Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Beijing. Meals on board.

Day 2

Day 2 Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you are greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to hotel by private transport. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jetlegs and get ready for the adventure to come! (China is 8 hours ahead of UK)

Day 3

Day 3 Beijing
A full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. This includes visiting historical sites such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City. Then we will go to watch an entertaining acrobat show. (includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Our welcome dinner in the evening presents one of the special Chinese cuisine with live music, singing and dancing entertainment.

Day 4

Day 4 Beijing
The highlights of today's tour include a visit to the Great Wall, the only man-made wonder on earth visible from the moon. Then to the Ming Tombs, walk on the Sacred Way and see the resting place for thirteen Chinese Emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Enjoy the famous Peking Roasted Duck dinner upon your return. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We will visit Juyongguan section of the Great Wall, which was originally constructed in the 5th century and holds the most strategic section of the Wall. The section is quieter and less commercial than some other and it provides the opportunity to visit Sacred Way, another highlight of the Great Wall heritage.

Day 5

Day 5 Beijing to Xian
Today, our tours include the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), the site goes back to the 12th century when the Jin ruler built his Gold Mountain Travelling Palace. Walk along the Long Corridor beside Kunming Lake. A detour to the Garden of Harmonious and return by taking a ferry from close to the Marble Boat. A Hutong tour to visit old residential area and local people's life on Rickshaw ride. Then the guide will escort you to Houhai, a popular relaxing and eating out place for both Western and Chinese tourists. For ones that would like to experience shopping in China, we can take you to the popular shopping street - Xiushui Silk Market. In the evening, we take a flight to Xian, the former capital of China and starting point of the ancient Silk Road. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6

Day 6 Xian
As an ancient capital of China for many dynasties, Xian has a lot historical sites to offer. We will take a city tour including Xian's well reserved Ancient City Walls, built in the early Ming Dynasty (about 600 years ago) and the Bell Tower where you can overlook the entire city. Our tour guide will also escort you to Fanggu Street which is right in the city centre. The shops on the street are rebuild as in the ancient time of China. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7

Day 7 Xian
Today, the highlights include Terra-cotta Warriors. You will visit the luxury underground palace of Emperor Qinshihuang, The Archaeological Museum of 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and their horses. The warriors were the after life protectors the first emperor who united China (221BC-206BC). Following this we will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built as a Buddhist Monastery during the Tang Dynasty. In the evening we attend a re-enactment of the royal arts performance of a 7th century Tang Dynasty Show, with a special Dinner of dumplings included. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8

Day 8 Xian to Wuhan
We take a flight to Wuhan. You will find some cities that are less known in the West provide a better chance to discover the real China. Wuhan is definitely one of them. Its Hubei Provincial Museum has a rare and vast display of ancient Chinese original items, many of them have 3000 years of history. We will also take you to a traditional shopping street where locals have their Chinese traditional silk dress such as Qipao and Changshan tailor made. The tailors provide next day make by order service and the price is a real bargain! (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Wuhan is the major transportation city connecting to the Yangtze cruise tour. Yichange has a small airport but flights to/from Yichang are often canceled without much warning by airlines in China.

Day 9

Day 9 Wuhan to Yichang
In the morning, we will visit famous Chinese landmark pagoda Huanghelou which described by many Chinese poets. Drive to Yichang (approx. 2.5 hrs). Board the cruise in the evening. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10

Day 10 Yangtze River
Shore excursion to the 3 Gorges Dam project in the morning. Sail through Xiling Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities on board, with Captain's welcome dinner to attend. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11

Day 11 Yangtze River
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream or Lesser 3 Gorges (depends on sailing schedule), cruise sails through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. Entertainment and organised activities on board. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12

Day 12 Yangtze River
Shore excursion to Shibaozhai or Fengdu (depends on sailing schedule). Entertainment and organised activities on board, with the farewell dinner party in the evening. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13

Day 13 Yangtze River / Chongqing to Guilin
Arrive at Chongqing, the city with the highest population in China. We will go to People's Square before visiting the pandas in the City Zoo. If time allows, we will visit Yangtze River Museum. There are many features that used to be in or along the River before the 3 Gorges dam project, now have been moved and preserved in the museum. Flight to Guilin, being transfered to hotel. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
For travellers who want to see pandas in its own habitat, we recommend optional tour to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, in Chengdu city. It is the best place to see Chengdu's most famous residents.

Day 14

Day 14 Guilin
Guilin is a beautiful city with picturesque mountains in surrounding. Many of our travellers loved the place so we spend a bit more time in here. Tours to the delightful Fubo Hill or Elephant Trunk Hill (depends on local situation), and a visit to Reed Flute Cave, an underground cavern of exotic rock formations. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 15

Day 15 Guilin to Yangshuo
Li' River Cruise. Depart your hotel in the morning and take an hour drive to Zhujiang Dock, embark your ship and start cruising on the picturesque Li River with lime stone pinnacles, water buffalos, tranquil rice paddies on both sides of the river bank. Lunch will be served on board. Disembark your ship when arriving in Yangshuo, an ancient small town that is famous for its beautiful scenery. Depart your hotel in the morning and take an hour drive to Zhujiang Dock, embark your ship and start cruising on the picturesque Li River with lime stone pinnacles, water buffalos, farms and villages on both sides of the river bank. Lunch will be served on board. Disembark your ship when arriving in Yangshuo, an ancient small town that is famous for its beautiful scenery. Overnight in Yangshuo.

Day 16

Day 16 Guilin
Today's activities including early morning Tai Chi, and bicycle ride to the countryside to view rice paddies. Drive back to Guilin.. (Includes: Breakfast)

Day 17

Day 17 Guilin to Shanghai
We take a flight to Shanghai. Half day tour includes Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds. Sightseeing on the famous promenade along the Huangpu River, the Bund, Nanjing Road. Then we will go to Xin Tian DI (Heaven on Earth), a conservation area of traditional low-rise homes, formerly the French quarter. Tour disband and the rest of the day is free for you to further explore the city. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 18

Day 18 Zhujiajiao
We drive to the village of Zhujiajiao, 'the Venice of China', unspoiled for hundreds of years. There you have the opportunity to take winding through the village whilst being serenaded. Drive back to Shanghai in the afternoon/evening. (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 19

Day 19 Shanghai to UK
Our Guide will meet you at the hotel and see you off at the airport. You will arrive UK the same day. (Includes: Breakfast)

Extra Information

Extras -

Excellent 4 and 5 star hotels and cruises among the same standard.

Our itineraries are regularly checked and updated to provide ideal and latest sightseeing spots for our travellers. We organise our own special activities to introduce the real China to our travellers, and connect you closer to the local people.

Our itineraries are designed at a sensible pace to provide you with a rare opportunity to enjoy touring the country, with a combination of escorted sightseeing, and some free time. China is huge, please take into account of flight time required when considering a tour suggestion.

Guaranteed departure from 2 people. Small group travel with like minded people and flexibility on tour. Normal group size 16 people. Suitable for all age travellers. Add on tours and city extension available.{italic}{-italic}