China Discovery - 15 Days | 12 Nights

What makes this tour different?

• 100% individual tours: private guide speaking your language and car with chauffeur during the whole trip!
• We have selected 60 charming & luxury hotels amongst over 11000 hotels in China.
• A 24/7 hotline by ChinaVeo's western team based in China to offer you local assistance.
• International flights are included and negociated for you.

Day 1: Departure

Departure from Paris airport (please contact us if you wish to depart from another city to confirm availability and price).

Day 2 : Beijing – The Hutong, the Temple of Heaven & Wangfujing street

With a population of more than 10 million inhabitants, Beijing, " the capital of the North ", owns the richest dynastic heritage in the world and an incredible collection of art and historic objects.

• The Hutong, made of Siheyuans (enclosure of four houses around a square yard) the main constructions in the Hutong, slowly disappear in favor of high modern buildings.
• The temple of heaven is one of the most photographed building of the world because of its elegant beauty and its symmetry.
• Wangfujing street is the symbol of China's westernization. There, you will find shops, foreign bookshops, fast food and lots of tourists...

Traditional Chinese massage | Hotel : Lu Song Yuan (***) , Beijing

Day 3 : Beijing – Mutianyu Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, Factory of "cloisonnés" (enamel) and the Sacred Path

• Factory of "cloisonnés" (enamel). Beijing is the cradle of the art of cloisonné. The first ones appeared under the Yuan dynasty (1271 - 1368).
• Mutianyu Great Wall is located more than 70km north-east of Beijing. It has 15 two-storey fortresses and an alarm tower. The architectural design of this section comes from the northern Qi dynasty.
• The Ming Tombs host the tombs of thirteen of the sixteen emperors of the Ming dynasty. The first tomb was built in 1409 while the last one was built 200 years later, just after the beginning of the Qing dynasty.
• The sacred path can be reached through a marble portico of five marble arches of 14 meters high and 29 meters wide, and was built in 1540.

Hotel : Lu Song Yuan (***) , Beijing

Day 4 : Beijing / Xian – Tian An Men square, the Forbidden city & the Summer Palace

• Tian An Men square is in the heart of Beijing, in front of the Forbidden city. The square is home to a blend of modern and ancient monuments.
• The Forbidden city, is a real city within the city, and was seen as the center of the earth. This is why the place was also called the "Forbidden Purple City."
• The summer palace was built in 1750. It is a masterpiece in the art of Chinese gardens. It features the natural landscape of hills and open water with pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges of the Qing era.

Beijing Opera | Hotel : Lu Song Yuan (***) , Beijing

Day 5: Beijing - The Panjianyuan antiques market, the Dongyue Temple, the art gallery 798 and Discovery of the Chinese traditional medicine.

• The Panjiayuan antiques market is an old flea market, which is a real paradise for art objects' collectors.
• The Dongyue temple was built in 1319, under the Yuans' dynasty. More than 1,000 divinities' statues and a hundred engraved steles are to be seen in this temple.
• The 798 art gallery. In the trendy district of Dashanzi, alternative artists offer avant-garde cultural, artistic and trade activities.
• Discovery of the Chinese traditional medicine. Learn the techniques of Chinese medicine with a physician and benefit from a traditional Chinese massage.

Hotel : Lu Song Yuan (***) , Beijing

Day 6 : Beijing - The Lamas Temple , Temple of Confucius, the Bell Tower, the Charcoal Hill, the Pearls' market and Beihai Park

• The lamas temple is one of the biggest and most beautiful lamaist temple. Built in 1694, it was a prince's residence until the lamas settled there in 1732.
• The temple of Confucius was built in 1302 under the Yuans to honor Master Kong, also known as Confucius.
• The drum tower. It was built under the Ming dynasty in 1273, but was destroyed. In 1747, the Emperor Qianlong rebuilt it.
• The charcoal hill offers a wonderful view on the Imperial Palace. This artificial hill was supposed to protect the Son of Heaven from the North's bad influences.
• The pearls' market. On four levels, you will find cheap clothes, shoes, bags... One entire level is dedicated to the pearl.
• Beihai park. In the 15th century, it was extended and linked to the Forbidden city. Madam Mao made it her personal garden. It is now a place not to be missed in Beijing.

Hotel : Lu Song Yuan (***) , Beijing

Day 7 : Beijing / Xian

Free day in Beijing

Night in the train from Beijing to Xian (1st Class - Soft sleepers)

Day 8: Xian - The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Calligraphy, the Medicine market and the Terracotta army

Xian. The region is inhabited for more than a million years.This was where China opened these gigantic roads to Rome and thus, opened China to unprecedented military, religious, philosophical, commercial and technical exchanges.

• The big wild goose pagoda is one of the oldest structure in China. It is located inside the Temple of benevolence (Da ci so), whose foundation dates back to the mid-seventh century.
• Calligraphy: find out with a Chinese professor the different styles of calligraphy techniques bases, and learn how to handle a brush and ink.
• The medicine market sells typical preparations based on salamanders, dried snakes, scorpions, mushrooms and so on.
• The terracotta army is regarded as the eight wonder of the World and consists of a group of terracotta imperial guards and their horses which are arranged in a battle formation.

Dumplings & Tang Dynasty show | Hotel : Bell Tower (****) , Xian

Day 9 : Xian - Shaanxi History museum, the Steles' forest, Xian's ramparts, the great Mosque and discovery of tea

• The Shaanxi History museum is located in the southern suburb of Xian , the capital of Shaanxi and the ancient capital of China. The museum occupies an area of 65,000 sqm and counts 370,000 objects.
• The steles' forest keeps about 2300 steles, a collection of classic works and engravings which are the witnesses of the exchanges between China and foreign countries.
• Xian's ramparts date back from the Tang dynasty (618-907). Well-preserved, they are now surrounded by parks.
• The mosque and the Muslims' district. Ten of the 55 communities that China counts are of Muslim faith. The mosque in Xian was founded under the Tang in 732, but the current oldest buildings date back to 1404.
• Tea plays a main part in Chinese culture. In a Tea House, you'll have a lesson on tea history and its virtues. Then, you'll take part in a tea ceremony and in a tasting.

Hotel : Bell Tower (****) , Xian

Day 10 : Xian / Shanghai - The Bund and Nanjing road

Shanghai is now the real capital of China. This megalopolis, once a small fishing village, has become the Chinese center of business and finance, while being one of the most active ports in China.

• The Bund is the most famous place of the city and extends over 1.6 kilometers along the Huangpu River. It was once known as the "Wall Street of Asia" and is lined with buildings in the style of the 1930's.
• Nanjing road is known as the fifth avenue of Shanghai. It offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, gift shops and night clubs.

Acrobatic Show of Shanghai | Hotel : Old House Inn (Boutique Hotel****) , Shanghai

Day 11 : Shanghai – The Jade Temple, Yu Garden and the old town, the Museum of Art and History

• The Jade Buddha temple. Two of the most famous Buddhas are housed in this temple. One is in white jade, in a sitting position while the other is in green jade in a rare lying position.
• The new Museum of Art and History was founded in 1952. It is one of the biggest museums in China.
• The old town offers a local bazaar with traditional crafts; you may cross the pond to eat or to have a tea in the Hu Xing Ting tearoom.
• The Yu Garden 's name stands for pleasing and satisfying. It was built to provide tranquility and happiness to the parents of Pan Yunduan.

Hotel : Old House Inn (Boutique Hotel****) , Shanghai

Day 12 : Shanghai – Xintiandi, Moganshan road, the Burgundy city and Mister Yang Shao Rong's collection of old shoes

• Xintiandi is a trendy pedestrian street made of Shikumen and modern buildings.
• Moganshan road galleries. This nice and calm place was former flour factories which have been converted in art galleries and artists workshops.
• The Burgundy city is a housing development built in the thirties. The narrow plane trees-lined streets create a particular atmosphere, which tries to be preserved.
• Mister Yang Shao Rong's collection of old shoes. He traveled all around China to collect all these shoes. This is the third world collection of shoes ever made.

Hotel : Old House Inn (Boutique Hotel****) , Shanghai

Day 13 : Shanghai / Zhouzhuang / Shanghai - Gondola ride, Shen Ting and Zhang Ting

Located between Shanghai and Suzhou, Zhouzhuang is the most famous water town which boasts a 900 years' old history. The town is well-known for its landscapes described in old Chinese poems.

• Gondola ride. Marvel at the old houses of Zhouzhuang! Some of them date back from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
• Shen Ting is made of three parts: a landing stage, a big and a small pavilions, all built in 1742.
• Zhang Ting is one of the last Ming building of Zhouzhuang. The house has six entrances, more than 70 rooms and takes up an area of 1,800 m².

Hotel : Old House Inn (Boutique Hotel****) , Shanghai

Day 14 : Shanghai

Free day

Transfer to Shanghai international airport.

Day 15: Arrival in Paris

Arrival in Paris (please contact us if you wish to arrive in another city to confirm availability and price).

Discover other unique China Tours, specially designed and selected for you :

* price per person "from", based on double standard room, subject to availability at time of booking

Activities included in your China Discovery tour

Our China tour specialists have carefully selected unique activities (here under) which are all included in your tour. Each of these activities is proposed to you in a totally privatized way, far from the groups and the tourist attractions.

This selection was made in order to help you discover a more authentic China, to meet with its inhabitants and to discover its culture & history with the best quality/price ratio!

You may get a glance at those activities by watching the video screeners and photo galleries. We wish you to fully experience them in reality with ChinaVeo’s team!

Unique Activities :
		Mandarin lesson When you will arrive in China, you will have the opportunity to benefit from one hour Mandarin lesson. Thanks to this fun introduction, you will learn the basis to practice a bit of Chinese during your journey !
		Personal Shopper Thanks to this personal assistant who will accompany you in your shopping stroll at the antique, food and fabrics markets, you will benefit from his knowledge, bargain for the best prices and discover the best shopping spots in town !
		Meet a Chinese artist The new art scene of Beijing and Shanghai is one of the most vivid in the world. Come and discover the art galleries of Moganshan lu in Shanghai or the 798 Dashanzi in Beijing and meet the artists who will talk of their art with passion.
		Ride in the Maglev Take the Maglev, or magnetically levitating train, the fastest of the world ! With a speed of more than 400km per hour, you will reach the Shanghai airport in about 10 minutes ! A performance not to be missed !
		Drink at the Jin Mao On the top of the Jin Mao tower, in the highest bar of the world, enjoy a cocktail and a panoramic view on Shanghai ! A magic moment...
		Chinese night : hot-pot and karaoke Share a warming moment by tasting a chinese hot-pot. You will cook your meat and vegetables in a soup. After dinner, show your singing talent in a KTV where you will become a pop star for a night !
		Apéritif on Wangfujing street, Beijing While visiting the biggest food market of the city, you will have the opportunity to taste the local specialties, also new for westerns palates! From scorpios' skewers to chicken feet, you will be surprised by the varieties of dishes !
		Teppanyaki dinner The Teppanyaki is a Japanese barbecue with stir-fried meat and vegetables cooked and eaten off a large, table-top grill. This all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink is a unique and mouth-watering experience !
		Ride on the canals to the Summer Palace In the heart of Beijing, take a traditional small boat which will lead you to the Summer Palace. This is a romantic and original way to rediscover the capital of China !
		Visit of an old pharmacy In Beijing or Shanghai, you will have the opportunity to discover Chinese medicine and the different medicinal herbs. Visit an ancient pharmacy and be introduced to Chinese traditionnal medicine !
		Calligraphy in the gardens of the Big Wild Goose pagoda Be initiated into calligraphy in the gardens of the Big Wild Goose pagoda in Xian ! Brushes and ink will be at your disposal for your firsts steps into the traditional universe of chinese calligraphy.
		Tai Chi lesson In the early morning, Chinese like to practice Tai Chi, which helps to regulate the body's energy and brings well-being. You will be welcome to practice this ancient art with the locals, on the Charcoal hill in Beijing or in the Fuxing Park of Shanghai !
		Tea ceremony Tea plays a main part in Chinese people's life and its tasting require a unique ceremony. This it what you will discover during the visit of an authentic tea house where you will attend a tea ceremony and a tasting.
		Sled ride on the Great Wall Marvel at the Great Wall like you will never see it ! Climb with a chairlift and take a sled on the Mutianyu section of the wall. Be guided in an original visit of the Great Wall !
		Ride in rickshaw and lunch in the Hutong Traditionally, the Chinese also use the rickshaws to move around. An authentic way to discover the city ! In the Hutong, you will have lunch in a Chinese family which will welcome you to watch them cooking the meal you will share with them !

Traditional Activities :
		Traditional Chinese foot massage Discover the benefits of plantar reflexology which is a technique of massage of the arch of the foot. This traditional Chinese method is based on the principle of the internal meridian lines used in Chinese medicine for 5,000 years.
		Opera Show at the Liyuan Theater in Beijing Beijing Opera is a form of singing drama and an ingenious and colorful combination of elements from many sources: traditional music, poetry, singing, recitation, dancing, acrobatics, and martial arts.
		Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Center Theater Chinese Acrobatics is one of the oldest performing arts in China and absorbs elements from the opera, dance and Chinese Kung fu. You will enjoy many breathtaking and stunning programs such as hoop diving and suspending from Silk, performed by very skillful artists.
		Traditional Beijing Roast Duck banquet According to a Chinese saying, no visit to Beijing is complete if you miss seeing the Great Wall or dining on roast duck. A well-known and delicious food with very long history, Beijing Roast Duck is an excellent choice if you want to know more about Chinese cuisine, culture and customs.
		Songs and dances about the civilization under the Tang Dynasty Xian is a city where 13 dynasties established their capital. Among them, the Tang Dynasty has enjoyed fame throughout history. "Song and Dance of the Tang Dynasty" is one of the symbols of its culture when the dynasty was at the pinnacle of its power and splendor.

(Please note that this tour includes many more activities and visits which are listed within the “Itinerary” tab).

* price per person "from", based on double standard room, subject to availability at time of booking

Hotels of China Discovery

ChinaVeo presents a unique selection of luxury and character hotels destined for travelers who are looking for distinct and original hotels.

		Lu Song Yuan - Beijing *** With a central location, in a traditional street, this lovely hotel preserves the traditional architecture and a quiet and artistic atmosphere. The Lu Song Yuan Hotel offers 52 guestrooms featuring contemporary and elegant decoration designed to comfort guests in harmony with the local culture.
		Bell Tower - Xian **** The Bell Tower hotel in Xian is a 4* hotel located in Xian's city center. The hotel has all the facilities and amenities that one would expect from a hotel of this standard. You can find many historical sites within walking distance from the hotel, such as the Bell & Drum Square, the City Wall or the Great Mosque.
		Old House Inn - Shanghai **** Discover a charming little heaven within the French Concession in Shanghai. The Old House Inn Hotel is located in a narrow lane that will remind you of Paris. It is a beautifully restored small hotel that is inviting, relaxing and full of charm and character. Each room is styled differently and affords a good level of comfort.

Beyond a question of mere style, our aim is to combine luxury and comfort with architecture and ambience.
A perfect match of lifestyle and travel.

Nowadays, finding a tour in China with classic hotels, is within everyone's reach, but unlike the rest ChinaVeo offers unique and memorable hotels:  a traditional Courtyard in Beijing (offered by Mao to his third concubine), a boutique hotel designed by Philippe Stark in Shanghai, a Modern Art Hotel in Guilin …

* price per person "from", based on double standard room, subject to availability at time of booking

Tour sum up

• Day 1: Departure from Paris (or other city, please contact us)
• Day 2 : Pékin – The Hutong, the Temple of Heaven & Wangfujing street
• Day 3 : Beijing – Mutianyu Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, Factory of "cloisonnés" (enamel) and the Sacred Path
• Day 4 : Beijing / Xian – Tian An Men square, the Forbidden city & the Summer Palace
• Day 5 : Beijing - The Panjianyuan antiques market, the Dongyue Temple, the art gallery 798 and Discovery of the Chinese traditional medicine.
• Day 6 : Beijing - The Lamas Temple , Temple of Confucius, the Bell Tower, the Charcoal Hill, the Pearls' market and Beihai Park
• Day 7 : Beijing / Xian
• Day 8: Xian - The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Calligraphy, the Medecine market and the Terracotta army
• Day 9 : Xian - Shaanxi History museum, the Steles' forest, Xian's ramparts, the great Mosque and discovery of tea
• Day 10 : Xian / Shanghai - The Bund and Nanjing road
• Day 11 : Shanghai – The Jade Temple, Yu Garden and the old town, the Museum of Art and History
• Day 12 : Shanghai – Xintiandi, Moganshan road, the Burgundy city and Mister Yang Shao Rong's collection of old shoes
• Day 13 : Shanghai / Zhouzhuang / Shanghai - Gondola ride, Shen Ting and Zhang Ting
• Day 14 : Shanghai
• Day 15: Arrival in Paris (or other city, please contact us)

Unique Activities included in this tour:

• Traditional Chinese foot massage
• Opera Show at the Liyuan Theater in Beijing
• Portman Acrobatic Show at the Shanghai Center Theater
• Traditional Beijing Roast Duck Banquet
• Songs and Dances about the civilization under the Tang Dynasty
• Mandarin lesson
• Visit of an old pharmacy
• Tea ceremony
• Calligraphy in the gardens of the Big Wild Goose pagoda
• Tai Chi lesson
• Ride in rickshaw and lunch in the Hutong
• Personal Shopper
• Sled ride on the Great Wall
• Teppanyaki dinner
• Ride on the canals to the Summer Palace
• Meet a Chinese artist
• Apéritif on Wangfujing street, Beijing
• Drink at the Jin Mao
• Chinese night : hot-pot and karaoke
• Ride in the Maglev

(A full description and illustration of these activities can be found by clicking on the « Unique Activities (Video) » tab).

Included Features:

• A private guide speaking your language (English, French, German or Spanish) accompanying you daily
• A private car with chauffeur at your disposal every day
• Accommodations in charming 3 and 4 stars hotels with private bathroom, air-conditioning, television and telephone
• The International flight*
• Domestic flights and trains as listed in the itinerary: Train: Beijing/Xian - Flight: Xian/Shanghai
• Sightseeing tours as listed in the itinerary
• The breakfasts
• Meals which are listed in the itinerary (those not listed are not included)
• Tourist accident / Casualty insurance
• Service charges and government taxes

Not Included Features:

• The visa expenses are not included in the price. However, according to your city of departure, we can take care of the formalities for you.
• Personal Expenses & Tips

* price per person "from", based on double standard room, subject to availability at time of booking

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* price per person "from", based on double standard room, subject to availability at time of booking