Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing

Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Fairmont Beijing Hotel is within a short driving distance to Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square, the Embassy District, Oriental Plaza or Wangfujing, and China World Trade Centre. The hotel offers natural-lit rooms with floor-to-ceiling-windows that are furnished in contemporary Chinese style. The gate-form architecture showcases natural light-filled interiors accented by contemporary Chinese artworks, creating a sense of space and luxury living in the heart of China.

Overnight at Fairmont Beijing Hotel .

Day 2 Beijing

Full day private guided tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven with a deluxe lunch (is included). Tiananmen Square was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and stretches a vast 440,000 square meters. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven.

Enjoy a Peking Duck dinner at Da Dong restaurant. Voted by locals as the best Peking Duck in Beijing.

Overnight at Fairmont Beijing Hotel .

Day 3 Beijing

Enjoy a full day private guided tour with lunch at the Great Wall at Mutianyu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. This section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles. Construction was started in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Built mainly from granite with 8m walls and 5m wide at the top, it is notable for its 22 watchtowers. Drive to the Ming Tombs - the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums and necropolis are notable for their palatial architecture. Originally built as the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di and his empresses. The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built closely nearby in a grand complex. Lunch is included.

Overnight at Fairmont Beijing Hotel .

Day 4 Xi'an

Xi'an was the capital of China's first emperor whose tomb is guarded by the world famous terracotta warriors.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Beijing to Xi'an.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Take a full day private guided tour of the Terra Cotta Army, Banpo Museum and the Buddhist Wild Goose Pagoda with a deluxe lunch. China's greatest archaeological excavation - over 7,000 terra cotta life size warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty (246-209 BC). The Neolithic Banpo Village has nearly 10,000 production tools and the remains of 45 houses on display.

Enjoy special access to the Terra Cotta Warriors Pit # 1. This is the restoration area, where you will be allowed to stand side by side with the Warriors.

Shangri-La Hotel Xian has the very best of the city right on its doorstep such as the finest in shopping and entertainment. The hotel is just a 30-minute drive from Xian International Airport, and is within easy reach of many top tourist attractions. The hotel’s 386 guest rooms and suites set a new standard for deluxe accommodation in Xian and offer four trendsetting designer restaurants. With luxurious spa treatments and a fully equipped health club with heated pool, it's the perfect place to soothe mind, body and soul. Whether you're traveling for pleasure, Shangri-La Hotel, Xian offers exceptional levels of hospitality to further enhance your enjoyment of this magnificent city.

Overnight at Shangri La .

Day 5 Shanghai

Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

Half day private guided city tour taking in some highlights of Xian – the ancient capital of China for over 1100 years. Start with some of the 370,000 exhibits at the Shaanxi History Museum, quite simply one of the nation's best. Next stop is the City Wall. The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers from one of the oldest and most complete city defences still stand ready to repel attackers. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre, you can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side. Finish with the Great Mosque, located In the heart of Xi'an's Muslim quarter, this is one of the largest Islamic mosques in China. Remarkable for the melding of Chinese architecture with Islamic practice, the courtyards align from east to west facing Mecca. The pavilions, halls and gateways are wonderfully decorated, and this is an active place of worship for the Hui descendants of Silk Road traders and travellers.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Xi'an to Shanghai.

Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide.

Opening in late 2009, the ninth property in The Peninsula Hotels' portfolio fronts the historic Bund with spectacular views of the Bund, Huangpu River, Pudong and the gardens of the former British Consulate, and blends with the historic architecture of its landmark neighbors along the Bund -- a UNESCO-designated Modern Heritage Site.

Overnight at Peninsula Shanghai (5*).

Day 6 Shanghai

Full day private guided tour of Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and Yu Garden with deluxe lunch. Shanghai Museum is a veritable treasure house of ancient Chinese art and houses 120,000 precious relics. Bronzes, pottery, paintings and calligraphies are distinctive features of the Museum's collection. The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most popular sights in Shanghai containing rare white jade Buddhas brought from Burma in the nineteenth century. Yuyuan Garden is the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The garden has six areas, each with its own style, the most popular being the Grand Rockery in the center.

Enjoy a luxurious dinner at the Park Hyatt's famous restaurant 100 Century Avenue. This is the highest restaurant in Shanghai, with fantastic panoramic views of the city.

Overnight at Peninsula Shanghai (5*).

Day 7 Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a place with multiple personalities, as a result of being Cantonese Chinese with a long-time British influence. Today, the former British colony is a major tourism destination for China’s increasingly affluent population. It is also an important hub in the Chinese diaspora with global connections to many of the world’s cities. It is a unique destination that has absorbed people and cultural influences from places as diverse as Vietnam and Vancouver.

Transfer to/from airport with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Shanghai to Hongkong.

Transfer between the airport and your Kowloon hotel.

The award-winning Kowloon Shangri-La, known for its legendary warm and friendly hospitality, is conveniently situated in the Tsim Sha Tsui East shopping and entertainment district overlooking the world famous Victoria Harbour. All its 700 guest rooms and suites, amongst the most spacious in town, offer the ultimate in luxurious comfort and feature a floor-to-ceiling bay window commanding breathtaking harbour views or exciting city vistas. Complementing its exemplary services are state-of-the-art fitness facilities and a range of fine restaurants and bars enhanced by our warm and caring people.

Overnight at Kowloon Shangri-La.

Day 8 Hong Kong

A half day tour where you will visit the famous “The Peak” by driving along the winding road uphill to the top where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the island, Kowloon peninsula and the New Territories. Driving downhill we come to the famous fishing village ‘Aberdeen’ by passing the two most popular summer resorts of the locals - Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay. When we arrive in Aberdeen, you have the opportunity to take a glimpse at the floating population whose lifestyle has not changed much since the early days. An optional 20 minutes ride in a sampan gives you the chance to explore and take a close up look at the interesting environment.  Victoria Peak is the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island and one of the most popular places for tourists to visit. You will be able to overlook the bustling Victoria harbour and Kowloon peninsula with a magnificent bird's eye view. Night view is so fascinating that one should not miss going up to it.  Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay are the two most visited beaches in town and summer escapade for swimmers. One cannot resist admiring the beautiful scenery and the wonders of nature there.  Aberdeen is a very important harbor area; Europeans who initiated contact with locals in the 19th century mistook the name of the village here for the name of the island, hence Hong Kong. Here you can experience the lifestyle of a old fishing community.

Enjoy a traditional Chinese Dim Sum lunch as part of your Hong Kong Island Tour.

Overnight at Kowloon Shangri-La.

Day 9 Hong Kong

Transfer between the airport and your Kowloon hotel.

Depart from Hong Kong international airport - end of itinerary

Overnight at Depart .

More information from Kensington Tours:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.kensingtontours.com/tours/asia/china/cities-of-china-in-s…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips