An unique holiday featuring Shanghai, Beijing and Harbin.

Shanghai where you can explore the quaint cobbled streets of the Chinese quarter, hear the echoes of the city's glamorous pre-war heyday in the French Quarter, admire the startling modern architecture of Pudong, and the fin de siecle European architecture that lines the Bund.

Beijing, where you will enjoy a Winter view of the Forbidden City and Great Wall, Tian'anmen Square and the Temple of Heaven.

Fly to Harbin and attend the Ice Lantern and Sculpture Festival and make a visit to the Siberia Tigers Park.

Day 1: Johannesburg | Hong Kong
Depart Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport for Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific.

Day 2: Hong Kong | Shanghai
Arrive Hong Kong and connect for your onward flight to Shanghai.
On arrival you will be met by your Far East Tours Guide & transferred to Equatorial Hotel (4*) or similar. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 3: Shanghai
In the morning visit the Yuyuan Garden, where we stroll through moon gates and latticed pavilions. Opposite the Huxing teahouse is the old Chinese quarter of Shanghai and the old bazaar, whose cobbled streets are lined with traditional shops selling herbal medicines, handicrafts, Chinese tea and a variety of tantalising snacks. We have time to explore the bazaar. This afternoon we will visit a local family and a kindergarten. This evening attend a performance of the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe after dinner.
Overnight at the Equatorial Hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 4: Shanghai | Beijing
Fly to Beijing this morning.

Beijing is located in northern China. The city covers an area of more than 16,410 square kilometres and has a population of 14.93 million people. Records show that Beijing has been an inhabited city for more than three thousand years and has endured invasions by warlords and foreign powers, devastating fires, the rise and fall of powerful imperial dynasties and has emerged each time as a strong and vibrant city. For more than 800 years, Beijing was a capital city - from the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) to the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties. Thirty-four emperors have lived and ruled the nation in Beijing and it has been an important trading city from its earliest days. In October 1949, Beijing was declared the capital of the People’s Republic of China and has since performed as its cultural, financial and political hub.

Sightseeing: Tiananmen Square,Forbidden City,Temple of Heaven
Gala Event: Kongfu show in Beijing
Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Tiananmen Square: the largest city square in the world and the spiritual heart of China, where the national flag is raised exactly at sunrise everyday.

Forbidden City: located in the center of Beijing, used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years, it is the grandest integral palace complex still remaining in China.

Temple of Heaven: the place which was visited yearly by the emperors who performed intricate rituals to insure a good harvest for the whole nation at ancient times.

Kongfu show in Beijing: "The Legend of Kungfu, the most exciting Kungfu Show in the world!" --Metropolis Magazine. The show tells the story of a young boy, Chun Yi (the pure one), who in order to pursue spiritual and physical harmony is apprenticed as a monk to learn kung fu. Along the way he overcomes obstacles, is distracted and tempted, but ultimately achieves the designation of master who will enlighten the younger generations.

Day 5: Beijing
Sightseeing: Great Wall at Mutianyu. Peking Duck Dinner.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Great Wall: the most famous symbol of China and one of the world's most remarkable architectural wonders, it was built over 2,000 years ago and stretches about 6,700km.

This evening enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner

Day 6: Beijing | Harbin
Sightseeing: Summer Palace. Fly to Harbin.
Breakfast & lunch.

Summer Palace : Located on the northwestern outskirts of the city, it was an imperial summer resort of the Qing Dynasty. With its perfect layout, magnificent buildings and enchanting landscape, it is the most splendid classical garden in China.

Afternoon transfer to Beijing Airport for your China Airlines flight CA 1611 (16:30 / 17:55) to Harbin. On arrival meet and transfer to the Songhuajiang Gloria Plaza Hotel (5*)

Day 7: Harbin
Harbin Ice Lantern FestivalSightseeing: Sun Island,Santa Sophia Church,Siberia Tigers Park
Gala Event: Ice Lantern Show.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Sun Island: It is the recreational center for the people of Harbin. They come here to enjoy the sun during summer. When winter comes, the river freezes solid. Ice-skating becomes the rage.

Santa Sophia Church: It is jammed into an area of new construction, most notably several karaoke entertainment complexes with monumental Roman statuary mounted on their garish facades.

Siberia Tigers Park: The new Siberia Tiger Park was opened in 1996 on Sun Island. A large recreational district is currently under development, featuring gardens, swimming lakes, cafes, and a hunting range. The tiger reserve has been finished. The goal of the reserve is to save, study and breed these great cats in captivity and eventually release them into their natural habitat.

Ice Lantern Show: The first Ice lanterns were a winter-time tradition in northeast China. During the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), the local peasants and fishermen often made and used ice lanterns as jack-lights during the winter months. Nowadays, ice lantern in broad sense refers to a series of plastic arts using ice and snow as raw material combining ice artworks with colored lights and splendid music.

Day 8: Harbin
Sightseeing: Provincial Museum of Heilongjiang.
Breakfast & lunch.

Provincial Museum of Heilongjiang: The Provincial Museum of Heilongjiang: Built in 1922, The Provincial Museum of Heilongjiang is a comprehensive museum run by the provincial government. Located in a compound ( 50 Red Army Street, Nangang District), it has housed more than 104,000 pieces of relics and specimens.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 9: Harbin - Beijing
At leisure in Harbin before transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing. Transfer to your hotel and overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 10: Beijing | South Africa
At leisure until your transfer to the airport for departure to Hong Kong where you will connect with your Cathay Pacific flight to Johannesburg.

Day 11: Arrival South Africa
Arrive in Johannesburg this morning.


TOUR PRICE per person sharing twin room accommodation:

Cathay Pacific will fly you to Hong Kong & ChinaJohannesburg departure : R

Durban departure : R

Cape Town departure : R

Single room supplement : R
Your holiday Includes:

* International economy class flights with Cathay Pacific from Johannesburg or chosen departure point
* Cathay Pacific fuel surcharges
* China domestic flights as specified in the itinerary .
* Airport taxes
* Accommodations---for 8 nights at four / five star hotels in comfortable twin-bedded rooms with private bath, air-conditioning, television, telephone and minibar.
* On this incredible tour you will receive 18 meals--8 full breakfasts,6 lunches and 4 dinners
* Round-trip transfers---between airports, hotels and scenic spots in each city by private vehicle with experienced drivers
* Services of local English-speaking guides in each city
* 3 gala evening events--Shaolin Kung Fu Performance in Beijing, Ice Lantern Show and Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
* Government taxes and service charge except tips to tour escort and driver

Your holiday does not include:

* Items of a personal nature, ie additional meals, drinks, telephone calls etc
* Passport and visa fees for China
* Travel Insurance, which is recommended - please speak with your travel professional