Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Overnight Flight to Beijing
Your overnight flight touches down in Beijing, China's historical capital. Depending on when you arrive, you'll have the rest of the day to yourself. It's a good time to shake off the flight, grab some food, and start getting a feel for the city around your hotel.
Landmarks/POIs Beijing - Days 1 - 2
Overnight Flight to Beijing
Your overnight flight touches down in Beijing, China's historical capital. Depending on when you arrive, you'll have the rest of the day to yourself. It's a good time to shake off the flight, grab some food, and start getting a feel for the city around your hotel.
Landmarks/POIs Beijing - Day 3
Beijing
Start at Tiananmen Square, then make your way into the Forbidden City to see the imperial treasures and buildings. From there, wander through the traditional hutong alleys where you'll get a real sense of how local residents live and work. Next, head to the Temple of Heaven. By evening, you'll sit down for Peking duck, the local specialty dish that shouldn't be missed.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Peking duck)
Included Activities
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Explore the Forbidden City
- Leisurely stroll through hutongs
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Peking duck dinner
Landmarks/POIs Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Temple of Heaven - Day 3
Beijing
Start at Tiananmen Square, then make your way into the Forbidden City to see the imperial treasures and buildings. From there, wander through the traditional hutong alleys where you'll get a real sense of how local residents live and work. Next, head to the Temple of Heaven. By evening, you'll sit down for Peking duck, the local specialty dish that shouldn't be missed.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Peking duck)
Included Activities
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Explore the Forbidden City
- Leisurely stroll through hutongs
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Peking duck dinner
Landmarks/POIs Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Temple of Heaven - Day 4
Beijing
This morning takes you to the Great Wall for a walk along one of China's most famous sites. Later, you'll stop at a jade factory to pick up a handcrafted piece if something catches your eye. In the afternoon, you'll head to the Summer Palace to check out the traditional gardens and architecture before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Great Wall of China
- Visit jade factory
- Explore Summer Palace
- Stroll through traditional Chinese gardens
Optional Activities
- Purchase handcrafted jade pieces
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China Summer Palace - Day 4
Beijing
This morning takes you to the Great Wall for a walk along one of China's most famous sites. Later, you'll stop at a jade factory to pick up a handcrafted piece if something catches your eye. In the afternoon, you'll head to the Summer Palace to check out the traditional gardens and architecture before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Great Wall of China
- Visit jade factory
- Explore Summer Palace
- Stroll through traditional Chinese gardens
Optional Activities
- Purchase handcrafted jade pieces
Landmarks/POIs Great Wall of China Summer Palace - Day 5
Beijing to Xian
The bullet train carries you to Xian, an ancient former capital with deep historical significance. Once there, you'll take a walking tour through the lively Muslim Quarter to see the culture and learn about its role as the starting point of the Silk Road. Later that evening, you'll have dinner with dumplings followed by a Tang Dynasty dancing performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dumpling feast with Tang Dynasty dancing show)
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey to Xian
- Walking tour of Muslim Quarter
- Dumpling feast
- Tang Dynasty dancing show
Landmarks/POIs Muslim Quarter, Xian - Day 5
Beijing to Xian
The bullet train carries you to Xian, an ancient former capital with deep historical significance. Once there, you'll take a walking tour through the lively Muslim Quarter to see the culture and learn about its role as the starting point of the Silk Road. Later that evening, you'll have dinner with dumplings followed by a Tang Dynasty dancing performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dumpling feast with Tang Dynasty dancing show)
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey to Xian
- Walking tour of Muslim Quarter
- Dumpling feast
- Tang Dynasty dancing show
Landmarks/POIs Muslim Quarter, Xian - Day 6
Xian
Morning brings you to the Terracotta Army, where thousands of life-size warrior statues stand as they did when built for China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. After that, you'll visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop to see artisans at work. You'll then walk on the ancient city walls before stopping by a local brewery for some beer tastings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View Terracotta Army
- Visit Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop
- Stroll on ancient city walls
- Beer tastings at local brewery
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army Xian Ancient City Walls - Day 6
Xian
Morning brings you to the Terracotta Army, where thousands of life-size warrior statues stand as they did when built for China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. After that, you'll visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop to see artisans at work. You'll then walk on the ancient city walls before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View Terracotta Army
- Visit Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop
- Stroll on ancient city walls
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Army Xian Ancient City Walls - Day 7
Xian to Chengdu
Another bullet train ride takes you to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. You'll spend time in People's Park where there's an interesting tradition called Matchmaker's Corner. Parents actually gather there to look for suitable partners for their children, and it's a unique window into local culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey to Chengdu
- Stroll through People's Park
- Visit Matchmaker's Corner
Landmarks/POIs People's Park, Chengdu - Day 7
Xian to Chengdu
Another bullet train ride takes you to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. You'll spend time in People's Park where there's an interesting tradition called Matchmaker's Corner. Parents actually gather there to look for suitable partners for their children, and it's a unique window into local culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey to Chengdu
- Stroll through People's Park
- Visit Matchmaker's Corner
Landmarks/POIs People's Park, Chengdu - Day 8
Chengdu to Chongqing
The day centers on the Panda Conservation Centre where you'll see China's famous bears up close in an environment that mimics their natural habitat. There's a museum on site that explains the center's breeding program and conservation efforts. After you've spent time with the pandas, you'll drive to Chongqing to board your cruise along the Yangtze River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre
- Tour museum at Panda Centre
- Drive to Chongqing
- Board Yangtze River Cruise
Landmarks/POIs Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre - Day 8
Chengdu to Chongqing
The day centers on the Panda Conservation Centre where you'll see China's famous bears up close in an environment that mimics their natural habitat. There's a museum on site that explains the center's breeding program and conservation efforts. After you've spent time with the pandas, you'll drive to Chongqing to board your cruise along the Yangtze River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre
- Tour museum at Panda Centre
- Drive to Chongqing
- Board Yangtze River Cruise
Landmarks/POIs Chengdu Panda Conservation Centre - Day 9
Yangtze River Cruise
You'll leave the cruise for about 2 and a half hours to visit Mt. ShuangGui, a national forest park with nice scenery. One of the highlights here is seeing cliff writings created by calligraphists over many centuries, from the Song Dynasty all the way to modern times.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mt. ShuangGui
- Explore national forest park
- View cliff brush writings
Landmarks/POIs Mt. ShuangGui - Day 9
Yangtze River Cruise
You'll leave the cruise for about 2 and a half hours to visit Mt. ShuangGui, a national forest park with nice scenery. One of the highlights here is seeing cliff writings created by calligraphists over many centuries, from the Song Dynasty all the way to modern times.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mt. ShuangGui
- Explore national forest park
- View cliff brush writings
Landmarks/POIs Mt. ShuangGui - Day 10
Yangtze River Cruise
Your cruise continues through the Wu and Qutang gorges where you'll see the dramatic river landscape. Later, you'll board a smaller vessel to cruise along Goddess Stream, a more relaxed section that lets you really take in the surroundings at a slower pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sail through Wu Gorge
- Sail through Qutang Gorge
- Cruise along Goddess Stream in smaller vessel
Landmarks/POIs Wu Gorge Qutang Gorge Goddess Stream - Day 10
Yangtze River Cruise
Your cruise continues through the Wu and Qutang gorges where you'll see the dramatic river landscape. Later, you'll board a smaller vessel to cruise along Goddess Stream, a more relaxed section that lets you really take in the surroundings at a slower pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sail through Wu Gorge
- Sail through Qutang Gorge
- Cruise along Goddess Stream in smaller vessel
Landmarks/POIs Wu Gorge Qutang Gorge Goddess Stream - Day 11
Yangtze River to Zhangjiajie
You'll visit the Three Gorges Dam and take in its scale from the viewing area before touring the small museum there. After leaving the cruise, you'll drive to Zhangjiajie, a striking landscape with over 3,000 sandstone pillars rising up from misty subtropical forest. The scenery here is unlike anything else you'll see on the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Three Gorges Dam
- View viewing area at dam
- Tour dam museum
- Disembark Yangtze River Cruise
- Drive to Zhangjiajie
Landmarks/POIs Three Gorges Dam Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - Day 11
Yangtze River to Zhangjiajie
You'll visit the Three Gorges Dam and take in its scale from the viewing area before touring the small museum there. After leaving the cruise, you'll drive to Zhangjiajie, a striking landscape with over 3,000 sandstone pillars rising up from misty subtropical forest. The scenery here is unlike anything else you'll see on the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Three Gorges Dam
- View viewing area at dam
- Tour dam museum
- Disembark Yangtze River Cruise
- Drive to Zhangjiajie
Landmarks/POIs Three Gorges Dam Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - Day 12
Zhangjiajie
Get ready for an action packed day. The Bailong glass elevator shoots you 326 metres up a mountainside in just two minutes, and the views from the top include the First Bridge under the Sun and Hallelujah Mountain. You'll continue to Emperor Mountain and Helong Park before taking a cable car back down. After that, a scenic train takes you through the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery, and you'll finish with a sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ride Bailong glass elevator
- View First Bridge under the Sun
- View Hallelujah Mountain
- Visit Emperor Mountain
- Visit Helong Park
- Cable car descent
- Scenic train ride through Ten-Mile Natural Gallery
- Sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng
Landmarks/POIs Bailong Elevator Hallelujah Mountain Emperor Mountain Helong Park Ten-Mile Natural Gallery Lake Baofeng - Day 12
Zhangjiajie
Get ready for an action packed day. The Bailong glass elevator shoots you 326 metres up a mountainside in just two minutes, and the views from the top include the First Bridge under the Sun and Hallelujah Mountain. You'll continue to Emperor Mountain and Helong Park before taking a cable car back down. After that, a scenic train takes you through the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery, and you'll finish with a sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ride Bailong glass elevator
- View First Bridge under the Sun
- View Hallelujah Mountain
- Visit Emperor Mountain
- Visit Helong Park
- Cable car descent
- Scenic train ride through Ten-Mile Natural Gallery
- Sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng
Landmarks/POIs Bailong Elevator Hallelujah Mountain Emperor Mountain Helong Park Ten-Mile Natural Gallery Lake Baofeng - Day 13
Zhangjiajie
You'll explore Huanglong Cave, which has colorful stalagmites and stalactites spread across over 120 acres of underground formations. Later, you'll walk across Zhangjiajie's Glass Bridge. This thing spans 430 metres over the Grand Canyon, and yes, it's see through, so you'll definitely feel the height as you cross it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Huanglong Cave
- Walk across Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Huanglong Cave Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge - Day 13
Zhangjiajie
You'll explore Huanglong Cave, which has colorful stalagmites and stalactites spread across over 120 acres of underground formations. Later, you'll walk across Zhangjiajie's Glass Bridge. This thing spans 430 metres over the Grand Canyon, and yes, it's see through, so you'll definitely feel the height as you cross it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Huanglong Cave
- Walk across Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Huanglong Cave Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge - Day 14
Zhangjiajie to Shanghai
The cable car ride up Tianmen Mountain takes about 40 minutes and covers 7 kilometres, making it quite a journey. At the top, you'll climb 999 steps to reach Tianmen Cave, nicknamed 'Heaven's Door'. There's also a glass skywalk called the 'Walk of Faith' for those who want another adrenaline rush. You'll stop by the Jun Sheng Sandstone painting gallery before heading to the airport for your evening flight to Shanghai.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ride world's longest cable car to Tianmen Mountain
- Visit Tianmen Cave
- Walk glass skywalk on Tianmen Mountain
- Visit Jun Sheng Sandstone painting gallery
- Evening flight to Shanghai
Landmarks/POIs Tianmen Mountain Tianmen Cave - Day 14
Zhangjiajie to Shanghai
The cable car ride up Tianmen Mountain takes about 40 minutes and covers 7 kilometres, making it quite a journey. At the top, you'll climb 999 steps to reach Tianmen Cave, nicknamed 'Heaven's Door'. There's also a glass skywalk called the 'Walk of Faith' for those who want another adrenaline rush. You'll stop by the Jun Sheng Sandstone painting gallery before heading to the airport for your evening flight to Shanghai.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ride world's longest cable car to Tianmen Mountain
- Visit Tianmen Cave
- Walk glass skywalk on Tianmen Mountain
- Visit Jun Sheng Sandstone painting gallery
- Evening flight to Shanghai
Landmarks/POIs Tianmen Mountain Tianmen Cave - Day 15
Shanghai
In Shanghai, you'll start at Yu Gardens for a peaceful walk, then head into the atmospheric old town alleys. Walking along the Bund gives you a good look at the colonial architecture and historical waterfront. You'll visit a silk mill to see how silk is produced before heading to the top of Jin Mao tower for city views. Later, a cruise on the Huangpu River lets you see Shanghai lit up at night while you enjoy Shanghainese cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Shanghainese cuisine on Huangpu River panoramic cruise)
Included Activities
- Visit Yu Gardens
- Explore old town alleys
- Stroll along the Bund
- Visit silk mill
- Visit Jin Mao tower
- Panoramic Huangpu River cruise
- Shanghainese cuisine dinner
Landmarks/POIs Yu Gardens The Bund, Shanghai Jin Mao Tower Huangpu River - Day 15
Shanghai
In Shanghai, you'll start at Yu Gardens for a peaceful walk, then head into the atmospheric old town alleys. Walking along the Bund gives you a good look at the colonial architecture and historical waterfront. You'll visit a silk mill to see how silk is produced. Later, a cruise on the Huangpu River lets you see Shanghai lit up at night while you enjoy Shanghainese cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Shanghainese cuisine on Huangpu River panoramic cruise)
Included Activities
- Visit Yu Gardens
- Explore old town alleys
- Stroll along the Bund
- Visit silk mill
- Panoramic Huangpu River cruise
- Shanghainese cuisine dinner
Landmarks/POIs Yu Gardens The Bund, Shanghai Huangpu River - Day 16
Depart Shanghai
You're heading back to the UK on a long flight. Depending on your routing and the time zones involved, you'll arrive home either the same day or the next day. After two weeks exploring China's highlights, you'll have plenty of memories and stories to share.
- Day 16
Depart Shanghai
You're heading back to the UK on a long flight. Depending on your routing and the time zones involved, you'll arrive home either the same day or the next day. After two weeks exploring China's highlights, you'll have plenty of memories and stories to share.
