China Visit 2014 Itinerary

Please note that flights cannot be booked until May flight details will be sent at a later date.
Accommodation On aircraft

Day One

Transit Fly from Manchester to Beijing Capital airport Beijing Arrive in Beijing and transfer to hotel Walk to Tiananmen Square to explore and begin to learn about Chinas fascinating and turbulent politics and history. Beijing Tours of the Forbidden City and Summer Palace former residences of Chinas Emperors. Evening Acrobat Show Beijing Trek of the Great Wall of China at a seldom visited section (3-4hours) Temple of Heaven Beijing An early start to visit the Mausoleum of Mao Tse-Tung, the father of Chinese Communism. Best behaviour is crucial as we file past Maos embalmed body in a very sinister and sombre environment. Visit to working Yonghegong temple and Birds Nest Stadium visit Beijings infamous Snack Street a chance to sample unique delicacies (live scorpion on a stick, anyone?). Depart on the Z19 train at 2047 to Xian (soft sleeper class)

Day Two

Holiday Inn Express Temple of Heaven

Day Three

Holiday Inn Express Temple of Heaven

Day Four

Holiday Inn Express Temple of Heaven

Day Five

On train

Day Six

Xian There are no major sights today, but I guarantee it will be a real highlight. Morning visit to Middle School No.3 where we will join lessons, share experiences, and play basketball with the students Cycle (approx. 30km) around the famous city walls of Xian Early evening at the Wild Goose Pagoda Xian Visit to the amazing Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Hot Springs Depart on T1152 train at 1740 to Jinan (very basic hard sleeper class)

New Henderson Hotel, Xian

Day Seven

On train

Day Eight

Qufu We are now very much off the beaten track, tourism-wise. We are likely to be the only Westerners in Qufu where we will visit the Confucious Temple and Mansions and prepare for tomorrows climb. Expect food in Qufu to be basic and very Chinese!

State House, Qufu

Day Nine

Tai Shan Expect a very early start as we begin our ascent of Tai Shan Chinas holiest mountain. Our school is the only one from the UK to ever take part in this ascent we are unlikely to see any other Westerners and we will be a real curiosity expect to have your photo taken! A fascinating climb with pilgrims, temples, and shrines. A very tough and challenging day but well worth it! Depart on train to Nanjing at 1834 the worlds fastest train travelling at up to 485km per hour.

Egret Hotel, Nanjing

Day Ten

Nanjing Montgomerys first visit to this fascinating city. Scene of an infamous massacre during the Second World War by invading Japanese soldiers, we will visit the Nanjing Massacre Memorial before trekking up to Dr Sun Yat Sens memorial. Shanghai You will not quite believe Shanghai very different to everywhere else we will visit, Shanghai is a modern city and bears more resemblance to New York than to Beijing. We will visit the Bund (waterfront) and Jade Buddha Temple today. Shanghai Our last full day in China - Shanghai Museum and Nanjing Rd. We will get the chance to do some last minute shopping today and will visit the citys famous Yatai market save plenty of space in your case for this quite unique experience! Departure We will fly back home today after our once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Egret Hotel, Nanjing

Day Eleven

New Asia Hotel, Shanghai

Day Twelve

New Asia Hotel, Shanghai

Day Thirteen

Remember bring an open mind and you will have the adventure of a lifetime. Be open to new ideas and fresh experiences and you will truly get the most out of a visit to the vast and unique nation. Get irritated by the fact things arent like at home, or refuse to try new things and you will not have anything like as good a time as you could.

Any questions? See Mr Cox for information. simon.cox@montgomery.blackpool.sch.uk And follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/montyontour