Essence of China is a tour that leads you to a fantastic introduction to the splendid attractions and historic monuments in Xi’an, Beijing and Shanghai. Explore enormous ancient city walls and the massive army of more than 7,300 lifesized Terra-Cotta Warriors while in Xi’an. Climb the Great Wall of China. Feast on a Peking Duck banquet in Beijing and gaze at the Shanghai skyline from a top the massive Pearl TV tower. The best of China is an amazing opportunity to stimulate your senses with China’s finest sights, tastes, and sounds.
ITINERARY
HIGH LIGHTS
FINE PRINT
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Day 1
Depart Home – Beijing
Begin your journey with the international flight to Beijing
Meet and transfer to the hotel with your tour manager
In-Flight
In-Flight Meal
Day 2
Beijing
Visit Tiananmen Square
Walk through the Forbidden City, home of the Chinese emperors and their household for five centuries
Visit Hutong, the local and traditional Beijingese living area. Take the option to ride on rickshaw and have a special lunch hosted by local family (US$50 or RMB300 pp, paid on tour)
Experience traditional Chinese Tea Culture
Visit Silk factory to learn famous Chinese silk Enjoy an optional Evening Entertainment - The Legend of Kung Fu (US$35 or RMB200 pp, paid on tour)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Beijing
Visit 2008 Olympic Games Sites , Bird’s Nest & Water Cube (Outside)
Visit Jade factory to learn Chinese Jade culture
Walk in the clouds while hiking the 2,000-year-old Great Wall of China
Visit Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) researching centre ,and get some experiences about Chinese herb medicine and enjoy foot massage (at your own expense) after hiking on the great wall
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Beijing
To experience Morning exercise -Tai Chi lesson , Temple of Heaven
Pearl Factor Outlet - A great place to buy pearls in China with "wholesale" prices, every strand of lovely sea and freshwater pearls is negotiable
Optional to visit Beijing Zoo to see Pandas in the afternoon (US$50 or RMB300 pp, paid on tour)
Take the option to enjoy Acrobatic show in the evening (US$35 or RMB200 pp, paid on tour)
Breakfast
Day 5
Beijing - Shanghai
Upon arrival in Shanghai, explore Shanghai by your own, or take the optional Shanghai city tour dinner included (US$80 or RMB500 pp, to be paid on tour)
Visit Pearl of Orient TV Tower including riding on the Tower
Explore the Bund and Nanjing Road walking district
Huangpu River evening cruise
Breakfast
Day 6
Shanghai
Free day in Shanghai to explore the city by your own or join the optional tour to Water Town (US$120 or RMB750 pp): experience Grand Canal boat ride and Visit Lingering Garden, lunch included
Breakfast
Day 7
Shanghai - Home
Transferred to airport to take scheduled flight to return home.
Breakfast
Beijing
Forbidden City- The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government.
Great Wall - The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China in part to protect the Chinese Empire or its prototypical states against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike peoples or forces. Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC; these, later joined together and made bigger, stronger, and unified are now collectively referred to as the Great Wall. Especially famous is the wall built between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.
Hutong - Hutongs represent an important cultural element of the city of Beijing. Thanks to Beijing’s long history and status as capital for six dynasties, almost every hutong has its anecdotes, and some are even associated with historic events. In contrast to the court life and elite culture represented by the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven, the hutongs reflect the culture of grassroots Beijingers. The hutongs are residential neighborhoods which still form the heart of Old Beijing.
Xi’an
Ancient City Wall - Ancient City Wall, the fortifications of Xi'an, an ancient capital of China, represent one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls. Construction of the first city wall of Chang'an began in 194 BCE and lasted for four years. That wall measured 25.7 kilometres ( 16.0 mi) in length, 12–16 metres (39– 52 ft) in thickness at the base. The area within the wall was c. 36 square kilometres (14 sq mi). The existing wall was started by the Ming Dynasty in 1370. It encircles a much smaller city of 14 square kilometres (5.4 sq mi). The wall measures 13.7 kilometres ( 8.5 mi) in circumference, 12 metres ( 39 ft) in height, and 15–18 metres (49– 59 ft) in thickness at the base.
Terracotta Warriors - The Terracotta Army or the "Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses", is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BC and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.
The figures, dating from 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 by some local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province. The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits nearby Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. Other terracotta non-military figures were also found in other pits and they include officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians.
Shanghai
The Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower is a TV tower in Shanghai, China. Its location at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong district, by the side of Huangpu River, opposite of The Bund makes it a distinct landmark in the area. At 468 m (1,535 feet) high, it was the tallest structure in China from 1994–2007, when it was surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center. It is classified as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.
Suzhou Ancient Water Town - Ancient water town is surrounded by water. The village has as many canals as it does roads. No cars are allowed into the village making it very peaceful and quiet. Little gondolas glide through the canals and people can rent one and travel through the village. The village is filled with elderly people and they are quick to smile at visitors. Sitting next to a canal with your feet in the water, or sitting in a teahouse watching the gondolas pass by is an unforgettable experience.
Fine Print for Essential of China - Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an
DEPARTURE DATES
Feb 26, Mar 25, Apr 22, May 20, Jun 17, Jul 08, Aug 05, Sep 16, Oct 14, Nov 11
• Australia Only (with flight package):
BNE surcharge US$200 pp, ADL and PER surcharge US$300 pp, payable upon booking
• High season surcharge US$600 pp for Dec 19, US$300 pp for Jul 10, US$200 pp for Feb 27, US$100 pp for April 10, Jun
• Voucher price is based on double occupancy
• US $90 per person tour tipping not included and payable upon booking
• China domestic taxes US $100 per person is payable upon booking
• Single supplement US $480 per person for this 7 nights tour
• Promotion tour is non-refundable from Merry Travel after air ticket is issued
HOW TO BOOK
1.
Complete Online Reservation Form
2.
Click 'Book Now" tab and select your tour based on option purchased
3.
Complete all passengers details. Please note where two people are travelling together two voucher codes and two security codes (if applied) are to be entered into areas provided on the booking form.
4.
you will be required to provide your credit card information to pay the balance of payments including single supplement (if applied), and any optional tours if required.
5.
Promotion tour is non-refundable after Merry Travel confirms booking
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
1.
International flights and airport taxes (please refer your voucher Fine Print)
2.
Hotel accommodations
3.
Daily breakfast in hotel, lunch and dinner as specified in itinerary
4.
Airport transfer for scheduled arrival date and departure date
5.
Local transportation during the guided tour
6.
English speaking guide
7.
Sightseeing admissions except optional excursion
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
1.
Upgrade to China Memory Beijing Xi'an Shanghai 9 days tour at US$399 (tipping included) per person available at booking
2.
Visa fee if required
3.
Travel Insurance
4.
Personal expense
5.
Meals and drink other than specified
6.
Luggage fee and/or in-flight service charged by airline
7.
Optional entertainment and tours payable upon arrival
8.
Trip delay, or interruption by airline schedule change
9.
Extra cost or missing tour caused by flight delay or cancel
10.
Cost for anything not specifically mentioned in the listing above
You must fill in the boxes marked *
All Traveler information must match exactly what is on the government-issued ID you use when travelling. Passport photo page coy must be provided upon booking for ticketing.
PLEASE NOTE: CREDIT CARD DETAILS REQUIRED TO COLLECT MANDATORY TIPPING AND VISA CHARGES AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL TOURS PURCHASED ABOVE.
TRAVELER'S NAME MUST BE EXACTLY SAME AS PASSPORT NAME. AIRLINE PENALTY FOR NAME CORRECTION $100 AND ANY OTHER AIRLINE FEES WILL BE APPLIED.
/ 6 Nights 
