Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Yunnan,Shanghai & Hangzhou,Xi'an & the Terracotta Army,Beijing & the Great Wall
100% customisable for you
Your China family adventure begins this evening with an overnight flight from London. As part of our exclusive additional services, you will be fast-tracked through check-in and security and have lounge access, even if you're travelling economy. The children (if aged between three and ten) will also be given exclusive Sharky & George fun packs containing games and quizzes about China which should keep them busy on the ten-hour flight.
This morning we have arranged for a family visit to the ornate Temple of Heaven - where Chinese rulers came to pray for good harvests - and its surrounding park. There is no better people watching opportunity than sitting in a Chinese park and watching the locals practicing tai chi and throwing frisbees. The good news is that you will also have the chance to try tai chi for yourselves. Then, at the Temple of Heaven, the children will love visiting the Echo Wall (or Whispering Wall) where they can practice whispering and being heard far away along the circular wall which perfectly conveys their voices. The next stop is Beijing central train station for the high-speed train to Xi'an, the one-time capital. On arrival into Xi'an, you will be met and transferred to your family-friendly city centre hotel.
After last night's dumpling-fest this morning's activity should be welcome - a bicycle around Xi'an's city walls, probably the best preserved in China. The complete ten-mile circuit of the walls takes around an hour, using the mode of transport once used by millions of Chinese every day. Next it's time for a transfer to Xi'an Airport for the two-and-a-half-hour flight to Lijiang in Yunnan Province. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your family-friendly hotel in Lijiang in time for supper and bed.
This morning you will set off from Lijiang to the idyllic town of Tacheng. En route you will visit Shigu Old Town, again stop along the Tea & Horse Caravan Trail and another bustling market town where the children can haggle with local stall owners for delicious local honey. Legend has it that the large stone drum that gave the town its name 'Shigu' is meant to crack at the outbreak of any war. This afternoon you will arrive in Tacheng and check in to your hotel.
20th century author James Hilton wrote of a mythical town and valley in his book Lost Horizon. That place was Shangri-La, inspired by the mountain retreat of Zhongdian, your next stop on this China family adventure. The Chinese authorities have now renamed the place Shangri-La, and it's a beautiful next stop on the trip, giving a glimpse of life on the Tibetan plateau. The town is also surrounded by beautiful forests and meadows to explore. Your guide will also take you to Napahai Lake, a beautiful body of water with a mountainous backdrop. The children can spot yaks and other wildlife.
Next, you will visit Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and one that closely resembles the Dalai Lama's palace in the Tibetan capital Lhasa. You and the children will learn about Tibetan Buddhism and see some of the 700 resident monks going about their day and meditating.
Time for a total change of scene today as you leave Yunnan Province for Anhui Province in eastern China. You'll have the morning to relax in Shangri-La before a transfer to the airport for the five-and-a-half-hour flight to Huangshan where you will be met for the transfer to your hotel for the next three nights.
Today you will swapping beautiful rural Anhui for the bright lights of Shanghai, one of the buzziest cities in China, if not the world. But first, there's one final chance to learn about the local skills of Anhui province's artisans. This morning head to Tunxi, near Huangshan, to learn about one of the region's most famous products - ink. At a fun workshop the children will learn how to create ink from wood and sap and learning about the ink's use in decorative goods.
After an early lunch it's time for a transfer to the station in Huangshan for the three-and-a-half-hour train to Shanghai. On arrival in the late afternoon you will be met and transferred to your city centre hotel for the last leg of your China family adventure.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
