After months of planning and preparation your adventure is finally here! Please make your way to Melbourne Airport to check in for your flight to Chengdu. On arrival in China you will be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon there will be a trip briefing with your guide and an orientation walk before we head out to a local restaurant for dinner and our first taste of Chinese cuisine.

Meals:  D

This morning we drive to the Dujiangyan Panda Breeding Centre where we will participate in the Panda research volunteer day program. The program involves students participating in a number of activities, including the Panda enrichment program. This afternoon we visit Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli pedestrian street, a wonderful local meeting place full of local markets, food and culture.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we head to the train station for the bullet train to Xian. On arrival after lunch we check into our hotel and start exploring. Xian was the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. The modernised new city bustles around the quaint, winding lanes of the Old Quarter, where old men sit and chat and where heavy carts are pulled by hand and hawkers sell their wares. We embark on a walking tour around the Muslim Quarter and focus on the ancient Silk Road. Our tour will include a visit to the Grand Mosque. The Grand Mosque is the oldest and one of the most important mosques in China, and was founded in 742 during the Tang dynasty (618-907). There is time to explore the bazaar, where the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower are spectacularly illuminated at night and worth seeing on our way back to the hotel. Overnight Xian

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we visit the famous Terracotta Warriors. These warriors stand in their thousands outside the tomb of Qin Shihuang, where they were uncovered in 1974 by villagers digging a well. The warriors stand over 183cm tall, and each has different features and characteristics. Some stand in a vanguard with crossbow and longbow bearers; others hold spears, daggers and axes at the ready. They are accompanied by dozens of horse-drawn carriages and enormous terracotta horses. The sight of the warriors arising from their clay pit, some intact, others still buried in the ground, is an extraordinary one. We continue to the ancient city wall and take an opportunity to walk through the ancient town.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we enjoy breakfast before transferring to the train station for our high speed ride to Beijing. Our train departs at 09:18 arriving at 13:50. On arrival we will be met and transfer to our hotel for check in. After we freshen up we will head out to start exploring with a visit to the Summer Palace.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we will start our exploration of Beijing. We will explore this fascinating city on foot as well as using the local subway. Our exploration in Beijing will include a visit to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Hutongs, showcasing the ancient style of community living in Beijing. Hutongs are a maze of narrow streets and alleys with traditional courtyard residences. They are a wonderful glimpse into a bygone era before modernisation, and were originally established by Genghis Khan when his army captured Beijing. Overnight King Parkview Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

We will make an early morning start today to explore the Great Wall at the Mutianyu section. This is approximately a 1.5 hour drive outside of Beijing, slightly further than the popular and very busy Badaling Gate section. On arrival we will complete a 2 -3 hour walk along this beautiful section of the wall. Mutianyu is renowned for its Ming Dynasty guard towers and superb views. The scene here is as one would expect of one of the world’s great man made wonders, with huge steep ramparts criss crossing this mountainous area. Those deciding not to undertake the walk will be able to enjoy this section of the wall by cable car. The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is one of the world’s most unusual and awesome sites. Commenced 2000 years ago, it was built as a defense line to keep out invaders, along the course of several thousand kilometres. The Emperor Qin Shihuang unified the various northern walls into the Great Wall we see today. We return to Beijing in the evening to the train station for our overnight train to Suzhou. We will purchase enough tickets so only students will reside in each 4 berth cabin.

Meals:  B,L,D

On arrival in Suzhou you will be met and transfer to your sister school to join a classroom immersion program. Later this afternoon we transfer to our hotel.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we will continue our activities at the sister School. We then transfer to the train station for our afternoon high-speed train to Shanghai. Upon arrival in Shanghai we will walk a short distance to the hotel (about 5-7 minutes). This afternoon we will embark on a evening walk to the Bund and French Concession area. Overnight at Shanghai Railway Mansion

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we enjoy breakfast before heading out on a full day exploration of Shanghai. Today we will travel both under our own steam by walking and by catching the local transport. This will give us a look into the real China as we explore Yujuan Gardens and its large bazaar, Shanghai Old Street, the French Concession and the Xintiandi, car free eating and entertaining district. Overnight at Shanghai Railway Mansion

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will embark on a full day tour to Disneyland. Our vehicle will pick you up at a predetermined time for your Disneyland excursion. Tonight we return to our hotel and have dinner locally. Overnight at Shanghai Railway Mansion *Today lunch is at your own expense **Please note we strongly suggest planning today to fall on a week day and not weekend

Meals:  B,D

Today we continue our exploration of Shanghai with a morning walking tour of the old city area, visiting Yuyuan Garden and its bazaar. before transferring to the airport for our flight to Melbourne.

Meals:  B

Meals:  Nil