04MIDTSN-A: In the Footsteps of Marco Polo
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Departs from: Tianjin
Re-join ship: Shanghai
Reserve: At least 90 days prior to sailing
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.
Payment in full is due at time of final payment. Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.
All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.
VISA INFORMATION:
Guests must be in possession of Chinese visa obtained prior to joining the cruise. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.
LOCAL CURRENCY:
The local currency is the Chinese Yuan. Yuan and US dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (there is no shopping stop planned during the program).
Experience the highlights of fascinating Beijing, the legendary Great Wall, famous Terra Cotta Warriors of Xian and more during this fascinating, five-day overland adventure. After travelling from Tianjin to Beijing via high-speed train, discover the premier highlights of China's bustling capital. Take a guided tour of the Forbidden City, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the famous Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square and site of numerous historic events. The next morning, travel to the Great Wall of China, designated one of the 'New Seven Wonders of the World'. Back in the city, explore Old Beijing during a trishaw ride through the quaint Hutong District. Following a second night at the Four Seasons Hotel - Beijing, tour the Summer Palace before your flight to Xian. Upon arrival, visit the ancient City Wall, then check-in at the Wyndham Grand Xian - South, and enjoy a buffet dinner and an evening at your leisure. On Day Four, begin your day with a visit to the spectacular Terra Cotta Warriors Museum. After lunch, continue on to tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, enjoy a dumpling dinner and a Tang Dynasty Show at the renowned Defachang restaurant. Your Mid-Voyage Land Adventure concludes on Day Five with a flight to Shanghai and visit to the Yu Yuan Garden before embarking the ship.
DAY ONE - Tianjin/Beijing
Upon disembarking the ship at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port, transfer to the Tianjin Train Station and commence your overnight excursion to Beijing with a 30-minute ride on the high-speed train. Upon arrival in the capital of the People's Republic of China, transfer to a five-star hotel for a buffet lunch.
Beijing, Forbidden City, City Walls, Palaces
After lunch, proceed to the legendary Forbidden City. Off-limits to the public for 500 years, the vast complex of this UNESCO World Heritage Site was opened in 1949 as the Palace Museum. Within its walls lies a maze of palaces built between 1417 and 1420 as the residence of China's emperors. With some 800 buildings and 9,000 rooms, maintenance and restoration are an ongoing process.
Tiananmen Square
Next, proceed for a visit to Beijing's national symbol, Tiananmen Square. Known as the 'Gate of Heavenly Peace', the square is dominated by a gigantic portrait of Chairman Mao. Since Imperial times, Tiananmen Square has always provided an impressive stage for declarations and key events in local history. In modern times, the solemn flag-raising ceremony has become a revered daily celebration. It was from the giant gate that Chairman Mao proclaimed the People's Republic on October 1, 1949.
Leaving Tiananmen Square, drive to the Four Seasons Hotel for check-in. The hotel features luxury accommodations, as well as fine dining venues. After check-in, the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Dinner is at one of the hotel's three restaurants of your choice; Cai Yi Xuan (Chinese), Opus (Western) or Mio (Western).
Overnight at the Four Seasons Hotel - Beijing.
DAY TWO - Beijing/Great Wall/Cable Car-Ride
After breakfast, begin today's sightseeing program with Beijing's national symbol, Tiananmen Square. Known as 'Gate of Heavenly Peace', the square is dominated by a gigantic portrait of Chairman Mao. Since imperial times, Tiananmen Square has always provided an impressive stage for declarations and key events in local history. In modern times, the solemn flag-raising ceremony has become a revered daily celebration. It was from the giant gate that Chairman Mao proclaimed the People's Republic on October 1, 1949.
Then proceed to legendary Forbidden City. Off-limits to the public for 500 years, the vast complex of this World Heritage Site was opened in 1949 as the Palace Museum. Within its walls lies a maze of palaces built between 1417 and 1420 as the residence of China's emperors. With some 800 buildings and 9,000 rooms, maintenance and restoration are an on-going process.
Transfer to a five-star hotel for a buffet lunch, then discover vestiges of Old Beijing away from the bustling city during a pedicab trip through narrow alleyways of the hutong, where only the awning-covered vehicles and bicycles can maneuver. Some of these neighborhoods date back to the Qing dynasty and residents still maintain a traditional lifestyle within walled courtyards. Step inside a family home and get a look behind the scenes. At the end of your hutong tour, rejoin your coach and return to the hotel to have a refresh before dinner
According to a Chinese saying, no visit to this city is complete if you miss seeing the Great Wall or dining on Beijing Roast Duck (Beijing Kaoya). As a famous and delicious food with very long history, Beijing Roast Duck is an excellent choice if you want to understand more about Chinese cuisine, culture and customs. This evening you will have the opportunity to taste this unique food in Beijing Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, one of the best restaurants serving Beijing Roast Duck. It has a history of nearly 150 years, and today there are many chain restaurants of it around the city.
Leaving the restaurant, drive to the Four Seasons Hotel for check-in.
Overnight accommodation at the Four Seasons Hotel - Beijing.
DAY THREE - Beijing/Xian
After breakfast and check out, depart the hotel and transfer to Summer Palace, located approximately 7.4 miles (about 12 kilometres) northwest of the downtown area. The Summer Palace is home to the largest Imperial garden in the world, and a veritable museum of classical Chinese garden architecture.
The initial construction of the Summer Palace began in 1750, commissioned by Emperor Qianlong as a gift for his mother's birthday. The construction took 15 years to complete. At the time, it was named 'Qingyi Yuan' (Garden of Clear Ripples). Plundering by foreign troops in 1860 destroyed most of the buildings; however, in 1888, Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled funds from the Imperial Navy to renovate the garden.
After a Chinese-style lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to Beijing's Capital Airport for an afternoon flight to Xian, home of the famed Terra Cotta Warriors.
Upon arrival at Xian Airport, you are met and transferred via coach to downtown Xian for a visit to one of the city's landmark, the ancient City Wall. Its height of approximately 39 feet (about 12 meters) and length of nearly nine miles (about 14 kilometres) may explain why the massive City Wall is considered the most complete fortified structure still standing today. Following your visit, transfer to the deluxe Wyndham Grand Xian South for check-in.
A buffet dinner is at the hotel.
Overnight at the Wyndham Grand Xian South - Xian.
DAY FOUR - Xian/Museum of the Terra Cotta Warriors
After breakfast, drive to Xian's most famous attraction, the museum that houses one of China's supreme treasures, an army of a life-sized funeral honour guard. Nothing prepares you for the amazing sight of this stunningly well-preserved, life-size honour guard standing in ranks near the tomb of Emperor Ch'in Shih Huang-ti, who died in 210 B.C.
The soldiers were first discovered in 1974 by a local farmer who was digging a well. So far, three vaults have been excavated; the first contains more than 6,000 men and horses arranged in an imposing formation. Every soldier differs in facial features and expressions, and most carry actual weapons of the day. The find is regarded by many as the most sensational archaeological discovery of the 20th century. A protective hangar constructed over them now comprises the Museum of the Terra Cotta Warriors. Time permitting, you can view a stunning audio-visual show in a separate building, and browse shops offering a wide array of souvenir items.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda/Tang Dynasty Show
Following your visit, re-board your coach and proceed for lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to the downtown area for a visit to the city's major attraction, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This 1,300-year-old structure from the golden days of the Tang Dynasty has long been the hallmark of Xian. The pagoda, along with the Drum Tower and Bell Tower, are part of the Buddhist Temple of Grace complex located in the centre of Xian.
Leaving the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, re-board your coach and return to the hotel to freshen up before departing for a dumpling dinner and cultural Tang Dynasty Show at a local restaurant. This wonderful performance of classical entertainment depicts a variety of historical relics, and offers a unique insight and keeps alive the splendid culture of the ancient Tang Dynasty.
Overnight at the Wyndham Grand Xian South - Xian.
DAY FIVE - Xian/Shanghai
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, transfer to the Xian Airport for your approximately two-hour flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai, transfer to a local restaurant for a Chinese-style lunch. After lunch, a visit is made to the 16th-century Yu Yuan Garden. This cultivated oasis captures the essence of the landscape art and architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has also served as the inspiration for the famous willow-pattern chinaware. High walls adorned with huge, stone dragons shelter teahouses, pavilions, rockeries and carp ponds. Make your way back to the coach by way of a small lake, which is spanned by a picturesque zigzag bridge.
Leaving the Yu Yuan Garden, transfer to the pier in Shanghai and embark the ship.
Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 6.2 miles (about ten kilometres), at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, board/de-board the high-speed train and airplane, and 220 steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. The tour sequence and itinerary are subject to change.
Yuan and US dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited.
Programme Includes:
- Two-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel - Beijing
- Two-night stay at the Wyndham Grand Xian South - Xian
- Scheduled flights: Beijing/Xian/Shanghai (Economy Class). Business Class upon request at an additional charge and subject to availability
- Four breakfast, five lunches and four dinners (drinks included)
- High-speed train-ride from Tianjin to Beijing
- Cable car-ride
- Rickshaw Tour of Hutong with a local family visit
- Dumpling dinner at Defachang restaurant
- Tang Dynasty Show
- All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary
Not Included:
Chinese visa, any meals and drinks not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.
