Itinerary
Days 1 - 4 ~ Beijing
Great Wall, Mutianyu
Arrive in Beijing and explore her fascinating backstreets by rickshaw, where you will get to meet a local family for lunch in their home and see an age-old ritual at the Drum Tower. A picnic at the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a wander through the Forbidden City and Summer Palace, and a visit to the 2008 Olympic Games sites are sure to fascinate, as is a walk through the Wanfujing Night Market.
Days 5 - 6 ~ Xian
Bell Tower, Xian
The Terracotta Warriors are Xian’s crowning glory, but you will also make memories in the colourful Muslim Quarter and pagodas, and enjoy delicious regional cuisine. Take some time atop the ancient city walls and see the Big Goose Pagoda, as well as Calligraphy Street.
Days 7 - 10 ~ Shanghai & Zhujiajiao
Pudong
In Shanghai experience the regal Bund on a walking tour, as well as ultra-modern Pudong. The Old Quarter has thankfully been preserved and offers you a glimpse into the China of old. Prepare to be amazed by an acrobatics performance, and relax into a day-trip to the canal town of Zhujiajiao. Depart on day 10.
Checklist & How we Travel
Inclusions:
• 9 nights hotel accommodation
• Domestic Flights as specified,
• All road transport by air-conditioned vehicles,
• All sightseeing as specified (including entrance fees),
• Western tour leader based on a minimum of seven travellers,
• Local English-speaking guides throughout,
• Arrival and departure transfers,
• Breakfast daily and one lunch.
GETTING AROUND: The Highlights of China tour is designed for those with only a short amount of time wanting to see China's most famous cities and highlights. This ten-day journey combines Beijing and Shanghai with visits to the Great Wall of China, the historical city of Xian, the Terracotta Warriors and the canals of Zhujiajiao.
On this tour we take advantage of the various forms of transport available in the different areas we visit. To make the most of your 10 days we use short flights to get between main cities.
In Beijing get a chance to see the old hutongs by rickshaws which wind their way through the narrow lanes. In Zhujiajiao we take to the water, taking a short boat ride on the canal ways that wind their way through this town.
In your own free time in China you might also like to explore the public transport systems that are available by hopping in taxis or taking advantage of the subway systems in both Beijing and Shanghai.
Make sure that you pack good walking shoes, as the best way to explore the streets is often by foot.
WHERE WE STAY: The deluxe option of the Highlights of China stays in some of the country's best hotels. At Travel Indochina we believe it is important to get out and explore the country you are visiting, however we also understand that this is your holiday and that you may want to add to the experience by staying in comfort and style.
In Beijing we stay in the centrally located luxury of the Raffles Beijing. A grand and elegant hotel located right off Wangfujing Street close to shops and Tiananmen Square. The prestigious Raffles name is synonymous with excellent service levels. Xian’s sleek, new Sofitel Renmin Square is located within the city walls in the historic Renmin Square. We stay in the gorgeous contemporary Premier Rooms with plenty of space and bright bathrooms for you to relax in. In Shanghai, you'll be spoilt in the fabulous Westin which will have you struggling to get out of their luxurious beds and showers.
Whilst these hotels are all of outstanding quality, it is still worth noting it may still be common for hotels in China to allow smoking in some or all hotel rooms and also communal hotel areas (e.g. lobbies, etc). Some hotels in China also have only a limited number of double rooms available. For this reason it is possible that only twin share rooms will be available even for those who have booked double rooms.
As a company we occasionally face challenges in confirming bookings in some of the hotels in China. This is especially true for hotels in Shanghai, a city where good hotels are chasing to keep up with the city's rapid rate of growth. For this reason occasionally we are forced to use hotels other than those on our normal group tour itineraries. In the event of such a change you will receive information regarding your revised itinerary as soon as possible.
WHAT WE EAT: The culinary opportunities that are available are an important part of your experience in China. At Travel Indochina we are keen to provide as rich an array of culinary opportunities as possible. We like eating local food in local restaurants. We also don't mind lashing out occasionally at some very special eating establishments.
Great food can be had in local restaurants in China for US$6-12 (including drinks) - sometimes less. There are also some special culinary opportunities available that may be more expensive, but well worth the experience. We include breakfast and one lunch on this tour.You may like to sample the famous dumplings banquet in Xian or a bowl of a traditional Muslim soup in Xian’s Muslim Quarter. We don’t include all meals in the price of your tour to allow you optimum flexibility when choosing what you would like to eat. (Special note: availability of both red and white wine tends to be limited mostly to locally produced beverages in most restaurants in China, if indeed it is available at all).
When it comes to making sense of the choices available to you your Tour Leader will be able to provide you with a number of options, no matter what your inclination. Tour Leaders will also frequently join you for meals taking you through some of their favourite dishes.
Tour Q&A
I’ve never travelled on a group tour before. Is group travel for me?
Our Small Group Journeys are not conventional group tours. You will be travelling with a maximum of 15 travellers (16 on Family Journeys), but most of our journeys have less than 12! They are designed to provide you with a good balance of personal discovery and group activity with like-minded travellers – and an enjoyable holiday. We shun mass tourism and all of its trappings – and we believe our style of travel will give you the best experience of your chosen destination.
Who will I be travelling with?
Travel Indochina travellers are of all ages and from all parts of the world. They share a passion for travel in Asia – a desire to savour the cuisine, meet the people and connect with the lives and cultures of these extraordinary places. Most travel to Asia from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
How fit do I have to be to join a Travel Indochina Small Group Journey?
Most of our holidays are suited to anyone of normal fitness and mobility with a desire to get out and experience Asia. Walking and optional leisurely cycling are common on all of our itineraries. Trekking and more adventurous activities are reserved for our journeys with an ‘adventurous’ grading, and this will be clearly marked on the tour page in this site. Some of our trips feature long drives or more basic accommodation. This will be clearly marked as well. Our accommodation is always chosen with your best interests in mind – location, cleanliness, quality and atmosphere are all important to us. The most important thing is that you pack a positive attitude and a desire to experience Asia and her people first hand. Download one of our trip dossiers or peruse this award-winning website for comprehensive information on your preferred journey. Click here for full description of journey grading.
What happens if I’m a single traveller?
Our groups are a mix of single travellers, couples, families and friends. Single travellers can choose between paying a supplement for a single room, or paying the twin price and sharing with another single traveller of the same sex. If we can’t match you with another traveller and you’re willing to share, you will travel in a single room without paying a supplement. You will not be pushed into a cumbersome triple share arrangement!
Can I bring the kids?
In short – yes! We offer a range of exciting Family Journeys in several countries. Asia is an ideal destination for family travel, with amazing historical sites and a range of unique, exciting activities like elephant trekking, river-rafting and kite-flying to name a few. There’s never been a better time to introduce your children to a region that will assume ever-increasing importance in their lifetimes.
What kinds of hotels will I be staying in?
We’d like to think that if you had the time to find the accommodation offering the best of location, cleanliness, atmosphere and value, you would make the same choices as us. Our hotels are both comfortable spaces to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day and great bases for exploration of the places you are visiting. A typical hotel will feature clean, comfortable rooms, private facilities and air-conditioning as well as great extras like a swimming pool and restaurants. Experiencing Asia isn’t about large gaudy international hotels devoid of local character. Nor is it about finding the cheapest hotel available. We’ve struck a balance. On our more adventurous tours basic accommodation is used in remote areas and this will be clearly marked.
What about your Deluxe Journeys?
Asia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and historic hotels. With this in mind, we designed our range of Deluxe journeys. The emphasis by day is unchanged – small groups and an authentic experience of Asia. At night, however, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the ambience of these specially selected hotels. These are not luxury holidays. While staying in some of the finest hotels in the world, your focus will be on meeting the people, eating the food and getting into the history and culture of your chosen destination. That’s the way we do things on all of our trips. Please note that in some places Deluxe accommodation is not available. In these cases we use the best available hotels. This will be clearly marked in your itinerary. Single supplements apply to Deluxe options.
Why are your groups accompanied by both Western tour leaders and local guides?
We believe our combination of local and western tour leaders provides for the best travel experience. The feedback from our travellers over the years confirms the same. Our local guides are uniquely placed to share personal insights that simply can’t be provided by outsiders or guidebooks. Our western leaders call Asia home and have a network of friends and experiences to share. They are also able to fully appreciate your interests and needs and ensure these are being met. You will be inspired by their enthusiasm and passion.
How will I be getting around?
The journey itself is very much a part of the experience of travelling with Travel Indochina. Local transport provides for great experiences in cities and towns, and you will find that we include everything – sampans in the Mekong Delta, elephants in Thailand, cyclos in rural Vietnam and camels on the Silk Road. On longer journeys we use modern, comfortable buses. Some travel companies bring together a collection of local bus tickets and a rigid local bus timetable as a means of minimising the cost of their tours. We believe this minimises the experience as well. There is nothing more rewarding than a spontaneous stop in a village to mix with the locals or to snap that magical photo in the fields.
What happens at meal times?
Eating is one of the highlights of travelling with Travel Indochina, and we like to make sure you get to experience as much local flavour as you like. Apart from the great variety of culinary experiences on offer, food in Asia is usually very inexpensive. For this reason we do not include many meals in your tour cost. Our group leaders have a wealth of knowledge of restaurants from the mainstream to the obscure. On most nights, your leader will join you at a favourite restaurant while also making suggestions to those wanting to try something different.
What's the difference between Travel Indochina and the other companies offering small group travel?
We don’t know of any company that offers the combination of well thought out itineraries, tasteful accommodation, insightful western and local leaders, value for money and a base in the region ensuring an ear to the ground. If you’re shopping around, ask about your accommodation, transport and the tour leaders and guides who will take care of you during your journey. It may also be worth looking at the number of nights spent on trains and in hilltribe villages when checking out the value of your holiday. We don’t cut any corners!
