13 Day Iconic China Luxury Tour

Price based on tours starting:

• 15 May 2027
• 22 May 2027
• 29 May 2027
• 5 June 2027
• 12 June 2027
• 4 September 2027
• 18 September 2027
• 9 October 2027
• 16 October 2027
• 30 October 2027

Extra charges apply for:

• 11 March 2028 ($100pp)
• 25 March 2028 ($100pp)
• 1 April 2028 ($100pp)
• 8 April 2028 ($100pp)
• 15 April 2028 ($100pp)

Travel Seasons for This Itinerary:

March – June
Experience China during the beautiful spring and early summer months, when gardens are in bloom, landscapes are lush and temperatures are well suited to exploring China’s iconic sights and historic cities.

September – October
Discover China in the cooler autumn months, with comfortable sightseeing temperatures, clearer days and beautiful seasonal colours adding to the scenery of gardens, water towns and historic landmarks.

Price based on departing from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Pace and Fitness
This is a moderate paced tour. The tour covers multiple prefectures within China and can involve early starts and long travel days. Please be aware many iconic attractions in China can be overcrowded and busy, so please ensure you remain with your dedicated Tour Leader.

A moderate level of fitness is required. You must be able to move about unassisted, including boarding and disembarking vehicles and trains, navigating stairs and walking for extended periods over a variety of surfaces, including uneven pathways and gentle inclines. Coaches may not always be able to stop directly outside hotels or attractions, so short walks with your luggage may be required. This tour is not suitable for travellers requiring wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or specialised assistance.
For advice on whether this trip is suitable for you, you must disclose any physical ailments at the time of booking.

Transfers
Airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the tour only. Transfers are not included if you make your own arrangements to arrive before the tour starts or extend your stay after it ends. Please note that transfers may operate at set times and may be provided on a shared or private basis using either private vehicles or public transport.

Tipping
Tipping in China is a firm and customary element of the tourism industry and is therefore strongly recommended.
For this tour, the tipping for the English-speaking Tour Leader has been included in the tour price, valued at $156 AUD per person. Any additional tips for local guides, drivers, and hotel staff are at your own discretion.

Visa & Entry Requirements

Australian passport holders can currently travel to China visa-free for tourism stays of up to 30 days, subject to the current visa waiver policy and eligibility requirements. As visa and entry requirements can change, please check the latest requirements for your travel dates on Smartraveller – China before departure.

Travellers holding other passports should check the visa requirements applicable to their nationality before travel.

• Beijing – Shangri-La Beijing Hotel or similar
• Gubei – Gubei Water Town Hotel or similar
• Xi’an – Shangri-La Xi’an Hotel or similar
• Zhengzhou – InterContinental Zhengzhou Hotel or similar
• Suzhou – Shangri-La Suzhou Hotel or similar
• Shanghai – Shangri-La Shanghai Hotel or similar

Note: Each hotel on this tour has been carefully selected to suit the size and needs of the group. Accommodation is rated 5-star according to local standards. The hotel names listed are indicative of the standard of accommodation to expect. Actual hotels may differ, and a final hotel list will be provided with your final travel documentation no later than 30 days prior to departure.

Extra Accommodation

Pre-tour accommodation – Beijing
Add a pre-tour night in Beijing from $400 AUD total, based on a solo or twin share, subject to hotel availability. Includes breakfast and a private airport-to-hotel transfer.

Post-tour accommodation – Shanghai
Add a post-tour night in Shanghai from $450 AUD total, based on a solo or twin share, subject to hotel availability. Includes breakfast and a private airport-to-hotel transfer.

Optional sightseeing experiences can be booked and paid for directly with your Tour Leader while on tour. All optional tours must be paid for in local currency (RMB). If an activity is unavailable, an alternative may be offered. A full list of optional experiences will be provided in your final travel documents, sent approximately 30 days prior to departure.

Day 7 – Xi’an

• Qinling brown giant panda experience with speciality lunch – RMB 460pp
• Premium 90-minute massage or spa treatment – RMB 280pp
• Premium seating for The Song of Everlasting Sorrow – RMB 480pp

Day 12 – Shanghai

• Shanghai Tower Observation Deck with return transport – RMB 350pp
• Huangpu River night cruise with return transport – RMB 280pp
• Shanghai Acrobatic Show with return transport – RMB 390pp
• Shanghai Disneyland admission with return transport – RMB 780pp

A single supplement from $1800*pp is payable in addition to the twin share price for solo occupancy.

Exclusions
Meals not stated, beverages, travel insurance (strongly recommended), personal expenses, tipping and anything not explicitly specified are at your own expense.

Payment
A first deposit from $499 per person is required to secure your booking. A second deposit (partial payment) is due 10 months before departure – the amount to be advised at the time of booking. The final balance will be due 5 months before departure. Full payment is due at the time of booking for departures within 5 months.

Triple Share
Triple share is not available.

Child Policy
This tour is best enjoyed by adult travellers and is not suitable for children under 12 years of age. Children 12 years and above are subject to the adult price and must be accompanied by an adult.

Price
Surcharges may apply for select travel periods and departure cities. Prices are correct at time of publication and are subject to availability, change, cancellation or withdrawal without notice. All prices are in Australian dollars per person twin share unless stated otherwise.

Change & Cancellation Fees
Changes for any reason will incur a fee of $110 per person per change in addition to any travel service provider fees. Cancellation for any reason will incur a fee of $550 per person in addition to any travel service provider fees. Travel service provider fees for the tour and air components of the package are dependent on the date of the change or cancellation as follows:

• 0-29 days before departure 100% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 30-60 days before departure 65% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 61-99 days before departure 50% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 100-180 days before departure 30% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply
• 181+ days before departure 10% of the tour fee and 100% of the air fee will apply

Airfares are generally non-refundable but any refundable ticket taxes will be returned. Full details of the change and cancellation fees is outlined in the Terms & Conditions available on our website.

Deviation
Any request to deviate from the original dates or routing, including early arrival and stay behind, is subject to a flight deviation fee from $150 per person plus applicable airfare and tax difference. Packaged tour extensions are not subject to the deviation fee (applicable airfare and tax difference may still apply) if booked according to the original advertised dates and routing.

Breakaway
Customers must always remain with the tour group and must not leave the tour unless written approval is provided before departure.

Tipping
For this tour, the tipping for the English-speaking Tour Leader has been included in the tour price, valued at $156 AUD per person. Any additional tips for local guides, drivers, and hotel staff are at your own discretion.

Baggage
Each person is entitled to a strict maximum of one bag not exceeding 20kg on tour, superseding any other baggage allowance. Excess baggage is not permitted. You are strongly encouraged to pack lightly. An additional light day bag or backpack is permitted on the coach. Due to high-speed train baggage restrictions, you may wish to pack a separate light bag or backpack containing essentials – your luggage will also be stored in the designated luggage racks located on the train and not easily accessible once the train is moving. All porterage is not included, and you are required to carry your own bags. Luggage and personal effects are your own risk, and we hold no liability for lost or damaged belongings.

Meals
Breakfasts are provided by your hotels and are typically buffet style, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free options varying between hotels. For meals not included in your itinerary, your Tour Leader can recommend suitable restaurants and dining options. Please advise us of any dietary requirements or allergies at the time of booking. While we will pass these requests to our local suppliers, specific dietary requirements cannot be guaranteed and options may be limited. Please reconfirm your requirements with your Tour Leader at the start of your tour.

Accommodation
All accommodation on this tour is 5-star according to local Chinese standards. Hotel names are indicative and may change, with final accommodation confirmed in your final travel documentation. Rooms are lead-in category or run-of-house unless otherwise specified and will be requested as non-smoking. Room configurations are generally twin rooms (two single beds) or double rooms (one queen bed). Bedding and room requests are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Standard check-in is from 3:00pm, with check-out generally between 10:00am and 12:00pm depending on the hotel.

– Pre-tour accommodation – Beijing
Add a pre-tour night in Beijing from $400 AUD total, based on a solo or twin share, subject to hotel availability. Includes breakfast and a private airport-to-hotel transfer.

– Post-tour accommodation – Shanghai
Add a post-tour night in Shanghai from $450 AUD total, based on a solo or twin share, subject to hotel availability. Includes breakfast and a private airport-to-hotel transfer.

International Flights
The outbound flight may depart one day prior to day 1 shown on the itinerary. The inbound flight may arrive one day after the final day shown on the itinerary. Flights are booked approximately 8 to 10 months prior to departure. The flights included in your package are based on a specific predetermined airfare allowance. Should there be a significant increase in airfares, fuel levies, taxes or government fees at the time of booking flights, then an airfare supplement may be imposed. The flights team will discuss options with you prior to ticketing, should this situation arise. Flights may not operate daily or directly to your destination. No show of any flight sectors will result in the automatic cancellation of all onward flights by the airline.

Fuel
In the unlikely event of a significant increase in fuel costs levied by third-party air, land and cruise transportation operators before travel, a fuel supplement may be passed on to the customer.

Train Transportation
All train transportation featured in the itinerary is based on 1st class seating.
Due to factors outside of our control, such as operational changes, last-minute track maintenance, or unfavourable weather conditions, train travel may be substituted with a flight to maintain the continuity of the itinerary while prioritising the safety of all passengers.

Beijing Sightseeing
Due to a daily ticket limit imposed at Beijing’s Forbidden City, there may be the rare occasion where this attraction cannot be visited. In this event, your tour guide will secure an alternative visit to the Lama Temple or Gongwangfu Garden in Beijing. Unfortunately, tickets for international groups cannot be pre-purchased and subject to the above daily ticket limit policy.

Itinerary
The operating schedule and itinerary may be impacted without notice by adverse weather, seasonal factors, closures, local conditions, COVID-19, or other factors beyond our control, including force majeure. If attractions are not available due to reasons beyond our control, such as closures or adverse weather, alternatives will be provided where possible. The itinerary and its order, sightseeing, and transportation may be adjusted as deemed appropriate by the operator for optimum safety, enjoyment, and operation. Any reference to ‘optional’, ‘not included’, or ‘exclusions/excluded’ means at your own expense.

Health
It is the responsibility of the customer to check and comply with the health, vaccination, COVID-19 and immigration requirements of each origin and destination country, and health requirements imposed by air, tour, cruise and accommodation providers. Vaccinations, testing and quarantine costs are the expense of the customer. Comprehensive travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is strongly recommended. Tap water in China may not be safe to drink. Drink only bottled water with intact seals.

Money
The currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB). ATMs are widely available in major Chinese cities. They accept major credit cards including at international hotels and restaurants. In some smaller cities, using international cards will be limited and local currency is suggested.

Shopping
China is a treasure trove for those looking to shop. From busting markets to large shopping centres. Famously known for silk and jade products, China is also known for its pearl and tea produce, along with traditional Chinese medicine. Your itinerary may allow for stops at English speaking shops where you can browse/purchase products. Any purchase of products are at your own discretion. Please do not make any purchases if you are not comfortable or feel pressured into. Should you require any assistance with the language barrier, please seek assistance from your Tour Leader.

Documentation
Final documentation will be emailed within 30 days prior to departure. For packages consisting of multiple tours or countries, documentation will be emailed individually within 30 days prior to departure of each respective tour.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended. Ask our holiday experts for great coverage options.

Force Majeure
Force majeure means any natural disaster, accident, fire, act of God, act of war, terrorism, legally binding judgment, injunction, action of a court or other relevant authority, emergency, unplanned repairs, maintenance, strike, industrial dispute, work ban, blockade or picketing, travel ban, pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of infectious disease, or other event beyond our reasonable direct or indirect control. In the case of force majeure or other extraordinary events that prevent safe travel, the supplier reserves the right to adjust, postpone, or cancel the trip.