Pandas & Warriors Family Holiday

Day 1
Depart London.

Day 2
There will be a welcome briefing this evening with dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3 - 4
For these two days we will enjoy the sights and sounds of China's capital. The sightseeing will include: the Forbidden City with its innumerable courtyards and temples, and the Temple of Heaven complex in the southern part of the city, where we can partake in some early morning Tai Chi. We take a walking tour of the cities hutongs (narrow alleys) to see what is left of old Beijing and its traditions. Just outside the city centre is the Summer Palace, a huge park dotted with impressive pavilions and temples which, like the Forbidden City, was once the exclusive playground of China's Emperors and their concubines. We also visit Tianamen Square, the largest square in the world and able to hold over a million people. A popular and fun optional activity in Beijing is learning about the intricacies of Gongfu, the ancient art of tea making that dates back to the 8th century. This will be explained to you (optional), then sit back and relax after a days sightseeing letting your child make you that perfect cuppa.

Day 5
We leave the capital and head into the countryside to the Great Wall, a 3-4 hour journey to the north of the city. We go to the less visited section at Simatai where the Wall is an impressive sight, snaking off across mountains and valleys into the distance. This afternoon we trek along the Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai. The wall here was rebuilt in 1572 and has been restored but is still reasonably quiet if we start early. On our 10km walk we will pass watchtowers looking out across the gullies and ravines of the rugged landscape. The Wall is steep in places and its condition worsens in the middle section - you need to be happy walking on uneven and stony surfaces with some drops off to the side, anyone who suffers from vertigo may find it difficult. The trek from Jinshanling to Simatai normally takes about 4-5 hours. The views are excellent, watching the Wall move away across the rugged hills. We sleep tonight in Jinshanling a village close to the Wall, returning there by bus at the end of the day.

Day 6
This morning we have more time to explore the wall. In the afternoon we transfer by road back to Beijing to freshen up before boarding an overnight train to the city of Luoyang. This train is of a good standard with a dining car and bar. Sleepers are four berth and bedding is provided.

Day 7
After breakfast and freshening up upon arrival we drive to the world famous shaolin martial arts monastery, the birthplace of both Kung Fu and Zen Buddhism. The monastery has been destroyed and rebuilt many times since it was built in 495 AD and is reputed to be the 'Number One Temple under Heaven.' Kung Fu was invented here by an Indian Buddhist monk who taught it to the monks as a form of exercise to counter their poor health as they had previously been engaged in only academic work in dark cramped conditions. Kung Fu in Shaolin means hard work and perfection not martial art. Kung Fu is based on the movements of five animals the tiger, snake, crane, eagle and monkey and the monastery still attracts martial arts devotees to this day. We will watch a show of the monk's skills; there will then be time for an optional Kung Fu lesson for anyone who wishes to give it a try.

Day 8
This morning we will visit the Long Men caves, the grottoes here hold one of the most famous ancient collections of Chinese sculptures. There are reportedly 2345 caves and niches, 2800 inscriptions, 43 pagodas and over 100,000 Buddhist images carved out of the hard limestone cliffs, with the carving work beginning in 492 AD and carrying on for over 500 years. Historical materials about religion, art, music, medecine and architecture are all stored in the caves. In the afternoon we catch the train to Xian, the journey is the perfect opportunity to practise your language skills with those onboard, with your leader on hand to act as an interpreter. Xian is one of China's former capitals, and one of the few cities in China to have retained its city walls, probably because they are so massive that no revolutionary was willing to tackle the huge task of removing them.

Day 9
In the morning we will visit the city and the Bell & Drum Plaza at its heart, along with the Great Mosque. The Muslim quarter is a fascinating place to visit, especially in the evening as it comes alive with the bustle of the bazaars and food stalls. Some early morning Tai Chi is again possible for anyone who wishes to try it. This afternoon is free; it is possible to hire bikes (optional) and cycle on the city walls and appreciate the sheer scale of them. As there is no traffic on the walls cycling is a great way for young and old to experience the city.

Day 10
Today we visit the famous mausoleum of Emperor Qin with its staggering display of Terracotta Warriors. His tomb lies covered by a grassy mound amidst green fields. Originally four armies were planned, at each point of the compass, life-size and lifelike. Three have been found and it is assumed the emperor's successors decided enough was enough before the fourth was begun. The first pit excavated had an estimated 6,000 figures in its one army. The third pit has been opened to the public, which contains the 'command post' for the entire operation. This is one of China's great tourist attractions, and some people may find the sheer numbers of visitors rather overpowering. After visiting, we fly to Chengdu and check in to our hotel.

Day 11
Chengdu the capital of Sichuan province is the home of the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base which we visit. Hopefully these intriguing and rare animals will be feeding, as this is when they're most active, otherwise we will have the opportunity to watch the Panda's indulge in their most common form of entertainment, sleeping. We fly from Chengdu to Guilin in the evening and transfer by road for 2 hours through the stunning towering limestone scenery to Yangshuo. Yangshuo and the surrounding region are famous for the steep-sided Karst Mountains that everywhere pierce the otherwise flat landscape of paddy fields. A view of a rural landscape that has changed little in centuries. Despite its small size Yangshuo has quite a tourist infrastructure due to its large transient population of backpackers and domestic tourists.

Day 12
This morning we hire bicycles to explore the surrounding countryside making a trip to the strange Moon Hill, a short ride away, which offers superb views of the surrounding area. All this activity needs fuelling which gives us the perfect excuse to sample more Chinese food, this time cooking ourselves under the watchful eye of an expert at this afternoon's cookery lesson, after having visited Yangshuo market to learn about the ingredients we will use.

Day 13
Today is free to relax and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and stunning scenery around Yangshuo. There are many optional activities; you may choose a cruise on the Li River, visit the Black Buddha caves or maybe enjoy a Chinese massage or even another Kung Fu class, or watch the Liu Sanjie Show an outdoor performance set on a natural stage formed by the Li River and 12 peaks. Even if you choose just to relax this is an ideal place, you can take a stroll around the market and examine the local produce or enjoy one of the cafes and watch the world go by.

Day 14
This morning we return to Guilin and fly to Shenzhen and then take a bus or ferry to our final destination of Hong Kong arriving in the afternoon. We will take a late afternoon/ early evening orientation tour by public transport visiting Stanley Market a magnet for tourists and locals alike, and Repulse Bay a former base for pirates that caused serious havoc to foreign shipping. The pirates were subsequently repulsed by the British navy, possibly leading to the current name, or another theory alleges the name comes from HMS Repulse that was once stationed in the Bay. The area is now one of the most expensive housing areas in Hong Kong. We finish at Victoria peak famous for its stunning views, for those that wish there is the option of having dinner at the peak to make the most of the views. Each evening there is a Sound and Light show with the cities high-rise buildings lit up in all their glory to round off the day.

Day 15
A free day for further sightseeing or shopping, or relax by the hotel swimming pools. It is also possible to visit Disneyland.

Day 16
Fly to London.