal expenses; Visa to China.

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Day 1 Arrive In Beijing & Group Meeting
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrive In Beijing & Group Meeting

Ni Hao! Welcome to Beijing, capital of the most populous country on earth. With plenty of places that give an insight into the China’s ancient history, as well as newer sights that showcase contemporary culture. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travelers. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. We will collect/check your passport, insurance and next of kin information at the group meeting, please have these on hand. After the meeting maybe head out to explore the Beijing streets - with your hotel located centrally, a walk in any direction will unveil all sorts of wonderful surprises. Perhaps kick off your China adventure with a taste of an iconic dish - Peking duck.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place.

Arrival Complications：

We don’t expect any problems (and nor should you!) but if for any reason you are unable to commence your group trip as scheduled, please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader.

If you have pre-booked an airport transfer (where available) and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel.
Day 2 Beijing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Beijing

This morning you’ll take a private bus to visit Mutianyu Great Wall (around 2 hours) and spend some time exploring, taking photos and learning the history of this mighty site. An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km west from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from nomadic northern tribes, and even though it failed in this purpose it’s still one of the country’s most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination. The walk is generally on the restored section of the wall, but this still means walking on steep, uneven terrain with multiple steps, so reasonable fitness and comfortable shoes are needed. The walk is approximately 5 kilometres and will take 2 to 3 hours depending on your level of fitness. You can choose how you access the wall, with options including cable car, chairlift or even toboggan to come down (at your own expense). It’s a good idea to pack a picnic lunch with you to enjoy atop the wall during a rest break. Being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. Return to Beijing by private bus, and then enjoy a free evening to either relax or explore further.
Day 3 Beijing To Shaolin Kungfu Temple
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Beijing To Shaolin Kungfu Temple

Today you’ll explore two of the most popular sights in Beijing on foot and using public transport. While this can be crowded, it’s the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Make your way to the centre of the city – Tiananmen Square, the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its Mao portrait, Mao’s Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and with elaborate flag raising and lowering ceremonies at dawn and dusk, it’s a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it the heart of their nation. From here you will enter the enormous Forbidden City. Built more than 500 years ago and off limits to commoners for almost all that time, the Forbidden City looks much like it always has. As you explore the great halls and courtyards you’ll be able appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in the Ming and Qing dynasties. This evening you will catch an overnight train to Zhengzhou.

Special Information

Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City are the number one attractions in the whole country for local travelers and as such can get very crowded with tour groups. Be ready!
Day 4 Shaolin Kungfu Temple - Longmen Grottoes To Xian
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shaolin Kungfu Temple - Longmen Grottoes To Xian

You will arrive at Zhengzhou train station around 7am, then visit the legendary birthplace of Kungfu - the Shaolin Monastery. A private bus journey of around 1.5 hours will take you to the monastery, which remains the primary source of Shaolin Buddhist training and learning to this day. Learn about the warrior monks of Shaolin and how the martial art has changed over centuries. Watch an athletic Kungfu performance and then wander through the Pagoda Forest, where respected monks have been laid to rest in towering tombs since AD791. For lunch enjoy a vegetarian feast at nearby Yongtai Temple where you will sample innovative Buddhist cuisine. Then you’ll drive to the Longmen Grottoes (approximately 1.5mins). These 2100 caves, filled with more than 100,000 statues of Buddha dating back as far as the 4th century, are rare examples of exquisite Buddhist rock carving. Learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site as you explore some of the masterpieces with a local guide. In the afternoon, take a bullet train from Luoyang to Xi’an (approximately 2 hours), arriving in the early evening. Dine out with the group tonight at the Muslim Quarter for an unexpected spin on Chinese food. After it, catch a bullet train to Xian.The capital of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an is the largest city in northwest China. Once the imperial centre of China for nearly 2000 years, Xi’an is now a vibrant, modern city dotted with many interesting historical sites and is a great place to explore.
Day 5 Xi’An
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Xi’An

Today join your leader on a short walking tour to uncover what was once the start of the ancient trading route of the Silk Road. The city has a wonderful Muslim Quarter, and you’ll wander the narrow streets past shops, lively markets, and groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in cafes. See the City Walls and Gates, the most complete in China, running over 13 kilometers (8 miles) around the city. Xi’an’s Silk Road history means it has an exciting mixture of cultures, exemplified by its food options, which range from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in Chinese restaurants. Maybe choose to visit the Bell and Drum Towers, the former built (according to legend) to restrain the dragons that were causing earthquakes, the latter is (unsurprisingly) full of drums, once used to mark time and warn in emergencies. Perhaps visit the night markets and try many of the tantalising local specialties such as Pao mo (lamb broth that you break flat bread into), hand pulled noodles, hot pot and barbecue.
Day 6 Xi’An To Nanjing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Xi’An To Nanjing

Today we will travel by privater transport (around 2 hours) to visit what is undoubtedly one of the man-made wonders of the world - the Terracotta Warriors. You’ll learn all about this incredible archaeological find, rediscovered in 1976 by farmers digging a well after being buried for 2000 years. These clay statues of soldiers, horses and chariots (originally all painted) were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC. Three main pits are open for you to view, where just under 2000 of the warriors - each individually sculpted from clay and with a different costume, height, and even facial expressions - stand in battle formation. The scale is incredibly impressive. After it, catch a overnight train to Nanjing.
Day 7 Nanjing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Nanjing

You will arrive at Nanjing train station around 9am, private transfer to hotel.

The palace ruins, city gates and historic Drum and Bell towers of Nanjing are reminders of its glorious Ming dynasty past. Visit Sun Yatsen’s mausoleum, the Nanjing Museum and the sobering Memorial Hall, which commemorates the 1937 Nanjing Massacre.
Day 8 Nanjing To Hangzhou
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Nanjing To Hangzhou

In the morning, you will catch a high-speed train to Hangzhou, after arrival settle into your hotel and then discovery Hangzhou. This beautiful city is renowned for its lakes, temples, tea and cuisine. Spend an afternoon exploring the famous West Lake by boat, taste Hangzhou style of food at the centre of the West Lake.
Day 9 Hangzhou
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hangzhou

Longjing Tea Village is definitely a highlight of the trip, you are going to see how local people pick up tea, it’s very fun and great chance to get close to local people. You can taste the local Longjing tea, and learn to pick the tea leaves at Longjing tea farm.

Hangzhou is very easy for western people with well developed tourist attractions, Hangzhou Wushan Night Market will be a great place for you to wander in the evening.
Day 10 Hangzhou To Shanghai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hangzhou To Shanghai

In the morning, you will catch a bullet train to Shanghai. After arrival, settle into your hotel and then get a feel for this vibrant city - Shanghai’s bright lights, fevered trade and frenetic pace provide a glimpse into the dazzling global future of the country. Your evening is free for your first exploration of the city.
Day 11 Shanghai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shanghai

Today join your leader for a walking tour that will take you to historical Shanghai. At the Bund you can get a taste of 1920s Shanghai; its spectacular array of art deco style buildings, formerly belonging to Western banks, line what was once the most important financial street in Asia. Using the efficient subway, we finish our tour at the Yuyuan Gardens, a classic example of traditional Chinese landscape gardening. This afternoon you might like to explore further afield on foot and wander the narrow winding lanes (Nongtangs) of old Shanghai. Take in the European-influenced French Concession, the area of Shanghai once designated for the French, consisting of today’s Luwan and Xuhui Districts. Luwan’s Huaihai Road is a busy shopping street and is home to both Xintiandi and Tianzifang, extremely popular shopping and dining spots for visitors. The area’s tree-lined avenues and their many Tudor mansions still retain an air of the ’Paris of the East’. Join back with your group tonight for an included dinner of Shanghai specialties.
Day 12 Shanghai (Departure)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shanghai (Departure)

Your China tour comes to an end this morning. There are no activities on the final day and you are free to leave your accommodation at any time.

Kindly Reminder: the check out time normally is 12:00. If you have booked an airport transfer through Truly China Travel, please confirm the pick up time with your tour leader in advance.

12 days tour

Ancient China Capitals Discovery

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Ancient China Capitals Discovery

Arrive In Beijing & Group Meeting

Beijing

Beijing To Shaolin Kungfu Temple

Shaolin Kungfu Temple - Longmen Grottoes To Xian

Xi’An

Xi’An To Nanjing

Nanjing

Nanjing To Hangzhou

Hangzhou

Hangzhou To Shanghai

Shanghai

Shanghai (Departure)

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Physical Rating

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