Backroads to Beijing

Arrive into Shanghai airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Today we explore the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. On our guided tour of the city we'll visit the iconic Oriental Pearl TV tower, Shanghai's Bund, where on and around the waterfront promenade are a vast series of grandiose pre-1949 buildings, the picturesque Yuyuan Gardens and the Old City. This evening enjoy a cruise on the Huangpu River and admire Shanghai's incredible illuminated skyline.

Please note: If you are travelling between 19 Sep and 31 Oct 2019, the Yu Gardens will be closed for improvements. During these dates, we will visit the Jade Buddha Temple and bazaar outside of the Yu Gardens instead. (B)

Shanghai - Suzhou - Shanghai - Qufu. Today we visit the picturesque and ancient city of Suzhou, which is reminiscent of Venice with its series of canals and pretty waterways. Here we enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal and visit a silk workshop.

There's plenty to see and do in Shanghai and day 4 is free for you to venture to the Old City, French Quarter or opt to shop along the famous Nanjing road. This evening we bunk down in our soft sleeper train cabins en route to Qufu. (Bx2/L)

This morning we arrive into Qufu, birthplace of Confucius and home to the remarkable Confucius Temple. With 466 rooms and over a kilometre long, the complex was built and dedicated to the Kong clan, descendants of the great sage, who lived here continuously for more than 2,500 years, spanning 77 generations. Today we explore the mansion and temple before taking a rickshaw ride around the city wall with a visit to the eerie Confucius forest. The forest is studded with tombs and graves of Kong family members dating back some centuries. This evening we take a stroll through the colourful night market. (B)

Qufu – Bu Yang Village - Mt Tai Shan – Jinan. This morning we take a short drive to Bu Yang Village. In this traditional village the principles of Communism, communal work and land ownership are somewhat still in place. Here's we'll enjoy a light lunch at Mr Peng's (one of the party officials) home. Seated around the family's low to the ground lazy Susan, Mrs Peng serves up local dishes and copious bottles of beer. This is a real taste of village life! A short stroll leads us to the village prep-school, where we'll visit the classroom to meet the children who will all be vying for our attention.

After our visit to the school we travel on to Mt Tai Shan, perhaps the holiest of the five Chinese holy mountains devoted to Taoism. Whilst flocks of pilgrims climb the 6000 or more steps to the summit, we will take the cable car. With stunning scenery and many ancient temples dotting the slopes we will visit Heaven Street, Cloud Bridge and the Jade Emperor's temple. A short drive takes us to Jinan where we spend the night. (B/L)

Jinan - Beijing. Today we embark on a short city sightseeing tour of Jinan, capital of Shandong province in Eastern China, and enjoy a fabulous Hotpot lunch. Afternoon express train journey to Beijing. (B/L)

Tour ends after breakfast and included onward transfer to airport. Or consider extending your stay to explore China's bustling capital. (B)