China Uncovered
Beijing, Luoyang, Xian, Chengdu, Guilin, Yangshuo & ShanghaiDive into the history and culture of China, starting in Beijing where you will experience the delights of the capital. Indulge in sizzling street food from dumplings or crepes to noodles. From Beijing you will travel to Luoyang and Xi’an to see the Terracotta Army before arriving in Chengdu for the famous Giant Panda research centre, a highlight of any trip to China. Finally, a chance to visit rural china and take a cruise down the Li River to Yangshou and then fly to Shanghai.
At a glance
This is a wonderful Itinerary which explores the history and culture of Beijing, with a visit to the Terracotta Army in Xi’an and a chance to see the Giant Panda in Chengdu. With a cruise down the River Li and a final few days in Shanghai, this is a varied Itinerary which suits those that want to see more of China
Travelling through various areas of China you will get to taste the amazing regional foods including dumplings in Xi’an, noodles in Beijing, and a spicy hot pot in Chengdu
Ending in Shanghai you can spend a night at the Chinese Circus, a wonderful way to end your trip to China
Choose to lengthen your trip with a few days in Hong Kong before flying home
Journey highlights
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This is a wonderful Itinerary which explores the history and culture of Beijing, with a visit to the Terracotta Army in Xi’an and a chance to see the Giant Panda in Chengdu. With a cruise down the River Li and a final few days in Shanghai, this is a varied Itinerary which suits those that want to see more of China
-
Travelling through various areas of China you will get to taste the amazing regional foods including dumplings in Xi’an, noodles in Beijing, and a spicy hot pot in Chengdu
-
Ending in Shanghai you can spend a night at the Chinese Circus, a wonderful way to end your trip to China
-
Choose to lengthen your trip with a few days in Hong Kong before flying home
- Uncovered itinerary:Designed to immerse you in a destination, our Uncovered Journeys take you off the beaten path, with boutique hotels and cultural insight
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
With scorching summers, cold winters, temperate springs and pleasant autumns, Beijing and its surrounding area experiences four distinct seasons. During the summer months, the mercury can reach over 40°C, bringing monsoon rains and extreme humidity, despite being the peak season for travel. From November through to March, northern winds whip through the city, seeing temperatures tumble to as low as -20°C in January, the coldest month. Springtime is windy yet pleasant, although sandstorms from Mongolia sweep through at this time of year making outdoor sightseeing uncomfortable. The Autumn months are the perfect time to travel, with fewer tourists and the most clement weather for exploring the city.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and excludes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | $4,700 | $1,200 | plan your trip |
| June | $4,700 | $1,200 | plan your trip |
| July | $4,600 | $1,100 | plan your trip |
| August | $4,600 | $1,100 | plan your trip |
| September | $4,700 | $1,200 | plan your trip |
| October | $4,700 | $1,200 | plan your trip |
| November | $4,600 | $1,100 | plan your trip |
| December | $4,400 | $1,100 | plan your trip |
| January | $4,400 | $1,100 | plan your trip |
| February | $4,400 | $1,100 | plan your trip |
| March | $4,600 | $1,100 | plan your trip |
| April | $4,700 | $1,200 | plan your trip |
-
May
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,700
Deposit from*$1,200
-
June
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,700
Deposit from*$1,200
-
July
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,600
Deposit from*$1,100
-
August
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,600
Deposit from*$1,100
-
September
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,700
Deposit from*$1,200
-
October
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,700
Deposit from*$1,200
-
November
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,600
Deposit from*$1,100
-
December
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,400
Deposit from*$1,100
-
January
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,400
Deposit from*$1,100
-
February
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,400
Deposit from*$1,100
-
March
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,600
Deposit from*$1,100
-
April
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$4,700
Deposit from*$1,200
- plan your trip
Itinerary
Fly to Beijing
Beijing
You will be whisked to the Novotel Peace Hotel in Beijing for 2 nights which is within walking distance of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. On your first day you will have a private driver and guide to whisk you round this huge city starting at The Temple of Heaven where you can glimpse people dancing the tango to playing boardgames such as Mah-jong. From here you will drive to the narrow alleys of the Hutongs where you can explore a Traditional Chinese neighbourhood as it used to be and enjoy a dumpling making class. Later in the afternoon you will visit the Forbidden City and have a chance to explore this amazing complex spread over 180 acres and built by over a million workers in the 15th century. You can spend your time exploring this incredible city before walking through Tiananmen Square back to your hotel.
The following morning will be an early start and a drive north out of Beijing to the Great Wall of China, where you can take a hike and gaze at views of the wall across neighbouring hill tops. From the Great Wall you will return to Beijing in order to catch the high-speed train to Luoyang.
Accommodation: Novotel Beijing Peace Hotel ( 2 nights )Luoyang
Arriving in Luoyang you will be transferred to the New Friendship Hotel and have the night free and can explore some of the local restaurants or just relax in the hotel. Working up an appetite, you can then enjoy the famous Luoyang Water Banquet with 24 courses of food flowing throughout the evening! If this feels too much, then definitely try some of the local soups which Luoyang is famous for and perhaps carp or even steamed dumplings.
The following morning you will visit the Shaolin Temple which was built in the 5th century and is the main temple of the Shaolin school of Buddhism and centre for Kung Fu martial arts. Leaving the Shaolin Temple, you will visit the Longmen Grottoes which is comprised of over 2300 caves and niches carved into the limestone cliffs on either side of a 1 km stretch of the River Li. As you wander down the paths your breath will be taken away as you gaze at some of the 110,00 Buddhist stones, statues, 2800 inscriptions and 600 stupas. Later in the day you will take the high-speed train to Xi’an
Accommodation: New Friendship Hotel Luoyang ( 1 night )Xian
On arrival in Xi’an you will be transferred to the Grand Mercure Xi’an where you will spend 2 nights. On the first evening try a walk to the Muslim quarter and sample some of the best street food in the city. Xi’an was once the terminus of the Silk Road and at one time the political and cultural capital of China. The influx of Muslims has changed regional food here. As you wander the streets and small alleys you will see small stalls and shops selling everything from beef grilled on skewers, stir fried lamb and spices cooked in woks over burning coals. The fresh pomegranate juice, roasted walnuts and even more delicious walnut brittle are not to be missed. The sights and sounds will overwhelm your senses and it’s the perfect place to sample the best street food.
The following day will be an early morning start to visit the impressive |Bell Tower, the Small Goose Pagoda and perhaps cycle along the ancient Xi’an Old city wall, stopping to take pictures over the old city and perhaps enjoy an ice-cream or fresh juice. In the afternoon you will be driven to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Terracotta Army. Crafted in the 3rd century to protect the First Emperor of the Qing Dynasty in the afterlife they were not discovered until 1974. It is a truly amazing experience to stand at the top of one of the pits looking at the hundreds of soldiers, each one unique with a different height, build and facial expression. Returning to the hotel you can choose to sample one of the famous dumpling restaurants in Xi’an old city.
Accommodation: Grand Mercure Xian Renmin Square ( 2 nights )Chengdu
Leaving Xi’an you will have a brief flight to Chengdu in the heart of the Sichuan Province. To avoid the crowds, you will depart Chengdu early the following morning to visit the Bifenxgia Panda Breeding Centre. There will be opportunities to view baby pandas, young pandas and adults and learn about the incredible work that is being done to not only preserve this wonderful creature but to increase the population and eventually return them to the wild. Returning to your hotel which is centrally located in Wenshufang cultural area, you can explore the streets. Perhaps try some local tea and enjoy some of the old alleys and buildings in this restored area. In the evening perhaps enjoy a few hours at the Sichuan Opera which is renowned for its acrobatics, fire eating and “bian lian” the art of changing faces which is a genre of Sichuan opera. Then try a Sichuan hotpot or some of the other local delicacies at one of the myriad of restaurants in this gastronomic city.
Accommodation: Buddha Zen Hotel ( 2 nights )Shanghai
From Yangshou you will take a brief car journey to Guilin Airport where you will catch a short flight to Shanghai for 2 nights staying at Sunrise on the Bund. Ideally located on the Bund it is an ideal place to walk in the evening and discover numerous bars and restaurants.
Spend the next day with a guide exploring both modern and old Shanghai. Your morning starts with a visit to the Pudong district, home to so many of the city's skyscrapers. You will be taken to the top of the Shanghai Tower to get a bird's eye view of the city before travelling over to the Bund, the city's famous walkway alongside the river. In the afternoon your guide will accompany you on a walk around the Old Town where you will visit the famous Yu Garden. Your final night in Shanghai can be spent at one of the amazing restaurants and even incorporate a visit to the Chinese Circus!
The following day you will return to Pudong Airport for your flight home or perhaps extend your trip with a few days in Hong Kong.
Accommodation: Sunrise on the Bund ( 2 nights )Fly home from Shanghai
Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Experiences included in this itinerary
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A Day in Chengdu - Pandas and the Sanxingdui Museum
This morning, spend some time with the gentle giants of Sichuan as you visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Head to the Sanxingdui Museum and be amazed by the archaeological wonder of the ancient Shu Kingdom.
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Beijing Highlights - Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden Palace
This morning, explore the highlights of Beijing. Visit Tian An Men Square and the Forbidden City. Delve into the rich history and witness the past grandeur and glory of the Chinese imperial family.
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Biking in Beijing
View Beijing in a different light as you embark on biking tour at night. Bike along the moat of the Forbidden City and cycle through Tian An Men Square and the National Theatre. End at the night market where you can sample some local snacks.
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Chinese Umbrella Museum with Painting
Hangzhou is famous for its umbrella-painting culture. Enjoy a visit to the Chinese Umbrella Museum followed by an umbrella-painting session which you get to keep as a gift!
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Evening Foodie Experience
Spend an evening exploring the flavours of Shanghai in a visit to a private home, small, family-run restaurants and local shops. Wander the streets on foot, meet the local people and taste some traditional dishes to get under the skin of the city.
Your Hotels
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
With scorching summers, cold winters, temperate springs and pleasant autumns, Beijing and its surrounding area experiences four distinct seasons. During the summer months, the mercury can reach over 40°C, bringing monsoon rains and extreme humidity, despite being the peak season for travel. From November through to March, northern winds whip through the city, seeing temperatures tumble to as low as -20°C in January, the coldest month. Springtime is windy yet pleasant, although sandstorms from Mongolia sweep through at this time of year making outdoor sightseeing uncomfortable. The Autumn months are the perfect time to travel, with fewer tourists and the most clement weather for exploring the city.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Why Scott Dunn?
At Scott Dunn, we live and breathe travel. An insatiable appetite to discover the world runs through everything we do. We relish the planning and revel in the detail. We know it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest difference, and we stop at nothing to make every trip not only exceptional but totally unique.
- Every itinerary is crafted from scratch, based around exactly what’s important to you
- Packed full of unique experiences, hand-picked by our journeys team
- Expert local guides enrich your experience in every destination
- Your own dedicated Travel Specialist who will take care of every detail of your trip
- We have a 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- We offer flexibility and financial protection to give you total peace of mind