China Tour from Auckland

Currently there is one direct flight from Auckland to Beijing and it will land you in Beijing in about 13.5 hours. On the day of departure, please go to the airport by yourself. Of course we will confirm the flight information with you ahead of time.

When you arrive at Beijing’s airport, your local guide will pick you up outside the customs and transfer you to the hotel we carefully selected for you. After check-in, the remaining time of the day is free for you. You can have a good rest to prepare for your following exciting tours in China or make a self-exploration of the city.

Accommodation: Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong

Today's itinerary starts with Tiananmen Square. We will take you through the square from south to north, until arrival before the Forbidden City, the biggest highlight for today. You are going to find yourself in the grandest imperial palace complex in the world, the residence-office of twenty-four Chinese emperors that ruled from 1368 to 1912. Meticulously-designed palaces, with yellow roofs, red walls and dragon motifs indicating imperial dignity, as well as treasures particularly stored in the Treasure Gallery (included in our price) are all among the things to marvel at. You will also be stunned if delving into the engineering works behind the surface. Take the drainage system for example. It’s recorded that it was so well-structured that the entire City hasn’t seen flood once since it’s built, not even a puddling. Stop to examine some of those 1,142 dragon heads that jut out from the outside of elevated stone railings - they are nothing fancy, but water-draining spouts.

At noon, we will specially serve you an a la carte welcome lunch with Peking Duck (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a locally-famous restaurant.

This afternoon, enjoy a soul-lifting tour to Yonghe Temple and Temple of Heaven. After a dinner break, we will head to Liyuan Theatre for a look at the dressing room, where artists paint “lianpu” or patterns on their faces, and later a live Peking Opera Show.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, A la carte welcome lunch

This morning, we will take a round-trip cable car to go up and down the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, the world-famous military defense system used in ancient China to defend the Central Plain. You will be intoxicated not only with the magnificence of this man-made wonder, but also some red wine which we will offer for a group toast.

Since the restaurants near the Wall cannot measure up to our service standard, lunch is not offered today. We recommend you have a big breakfast at the hotel and pack some snacks to refuel your energy in the midday. Of course your guide would be glad to help if you want to travel light and have a self-paid lunch at a nearby restaurant.

On our way to the downtown area, we will have a short stopover at the Bird's Nest to take photos of its fancy design. Continue to the iconic hutong area, where a tour via rickshaw awaits. It will culminate in a family visit at one of the courtyard houses lining the hutong alleys. After that, transfer back to your hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast

Start this morning with a visit to the Panda House in Beijing Zoo. Next on our itinerary is Summer Palace, once a royal summer resort combining eye-opening natural views and palace shelters.

Afterwards, your guide will escort you to the airport to fly to Xi'an. Your Xi'an’s guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Local lunch
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Xi'an

The first stop of your tour in Xi'an will be the Terracotta Army, Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 - 210 BC)’s underground army stationed at his mausoleum, of pottery warriors and horses, as well as bronze chariots and weapons. With your guide’s comments, you will learn the relevant slice of history, hidden facts, and details that would often escape the eye. It’s interesting to notice that, not every warrior has armor on their body, which actually reflects the strict military rule of the Qin Empire stipulating which military rank wears them and which doesn’t. But the reason why the entire army is helmet-less is because it was at first made as for a military parade. Out of the museum, you will also visit the house of the first discoverer, Mr. Yang Zhifa, to unravel how the army was discovered. Spend a while in a workshop crafting a mini clay warrior - you will take it home as a souvenir - under guidance, before heading back to downtown.

Into the late afternoon, we will visit Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Then a dumpling dinner is served at a theatre while appreciating a Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Dumpling dinner

Tip: Guests visiting in January, February, March and December need to arrange the dinner and evening activity on their own for this day, since the theater is usually not open at those times.

Your 7 days China tours from Auckland end today. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, please head to the airport on your own. Taking a taxi is highly recommended. We hope we’ve brought joy to you during this tour! Thank you for coming and we will be waiting for your next visit to China. If you want a tour extension, please feel free to let us know.

Tip: As there is no direct flight linking Xi’an and Auckland, you may consider making a flight connection in Beijing, Shanghai or Hongkong.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast