Monday 4 May 2020 Arrive at Beijing airport and transfer to the Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel Beijing Hotel (early check-in is subject to room availability).
The rest of the day is free for your own exploration.
Meet up with the group at 7pm in hotel lobby for an epic Beijing bar crawl and get to know your fellow revellers!
Tuesday 5 May 2020 First stop on today's private tour is the largest city square in the world: Tiananmen Square!
Next up is the Forbidden City, the largest Imperial Palace in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of over 600 years.
We explore the incredible Hutongs, the traditional streets of old Beijing by rickshaw and visit a local family for tea, cake or local firewater if you dare!
After lunch, we will drive to the stunning Chateau Lion in Liangxiang for a tour of the vineyards and winery as well as a tasting of delicious local wines.
Tonight you will experience Beijing street food at its best and weirdest - deep fried spiders anyone?
Meals: B, L
Wednesday 6 May 2020 This morning we will drive out to see the Jinshanling Great Wall. Stretching from the Gobi desert to the Yellow Sea, this is the largest man made structure on earth and is an amazing feat of engineering, labour and sacrifice! The original wall was built 2000 years ago when China was unified under Emperor Qin Shi Huang to keep out marauding nomads.
On arrival at the Great Wall we will take a short hike to one the least visited areas. There will be very few people here compared the crowded Badaling and Mutianyu sections.
During our amazing walk we will stop at the best spot for magnificent views and enjoy a very memorable wine tasting with wines from the Ningxia region!
After a dinner of juicy rabbit heads we will head out for some serious Chinese Karaoke...
Meals: B, L
Thursday 7 May 2020 This morning we will visit Chateau Changyu. This spectacular winery built in the style of a French chateau, produces top-end wine, sparkling wine as well as spirits. The winery has become the tenth largest wine company in the world. After a tour of the winery, we will taste the impressive Changyu range.
After lunch we will visit Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design where the ancient Emperors used to pray for God’s blessing.
Our last night in Beijing will include visiting one of the best duck restaurants in the city as well as finding some classic hidden away bars in the Hutong district!
Meals: B, L
Friday 8 May 2020 This morning we will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the train station for the bullet train to Taiyuan.
Upon arrival at Taiyuan we will head to Taigu to visit Grace Vineyards, the first family-owned winery in China. Founded in 1997, Grace Vineyard is now considered as one of the best wine producers from China and it received various awards at important events like the Decanter World Wine Awards and was selected as the only China wine for Cathay Pacific’s first and business class passengers. As well as an informative tour, we will have a chance to taste wines relaxing in the beautiful vineyards.
Next stop is Pingyao and check in to the Kylin Grand Hotel.
Tonight we will discover the oldest bars in Pingyao where you will be convinced that you are in the 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon' movie!
Meals: B, D
Saturday 9 May 2020 Today we will experience the magnificent ancient city of Pingyao, the old financial center of China. It is now renowned for its well-preserved ancient city wall, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside the town, you will see Rishengchang Draft Bank, Ming and Qing Street, old government’s office, City God’s temple and Old City Wall.
Tonight we will head out on a 'Restaurant Safari' visiting six or seven restaurants for different courses!
Meals: B, L
Sunday 10 May 2020 This morning we will take the bullet train to Xi’an.
Upon arrival we will transfer to Grand Noble Hotel.
After time to relax, we will have a short city tour to discover the Small Goose Pagoda and Xi’an Museum.
Xi'an bar crawl.
Meals: B
Monday 11 May 2020 First stop this morning will be the Jade Valley Winery for a vineyard tour. Jade Valley is one of the best destination wineries in China, surrounded by rural villages, lush trees and fresh air. Jade Valley is winning acclaim not only for its unique architectural structures but also for the quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. We will taste a selection of impressive wines from different vintages.
After our vineyard tour we will visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum - one of the most important archaeological finds in the 20th century, an army of terra-cotta warriors built about 2000 years ago!
Tonight we will experience a traditional 'Dumpling Banquet and Tang Dynasty Singing and Dancing Show'.
Meals: B, L
Tuesday 12 May 2020 This morning we will visit Chateau Changyu Rena. Here you will discover Asia's first underground wine cellar and taste beautiful wines in the vineyard.
After a delicious lunch at the winery, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Shanghai.
We will be met at Shanghai airport and transferred to the Anting Villa Hotel.
Shanghai bar crawl and visit to the Pyongyang Koryo Restaurant to discover delicious North Korean food and singing waitresses!
Meals: B, L
Wednesday 13 May 2020 Today is a city tour of Shanghai.
We will visit the Shanghai Museum, Yu Gardens, a classic private style garden with 400 year old history, the nearby old Shanghai quarter, the famous Jade Buddha Temple, The Bund and Nanjing Road!
Thursday 14 May 2020 Our final day is dedicated to discovering the weird and wonderful sights of Shanghai!
Tonight we find a special restaurant for our farewell meal together sampling many delicious wines from China and reminiscing our wonderful week of wine, food, travel and discovery!
Meals: B, L
Friday 16 May 2020 At an appropriate time according to your flight, you will be picked up at the hotel and transfer to airport, for your flights home.
End of Tour.
Meals: B
Tour Cost: £1800.00 per person
Included: English speaking guides. Accommodation. Meals are included as specified (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=Dinner). Domestic flight (economy class): Xi'an - Shanghai. Domestic train at 2nd class seat: Beijing - Taiyuan, Pingyao - Xi'an. First entrance fees.
Not Included: International flights. Visa arrangement. Excess baggage charge. Optional tours Personal expenses. Tips/Gratuities to guides and drivers: RMB20 for local guides per day per person and RMB10 (or US$2) for drivers per day per person as a guideline, depending on service quality. Medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance.
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