08616 - CHINA
08616 - 24462
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Copyright @ 2010 All rights reserved to Dragon Holidays
Beijing (4N) - Tibet (3N) - Train (1N) - Xi'an (2N) - Shanghai (2N + 1N free) tour
Visit Beijing, where the city's immense elegance and sophistication is enhanced by your visit to the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Great Wall. From there you fly to Lhasa...which boasts its own line-up of outstanding highlights, starting with the massive Potala Palace, the winter home to successive Dalai Lamas which is such a dominant presence in this mountain enclave. You visit several revered monasteries, each revealing its own distinct architecture and tempestuous history. In this extremely spiritual environment you encounter devout pilgrims prostrating themselves in homage to Buddha, and have a close-up look at this all-encompassing philosophy as a way of life. Taste yak-butter tea...certainly an acquired taste! Board the fabulous Qinhai-Tibet train, billed as the world's highest railway. During two full days on the train, you experience breathtaking mountain, river and grassland scenery, seeing - among many other interesting things - yaks, wild donkeys and Tibetan antelopes. Arrive in Xi'an - the capital of 11 dynasties over a period of more than 4,000 years. Here awaiting you is the Army of Terracotta Warriors that lay hidden from history for 2,200 years! Then off you fly to Shanghai where the entire cache of ancient history thus far is entirely offset by the "other China" sights...reflected in Shanghai's unique mix of East-meets-West and Old-meets-New...and a city making progress in a very "in-your-face" way.
Mystical China beckons you...the spiritual traveller!
Minimum - 2 persons.
English-speaking guides and dedicated drivers included everywhere. Meet and Greet at all airports.
For the prices below, we have separated the Land arrangements and international airfare. However, please note that the Land arrangements do include all domestic flights within China.
Day (International Flights)
Johannesburg - Hong Kong / Dubai / Singapore / other stopover
Flight from to Johannesburg to Hong Kong / Dubai / Singapore / Other stopover.
Day 1
Stopover destination - Beijing
Flight from (Hong Kong / Dubai / Singapore / other stopover) to Beijing.
Your international flight price will include this sector as a through-fare.
The price of the land arrangements below includes everything starting here:
Upon arrival and after clearing customs, your professional local English speaking guide will meet you at the stunning new Beijing Capital International Airport. With your guide, enjoy the night views of Beijing CBD & the SOHO Business Street...and visit the popular Houhai Lake Bar Street before returning to the hotel.
Day 2
Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Show)
After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of Beijing visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Drive along perhaps the most important street in Beijing - Chang an Avenue - and your guide will point out the National Grand Theatre and Ancient City Walls. After seeing how the nobility lived, partake of Jiaozi (steamed dumplings) for lunch in the company of a Chinese family. Later, enjoy a pedi-cab tour of the ancient courtyard houses called the Hutongs. In the evening, visit the famous Wanfujing Street to see where the wealthy Beijing people shop. There is a Snack street off Wanfujing street where where you can sample local delicacies. Tonight, look forward to the exciting and dramatic Kung-fu show before before returning to the hotel.
Day 3
Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, special Dinner)
After breakfast at hotel, journey to the The Great Wall at Badaling. Stroll along this incredible wonder and enjoy the breathtaking view. After a late lunch at a good Chinese restaurant, return to Beijing to visit the tranquil Imperial gardens of the Summer Palace. On the way back, you will also have a stop to photograph the Bird's Nest (National Olympic Stadium) and the nearby Water Cube (Olympic Aquatic Centre). In the evening, enjoy a delicious Peking Roasted Duck returning to your hotel.
Day 4
Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, visit the holiest temple in Beijing - Temple of Heaven and then the Lama Temple. After lunch at a good Chinese restaurant, visit the Prince Gong's mansion and drive through "Chinese Wall Street"- Beijing Bank Street. Later, put your bargaining skills to work at the famous Xiushui market. In the evening, transfer back to your hotel.
Day 5
Beijing - Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to your Beijing guide as you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lhasa!Kcapital of Tibet. Domestic Flight (included) from Beijing to the "Roof of the World" - Lhasa. Upon arrival at Lhasa's Gongar airport (3600m), your English speaking guide will meet you and present you with a Hada (white silk scarf) to express a sincere welcome and best wishes. On your 2 hour private transfer to the hotel, you will stop at many places along the way for some spectacular scenery. Upon arrival at Lhasa city (3658m), have a good rest at the hotel to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Day 6
Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, visit Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama and one of the most famous architecture works of Tibet & the cream of Tibetan culture. In the afternoon go for a tour to Jokhang monastery, bustling with worshippers and redolent with mystery. It has architectural features from the Tang Dynasty. The quadrangle of streets surrounding the Jokhang is the Barchor Bazaar- Lhasa's most interesting pilgrimage circuit, which gives you a curious sensation of having slipped through time into a medieval carnival.
Day 7
Lhasa (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, visit the Sera Monastey where you can enjoy the excellent lection debate if you are lucky, and the Norbulingka, the summer palace of Dalai Lama. After visit to Tibet Museum and local family, you can also have a vivid impression about Tibetan culture and religion. Tibetan people are very kind and friendly. But it is still better to know some local customs and taboos before touring in Tibet.
Day 8
Lhasa - Xi'an (Breakfast)
After breakfast, you will say goodbye to Tibet and take the Qinghai-Tibet train, billed as the highest railway in the world. Travelers have opportunity to enjoy the stunningly beautiful scenery on that way. You will pass Yangbajing Town, Dangxiong Town, Namtso, one of the three holiest lakes in Tibetan Buddhism, boundless Qiangtang Grasslands, Tanggula Mountains, one of the nearest places to heaven about 5,300 m above sea level, Kekexili, the largest uninhabited area in China and a wonderland for wild donkeys, yaks, Tibetan antelopes and 230 species of wild animals, Mt. Kunlun, known as the "forefather of all mountains", Chaerhan Salt Lake, the second largest salt lake in the world, and Qinghai Lake, famous for its Bird Island.
Day 9
Lhasa - Xi'an (Dinner)
Continue on your train journey and arrive Xian in the evening. Upon arrival, your local Xi'an guide will meet you at the train station and take you for Dumpling banquet before checking into your hotel. This is an experience for the dumpling connoisseur, the flavours, shapes and colours will tempt the palette, while the elegant names and stories attached to each variety are truly amazing.
Day 10
Xi'an (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum; here, you will learn about China's history and have a better understanding before your visit to the warriors. After some Hand-pulled noodles for lunch, you will visit the thousands of life size Terracotta Warriors and Horses about an hour and a half from Xi'an. Your visit includes a Circlorama 360 film presentation of the history of the warriors..thus enhancing your visit. In the afternoon, you return to Xi'an to visit the Grand Mosque with Muslim Quarter. Stroll on Muslim street and see how Chinese Muslims live. Your guide will show you the famous local snacks available here. After an exciting day, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Optional extra - if you like extravagant costumes, elaborate staging and Chinese dances, ask your guide to take you to the Tang Dynasty dinner and show.
Day 11
Xi'an - Shanghai (Breakfast, Dinner)
After breakfast, visit the Ancient City walls that surrounds this old city. If you are interested, you could even rent a bike on the wall and ride the entire wall in an hour and a half. visit the Big Goose Pagoda where you will be able to climb to the top of the pagoda for a bird's view of Xi'an. It is time to say goodbye to your Xian guide as you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. Domestic Flight (included) from Xi'an to Shanghai. Upon arrival, your local Shanghai guide will meet you at the airport and take you to visit the Oriental Pearl TV tower, for a bird's-eye view of this modern city. Then on to Shanghai's landmark - the historic Bund. Later time for shopping in famous Nanjing Road. After dinner, have a cruise on the Huangpu River for the night view of Shanghai before transferring to your hotel.
Day 12
Shanghai (Breakfast, special Lunch, Show)
After breakfast, spend precious time in the classic Yuyuan Gardens. On to the bustling Yu Bazaar nearby, where you can pick up some souvenirs. Lunch is at a Mongolian Barbecue, which is as much a show as it is an exotic eating experience. Later, enjoy a walk along the adjoining Shanghai Old Street, with its endless streams of pedestrians, traditional shops, tea houses and theatres. Later to the incredible Urban Planning Museum on the People's Square. This evening enjoy the feel of old Shanghai at Xintandi, where a plethora of restaurants will attract you for drinks and dinner. Later, be amazed by the sensational performance of the famous Acrobatic Show before returning to your hotel.
Day 13
Shanghai (Breakfast)
After breakfast, you will have a full day at leisure for independent sightseeing or shopping.
Day 14
Shanghai - Stopover destination - Johannesburg (Breakfast)
After breakfast, you will have a free day until your evening transfer to the station for the ride of your life. The Maglev bullet train will take you 431km/hr to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong / Dubai / Singapore / Stopover destination.
The inclusion in the land arrangements below includes ends here.
Flight from Shanghai to (Hong Kong / Dubai / Singapore / other stopover).
Your international flight price will include this sector as a through-fare.
Day (International Flights)
Johannesburg
Arrival O R Tambo International Airport.
Home sweet home with unforgetable memories of your wonderful trip to China.
4 Star (★ ★ ★ ★)
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Travel in party of
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2-5 persons
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6-9 persons
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10 persons or more
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in twin
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single supp.
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in twin
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single supp.
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in twin
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single supp.
|
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High Season
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$ 3,107
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$ 694
|
$ 2,703
|
$ 694
|
$ 2,470
|
$ 645
|
Shoulder
|
$ 3,040
|
$ 637
|
$ 2,636
|
$ 637
|
$ 2,404
|
$ 589
|
Low Season
|
$ 2,989
|
$ 594
|
$ 2,585
|
$ 594
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$ 2,350
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$ 543
|
5 Star (★ ★ ★ ★ ★)
|
||||||
Travel in party of
|
2-5 persons
|
6-9 persons
|
10 persons or more
|
|||
in twin
|
single supp.
|
in twin
|
single supp.
|
in twin
|
single supp.
|
|
High Season
|
$ 3,490
|
$ 1,019
|
$ 3,086
|
$ 1,019
|
$ 2,841
|
$ 959
|
Shoulder
|
$ 3,339
|
$ 891
|
$ 2,935
|
$ 891
|
$ 2,707
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$ 846
|
Low Season
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$ 3,275
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$ 837
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$ 2,871
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$ 837
|
$ 2,631
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$ 782
|
High Season: April 16-May 31, September 1- November 15
Shoulder Season: March 1- April 15, June 1-August 31, November 16- November 30
Low Season: Dec 01 - February 28
Important Note:
Due to the current fluctuation of the Rand against the US Dollar, we have quoted in US dollars for the land portion of this tour only. For the International flights, please advice us with your names as appearing on your passports to enable us to check for the availability of class of travel on our special IT fare.
Services included
A. Domestic airfare and taxes between Beijing & Lhasa and Xi'an & Shanghai.
B. Overnight train from Lhasa to Xi'an as per itinerary.
C. Hotels (twin share basis) as listed in the itinerary.
D. All Entrance fees as listed in the itinerary.
E. Scheduled sightseeing by air-conditioned coach with a private English Guide in each city.
F. Meals and Entertainment as listed in the itinerary,
G. Domestic flights or trains as listed in the itinerary.
H. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
Services not included
A International airfare (Johannesburg - Beijing & Shanghai - Johannesburg).
Approx. R7,370 - Subject to availability of S-Class on Cathay Pacific Airlines.
Approx. R8,800 - Subject to availability of S-Class on Cathay Pacific Airlines
(Dec 01 - Jan 15)
Please advice us with your names to enable us to check for the availability on our
special IT fare. Fare increase for tickets bought after Mar 31.
B. Airport Taxes and fuel charges (+- R1200)
C. Visa Fees.
D. Gratuities, Tips to guides or drivers.
E. Personal expenses (ie. laundry, beverages and entertainment not shown in itinerary)
F. Meals: Any meals which are not specified with "B", "L", or "D".
G. Single Room Supplement.
Hotels in China charge per room per night - if you wish to stay in a room by yourself,
add the single supp. price to the per person sharing rate.
Note:
- Due to the fluctuation of the Rand, we have quoted the land arrangements separately in US Dollars. However, our prices are still subject to change of the exchange rate between US$ and RMB.
- Subject to availability of the respective class of travel on Cathay Pacific airline. Please advise us with your names to enable us to check for availability on our special IT fare.
- The prices listed include a discount for cash payment either by wire transfer or cheque deposit, for any other type of payment, the discount price may not apply and subject to 5% surcharge.
Featured Hotels for this tour
City
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4 Star option
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Rating
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Beijing
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( ★ ★ ★ ★ )
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Xi'an
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( ★ ★ ★ ★ )
|
|
Tibet
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Lhasa Hotel (North or South Building)
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( ★ ★ ★ ★ )
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Shanghai
|
( ★ ★ ★ ★ )
|
City
|
5 Star option
|
Rating
|
Beijing
|
( ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ )
|
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Xi'an
|
( ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ )
|
|
Lhasa
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Lhasa Hotel (Middle Building)
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( ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ )
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Shanghai
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( ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ )
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Price Details (per person in US Dollars) - 2011