Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai - Solo Traveller incl. Dubai extension

Let’s begin our adventure as we depart for Beijing China.

Following our arrival in Beijing, we will be transferred with guide assistance to our hotel.

Join us for dinner!

Tonight we get together for our first dinner in Beijing China.

Dinner is included every night of our stay in China;  six at our hotel, and four at local restaurants, so we can experience some of the local flavours across China.

Join us on a full day's exploration as we uncover some of Beijing's most famous landmarks, including the Palace Museum (also known as the Forbidden City), Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven.

We’ll discover Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public spaces in the world, famous in the past for its rallies, and home to many important buildings and monuments.

Let's see more as we step through the gates into the Forbidden City, which was the Chinese Imperial Palace during the Ming Dynasty and served as the home of emperors for almost 500 years. It is now under the charge of the Palace Museum and houses a huge collection of porcelain, paintings, jewels and sculptures. Impressive imperial gardens and several shrines surround the site.

Later, we discover more of Beijing's beauty during a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a complex of religious buildings symbolising the relationship between Earth and Heaven. Originally, it functioned as a vast stage for solemn rites and rituals. All of the buildings in the park, including the Round Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, represent conversations between the gods and mortals.

After, we explore historic Qianmen Street. This ornate pedestrian avenue has a mix of Chinese and Western shops and eateries, the most famous of which is Quanjude Chinese Restaurant which sells over 2 million of its trademark Peking Roast Duck every year.

This morning we discover The Great Wall, a Wonder of the World and a highlight for many on this tour. It dates back to the 7th century BC in certain sections and was built to protect the first unified Kingdom of China. The wall stretches for over 20,000 miles and we can enjoy a walk along part of it with our guide.

After lunch, we visit a Jade Factory, with precious jade jewellery and sculptures being carved. After learning about jade jewellery, we discover the Sacred Way. This walkway is part of the Ming Tombs complex, which contains the tombs of thirteen emperors. The road is lined with eighteen pairs of stone statues and an impressive gateway.  After our tour, we return to our hotel.

Let's uncover more on our full-day excursion to see more of Beijing's treasures, including the Summer Palace, a cruise on Kunming Lake and the Olympic Bird’s Nest Stadium (from the outside). Step back in time as we enter the Summer Palace, overlooking a huge lake and surrounded by extensive gardens. This was once the destination of choice for vacationing emperors and empresses.

Next, we arrive at the Long Corridor located between the lake and hill and descend down on a slow walk to the lake, stopping to take photos along the way and enjoy the scenic surroundings. There will be free time to stop for lunch (not included) before we arrive at the Marble Boat, pier where we board our boat. Let's see more as we cruise across Kunming Lake, enjoying the views of Longevity Hill and the Summer Palace.

After, we transfer by coach to Olympic Park and see (from outside) the unique Bird's Nest Stadium that hosted the 2008 Olympics.

This evening, we can indulge in shopping or sightseeing at our leisure. Our expert guide will be happy to offer advice and recommendations.

Join us as we discover more of Beijing's temples, with an excursion to the Lama or Yonghe Temple, a Tibetan Buddist monastery. The Lama Temple contains a 26 metre tall wooden statue of the Maitreya Buddha and unique bronze statues of the Buddhas of the Three Ages.

Later, we enjoy a walking tour around a traditional Hutongs (old Chinese houses), an area of residential laneways and courtyards with ornate houses and gardens.

After lunch, we’ll have free time at the Sanlitun Village, a large complex of shops and restaurants. Time to shop till you drop, or for those who don't like to shop perhaps take time out to experience some of the flavoursome food in this area.

This morning we say goodbye to Beijing and depart for the Beijing Train Station. All aboard! We experience the high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an, a journey taking approximately five hours. Let’s enjoy the downtime, to relax more and enjoy the scenery, as we embark on our new adventure.

On arrival in Xi'an we transfer towards our hotel,  as we make our way towards our hotel, we will visit the Old City Wall of the Ming Dynasty. The ancient city walls have been standing strong, with its towers and defensive fortifications which protected Xi'an for a very long time.

After checking in at our  hotel, we are free to discover more of this ancient city.  Our expert guide will be happy to tell us of places of interest to see and visit.

Discover more ancient history with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Terracotta Army. This remarkable collection of life-size terracotta figures of warriors and horses, arranged in battle formations, and one of the many iconic images of China! These figures were buried with the emperor Qin Shi Huang in 210-209 BC, to protect him in his afterlife. They were hidden until 1974, when they were discovered by local farmers.

Next, we visit another World Heritage site of Xi’an the Wild Goose Pagoda. Built during the Tang dynasty and one of China’s best examples of a Tang-style pagoda, which has been renovated many times over the centuries.

After our excursion, let’s enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore Xi’an in our own time.

Today is free for some independent sightseeing in Xi’an. Explore the Muslim Quarter, where the great Mosque sits with its elaborate wooden arch, nine metres high and covered with glazed tiles dating back to the seventeenth century. Browse the shops for souvenirs and try some local specialities at one of the city’s many restaurants.

Take a walk around the ancient city walls, or savour some tasty Chinese food. Xi'an is known for it's delicious dumplings, Tangbao (soup buns), and biang biang noodles. Your expert guide will advise on which dishes are the best to try in Xi'an. 

We say goodbye to Xi’an and transfer to the airport for our flight to Shanghai, where we will spend the next two nights.

On arrival at Shanghai airport, we board the world's fastest train (Maglev) to the city centre, where our coach awaits us. We’ll see more, on a visit to the Jinmao Tower or the Oriental Pearl Tower, offering unbeatable panoramic views of this dynamic and bustling city.

The rest of our afternoon is free to relax, soak up the atmosphere and discover more of this electrifying and bustling destination. Our expert guide will be happy to tell us about the best places and attractions to see and experience.

We uncover more of Shanghai's fascinating city with a visit to the beautiful Yu Garden, then followed by a visit to the old town of Shanghai. After we experience the bustling Xintiandi Street and the Shikumen Open House Museum.

The afternoon is  yours to discover more of Shanghai at your leisure. Take in some last-minute shopping for souvenirs in one of the huge shopping malls, photograph some of the remarkable architecture in this modern metropolis or perhaps make a visit to the Shanghai Museum, often regarded as one of the best museums in China.

This morning we say a fond farewell to our Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai tour and transfer to Shanghai airport for our onwards flight to Dubai

On arrival in Dubai you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Spend three nights in Dubai on a bed and breakfast basis.

*Please note: Your extension in Dubai will be on an individual basis rather than as part of a group and that guide services are not included for this part of the tour.

If your flight arrives at 4 or 5am early hours, early check in is guaranteed.

Discover Dubai at your leisure for the next two full days, three nights. Enjoy an independent stay in Dubai, a cosmopolitan city where the traditional and contemporary meet. You could visit Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai’s largest mosque, or Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city. Relax on the beach, or shop till you drop in one of the many Shopping Malls Dubai has to offer!

It is time to say good by to Dubai, transfer to Dubai airport for your onwards flight home.