The Treasures of China With Caroline Courtauld 16th 29th ...€¦ · Master of The Nets Garden. Day 10: Sunday, 25th September Suzhou Visit Zhuo Zheng Yuan (Garden of the Humble Administrator)

Forbidden City, Beijing

The Treasures of China

With Caroline Courtauld

16th – 29th September 2016

The Ultimate Travel Company

Escorted Tours

The Great Wall at Mutianyu

The Treasures of China

With Caroline Courtauld

16th – 29th September 2016

Contact Emily Pontifex

Direct Line 020 7386 4664

Telephone 020 7386 4646

Fax 020 7386 8652

Email [email protected]

Caroline Courtauld MBE

Caroline Courtauld is a writer, photographer, and documentary film producer and researcher. Her latest

documentary for PSB (USA) Building China Modern, about celebrity architect IM Pei building Suzhou

Museum, has received wide acclaim. Publications include books on Burma, Hong Kong and China in

particular Forbidden City; the Great Within, with accompanying documentary for the Discovery Channel,

and Jiangsu Province. Caroline resides in Hong Kong and London and in 2014 led a very successful tour to

Myanmar for The Ultimate Travel Company.

Detailed Itinerary

A unique tour from Beijing via Pingyao to Xian, Suzhou and Shanghai led by Caroline Courtauld,

China expert, author and film producer. The tour features unparalleled access to off-limits areas of

the main sights, meals in top restaurants, and specialist guided tours and visits with local experts.

Begin in the capital, Beijing, with a few days to explore remarkable Imperial landmarks such as the

Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall. A highlight will be special private access to the inner court

of the Forbidden City (subject of Caroline’s book The Forbidden City: The Great Within). In the

company of local experts, visit the National History Museum and discover the city’s modern

architecture and thriving art scene. Journey south to the ancient city of Pingyao and walk through

the ancient city with an expert from The Global Heritage Fund. Continue to the former Tang

Dynasty capital city of Xi’an where a highlight will be special access to the floor of Pit 1 at the

archaeological site of the 2000-year-old Terracotta Army. Also meet the Imam at the Great Mosque

and the Museum Director at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. Travel on to Suzhou in Jiangu

Province to visit some of the classical Chinese style gardens for which the city is renowned,

including artist Yeh Fang’s private garden, and the Suzhou Museum built by IM Pei (subject of the

documentary Building China Modern for which Caroline was an Executive Producer). This

remarkable journey ends in the vibrant city of Shanghai, where the Old Quarter and the grand 1920s

and 30s architecture of the Bund sit alongside today’s glass towers. Here discover the city’s historic

areas and art with a local historian and an art expert. Have dinner at artist Pearl Lam’s apartment

and visit the Shanghai Museum with a former curator.

Forbidden City, Beijing The Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Day 1: Friday, 16th September London / Beijing

Depart London Heathrow on a British Airways overnight flight to Beijing.

Day 2: Saturday, 17th September Beijing

On arrival in Beijing transfer to the 5-star St. Regis Hotel where four nights are spent. The hotel is centrally

located, a short drive away from the mystical Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

Lunch under own arrangements. Afternoon at leisure. Evening briefing and welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: Sunday, 18th September Beijing

Early morning optional visit to the Panjiayuan weekend market in Jingsong to shop for Chinese curios such

as ceramics, jade, wood carvings, paintings and textiles.

Meet a local historian for architectural orientation tour of Beijing including visits to some of Beijing’s iconic

structures including: The National Centre for the Performing Arts, The CCTV Building (Rem Koolhaas),

Galaxy SoHO and Urban Planning Exhibition Hall.

Lunch at Xiao Wang Fu (Ritan Park). Afternoon visit to the Forbidden City, former home of China’s

Imperial Dynasties and the best preserved collection of ancient buildings in China with its pavilions,

courtyards, gates, treasure halls and gardens. Special entrée to see Juan Qin Zhai (Qian Long’s Retirement

Lodge currently under World Monument Fund restoration), Lijingxuan Palace and Chong Hua Gong all in

the Inner Court. Late afternoon tea at the home of a local author and journalist who lives in a traditional

courtyard compound. Dinner under own arrangements.

Day 4: Monday, 19th September Beijing

Walk around the vast Tiananmen Square, which is home to China’s Parliament, The Great Hall of the

People, followed by a tour with a local expert of the National History Museum which reopened in 2011 and

is the largest museum in China. Visit the magnificent Temple of Heaven, where the emperors once came to

pray for good harvests and today where the local residents come to do their morning exercises such as Tai

Chi and Ballroom Dancing.

Lunch at ‘Capital M’ restaurant. Afternoon visits to Factory 798 and Caochangdi art districts with long time

gallery owner and curator who will organize visits to Artist Studios including Ai Wei Wei and others. Dinner

at Duck de Chine restaurant to sample Peking Duck.

Day 5: Tuesday, 20th September Beijing

Morning visit to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Built in stages between the 5th century BC and the 16th

century AD, the wall is 3,333 miles long and is one of the world’s few landmarks visible from space.

Lunch at Xiaolongpu local farm restaurant near the Great Wall. Return to Beijing and return to the hotel for a

late afternoon panel discussion with two or three Beijing based journalists. Dinner under own arrangements.

Pingyao Pingyao

Day 6: Wednesday, 21st September Beijing / Pingyao

Morning transfer to the Beijing Train Station and board the high-speed train from Beijing to the UNESCO

World Heritage site of Pingyao Ancient City.

Lunch served on the train. Arrive into Pingyao and transfer to Jing’s Residence hotel where one night is

spent. Jing’s Residence is a beautifully restored Ming period merchant’s compound, with contemporary style

rooms and featuring a number of works by contemporary Chinese artists. Afternoon walk through the ancient

city with an expert from The Global Heritage Fund. Sunset on the ramparts of the north gate of the Ming

period city wall. Dinner at the hotel followed by a short performance of local Shanxi opera.

Day 7: Thursday, 22nd September Pingyao / Xi’an

Morning in Pingyao to include visits to: The Rishengchang, an original Chinese bank; Biaofang, a 19th

century security firm; the Ancient Weapons Museum; the Daoist Temple; the Confucian Temple; and

Yamen’s Compound.

Lunch at Jing’s Residence. Lunch transfer to the Pingyao Ancient City Train Station and board a high speed

train from Pingyao to Xi’an North Station. Transfer to the old city and the centrally located Westin Hotel

where two nights are spent. Dinner at Hai Yun restaurant.

Old City Wall, Xi’an Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an

Day 8: Friday, 23rd September Xi’an

Morning breakfast briefing on the Terra-Cotta Warriors & Horses Excavation and Archaeology in Shaanxi

province by a former director at both The Terra-Cotta Warriors & Horses Excavation and the Han Yangling

Excavation. Depart by coach to visit the famous 2,000-year old Terracotta Warriors, one of China’s greatest

historical sites – three underground vaults containing thousands of life-size terracotta soldiers and their

horses in battle formation. Spend the balance of the morning on site to include: Pits 1, 2, and 3 with special

access to go down onto the floor of Pit 1 (restoration area), the Bronze Chariot Museum and a film

presentation on the history of the site.

Return to Xi’an for lunch at the Defachang Dumpling House. Afternoon visit to the Great Mosque and old

city quarter. Meet with the Imam of the mosque (or his son) and have a special tour of the 14th century

prayer hall (closed to the public). Time to explore the old city food markets. Visit the Shaanxi Provincial

Museum, which houses fascinating relics and artefacts from pre-history to the Tang, Ming and Qing

dynasties, including the Tang Murals and the Tang Gold & Silver exhibition and meet with the Museum

Director. Optional Tang Dynasty show with dinner.

Day 9: Saturday, 24th September Xi’an / Suzhou

Morning transfer to Xi’an Airport for a flight to Shanghai Hong Qiao Airport. Transfer to the Hong Qiao

Railway Station (located next to the airport terminal).

Lunch at the Jade Garden restaurant. Board the high-speed train from Shanghai to the UNESCO World

Heritage site of Suzhou famous for its remarkable classical Chinese style gardens. On arrival in Suzhou

transfer to the Renaissance Hotel, close to the city’s business district and five minutes from Jinji Lake, where

two nights are spent. Dinner at Songhelou restaurant followed by a private Ping Tan performance in the

Master of The Nets Garden.

Day 10: Sunday, 25th September Suzhou

Visit Zhuo Zheng Yuan (Garden of the Humble Administrator) followed by the Suzhou Museum designed

by IM Pei.

Lunch at Wumenren Jia (near the Museum and IM Pei’s favourite restaurant in Suzhou). Afternoon visits to

Cang Lang Ting (Green Wave Pavilion) and Liu Yuan (Lingering Garden). Private boat trip on the Grand

Canal followed by a visit to painter Yeh Fang’s private garden for tea (subject to confirmation). Dinner

under own arrangments.

Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou Lingering Garden, Suzhou

Day 11: Monday, 26th September Suzhou / Shanghai

Morning transfer to the Suzhou Train Station and board the high-speed train from Suzhou to Shanghai.

Transfer to the Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel, located on the renowned Nanjing Road in the heart of the

historic Puxi district, where three nights are spent.

Lunch Ye Shanghai restaurant. Afternoon walking tour of the Bund often called Shanghai’s ‘Wall Street’

and the symbol of foreign trade with its assortment of 1920s and 30s grand architecture. Visit to the Jewish

Memorial Museum and the Shanghai Ghetto in the Hong Kou District. Dinner at Lost Heaven restaurant

followed by the option to see ERA by the Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe.

Day 12: Tuesday, 27th September Shanghai

Morning talk by Shanghai historian followed by morning orientation tour to include the traditional Li Long

neighbourhood, the former French Concession and the Xintiandi Area.

Lunch at Ding Tai Feng restaurant in Xintiandi. Special tour lead by a former curator of the stunning

Shanghai Museum, which houses an impressive collection including bronzes, sculpture exquisite ceramics

and jade, and countless other fascinating exhibits. Dinner at Pearl Lam’s apartment (subject to confirmation).

Day 13: Wednesday, 28th September Shanghai

Morning visit to the Old Town and Yu Gardens which originally date from the 1550s and are laid out in

traditional Ming style.

Shanghai style dim sum lunch at Lu Buo Lang. Afternoon art tour led by a local expert to include the M 50

Area (Moganshan Road), Shanghai MOCA and selected galleries and artist studios. Evening drinks on the

rooftop of the Peninsula Hotel followed by farewell dinner in private room off Sir Elly’s Kadoorie’s

(Peninsula Hotel).

Sky line,, Shanghai The Bund, Shanghai

Day 14: Thursday, 29th September Shanghai / London

Morning transfer by the MAGLEV, the high-speed rail link from the Long Yang Road Maglev Station

(Pudong) to the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, for a British Airways flight to London Heathrow,

arriving late afternoon.

Tour Price

COST PER PERSON: £6,875

Single supplement: £1,250

Visa fees: TBA

Optional Shanghai Aerobatic ERA Show VIP ticket: £105 per person

Optional Tang Dynasty Show with Set Dinner: £72 per person

Club Class upgrade: £2,805

A fee of £95 per person will be charged for those who would like to travel out or back separately

from the main group.

The tour cost includes:

economy class scheduled flights

air passenger duty, passenger service charge, airline security charges, airport taxes and fuel surcharges

where applicable – currently £X (liable to change without notice)

accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary

breakfast daily; 11 lunches; 8 dinners

all visits and excursions as per the itinerary

all transportation as detailed in the itinerary

all entrance fees

local English-speaking guide/s

gratuities to driver/s

gratuities to guide/s

gratuities in restaurants;

porterage

the services of your tour leader throughout

The tour cost does NOT include:

travel insurance

visa

excess baggage

items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)

government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 01/08/15

Changes to the Itinerary

Please note, that certain elements of this itinerary, and/or the order of events, may well be subject to

alteration due to circumstances beyond our control.

Fitness to travel

Whilst we do not impose any age limitations on joining a tour, participants must be reasonably fit. The very

nature of the sightseeing involved in our tours (and the difficulties of direct access by coach in various

places) means that a considerable amount of walking and standing is unavoidable on almost all tours. We

regret that our tours are not suitable for people who have difficulty in walking, may require wheelchair

assistance at any time, or are unable to keep pace with the group. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability

of a tour, please make this known to us before you book and we will advise you accordingly. The Ultimate

Travel Company reserves the right to decline a reservation without necessarily giving a reason.

Airline Tickets

As a tour operator we have access to special airfares. While these offer good value, they do carry certain

restrictions applied by the airline. Please ask us for details.

Note: If you are thinking about using air miles to upgrade to a premium cabin on the flights, please check

with us first as fare restrictions might not permit this.

Accommodation

Hotels are chosen on the basis of category, character and location. The majority will be at least 4 star,

otherwise the best available. The projected size of the group will often rule out the use of luxury boutique

hotels. Sometimes the style of hotel will mean that not all rooms are of the same size or have the same

outlook.

Health Requirements

No vaccinations are required for entry into China but the following are recommended:

Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B You should also check your Polio and Tetanus immunisations are up-to-date. If

you have travelled within a yellow fever infected area during the past two years you will require proof of

inoculation. Detailed advice can be found on: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations.aspx

Please check recommended practice with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic.

Passport and Visa Information

British passport holders require a visa for China which should be applied for through CIBT Visa Service

Company. An application pack will be provided two months before travel. The visa fee is currently £123 per

person including CIBT service charges. See http://cibtvisas.co.uk/tourkits.php?bookmark=1&login=ultimate

Please ensure that you have six months validity on your passport. Holders of foreign passports must check

entry and visa requirements with us or the relevant embassies.

FCO Advice

Travel advice issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office can be viewed at

www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo.