Twelve Day Harbin Ice Festival & Chinese New Year Tour

On arrival there may be the opportunity to visit the Temple of Heaven.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Our journey begins today with a drive to the impressive expanse of Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing, covering some 40 hectares and enclosed on all sides by memorials to the past and present. After visiting the square we will cross to the magnificent Forbidden City, the one-time home of the Ming and the Manchu (Qing) emperors and a treasure trove of eastern wares. So named, because for 500 years it was off limits to all but a privileged few, the Forbidden City is the largest and bestpreserved collection of ancient buildings in China, covering an area of 720,000 square metres and containing an incredible array of some 800 buildings. After our visit the rest of the day is free to continue exploring as you wish, perhaps taking the opportunity to explore the alleyways or ‘Hutongs’ that make up the older and rapidly disappearing residential quarters of this fascinating city. Then there are the numerous parks and markets, selling everything from live frogs to deep fried bluebottles and scorpions! This evening there may also be the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of a traditional Beijing Opera performance or acrobatic display (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Begun 2000 years ago, the Great Wall of China snakes from the east coast to the Gobi Desert, stretching for over 5,000 kilometres across five provinces and two autonomous regions. It was originally designed to keep out the barbarian tribes that raided across the northern boundaries of the empire, later being strengthened and fortified in an attempt to keep out the Mongol armies of Genghis Khan. Despised for much of its life as a symbol of tyranny and oppression, the Wall exacted a heavy toll in both resources and lives, with thousands of conscripted workers labouring on the project over the centuries, many of them ending their days buried in its brick and stone ramparts. This morning we drive some 90km north of the city, to a particularly well preserved section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu, where two kilometres of restored wall gives us something of the idea of this immense structure in all its glory. Meandering across an undulating landscape of folded hills, the wall at Mutianyu was started by the Northern Dynasties during the 6th century, with much of the restoration that we can see today being completed during the reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Nearly 8 metres high and up to 5 metres thick, the wall provided a formidable barrier along the northern edge of the empire and its 22 watchtowers and enhanced defensive features indicate that this section was of particular importance. These magnificent parapets cross a breathtaking landscape of valleys, out towards the purple hills in the distance. En-route today we also hope to visit a Cloisonné workshop where you can see examples of this ancient metal-working technique.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is left free for you to explore more of this amazing city. Recommended is a visit to the Summer Palace, an old and very extensive imperial garden complex with a large boating lake and impressive palace buildings. Late afternoon we transfer to the train station to board our overnight train to Harbin.

Overnight Basic Train Included meals: Breakfast

We arrive in Harbin early this morning and transfer to our hotel for breakfast.  Lying on the southern bank of the Songhua River, Harbin has long been known as the “Ice City’, the cold winter Siberian winds plunging the temperatures down to as low as -38 degrees C. One of China’s most beautiful cities, Harbin is littered with Russian and European influenced architecture and even its local cuisine still retains the reminders of a time when this once remote enclave was the largest Russian settlement outside of the old empire. Today the city is famous for its annual Ice and Snow Festival, one of the largest in the world.  We hope to see some winter swimming, before taking a stroll along the famous Zhong-Yang Street, which affords a chance to take in the Baroque and Byzantine inspired facades, Russian bakeries and the old Jewish district of the city. Later this afternoon we will head to the magnificent Snow and Ice world to see these beautiful ice sculptures that take on an almost ethereal presence in the gathering twilight.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we have time to explore more of the ice festival with a visit to the Sun Island Park, site of the Snow Sculpture Exposition. One of the world’s largest ice sculpture parks it includes an outdoor ice and snow art museum housing sculptures that have been influenced by Chinese folklore and some of the world’s most iconic
images.  We also visit the famous Zhaolin Park, home of the spectacular ice lanterns before we transfer to the airport for the flight to Xian (Chang’an), the capital of China’s Shaanxi province and a city that once served as the Imperial powerhouse for 11 dynasties. Lying at the starting point of the Silk Road between Central Asia and Europe, the city was the gateway to a journey that spanned a diversity of cultures and landscapes, as goods from China made their way across mountains and deserts, into the exotic kingdoms of Asia and the Indian subcontinent and then into the unknown lands of the west.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we visit one of the highlights of not only Xian, but of China itself – the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses who guard the Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. Considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the last century, there are thousands of life-size warriors here, dating from 200BC and guarding the tomb of the first emperor of a unified China. Each figure, measuring approximately 1.8 metres in height, was individually crafted to represent, some say, actual members of the Imperial Guard. When they were discovered in 1974 the warriors were armed with actual bows, crossbows, swords and spears, many of them still as sharp as they had been when they were buried. We will visit the three excavated pits that hold this incredible army, viewing an array of bowmen, charioteers and the incredible sight of a thousand soldiers lined up in battle formation before the tomb of the emperor. Our visit with a local guide will also include a video presentation and the bronze chariot exhibition, which features two superbly preserved half sized representations of the Emperor’s chariot and that of the Imperial Fleet leader. The rest of the afternoon is free to perhaps take an optional bike ride around the city walls, or pay a visit to the National (Shaanxi) Museum, a rich repository of artefacts that span some one million years of Chinese history, including Buddhist sculptures from the 5th century, Confucian texts from the Tang dynasty and a number of remarkable steles, including one portraying a map of Chang’an at the height of its power.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Before departing Xian today we have an opportunity to enjoy a tour of the city, taking in some of its major sights, such as the Tang Dynasty Big Wild Gooses Pagoda, a 64 metre high structure that supplies some quite superb views out across the city. We also pass by the Bell and Drum Towers and explore the intimate network of alleys and streets that make up the engaging Muslim Quarter. Said to be descendents of 8th century Arab soldiers, the occupants of these rambling quarters belong to Xian’s Hui minority people and during our walk we will see the impressive Great Mosque, the largest in China. You may also have the chance to visit the spectacular Han Dynasty tombs (optional). Later this afternoon we then fly to Hong Kong where, on arrival, we will transfer by bus to our hotel and our 3-night stay in this most energetic of cities. Please note that during Chinese New Year many shops and businesses will be closed.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we take an orientation tour of Hong Kong, which will include Kowloon’s bustling waterfront, a ride on the famous Star Ferry and some of the city’s more memorable buildings. We will also take in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Des Voeux Road, wander through the shops and stalls of Li Yuen Street markets, visit the Man Mo Temple, one of the oldest in Hong Kong and finish up in Hong Kong Park. At lunch time we plan to have a traditional Dim Sum lunch to mark the start of New Year – we expect many Hong Kong families to do likewise. In the evening we watch the Chinese New Year’s Eve Parade. One of the country’s most auspicious day’s, New Year is the biggest event of the Chinese lunar calendar and is marked by a rich fusion of ancient tradition and a spectacular night parade that snakes along the harbour front area to herald in the Year of the Tiger. A cavalcade of colourful floats turns the heart of the city onto one giant street party, presenting spectators with one of the bestloved and most eagerly awaited events in the entire New Year’s festivities.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today has been left free for you to continue exploring this fascinating city at your leisure. You may like to take the famous tram to the top of Victoria Peak for some spectacular views across the harbour and the outlying islands, or you could take a tour of Repulse Bay and Aberdeen Fishing Village. This evening there is an opportunity to continue enjoying the New Year celebrations by taking in the mesmerising firework display that lights up the spectacular backdrop of Victoria Harbour. The best point to make the most of the show is generally along the waterfront in the Tsimshatsui district of the city.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast