Totally China 15 Days | Beijing to Shanghai

TRIP NOTES

Totally China 15 days | Beijing to Shanghai

PRIVATE TOUR: Visiting the What's Included please turn right once you’ve passed customs to reach the pick up point. If arriving into nation’s capital - Beijing, Xi’an, • 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners Terminal 3, you will be met just outside of the Guilin and Yangshuo, Hangzhou, • 13 nights Superior hotels (Deluxe restricted area. Suzhou and cosmopolitan available on request) and 1 night sleeper Overnight - Beijing Shanghai. This cultural rollercoaster train (4-berth soft sleeper cabin) • of a tour is filled with top UNESCO Xi’an - bike ride on medieval City Wall Day 2 : The Forbidden City • Guilin/Yangshuo - Yulonghe River Li sites, spectacular scenery and cruise unique experiences, guaranteed to • Huangshan - cable car ride to Yellow captivate and enthrall. Mountain • Suzhou - historic Grand Canal cruise HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS • Shanghai - Huangpu River cruise • Economy class flights: Xi’an - Guilin - Trip Highlights Hangzhou • Airport arrival from Beijing Capital Airport • Beijing - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden on day 1 and departure transfer Shanghai City, UNESCO-listed Great Wall, UNESCO- on day 12 Enjoy a tour of the nation’s capital today. Visit listed Ming Tombs, UNESCO-listed • Touring and excursions as per itinerary Beijing's famous Tiananmen Square which Summer Palace • English speaking specialist guides at local is home to the mausoleum of Chairman • Xi’an - UNESCO-listed Terracotta sights Mao Tse-tung, the father of the Communist Warriors, clay warrior workshop, Huaqing • All relevant transfers and transportation People’s Republic and the striking Monument Hot Springs, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, City to the People’s Heroes. Then explore the Wall, Muslim Quarter What's Not Included remarkable Forbidden City which is a vision • Guilin/Yangshuo - Yangshuo cruise • International flights and visa in grandeur with its imperial yellow roofs and • UNESCO-listed Huangshan Mountain • Laundry, drinks, items of a personal vermilion walls. The Forbidden City, was the (Yellow Mountain) nature seat of the great emperors and the innermost • Suzhou - UNESCO-listed gardens, • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture sanctum of the Beijing. Built between 1406 Grand Canal and waterways, Humble and 1420, it served as the imperial palace for Administrator’s Garden, Silk factory the Ming and Qing dynasties. Take a guided • Shanghai - Shanghai Tower, The Bund DETAILED ITINERARY walk through the city’s many temples, grand and Old Shanghai, Yuyuan Garden, halls and courtyards. This evening, enjoy a Huang River skyline of Pudong City Day 1 : Beijing Welcome to Beijing! Arrival transfer from the airport to our hotel. If arriving into Terminal 2,

Totally China - 15 days updated on 23-09-2021 06:00:58 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES

Totally China dinner at a city restaurant. Overnight - Beijing Day 5 : Terracotta Warriors Day 7 : Yangshuo (B, D) Day 3 : The Great Wall

Xi’an is perhaps most famous for the Guilin - Yangshou - Guilin. Guilin is renowned discovery of Emperor Qin’s Terracotta for its striking scenery, with vast areas of Warriors. Discovered in 1974 by local farmers karst limestone outcrops that rise up from flat Today, travel beyond Beijing to Badaling, digging a well, the 2,200 year old Terracotta rice paddy fields. Today we take a relaxing where you can walk (almost climb on some Warriors comprise more than 7,000 life-sized cruise down the Yulonghe River to Yangshuo sections) on the Great Wall. Following a ridge soldiers standing battle-ready in excavated passing an endless procession of peaks of barren hills through northern China, it pits under the cover of a modern protective and simple villages. The local fishermen use stretches as far as the eye can see - at hanger. No two faces are alike – each is trained cormorants to catch fish and local least 6,700 kms! You'll have time to enjoy said to be an individual portrait. Today, we village boys paddle out to the river boats with and explore the wall before visiting a Jade visit the archaeological site of the Terracotta all manner of souvenirs. We spend some time Carving Centre to learn about this ornamental Warriors, Huanqing Hot Springs, a scenic in charming Yangshuo, with its little shops and rock and its importance in Chinese culture. spot in the shadow of Li Mountain and a cafes, before returning to Guilin and visiting After lunch visit the Ming Tombs, where 13 workshop where crafts people make clay the Reed Flute Caves which have beautiful emperors were interred. You'll approach the warrior replicas. Overnight - Xi'an (B, L, D) stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes tombs via the Sacred Road which is lined with and sizes. Overnight - Guilin (B, L, D) stone statues of people and animals which Day 6 : Big Wild Goose guard the royal graveyard. Overnight - Beijing Pagoda Day 8 : Dragon's Backbone (B, L) Day 4 : The Summer Palace

Xi’an - Guilin. Visit the iconic Big Wild Guilin - Longsheng - Hangzhou. Drive to Goose Pagoda this morning before enjoying Longsheng this morning to walk along the a leisurely bike ride on Xi’an’s medieval City rice terraces of the striking Longji Terrace, Beijing - Xi’an. This morning visit the beautiful Wall, which dates from the Ming dynasty. Then known as the Dragon’s Backbone. Beginning Summer Palace which has the largest imperial there's free time to explore the fascinating at the base of Mt Longji the verdant green garden in China. Walk along the elegant Muslim Quarter and Great Mosque before rice fields coil up the steep mountain, layer Promenade, see stone boat, visit Kunming flying from Xi’an to Guilin. Overnight - Guilin upon layer, climbing to its summit. Taking a Lake and Longevity Hill. Then there's time to (B, L, D) walk along the stone paths no more than test your bartering skills at the bustling Pearl a metre wide, you’ll pass many of the Yao Market which sells everything from clothes, and Red Yao minority women, baskets on cosmetics and electronics to bags, jewellery their backs, who are also climbing skyward. and as the name suggests, an incredible Reaching the ‘Seven Stars accompanying selection of pearls. Tonight catch an overnight Moon’ lookout, soak up the spectacular views. sleeper train to Xi'an. Overnight - Sleeper The full panorama offers thousands of ribbon Train (B) like terraces cascading to the meandering

Totally China streams and valley floor beneath. Later today the top. On day 11 enjoy a full day tour to Suzhou - Shanghai. This morning take a train fly from Guilin to Hangzhou. Overnight - Huangshan Mountain, visiting Beginning-to- or bus to Shanghai. Perhaps China’s most Hangzhou (B, L, D) believe Peak, Brush Pen Peak, Bright Summit, modern city, Shanghai's amazing Pudong Flying-over and the Cloud-dispelling Pavilion. skyline is breathtaking. After breakfast at Day 9 : Hangzhou Overnight - Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) your hotel, take a tour of the many city Scenic Hangzhou is unusual for a Chinese (B:2, L:2, D:2) sights including the highest in Shanghai - the city in that it encompasses large tracts of Shanghai Centre, Yuyuan Garden and The greenery which might normally be classified Days 12-13 : Suzhou Bund. This evening enjoy a cruise on the as countryside. This is thanks to Xi Hu, the Huangpu River with spectacular night view of large lake that Hangzhou straddles. The lake the city. Overnight - Shanghai (B, L, D) is dotted with various islands and causeways, whilst the shoreline offers wonderful vistas of Day 15 : Shanghai green trees, hills, flowers, pavilions, pagodas Hotel checkout and included onward and boats. Hangzhou is also the southern departure transfer to the airport, or consider terminus of the Grand Canal and an important extending your stay to explore more of centre for silk, tea and paper-making. Shanghai.

Note: This itinerary is semi-independent First stop today is the renowned the Longjing Huangshan - Suzhou. On day 12 take a in style. The Totally China itinerary is Tea Plantation which produced some of cable car downhill to the foot of Huangshan arranged and operated exclusively for you China's best green tea. Afterwards visit the Mountain and drive to Suzhou. Suzhou is on a departure date of your individual beautiful West Lake (Xi Hu) and Lingyin one of China’s most charming cities and choosing. You travel by yourself (with Temple. Lingyin means Soul's Retreat and it is its renowned for its picturesque waterways local representation at various points) one of the main attractions of Hangzhou city. and canals which are dotted with traditional without joining a group. However, on The Temple contains a collection of Buddhist bridges, houses and UNESCO-listed gardens. occasion consolidation of travellers may occur literature together with many other treasures. Spend the rest of day 12 at leisure. during some sightseeing or transportation. Overnight - Hangzhou (B, L, D) The following day enjoy a scenic cruise Whilst a rating of 3-4 star hotels is Days 10-11 : Yellow Mountain on the Grand Canal which, at 1800km in given, accommodation can be upgraded at length, is the longest canal on earth and additional cost. Please ask!(B) ranks alongside the Great Wall as China’s greatest engineering achievement. Later visit KNOW BEFORE YOU GO the Humble Administrator's Garden, which is the best representative of Chinese classical COVID-19 Vaccination gardens in the Ming dynasty. You'll also visit Requirements a silk workshop where you can see how the As of 01 November 2021 it is a condition of silk is processed from the silk worm to the final travel, as detailed in our Terms & Conditions woven cloth. that all travellers over 18 years provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. exposes Suzhou’s beauty. Also visit a silk Hangzhou - Huangshan. This morning take workshop and the Humble Administrator’s We recognise any vaccine that has been a high speed train to Huangshan and take Garden. Overnight - Suzhou (B:2, L:2, D:2) authorised for use in the country where a scenic cable car ride to the top of Mount the vaccine was administered. This includes Huangshan. Considered to be the most Day 14 : Shanghai vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Covaxin, beautiful mountain in China, Yellow Mountain Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer- or Huangshan is one of a range of 72 peaks BioNtech, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik. in the south of Anhui Province. Set amidst rural landscapes and with its slopes clad in In all instances, you must be fully immunised. pine, the ethereal scenery is nothing short of This means you must receive the full dosage breathtaking. Some 9,000 steps have been of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow a minimum carved into the mountain, for those that want of 14 days before travelling in order for to walk up the most stunning stairwell on immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 earth, though our excursion does include a vaccine has different dosages and timeframes return cable-car journey to the scenic area, for immunisation, so please check the related where you’ll stay for two nights in a hotel at medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Totally China

Children under 18 years are not required to this document). A comprehensive breakdown Please have your Tour Voucher handy and provide evidence of vaccination to travel at of the entrance fees is provided upon arrival. make it available to our representative. this time. All funds collected in China for entrance fees Our representative will assist you with your and optional excursions (that you may wish luggage and escort you to our vehicle, for your If you are unable to be vaccinated due to undertake) are payable in local currency - transfer to your hotel. to medical reasons, you may apply for an Chinese Yuan (CNY). exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on If, for any reason you have trouble locating a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must Note: If you are over the age of 60 at time our representative after waiting 20 minutes provide supporting documentation from a of travel, a discounted ticket or free entry (remember Beijing is a busy International medical professional. to some sites may be possible (subject to Airport) or your flight to China is delayed, change by the government). Entrance fees please call or send a text message (standard Proof of COVID-19 immunisation must will be collected in full on day 2, and your text message, not Messenger or WhatsApp) to be provided to us no less than guide/s will attempt to get a discount at each the emergency contact number as stated on 4 weeks prior to travel. We accept site on your behalf. If a discount is obtained your Tour Voucher. COVID-19 digital certificates, NHS Covid your guide will issue a refund at this time. Pass or Vaccination Record Cards e- Please make your guide aware of this (if you If you require a transfers from Daxing mailed to [email protected] or you are eligible) at the Welcome Meeting so that International Airport, this can be arranged at can upload your vaccination history the discount can be requested throughout the an additional fee, please speak with your yourself via our traveller login. https:// tour. reservations consultant for further details. www.onthegotours.com/Login Tipping kitty Visas & passports The information you will need to upload At the start of your tour at the Welcome Visa requirements are subject to change and includes: Administering national authority or Meeting, we’ll collect a small tipping kitty visa procurement is the responsibility of the government, document No, name of Vaccine, (the amount is noted under exclusions on traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also date/s of vaccination. the first page of this document) from all tour ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 participants to cover tips throughout your months from your planned date of departure Groups & guides from China. Some of our group tours are sectors of a larger holiday. This saves you the hassle of knowing tour. Some travellers on your trip may only when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage After booking your holiday, please provide travel with you for part of your tour. It also handlers, bus drivers, train conductors and us with your passport details as soon might be that you end your holiday part way other support staff throughout the tour. as possible so that we can proceed to through a longer tour and others in the group This amount does not include a tip for your book all services. Please be advised visa continue on. tour guide. For a job well done, we suggest requirements are subject to change, therefore USD$3-5 per traveller, per day. Tipping your it is essential that you check current Guides: We believe the best way to see a visa requirements with the embassy before country is through the eyes of a local and guide is an entirely personal gesture and ultimately the amount is up to you. travel. For information about visas, head to as such we only employ tour guides native www.onthegotours.com/China/Visas to the country you are visiting. Our guides are passionate, caring, knowledgeable and China Country Guide Please note: If you plan to renew your fun, and by travelling with a local you to get passport between now and your departure to see the wonders of the country through Welcome to China - Arrival date, please let us know as soon as possible their eyes. Tour guides will remain with groups transfer (not your soon to be old passport details). of 6 or more. Where groups are 5 or less, When booking accommodation, trains or For tours starting in Beijing A complimentary travel between cities will be unescorted with flights, we must have the details of the airport arrival transfer is included when transfers at either side of the airport/train passport that you will be carrying with you on arriving into Beijing Capital Airport. After station and a local guide will conduct the your trip. attending to immigration and customs scheduled sightseeing within each city. formalities, please proceed to the arrival Health requirements & water hall. If arriving to Beijing into Terminal 2, Entrance fees You should seek medical advice for when exiting immigration to the arrivals hall, Entry fees to most sites are not included vaccinations and about medications before please turn right where our representative although reasonably priced. In China, we’ll travelling. will be waiting. If arriving into Terminal 3 you collect the entrance fees on Day 2 of the will be met just outside the restricted area. tour at the Welcome Meeting (the amount is As tap water is not safe to drink in China, only The prominent sign depicting our company noted under exclusions on the first page of drink bottled mineral water which is readily logo easily identifies our representative.

Totally China available from hotels, shops and restaurants. - so no Google Maps and no Play Store. end, is a Chinese squat-style WC, whilst at Make sure bottled water is sealed. To bypass the firewall, you could look at the other end is a modern Western-style downloading a VPN, which is much easier to WC. Cabins are lockable from the inside and Essential packing do before you go to China. luggage is stowed in overhead compartments Please check local temperatures so and under the bottom bunk. Bed linen and you can pack accordingly. Visit WeChat: slippers are supplied, and often there is a www.worldclimate.com Communication between the group and Tour TV mounted on the wall at the end of each Guide or Leader is best via the app: WeChat. bed that may even work. Most channels are • Food in China is very different and arguably Please install this App prior to your holiday broadcast in Mandarin, excluding one English better than your local takeaway! If you prefer as it is very hard to download the app once Channel, which has little of interest on it! western snack food, consider bringing a you have arrived in China. If you opt to open supply the WeChat account prior to arrival and it For overnight travel on budget "Essentials • Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume, requests that you have to be contacted by Range" tours, clients are accommodated in basic torch/flash light and umbrella for sun or someone already on WeChat before opening “open” 6 berth bunks. We try to get all rain your account, don’t worry, this can be done of our travellers in the same compartment/ • Comfortable closed in walking shoes for locally with your guide (just have the app seating area so that you can have fun getting climbing the Great Wall etc downloaded ready to finalise opening your to know each other better, playing games • DEET based mosquito repellent and account locally). etc. It is possible to upgrade to a four-berth antihistamine cream soft sleeper on your trip, please contact us There is also limited international calling • Universal travel adaptor at time of booking for rates (upgrades are • Tour Voucher and a copy of your travel options, so please check with your local only possible if the open class ticket has not insurance policy, spare passport photos and a provider before leaving home, to source the already been purchased and please note that photocopy of your passport best roaming or online options to keep in you will be sleeping in another carriage to that • A small daypack for your day-to-day needs regular contact with family and friends during of those in the 6 berth carriages). • Plastic poncho to go over your jacket. Whilst your travels. site-seeing, you can be in the rain for an Shopping in China extended period and even a rain jacket can Travelling by train China is a virtual Aladdin's Cave. Government- get soaked. You can purchase a cheap one Fast and efficient, China’s first rail lines run Friendship Stores in almost all cities locally, but we suggest taking one from home were laid in the 19th century, and today the stock a range of fixed-price souvenirs and of a better quality that doesn’t rip easily government continues to invest heavily in handicrafts and can offer a reasonable idea • If your tour includes an internal flight, most this crucial mode of transport which connects of what is acceptable in terms of quality airlines have a 20kg baggage limit many parts of the country. When travelling and price. After a visit to the Friendship • Note: The government has introduced during the day, ‘soft’ seats, that is to say Store, visit private stores, craft shops and a policy for the purpose of environmental ‘upholstered’ seats are provided. local department stores. However, the best protection, whereby hotels no longer supply For overnight travel on some of our "Signature shopping is often at public markets. If you see disposable items such as slippers, shower Range" tours, clients are accommodated in something you want, buy it when you see it caps, tooth brush/paste, etc ‘soft class’ sleeper cabins. Aboard each - prices don't vary greatly, but selection can vary from location to location. Porterage wagon are 9 compartments that comprise Pack as light as possible! In China, most often of 4 bunks per compartment. Four people In the tourism industry it’s common practice porterage is not available at railway stations of mixed gender share one compartment. for commission to be offered in exchange for and you will need to carry your own luggage. On occasion, dependent upon group size, recommending particular shops or suppliers. Bags with wheels can be a hindrance when you may be sharing with local people on This can become an issue when clients feel the overnight journey, though sometimes climbing several flights of stairs, though are obliged to purchase. We do our best to avoid a blessing when walking lengthy distances to dependent upon how the Chinese Railways this by monitoring all shopping experiences reach our awaiting transportation. Booking Office configure the bookings, offered. the cabin may be filled with four of our Media restrictions passengers. All shopping experiences on your tour There are restrictions on all media, including have been noted in the itinerary and they A dining wagon serves reasonably priced social media and free press throughout China. been carefully selected based upon positive Chinese food of the noodles and rice variety, Whilst on holiday, you will have limited or feedback from On The Go travellers. You along with snacks and drinks. A very simple no access to social media channels such as are under no obligation to partake in a menu is published in English. Each wagon Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Plus listed shopping experience and you are offers a WC and hand basin facility. At one

Totally China most welcome to wait inside or outside the understand this. Things can and do change in premises. foreign countries.

Although we only visit reputable retailers, Please visit www.onthegotours.com/China/ please note that we cannot explicitly Travel-tips-and-useful-info for what to wear, guarantee the quality of their products. All local customs, currency, WiFi and other purchases made whilst on holiday with us are helpful information to prepare for your at your own discretion. Please make sure that holiday. you are completely happy with your purchase. On The Go cannot be held responsible for • Be prepared as the locals smoke any items that you buy if they fail to meet everywhere in China expectation, or any shipping arrangements. • The Chinese don’t have an awareness Proceed with caution. of personal space, be ready to have people standing very close to you, nudge you or even Holidays & events walk into you, they are not being rude, it’s just China has many important National Holidays a very different culture and events that are celebrated throughout the • Many tourists report scams in Shanghai, so country. During these times (the lead up to be friendly but careful. Never ever follow a them and afterwards) there can be delays to stranger anywhere public transport, the roads can be much busier • Spitting and snorting is common in China as and many sites are a lot more crowed as the they see the use of tissues as unhygienic locals take this time to visit family, celebrate • Some locals won’t queue and will often walk the holiday and experience the wonders and straight to the front of a line with no awareness amazing places within their own country. or care of what they have done wrong • Chinese people are delighted if you make During this time you’ll likely to encounter any attempt to speak Mandarin, even if it’s a celebratory atmosphere, but an additional only a couple of words level of patience, flexibility and understanding goes a long way so that you may enjoy your Toilets/washrooms holiday. Public toilets, when found, are usually ‘squats’ - holes in the ground with footrests at either As tourists, you will be generally be side and often don’t possess a door! They unaffected and your tour guide will can be a novelty and are easy to use. The do their best to plan around these custom is to wash with water from a jug or little events. Though when initially planning pipe attached to the toilet using your left hand. your holiday, if you prefer not to travel Doesn’t appeal? Here are some hints! when sites are crowded or are concerned • Time yourself with the accommodations you about delays, then travelling during these are staying at holidays is possibly not for you. For • If you are out and about, find the nearest more information: www.timeanddate.com/ hotel, restaurant, fast food outlet, or toilets holidays/china/2021 at tourist attractions, which all tend to have Western style facilities It's not like home! • Ask your tour guide to make a stop Travel to far - flung corners of the earth • Always take some antiseptic hand gel or involves lifestyles and conditions that are antibacterial hand wipes with you and BYO sometimes very different from what you toilet paper as its rare in public toilets are used to back home. You must come prepared to cope with unusual situations, local inadequacies and unpredictable events as and when they occur. Foreign travel is definitely not suitable for people who expect or demand everything to go exactly as planned. With the greatest respect and in the interest of your ultimate enjoyment you must