If there was ever a time to appreciate a value add, it’s now. Which is why flying long-haul from Sydney Airport via China is the ultimate “would you like fries with that”. Not only because Australians get a free 30-day visa, but because China’s three full-service airlines offer free transit tours and stays!
It’s super exciting to be heading off on the Big Europe Trip of the Year. Y’know the one. Your clients come in with destination pics on their phone screensaver. They’ve researched all the best places to eat. And they’re so amped to know your expertise is going to deliver that trip of a lifetime.
The destination is the goal, obviously, but you can become even more of a hero when you reveal transit tours with additional attractions, cultural insights, and a glimpse into a different way of life, all accessible without spending a dime more.
The Silk Skyway is the route from Sydney Airport to Europe via China, with three full-service carriers, Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, offering affordable flights with complimentary stopover stays* and transit tours.
Ideal for travellers looking to break up a journey without breaking the bank (or even touching the bank account), the daily tours convert boring transit times into bonus vacay experiences!
Beijing
The capital of China for over 800 years, Beijing is a destination where imperial grandeur, monumental landmarks, and contemporary energy collide.
Inclusive of entry tickets and airport transfers, Air China offer two half-day layover tours at Beijing Capital Airport for their passengers with more than eight hours in transit.
Journey to the Great Wall Tour (departs 7:30am, returns 1pm):
- The Great Wall of China: For clients who love ticking off the world’s most iconic landmarks, this morning tour transports them from Beijing Capital International Airport to Mutianyu, one of the most spectacular sections of the Great Wall of China.
Highlights Half-Day City Tour (departs 1:30pm, returns 9pm):
- Temple of Heaven: This beautifully preserved UNESCO-listed site symbolises the relationship between heaven, earth, and imperial power. The 15th-century ceremonial complex wows as an architectural masterpiece.
- Tiananmen Square: Spend time in one of the world’s largest open-air public spaces and the civic heart of Beijing.
- Qianmen Street: South of Tiananmen Square, explore Qianmen Street’s heritage architecture, ancient shops, and tasty treats.
Learn more about Air China’s two Beijing layover tours here.
Shanghai
A place of great contrasts, Shanghai is a city where you can discover classical gardens and heritage boulevards opposite a futuristic skyline. For transit travellers, there are three tours for travellers with an eight-hour-plus transit time at Shanghai Pudong Airport. Each includes return airport transfers and admission tickets.
Highlights Half-day City Tour (departs 9am, returns 2pm):
- Yu Garden: Built in 1559, the renowned pavilions, rockeries, and ponds at Yu Garden reveal the elegance of the Ming Dynasty. Time here feels a world away from the buzz of modern Shanghai.
- The Bund: Standing in awe of Pudong’s modern skyline from its heritage boulevard is a memorable moment on any visit to Shanghai.
Local Lifestyle Citywalk Tour (departs 10am, returns 4pm):
- Wukang Road & Wuzhong Market: See two sides of local Shanghai life, exploring the heritage-rich tree-lined streets of Wukang Road in the former French Concession and the bustling wet market filled with local produce and artisanal fare.
- People’s Square & East Nanjing Road: The cultural heart of Shanghai, the People’s Square is close to the buzzy East Nanjing Road pedestrian shopping strip, a place chock-full of modern malls, market stalls, and luxury brands.
- The Bund is also included in this tour.
Huangpu River Cruise Sightseeing Night Tour (departs 6pm, returns 11pm):
- Huangpu River Cruise: Experiencing Shanghai’s dazzling skyline on a relaxed river cruise; it’s an ideal way to spend a long-transit time. With the Bund’s heritage on one side and modern high-rises on the other, the cruise is akin to seeing the evolution of the city in real time.
- Yu Garden is also included in this tour.
Discover the three Shanghai tours here.
Guangzhou
While it’s not possible to explore all of Guangzhou’s 2,000 years of history on a layover, there’s a lot you can discover thanks to China Southern’s two complimentary tours. Valid for anyone with an eight-hour-plus layover at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, the tours include admission tickets and lunch.
Bus Tour 1 (departs 8:30am, returns 2pm):
- Huacheng Square: An ideal place to get your bearings, this tree-lined central landmark impresses with a large fountain, lake, and lighting plaza.
- Chen Clan Academy: One of the city’s standout heritage sites, Chen Clan Academy offers ornate 19th-century Cantonese architecture and fascinating folk-art exhibits.
- Yue Xiu Park: One of Guangzhou’s best-known green spaces, Yue Xiu Park reveals a more serene side to the city centre. The park spans seven hills and has three lakes.
Bus Tour 2 (departs 8:30am, returns 2pm):
- Ersha Island & Haixin Bridge: Ersha Island offers sweeping skyline views of the city and Haixin Bridge, the world’s largest beam-tied-arch pedestrian bridge.
- Beijing Road: More than just a shopping strip, Beijing Road offers 500 shops, Cantonese restaurants, and archaeological ruins from the Tang and Song dynasties.
- Nanyue King Museum: Connect to Guangzhou’s past at this modern museum dedicated to the 2,000-year-old Nanyue Kingdom.
China Southern also offers a Metro Tour, including a ticket to a local attraction and a 24-hour Guangzhou metro pass. There’s no minimum transit time with this offer. To learn more, email portvis@gzl.com.cn.
Learn more
Help your clients enjoy these transit perks when they fly to Europe via China. Find out more at about travelling the Silk Skyway here.
*Learn more about stopovers in China here.
This article is brought to you by Sydney Airport.
