China 360 Degree Tour

21st February - The Great Wall and Olympic Park.

After a very good buffet breakfast with lots of choice we travelled to the Great Wall. It is about 70km from Beijing and took around an hour and half. The Great Wall is very impressive, but with lots of very steep steps, so not my ideal environment and not good for David’s bad knees. But the views were wonderful and worth the climb.

After a coffee, the next stop was a Jade factory/shop. The jade carvings and jewellery were very beautiful, but expensive.

An hour’s drive took us to the Olympic Park to see the iconic Bird’s Nest stadium and Ice Cube aquatic centre. The complex is built on the North/south axis of the city. You could walk straight down for 5km and reach Tiananmen Square.

Final activity of the day was a traditional Chinese show, The Golden Mask show. This was a spectacular performance of dancing and acrobatics. The special effects were awesome, as were the costumes. During one scene 4 dancers had live white peacocks on their heads!

Afterwards we went to a local hot pot restaurant. It was certainly an experience. You had to cook your own food in a charcoal fired pot filled with oil, water and spices. It was lots of fun and again very cheap, under £10 per head including beer.

22nd February - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Peking Duck!

Tiananmen Square is vast, we were surprised at the level of security, had to show our passports and visas to enter. It contains Chairman Mao’s tomb. Next stop was the Forbidden City, again on a vast scale with lots of very ornate wooden buildings. Slightly disappointed that you couldn’t enter any of the buildings. Lots of children and young girls dressed up in traditional Manchurian costumes.

We then went to a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy. Interesting talk on the principles of Chinese medicine and we all had a consultation which involved taking your pulse and looking at your tongue. Medicine was very expensive though. Ann had a 15 minute massage which she said was very firm!

We then continued our tour to the summer palace in the mountains on the edge of Beijing. This was very beautiful, like a miniature Forbidden City by a large lake with beautiful gardens.

Final activity of the day Peking Duck dinner. Massive amounts of food served on a lazy Susan. Apparently the duck was amazing!!!

Back to the hotel for nightcaps on happy hour.

23rd February - Temple of Heaven, Hutong and Lama Temple.

First stop today was the Lama Temple, a Buddhist temple. Very large complex with lots of smaller temples, Buddhas and incense burning. The main attraction was the last temple which was constructed around a 26 meter very ornate Buddha carved out of a single piece of sandalwood from Tibet.

We then went to the Hutong which is an area containing traditional single storey houses built around courtyards. We took a rickshaw ride around the lake and narrow windy streets. Lunch was family style in one of the traditional houses. It was very nice and included lots of dishes all cooked by the lady of the house Yuan. Her family business was paper cutting, so we all had a go.

Next stop was a traditional tea ceremony in a tea house. Was like a wine tasting without the alcohol!

Final stop was the Temple of Heaven, a pagoda within the main city park.

On our return to the hotel we went to the shopping centre for a coffee. Back to the room for a rest, before reconvening for happy hour in the bar.

24th February - Beijing to Xian 

8am transfer to the railway station to catch the bullet train to Xian. The bullet train travelled at 300km an hour and took just under 5 hours. It was very comfortable and clean, puts British trains to shame. We were met by our new guide Jenny. The Titan Central Park Hotel in Xian is a bit dated, but centrally located. After quickly unpacking we set off for an evening tour of the city. Starting at the North Square of the Wild Goose Pagoda for a spectacular fountain and laser show. We then walked around Datang Everbright City. This is a 2km pedestrianised street filled with lights, stalls, statues and performers. We stopped along the way for street food. We even found a stall selling Mojitas! The lights and Chinese lanterns were beautiful. Last stop of the evening was the South Gate of the impressive city wall which surrounds the old city, an impressive 14km long. The wall was also illuminated with huge Chinese lanterns depicting animals. The gate was guarded by two enormous dragon lanterns. The whole city seemed to come alive with lights in the evening. Xian is very beautiful and very different to Beijing, it is the ancient capital and therefore lots of older buildings and very congested traffic.

25th February - Terracotta Warriors

Short drive to a factory which made replica terracotta warriors first, which, of course, was the customary hard sell.

Then we went to see the real terracotta warriors in the 3 large hangers which make up the museum. The scale and detail was very impressive. Outside of the museum was a large street full of food and souvenir stalls. We nibbled on a few local snacks and then had a Starbucks! It had warmed up to a balmy 14 degrees, so was lovely walking in the sunshine.

Final stop, a trip to the Muslim quarter and the mosque. The mosque was next to the drum tower. Xian, like Beijing has a bell and a drum tower. The bell used to be rung in the morning and the drum banged in the evening to signal the opening and closing of the city gates. Lots of food stalls and souvenir shops down quaint windy alleyways.

Dinner in an Italian restaurant in the mall. I was very happy to have pizza. Boys happy with beer and Ann and I made the most of the wine, which is not that common in China!

27th February - Xian to Guilin

Early flight 7.20am to Guilin. The flight took 2 hours and we were met at the airport by our new guide Kevin. We drove 2 hours to the picturesque town of Yangshou. The scenery around Yangshou is very reminiscent of Vietnam, Hulong Bay, which is not surprising as it is only 600km away. There we had lunch in a local restaurant before strolling along West Street, which was filled with shops and bars. We made a beer and cocktail stop obviously. We then went on a boat trip on a flat bottomed raft along the Li river. Very beautiful scenery with Egrets and water buffalo wading in the shallows. Checked into the hotel around 5pm which gave us time for a rest before being picked up for the evening entertainment at 7pm.

In the evening we went to the outdoor Liu Sanjie impressions show. Liu Sanjie is based around a legend of the Zhuang people. Zhuang is one of the 56 ethnic groups in China and, with a population of 15 million, is second only to the Han majority in China. Liu Sanjie, which means “third sister in  the Liu family” had a beautiful voice that enchanted everyone who heard it. The legend is that a warlord fell in love with Liu Sanjie, but she had already fallen in love with a farmer boy from the village. The warlord  kidnapped Liu Sanjie, but she was rescued by her lover and friends in the village, and the couple escaped living happily ever after. The whole show was designed by Zhangyimou, the same Chinese film director who did the opening ceremony of the Beijing olympics. The setting was stunning with a backdrop of illuminated mountains, with most of the action taking place on the river. There was a cast of over 600. It featured colourful, illuminated costumes and lasers. At one point they even had a real water buffalo and cormorants. It really was amazing.

28th February - Yangshou to Guilin

A more leisurely start to the day. Left the hotel at 8.45am for the drive back to Guilin.

First stop was a tea plantation, where we were shown the process of growing processing the tea. Afterwards we tried different teas in a tea ceremony. On our arrival in Guilin we went to Elephant Hill park for photo opportunities. Our guide Kevin then took us to an Irish pub for lunch. Nik, David and Ann had Chinese food, but I had a pizza! We then went a wander down a shopping street, I bought myself some pink cultured pearl earrings and Ann bought me the matching bracelet for my birthday. Our hotel in Guilin, the Guilin Bravo Hotel was fabulous, very palatial. After a stroll around the lake we found a little bar by the hotel for a relaxing drink.

We were picked up at 7pm for a boat ride around the four lakes which make up the city moat. Lots of lights, girls dancing in pagodas along the lake side and even illuminated rafts with cormorant fishermen. We were even lucky enough to see a cormorant catch a fish. A really magical experience, Guilin is certainly a beautiful city. On our way back to our coach we stopped to see a hotel which had transformed into a waterfall over the entire front elevation. Early night for me as still full of cold.

1st March - Longji terrace rice fields

2 hour drive to the Longji rice terraces, then a 15 minute shuttle bus ride, followed by 10 minutes in a golf buggy up high, windy roads. The view of the rice terraces from the top was spectacular. We then took a slow walk down admiring the stunning scenery and farmland. We eventually arrived in a little village restaurant for lunch. The scenic courtyard had amazing views and the food was fabulous. A local speciality was bamboo rice. This was rice and vegetables packed into a bamboo tube and steamed on the bbq. Although, the snake and berry wine was definitely an acquired taste! We then walked off lunch by continuing down the hill to a traditional Yao village. Got very warm this afternoon 24 degrees.

Back to Guilin for our last night before our early morning transfer to Shanghai. We decided to take a 15 minute stroll to the Irish bar we had lunch at yesterday with fellow guest Tom & Bev. However, we got a bit lost and it took an hour. Our drinks were certainly well earned when we got there. The walk back was much shorter!!!

2nd March - Guilin to Shanghai

Early start for 7.30am flight. We were met by Lulu at the airport. Transferred to our last hotel Harbour Plaza Metropolitan, which is a misnomer as no where near a harbour. Very modern hotel, rooms a bit small but functional. 28 degrees today in Shanghai so very hot. After a stroll around the general hotel area, we went on a walking tour of the Bund and Nanjing Road. The Nanjing Road was reminiscent of Oxford Street, so we found a bar for a beer. Back to the hotel for happy hour. We ate at a restaurant just round the corner from our hotel, very western food, I had a gorgeous smoked salmon salad, whilst the others had noodles with either prawns or beef.

3rd March - Shanghai

After the heat of yesterday, we’ve woken up to thunder and lightening! 10am start for a city tour. We began with walk down the other end of Nanjing Road and found a park, also the world’s largest Starbucks. We then went Jinmao Tower and went to the 88th floor observation deck for spectacular views of the city.

Final stop of the day was the imitation market, AP Plaza, selling genuine fakes!!! Lots of fun haggling, but obviously lots of tat!

Back to the hotel in time for happy hour. Dinner was in the nearby shopping mall.

4th March - Shanghai

First stop Shanghai History Museum and then Yu Garden, which is famous for displaying Feng Shui principles. This was a real oasis in the centre of Shanghai. Yuyuan, is the shopping area next to Yu gardens, also known as old Shanghai, although most of the buildings are reconstructions. It is a beautiful China town distinct with lots of little shops, cafes and food stalls. We found a % coffee shop which is our favourite in China.

Obligatory stop in a tea, silk, jade and pearl shop to try and get us to buy more stuff!!!

Maglev train ride to experience highest speed train in the world. It travels at 431 km an hour. Although, it is presently restricted to 300km an hour to save money. Took an impressive 7 minutes to get to the airport approximately 30km away.

Final visit of the day, the French quarter, Xintiandi. This is modelled on bar street in Hong Kong, so obviously we had to stop off for drinks. Very pretty little street.

Long day today, not back to the hotel until 7pm. We had an included noodle dinner at a local restaurant which Ann and David took advantage of. Nik and I went to another nearby restaurant instead as I had a craving for more Western food and enjoyed my pizza and sweet potato fries.

5th March - Suzhou Gardens

Last day in China and a full day’s trip to Suzhou, known as the Venice of the East. One and a half hour drive from our hotel. First stop was The Lingering Garden, a UNESCO world heritage site. It was absolutely beautiful, full of rocks, ponds, plants, pavilions and bonsai trees.

Next stop a silk factory. Very interesting presentation. They offered a good deal on a silk bedding bundle containing pillows and a duvet, including the covers and even a small carry on case to transport it home. Ann and David bought one!

After a lunch banquet, we went to Suzhou Museum. The building was designed by the same architect who designed the Louvre in Paris. It was a beautiful building with a Koi pond in the centre.

We then wandered through the charming narrow lanes of old town Suzhou before taking a boat ride down the canal in whilst being serenaded by the lady punting the boat. Suzhou was very beautiful and the perfect end to our trip.

Back to the hotel in time for happy hour!