12-Day Beijing-Xi’an-Shanghai-Taipei-Hong Kong Tour

After breakfast today explore Beijing with your guide who will collect you from the hotel. Visit the world’s largest city square, Tiananmen Square. Make your way across the road to the magnificent Forbidden City, a culturally historic landmark in China, which was the former residence of Chinese royalty for five centuries. After the Forbidden City tour, exploration continues with a visit to the Summer Palace. Appreciate the beautiful gardens and imagine the lifestyle of royalty  and courtiers who enjoyed this summer resort during imperial times. A stopover at Beijing’s stadium and pool – the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube – built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics – provides a modern contrast to China’s ancient history. Return to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Your tour guide may adjust your itinerary due to closure of the Forbidden City each Monday.

In the morning, commence the day’s adventure with exploration of the Mutianyu Great Wall, a less frequented part of China’s 1,400-year-old iconic landmark, located approximately 70 kilometres from Beijing. Take a pleasant and comfortable round-trip cable car transfer over the picturesque scenery, then walk the wall to take in the Ming dynasty guard towers and sensational views. On return to the city in the afternoon, exploration continues with a visit to the Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum. Stroll through the hutongs nearby and experience local life as you wander through quaint shops, enjoy a coffee, and gain an insider’s view of a real Beijing community.

Meals included: Breakfast

Start today with a visit to the remarkable Temple of Heaven, where emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties performed ceremonies and rituals to pray for good harvests and blessings for the country. Transfer to the Beijing West railway station and be checked in by your guide to travel by high speed rail train to Xi'an. Approximately a five hour trip, travelling at 300 kilometres per hour, you can relax and absorb the diverse landscape along the way. On arrival at the Xi'an North Station, your local tour guide will meet and escort you to your inner city four or five star hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Today’s tour highlight is the world-renowned Terracotta Army. Recognized as the largest underground military base in the world, take in this extraordinary archaeological discovery, which houses thousands of unique life-sized figures. Return to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of two iconic Buddhist pagodas in Xi’an. You may have a chance to explore the top of the pagoda and look out over Xi’an’s 1,400 years of history, before enjoying a contemplative walk through the temple and gardens. Continue on and take in the quiet of Xi’an’s Great Mosque, located in the middle of the city’s old block. Built mid seventh century, the Great Mosque is the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. Mix with locals and find food of every flavor in Muslim Quarter, which is bustling with authentic eateries and travel souvenirs. Today’s final destination is Xi’an’s famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening or book a dinner, show, or both for an evening of entertainment.

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast and check out from your hotel, the tour guide will take you to Xi’an’s ancient City Wall, currently the largest and best-preserved wall of its type in China. Enclosing China’s former capital city and almost 14 kilometers long, enjoy your free time by exploring on foot or bicycle. Following on from the morning’s activities, you’ll be driven to the Xi’an airport for your flight check in to Shanghai. On arrival in Shanghai, your local guide will meet you and transfer to your hotel, providing a brief introduction to Shanghai on the way.

Meals included: Breakfast

Commence your tour of Shanghai with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, a massive museum housing over 140,000 artifacts, presenting the full history and culture of this cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a walk along The Bund, iconic and prestigious, one of the most well-preserved examples of old Shanghai glamour. Walk Nanjing Road, the busiest shopping precinct in China. Change tempo and visit Yuyuan Garden, where you can marvel at the artistically designed traditional Chinese gardens; then stroll around the nearby Yu Garden Bazaars. Make the most of your afternoon by wandering the quieter streets of Dongping Road or Sinan Road in the Former French Concession, where you will find the essence of classic Shanghai.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: As the Shanghai Museum is closed to public on Mondays, a visit to the Shanghai History Museum is arranged as an alternative.

Your tour guide will collect you at the hotel and drive you to the airport for your flight check in Taipei. On the way to the pre-booked four or five star inner city hotel, your guide will point out the highlights and history of Taipei. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Starting from January 1, 2025, the hotels in Taiwan will no longer provide the disposable toiletries (e.g. toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, razors, and shower caps) in the guest rooms to align with government’s green travel policy.

You will be picked up from the hotel to begin your tour after the breakfast. First point of interest is the world famous National Palace Museum, where your guide will ensure you derive maximum benefit by introducing you to the history and artefacts housed there, as prelude to exploring the archaeological wonders and historical exhibits at your leisure. Knowledge acquired will give you an understanding of the history that drives Taiwan’s dynamism, built upon the fierce fight for independence, remembered in the Martyr’s Shrine, where you can see the ceremony of changing the Honor Guards.

On the lighter side, wander through the famous Dihua Street for traditional Chinese foods, herbal medicines, cooking species and wares. The nearby Yongle Fabric Market is a good place for the fabric lovers. You can get out amongst the locals biking along the Tam-shui River from the Da-dao-cheng Wharf, imagining the history of this once important, busy trading port. A tour of Taipei would not be complete without a visit to the edifice commemorating the modern leader of Taiwan, Chiang Kai-Shek, in the Memorial Hall bearing his name. The day rounds up with a visit to the phenomenal tribute to modern engineering, the Taipei 101 Observatory. From the many viewing platforms on the 89^th floor observation deck you can view extensive panoramas of all Taipei and capture the memories.

The day ends when you are returned to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Your guide and driver will transfer you from the hotel to Taoyuan International Airport for your next destination. On arrival in Hong Kong, Your guide will be waiting at the airport with a welcoming sign and then take you to the pre-booked hotel. Spend the rest of day to explore this fascinating city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Today’s tour begins when you are picked up at the hotel and taken to Victoria Peak, the highest point in Hong Kong, which has wonderful panoramic views of the whole city. (Peak Tram and Sky Terrace are included.) Enchanting Repulse Bay is the next stop, then Stanley Market, one of the best places to have an authentic experience with the locals. Later a stopover at the Aberdeen Fishing Village on the pristine side of this international metropolis, is a great place to try some fresh, delicious seafood dishes. Complete your Hong Kong tour with the Sampan ride.

Lunch and the rest of the day will be at your own interest.

Meals included: Breakfast

Your tour guide will accompany you to the airport to catch the departing flight for your next destination.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: For small group tour travelers, a transfer service from your hotel to the airport can be arranged on request.