Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Beijing
This day is yours to explore Beijing at your own pace. Wander around the neighborhoods, try some local food, and get familiar with how things work here. It's a good time to adjust to the city before structured activities begin.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Days 3 - 4
Beijing
Early morning you'll walk on the Great Wall, one of those things you really want to see up close. In the afternoon, head to the Summer Palace and stroll through its gardens and around the water. It's a nice contrast to the wall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk on the Great Wall
- Stroll through the Summer Palace gardens
Landmarks Great Wall of China Summer Palace - Day 5
Beijing to Xian
The morning takes you to the Temple of Heaven where you can walk through the park and see the architectural details. Later, you'll catch a bullet train to Xian, so plan to head to the station in early afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the Temple of Heaven
- Wander through the Temple of Heaven park
Landmarks Temple of Heaven - Days 6 - 7
Xian
Today focuses on the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. You'll see the thousands of clay warriors that were buried with the emperor. Later in the day, you'll walk on Xian's 14th-century city walls, which are well preserved and give great views of the modern city below.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang
- Stroll on Xian's 14th-century city walls
Landmarks Terracotta Army Xian City Walls - Day 8
Xian to Yichang
You'll fly to Yichang and then board your Yangtze River cruise vessel. It's a travel day, so plan for getting settled into your cabin and meeting other passengers in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Board Yangtze River cruise vessel
- Days 9 - 11
Yangtze River Cruise
It's your final day on the river before reaching Chongqing. You'll have more opportunities for shore excursions and time to enjoy the scenery from the deck. Spend this day taking photos and soaking in the river landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise the Yangtze River
- Shore excursions
- Day 12
Chongqing to Chengdu
After disembarking in Chongqing, you'll explore old Ciqikou with its narrow streets and traditional architecture. Later you'll transfer to Chengdu. Tonight you'll have a traditional Sichuanese dinner, and you can choose whether to watch a Sichuan Opera performance afterward.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Sichuanese dinner)
Included Activities
- Explore old Ciqikou
- Stroll to admire traditional architecture
- Traditional Sichuanese dinner
Optional Activities
- Sichuan Opera performance
Landmarks Ciqikou - Day 13
Chengdu to Dali
The morning takes you to Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre where you'll see these bears up close in settings that feel natural to them. You'll learn about conservation efforts too. Later, you'll fly to Dali, which is a charming city with a completely different feel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre
Landmarks Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre - Days 14 - 15
Dali to Kunming
You'll visit the Three Pagodas in Dali before heading to the bullet train station. The train takes you to Kunming, which you'll reach later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the Three Pagodas
Landmarks Three Pagodas - Day 16
Kunming
Today focuses on the Stone Forest near Kunming, where limestone formations create a surreal landscape that's worth exploring on foot. For dinner, try Across the Bridge Noodles, a local specialty that's really popular here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Across the Bridge Noodles)
Included Activities
- Explore the Stone Forest
- Across the Bridge Noodles dinner
Landmarks Stone Forest - Day 17
Kunming to Guilin
You'll board the bullet train to Guilin, which sits on the Li River. It's a shorter journey, and you'll arrive with time to settle into your hotel and explore the immediate area around your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 18
Guilin to Yangshuo
A relaxed cruise takes you down the Li River toward Yangshuo. As you float along, jagged karst peaks line the water, and you'll see rural scenes with water buffalo and lush greenery. Every bend in the river brings new views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Li River
Landmarks Li River - Day 19
Yangshuo
Start early with a Tai Chi class where a master teaches you this ancient martial art. Afterward, explore the countryside around Yangshuo and stop by the Li River to photograph cormorant fishermen at work. You'll have free time in the afternoon for relaxation or optional activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tai Chi class with a master
- Explore the countryside
- Photo opportunity with a cormorant fisherman
Optional Activities
- Various optional activities
Landmarks Li River - Day 20
Yangshuo to Guilin
Return to Guilin and visit the Reed Flute Cave to see its stalagmites and stalactites. Then take a walk around Ronghu Lake and check out the Sun and Moon pagodas, which are tall examples of traditional Chinese-Buddhist architecture right on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the Reed Flute Cave
- Stroll around Ronghu Lake
- Visit the Sun and Moon pagodas
Landmarks Reed Flute Cave Ronghu Lake Sun and Moon Pagodas - Days 21 - 22
Hangzhou to Suzhou
Take a cruise on West Lake and visit Xihu Tiandi. Later, you'll head to Suzhou by train or car, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise on West Lake
- Visit Xihu Tiandi
Landmarks West Lake Xihu Tiandi - Day 23
Suzhou
Suzhou's center has kept its charm and character over the years. The city is known for classical gardens, so you'll visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of the finest examples showing Chinese ideas about balance and harmony. You'll also cruise on the Grand Canal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden
- Cruise on the Grand Canal
Landmarks Humble Administrator's Garden Grand Canal - Day 24
Suzhou to Shanghai
Travel to Shanghai, the cosmopolitan city also called the Paris of the East. Visit Matchmaker's Corner where parents look for partners for their kids, the Shanghai Museum, and People's Square. Later, take a cruise on the Huangpu River to see the city lights. Dinner features Shanghainese cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Shanghainese cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Matchmaker's Corner
- Visit the Shanghai Museum
- Visit People's Square
- Panoramic cruise on the Huangpu River
- Shanghainese cuisine dinner
Landmarks Matchmaker's Corner Shanghai Museum People's Square Huangpu River 
- Day 25
Shanghai
Shanghai mixes old and new dramatically, with futuristic skyscrapers standing next to 10th-century temples. Visit Yu Garden, explore the old town, check out a silk factory, and walk along the Bund. In the evening, watch the ERA acrobatic show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Yu Garden
- Visit the old town
- Visit a silk factory
- Stroll along the Bund
- ERA acrobatic show
Landmarks Yu Garden The Bund - Day 26
Departure from Shanghai
You'll fly back to the UK, arriving home the same day or the following day depending on your flight time and time zones.
