Day 1: Canada – Night on board
Arrive at your Canada departure airport*, ready to board your flight to China. Night on board.

*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Shanghai
Arrive in dazzling Shanghai and transfer to the hotel. Shanghai is the largest of all Chinese cities and is known for its futuristic buildings, culinary scene and importance as a global financial centre. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. Overnight stay in Shanghai.

Day 3: Shanghai (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, take a walking tour of Nanjing road and the Bund neighbourhood to get to know Shanghai’s diverse neighbourhoods. Next, visit a silk showroom before heading into the bustling Old City Bazaar for a taste of the local culture. Return to the hotel and in the afternoon, we recommend an optional half-day city tour.* In the evening you have the option to enjoy an acrobatic show.** Overnight stay in Shanghai.

*Optional Shanghai Highlights tour: Discover the highlights of Shanghai including the Shanghai Historical Museum, where you will learn about the origins of this fomer trading outpost which has grown to be the cosmopolitan megalopolis that you can see today. Also, visit the Pudong area and enjoy an included entrance to the second sphere of the iconic Jinmao Tower.

**Optional Acrobatic Show: Experience one of the world’s oldest performing arts as you are immersed in an evening of culture and entertainment. Please note: Activity only available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Day 4: Shanghai (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, shopping in one of the many shopping centres, strolling around colonial Bund or sampling the street food. Otherwise, we recommend an optional tour of Suzhou Gardens* or a Huangpu River Cruise later in the evening.** Overnight stay in Shanghai.

*Optional tour of Suzhou Gardens: Acquaint yourself with Suzhou, known as the ‘Venice of the East’ and one of the most historically significant cities of Southern China where you will visit Lingering Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Suzhou Museum before taking a boat ride on Pingjiang River to make your way to the charming Old City.

**Optional Huangpu River cruise: View the city’s skyline from the comfort of the river cruiser as you enjoy an evening of spectacular views.

Day 5: Shanghai – Beijing (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the train station to catch a bullet train to Beijing in 2nd class seats. Arrive in Beijing, the enormous capital of China, famed for its ancient sites such as the iconic Forbidden City, and as being the gateway to some of the most visited portions of the Great Wall. Transfer to the hotel for checkin and free time in the evening. Overnight stay in Beijing.

Important note: The bullet train journey Shanghai – Beijing takes around 4-5h. Your guide will escort you to the train platform in Shanghai and the next guide will wait for you in Beijing station. There will be no guide present on board of the train. There is no Wifi connection on the train.

Day 6: Beijing (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, enjoy a tour of the fantastic Temple of Heaven, a religious complex used by the emperors of the Qing and Ming dynasties. Here you might have the opportunity to watch the locals practising Tai Chi in the tranquil surroundings. Afterwards, visit a local pearl showroom for an insight into the production of these precious jewels. Return to the hotel and spend the afternoon at your leisure. We recommend an optional Hutong tour* through central Beijing. Overnight stay in Beijing.

*Optional excursion to Shichahai Hutong & Lama Temple: Hop on a rickshaw, the most popular form of transportation in the traditional neighborhoods, and visit Bell Tower and Drum Tower from the outside before stepping into one of the local Siheyuan courtyard houses of Hutong to learn about Chinese paper cutting. Finally, visit the Lama Temple, also known as the Yonghe Temple, which is considered as the largest and most perfectly preserved Buddhist monastery in present-day Beijing.

Day 7: Beijing (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an exciting excursion to the best-preserved section of the Great Wall of China. The Juyongguan section is the most visited part of the wall and is the best representation of the former splendour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of unimaginable length, the wall can be seen from space. On the way, admire the countryside and stop at an impressive Jade exhibition, where you will learn about the traditional significance of this precious stone. Arrive at the Great Wall where you have time to learn about the history of the wall and enjoy walking on this ancient relic of the past. On the way back to Beijing, visit a traditional Chinese Medicine factory. Return to Beijing and stop at the famous Olympic Park, where you can admire the beautifully architected Bird’s Nest Stadium and Water Cube Aquatics Centre. Transfer to the hotel. We recommend an optional Golden Mask Show, a beautiful cultural performance.* Overnight stay in Beijing.

*Optional Golden Mask show: Set in the Golden Mask Dynasty, a legendary age in China, the story tells the story of a queen, who wears a golden mask, and creates a splendid dynasty. It is a fabulous insight into China’s history and arts.

Day 8: Beijing (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day exploring Beijing at your leisure, visiting the sights or delving into the fabulous cuisine. Alternatively, we recommend an optional excursion to the Forbidden City and the Summer palace.* Overnight stay in Beijing.

*Optional full-day Forbidden City & Summer Palace excursion with Peking duck dinner: Explore the iconic Tiananmen Square to then head to the Forbidden City, an impressive palace complex and home to the former Imperial Chinese Palace for the years spanning from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. It is the world’s most visited attractions and showcases immaculate Chinese design and architecture. Afterwards, transfer to the Summer Palace, a former palace complex surrounded by lakes and gardens where the emperors would retreat during summer. After the tour, try the famous Peking Duck for dinner. Watch the chef slice the golden-brown duck, so that you can admire his skills and the thin crispy skin. You will also learn how to eat this dish correctly.

Day 9: Beijing – Xi’an (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the train station for an exciting bullet train journey to Xi’an. Arrive, transfer, and check-in to the hotel. Afterwards, enjoy free time to get to know your new surroundings. Try walking around the neighborhood, or join an optional night tour* to get a deeper view of the local highlights. Overnight stay in Xi’an.

*Optional night tour: Take an evening tour, beginning with the North Square of the Wild Goose Pagoda, then heading all the way to The Grand Tang Mall, also known as Datang Everbright City. This pedestrian-friendly park offers a captivating experience that transports you back to the Tang Dynasty with lights, statues, and stalls.

Important note: The bullet train journey Beijing – Xian takes around 4-5h. Your guide will escort you to the train platform in Beijing and the next guide will wait for you in Xian station. There will be no guide present on board of the train. There is no Wifi connection on the train.

Day 10: Xi’an (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover one of China’s most iconic sights as you enjoy a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Approximately 8,000 sculpted figures were buried alongside Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, and today you can see this once in a lifetime sight for yourself. Each figure is impressively crafted and unique. Be blown away by the intricacy and the sheer number of the figures as you learn about their significance. Visit a terracotta workshop and get closer to the warriors while learning traditional crafting techniques. Next, dive to visit Xian’s Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter, where you will challenge yourself to take a gastronomic adventure and try its famous street food. Overnight stay in Xi’an.

*Optional Tang Dynasty show with dumpling banquet dinner: Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with fabulous music and dancing from the era of the Tang Dynasty, China’s golden age. The show is a unique way to get to know the historical culture of the ancient city of Xi’an. Enjoy a dumpling banquet for dinner, included with this activity!

Day 11: Xi’an – Chengdu (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the train station to catch a Bullet Train to Chengdu in 2nd class seats. Arrive and transfer directly to the Panda Base Center, home to the iconic and elusive giant pandas, one of the most endangered animals in the world. Here, you may be lucky enough to watch the pandas in the huge outdoor enclosures. After getting up close to these beautiful creatures, head to the Panda Museum to learn about these endangered animals. Next, enjoy a visit to the Shu Embroidery Museum, for an insight into one of China’s most prestigious traditions of embroidery. Transfer to the hotel and in the evening we recommend an optional Sichuan Opera Show.* Overnight stay in Chengdu.

*Optional Sichuan opera show: Enjoy a vibrant and colourful evening of entertainment. The Sichuan Opera involves a multitude of colourful masks, costumes and traditional performing arts.

Important note: The bullet train journey Xian – Chengdu takes around 3-4h. Your guide will escort you to the train platform in Xian and the next guide will wait for you in Chengdu station. There will be no guide present on board of the train. There is no Wifi connection on the train.

Day 12: Chengdu (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Chengdu, walking along the riverside, delving into the stretching history of the city, which stretches back to the 4th-century BC, or sampling the local cuisine. We recommend an optional excursion to Huanglongxi Ancient Town & Leshan Big Buddha.* Overnight stay in Chengdu.

*Optional Full-day excursion to Huanglongxi & Leshan Big Buddha with Hot Pot Dinner: First, visit Huanglongxi Ancient Town, home to more than 1700 years of history. Here you can explore old Chinese culture and customs and soak up the beautiful natural landscapes. Continue to Leshan to visit the famous Leshan Big Buddha, the largest sitting stone Buddha in the world at 71 metres high. Located on the banks of the Dadu River, you will get a boat ride to get the best views to the Buddha. Back to Chengdu, stop at for an included Hot Pot Dinner.

Day 13: Chengdu (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure, relaxing or exploring the galleries, museums and historical monuments of Chengdu. We recommend a full-day excursion to Dujiangyan and the Sichuan Cuisine Museum.* Overnight stay in Chengdu.

*Optional Full-day tour to Dujiangyan & Sichuan Cuisine Museum: Embark on an exciting tour of the ancient Dujiangyan waterworks, an impressive feat of engineering and construction built more than 2000 years ago! It is still used today to control flooding on the Min River and to irrigate the arid regions around Chengdu, making it one of the world’s oldest infrastructures still in use. It helped to boost Sichuan to a successful and prosperous province. Afterwards, head to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum to taste and cook classic dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken.

Day 14: Chengdu – Night on board – Canada (B)
Breakfast* at the hotel. Enjoy a morning at your leisure in Chengdu before transferring to the airport for a flight back to Canada.

*Depending on your flight departure time you might not be able to enjoy the included breakfast.

 

Important note: Visits may be rescheduled due to weather, operational or political events. We suggest you not to book tours with third parties in case of any penalty due to cancellation.

Optional Tour

(Price is per person based on double occupancy – additional cost will apply to solo travelers or group with odd numbers)

Day 3: Chinese Acrobatic Show
Price from $96 per person
Experience one of the world’s oldest performing arts as you are immersed in an evening of culture and entertainment.
Note: Activity only available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The show will be performed in chinese and some functions might have screens with subtitles in English
Not included: Dinner

 

Day 3: Half-day Shanghai Highlights
Price from $96 per person
Visit the Shanghai Historical Museum, where you can learn about the history of this international metropolis. Also, visit the Pudong area and enjoy the views from the iconic Jinmao Tower.
What’s included: Guide, entrance fees

Day 4: Full day tour to Suzhou’s gardens and canals with boat tour
Price from $208 per person
Get to know the top sites not to be missed of Suzhou, including the Lingering Gardens and the Suzhou Museum before hopping on a boat ride to make your way to the charming Old City.
What’s included: Entrance tickets, guide, transfers.
Not included: Lunch

Day 4: Huangpu River Night Cruise
Price from $80 per person
View the city’s skyline from the comfort of the river cruiser as you enjoy an evening of spectacular views of Shanghai.
Not included: Dinner

Day 6: Tour of Hutong District & Lama Temple
Price from $112 per person
Head to the traditional neighborhood of Shichahai Hutong and discover it with a rickshaw ride. End at the famous Lama Temple, the most important Buddhist monastery in modern Beijing.
What’s included: Guide, transfers, rickshaw ride.

Day 7: Golden Mask Dynasty Show
Price from $80 per person
Experience a stunning Chinese drama play recounting the story of a masked queen that creates a beautiful dynasty, set in the Golden Mask Dynasty.
Note: The show will be performed in Chinese and some functions might have screens with subtitles in English
Not included: Dinner

Day 8: Full-day Tour of Beijing
Price from $216 per person
Begin in Tiananmen Square and then head to the Forbidden City, an impressive palace complex once home to the emperor. Visit the “Summer Palace,” where the imperial family would go to escape the heat. Then, try delicious Peking Duck for dinner!
What’s included: Guide, transfers, dinner
Not included: Extra drinks during dinner.

Day 9: Xian evening tour and Datang everbright city
Price from $48 per person
Visit the North Square and make a photo-stop at the Wild Goose pagoda. Walk around the Grand Tang Mall at the Datang everbright city, enjoying a stunning show of lights, sculptures, and street vendors
What’s included: Guide

Day 10: Tang Dynasty Show with Dumpling Banquet Dinner
Price from $96 per person
See a Tang Dynasty show with fabulous music and dancing from China’s golden age. This is a unique way to get to know the city’s ancient historical culture. Feast on a banquet of dumplings for dinner at no extra cost.
What’s included: Dinner, transfers.

Day 11: Sichuan Opera Show
Price from $64 per person
Enjoy a vibrant and colorful evening of entertainment. The Sichuan Opera involves a multitude of colorful masks, costumes and traditional performing arts.
What’s included: Entrance fees, transfers
Not included: Meals

Day 12: Full-day Tour to Leshan Big Buddha & Hot-pot Dinner
Price from $192 per person
Immerse yourself in ancient China by visiting Huanglongxi historic town and the famous Leshan Big Buddha sitting in the riverbank. End the day with a delicious hot-pot dinner.
What’s included: Entrance fees, guide, transfers, boat ride to see the Buddha from the river, hot pot dinner.

Day 13: Full-day Tour to Dujiangyan and Sichuan Cuisine Museum
Price from $192 per person
Embark on an exciting tour of the Dujiangyan waterworks, icon of ancient Chinese engineering, and visit the Sichuan Cuisine Museum where you can taste and even cook yourself classic dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken.
What’s included: Entrance fees, guide, transfers, lunch at the Sichuan Cuisine Museum.

 

 

Entry requirements

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave China.
• A visa is required. Contact the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular office for more information on visa. Invitation letter in Chinese will be provided by Exoticca.
  In order to receive your invitation letter for your Chinese Visa (mandatory), it is important that all of your details and names are given to Exoticca exactly as they appear on your passport.
  Please send copies of the passports of all passengers to [email protected] once you have booked your trip in order for us to process your Chinese Visa Invitation Letter.
  Once you receive your invitation letter from us (approximately two months prior to departure) you will be required to make an appointment to go to the Chinese Visa Center in person with your passport with at least 6 months validity, a passport photo, a visa application form and the invitation letter to apply for your Chinese Visa. You will also be required to make another appointment to return to the Chinese Visa Center a second time to collect your Chinese Visa (it can be replaced for a home-delivery service with an extra fee). For more information about your nearest Chinese Visa Center, application form and appointment reservations please see: http://ca.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsyw/gzrz/vusa/.
• Parallel to the embassy and consulate there are specialized China Visa service companies that can help with a more personalized service. Select Canada and your closest center in this website for more information: https://www.visaforchina.cn/globle/
• The cost of a Chinese Visa can range from 100 to 300 CAD / person depending on added assistance services, express delivery upgrades, etc. It usually takes around 10 days to get a visa approval.
• Please be advised that it is the traveler’s responsibility to follow-up and be aware of any changes in either Visa requirements or entry conditions.

Important Notes

• We cannot guarantee that you and your travel companions will be allocated seats together on the train. Some train journeys and flights can be early in the morning in order to successfully follow the schedule.
• The hotels stated in the letter of invitation are not definitive; the hotels will be confirmed between 45 and 30 days before departure.
• We recommend carrying cash in either the local currency or in US Dollars.