Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Overnight Flight to Beijing
You'll arrive in Beijing after an overnight flight. Depending on when you land, the rest of the day is yours to adjust and start getting a feel for the city. Whether you want to grab a meal, wander around your neighborhood, or just rest up, it's entirely up to you.
- Days 1 - 2
Overnight Flight to Beijing
You'll arrive in Beijing after an overnight flight. Depending on when you land, the rest of the day is yours to adjust and start getting a feel for the city. Whether you want to grab a meal, wander around your neighborhood, or just rest up, it's entirely up to you.
- Day 3
Beijing
This morning head to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City to see the imperial palaces and treasures. Walk through the narrow hutong alleys to get a sense of how locals live in traditional courtyard homes. By evening you'll sit down to Peking duck, a local specialty.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Peking duck)
Included Activities
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Explore the Forbidden City
- Stroll through hutongs
- Traditional Peking duck dinner
Landmarks Tiananmen Square Forbidden City - Day 3
Beijing
Start at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City to check out the imperial palaces and treasures. The morning continues at the Temple of Heaven, where you can experience the calm atmosphere and traditional architecture. By evening you'll have dinner with Peking duck, a local specialty.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Peking duck)
Included Activities
- Visit Tiananmen Square
- Explore the Forbidden City
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Traditional Peking duck dinner
Landmarks Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Temple of Heaven - Day 4
Beijing
Spend your morning at the Great Wall, walking along this iconic structure to see the views and understand its scale. You'll visit a jade factory after that, then head to the Summer Palace in the afternoon where you can wander through the classical Chinese gardens.
Included Activities
- Walk on the Great Wall
- Visit jade factory
- Explore Summer Palace
Landmarks Great Wall of China Summer Palace - Day 4
Beijing
Spend your morning at the Great Wall, walking along this iconic structure to see the views and understand its scale. You'll visit a jade factory after that, then head to the Summer Palace in the afternoon where you can wander through the classical Chinese gardens.
Included Activities
- Walk on the Great Wall
- Visit jade factory
- Explore Summer Palace
Landmarks Great Wall of China Summer Palace - Day 5
Beijing to Xian
This morning you'll spend time at the Temple of Heaven, experiencing the calm atmosphere and taking in the traditional architecture. Later you'll head to the train station and take the bullet train to Xian, the ancient former capital, arriving in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Heaven
- Bullet train to Xian
Landmarks Temple of Heaven - Day 5
Beijing to Xian
Start your day wandering through the narrow hutong alleys to see traditional courtyard homes and local life. Later you'll head to the train station and take the bullet train to Xian, the ancient former capital, arriving in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Stroll through hutongs
- Bullet train to Xian
- Day 6
Xian
This morning you'll see the Terracotta Army, thousands of ancient clay soldiers created for China's first emperor. You'll visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop to learn how artisans still recreate these warriors today. Tonight you'll have Shui Jiao dumplings and watch a Tang Dynasty dance performance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and Tang Dynasty dance show)
Included Activities
- View Terracotta Army
- Visit Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop
- Traditional Shui Jiao dumplings dinner
- Tang Dynasty dance show
Landmarks Terracotta Army - Day 6
Xian
This morning you'll see the Terracotta Army, thousands of ancient clay soldiers created for China's first emperor. You'll visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop to learn how artisans recreate these warriors. If you'd like, there's an optional brewery visit. Tonight you'll have Shui Jiao dumplings and a Tang Dynasty dance show.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and Tang Dynasty dance show)
Included Activities
- View Terracotta Army
- Visit Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop
- Traditional Shui Jiao dumplings dinner
- Tang Dynasty dance show
Optional Activities
- Beer tasting at local brewery
Landmarks Terracotta Army - Day 7
Xian
You'll visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and walk on the 14th-century city walls that surround Xian's old town, which offers views over the ancient city. Later you'll explore the Muslim Quarter, walking through narrow streets and checking out Islamic food stalls to learn about the city's history and its role as a starting point for the Silk Road.
Included Activities
- Visit Little Wild Goose Pagoda
- Stroll on city walls
- Explore Muslim Quarter
Landmarks Little Wild Goose Pagoda - Day 7
Xian
Start by walking the 14th-century city walls that surround Xian's old town for views over the ancient city. You'll have a chance to try traditional Chinese calligraphy during the morning. Later you'll explore the Muslim Quarter, walking through narrow streets and checking out Islamic food stalls to learn about the city's role on the Silk Road.
Included Activities
- Stroll on city walls
- Traditional Chinese calligraphy
- Explore Muslim Quarter
- Day 8
Xian to Chengdu
Today you'll board the bullet train to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. You'll arrive in the afternoon and have the evening free. There's an optional performance of Sichuan Opera tonight, known for its famous 'face-changing' technique that audiences find particularly entertaining.
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Chengdu
Optional Activities
- Sichuan Opera performance
- Day 8
Xian to Chengdu
Today you'll board the bullet train to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. You'll arrive in the afternoon and have the evening free. There's an optional performance of Sichuan Opera tonight, known for its famous 'face-changing' technique that audiences find particularly entertaining.
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Chengdu
Optional Activities
- Sichuan Opera performance
- Day 9
Chengdu
You'll spend the morning at Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre, where you can see the pandas in their natural habitat and visit the museum to learn about the breeding program. Later you'll walk through People's Park, stop at Matchmaker's Corner, visit a traditional tea house, and wander through the Wide and Narrow Alleys. Dinner tonight features Sichuanese food.
- Meals
- Dinner (Delicious Sichuanese food)
Included Activities
- Visit Panda Conservation Centre
- Stroll through People's Park
- Visit traditional tea house
- Wander Wide and Narrow Alleys
- Sichuanese dinner
Landmarks Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base People's Park - Day 9
Chengdu
You'll spend the morning at Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre, seeing the pandas in their natural habitat and learning about the breeding program at the museum. Later you'll walk through People's Park, stop at Matchmaker's Corner, have tea at a traditional teahouse, and wander the Wide and Narrow Alleys. Dinner features Sichuan cuisine.
- Meals
- Dinner (Flavourful Sichuan cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Panda Conservation Centre
- Stroll through People's Park
- Tea in traditional teahouse
- Wander Wide and Narrow Alleys
- Sichuan cuisine dinner
Landmarks Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base People's Park - Day 10
Chengdu to Yichang
Today you'll take the bullet train to Yichang and then board your Yangtze River cruise ship. You'll settle into your cabin and spend the rest of the day getting oriented. This ship will be your home for the next four nights as you travel through some of China's most scenic regions.
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Yichang
- Board Yangtze River cruise
- Day 10
Chengdu to Yichang
Today you'll take the bullet train to Yichang and then board your Yangtze River cruise ship. You'll settle into your cabin and spend the rest of the day getting oriented. This ship will be your home for the next four nights as you travel through some of China's most scenic regions.
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Yichang
- Board Yangtze River cruise
- Days 11 - 13
Yangtze River Cruise
This morning you'll visit the Three Gorges Dam, one of the world's largest engineering projects. As the ship cruises upstream, you'll see dramatic limestone gorges and riverside scenery. You'll also take a side trip to Shennong or Goddess Stream and participate in various shore excursions during the next few days on the river.
Included Activities
- Visit Three Gorges Dam
- Cruise Three Gorges
- Side trip to Shennong or Goddess Stream
- Shore excursions
Landmarks Three Gorges Dam Three Gorges - Days 11 - 13
Yangtze River Cruise
This morning you'll visit the Three Gorges Dam, one of the world's largest engineering projects. As the ship cruises upstream, you'll see dramatic limestone gorges and riverside scenery. You'll also take a side trip to Shennong or Goddess Stream and participate in various shore excursions during the next few days on the river.
Included Activities
- Visit Three Gorges Dam
- Cruise Three Gorges
- Side trip to Shennong or Goddess Stream
- Shore excursions
Landmarks Three Gorges Dam Three Gorges - Day 14
Chongqing to Guilin
You'll disembark the cruise ship in Chongqing and then board the bullet train to Guilin. The train ride takes you through rural areas and you'll arrive in Guilin by afternoon or evening.
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Guilin
- Day 14
Chongqing to Guilin
You'll disembark the cruise ship in Chongqing and board the bullet train to Guilin. After you arrive, you'll walk around Ronghu Lake and Shanhu Lake to see the Sun and Moon pagodas lit up in the evening.
Included Activities
- Bullet train to Guilin
- Walk around Ronghu Lake and Shanhu Lake
- View Sun and Moon pagodas
Landmarks Sun and Moon Pagodas - Day 15
Guilin to Yangshuo
Today you'll take a relaxing cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo. Around each bend in the river you'll see steep karst peaks rising from the water, with rice paddies and water buffalo in the valleys below. Local fishermen still use traditional methods on the river.
Included Activities
- Cruise along Li River to Yangshuo
Landmarks Li River - Day 15
Guilin to Yangshuo
Today you'll take a relaxing cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo. Around each bend in the river you'll see steep karst peaks rising from the water, with rice paddies and water buffalo in the valleys below. Local fishermen still use traditional methods on the river.
Included Activities
- Cruise along Li River to Yangshuo
Landmarks Li River - Day 16
Yangshuo
Yangshuo is surrounded by limestone peaks and green rice paddies. You'll spend the morning exploring the countryside, including a stop on the Li River to photograph a cormorant fisherman using traditional methods. The afternoon is free for you to relax or choose from optional activities available in town.
Included Activities
- Explore countryside
- Photo opportunity with cormorant fisherman
Optional Activities
- Cycling
- Bamboo rafting
- Hiking
- Day 16
Yangshuo
Yangshuo is surrounded by limestone peaks and green rice paddies. Your morning starts with a Tai Chi class taught by a local instructor, followed by a Chinese reflexology massage. After that you'll explore the countryside and have the rest of the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the peaceful setting.
Included Activities
- Tai Chi class with local master
- Chinese reflexology massage
- Explore countryside
- Day 17
Yangshuo to Guilin
You'll travel back to Guilin and walk around Ronghu Lake to see the Sun and Moon pagodas, two tall examples of traditional Chinese-Buddhist architecture. After that you'll visit the Reed Flute Cave, which has colorful rock formations including stalactites and stalagmites.
Included Activities
- Walk around Ronghu Lake
- View Sun and Moon pagodas
- Explore Reed Flute Cave
Landmarks Sun and Moon Pagodas Reed Flute Cave - Day 17
Yangshuo to Guilin
You'll travel back to Guilin, but first you'll stop at a tea plantation where you can walk among the tea bushes, taste different teas, and learn about China's tea history. Later you'll take a scenic cable car up Yao Mountain for views of Guilin's dramatic karst landscape.
Included Activities
- Visit tea plantation
- Tea tasting and heritage learning
- Cable car ride on Yao Mountain
Landmarks Yao Mountain - Day 18
Guilin to Shanghai
Today you'll fly to Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city. You'll arrive and head to your hotel, then spend the afternoon and evening in the Xintiandi area, a vibrant district with traditional 19th-century Shikumen architecture mixed with modern bars and restaurants.
Included Activities
- Explore Xintiandi area
Landmarks Xintiandi - Day 18
Guilin to Shanghai
Today you'll fly to Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city. You'll arrive and head to your hotel, then spend the afternoon and evening in the Xintiandi area, a vibrant district with traditional 19th-century Shikumen architecture mixed with modern bars and restaurants.
Included Activities
- Explore Xintiandi area
Landmarks Xintiandi - Day 19
Shanghai to Suzhou and Return
You'll travel to Suzhou, famous for its classical gardens. You'll visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of the finest examples. Later you'll cruise the Grand Canal and then return to Shanghai for dinner featuring Shanghainese cuisine.
- Meals
- Dinner (Shanghainese cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Humble Administrator's Garden
- Cruise Grand Canal
- Shanghainese cuisine dinner
Landmarks Humble Administrator's Garden - Day 19
Shanghai to Suzhou and Return
You'll travel to Suzhou, famous for its classical gardens. You'll visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of the finest examples. Later you'll cruise the Grand Canal and then return to Shanghai for dinner featuring Shanghainese cuisine.
- Meals
- Dinner (Shanghainese cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Humble Administrator's Garden
- Cruise Grand Canal
- Shanghainese cuisine dinner
Landmarks Humble Administrator's Garden - Days 20 - 21
Shanghai
Shanghai is where China's east meets west. You'll visit the Shanghai Museum, People's Square, and see the Bund's grand colonial buildings. You'll also visit a silk factory, the classical Yu Garden, the old town, and Pudong's modern skyline. You'll take a cruise on the Huangpu River to see the city from the water. Tonight you'll see the ERA acrobatic show.
Included Activities
- Visit Shanghai Museum
- Explore People's Square
- Admire architecture on the Bund
- Huangpu River cruise
- Visit silk factory
- Explore Yu Garden
- Visit old town
- Explore Pudong
- ERA acrobatic show
Landmarks Shanghai Museum People's Square The Bund Yu Garden Pudong - Day 20
Shanghai
Shanghai is where China's east meets west. You'll visit a silk mill, walk through the classical Yu Garden and old town, and head up Jin Mao Tower for sweeping city views. Later you'll take a cruise along the Huangpu River to see the city from the water and experience both the historic Bund and modern Pudong.
Included Activities
- Visit silk mill
- Stroll through Yu Garden
- Explore old town
- Visit Jin Mao Tower
- Huangpu River cruise
Landmarks Yu Garden Jin Mao Tower - Day 21
Shanghai
You'll explore Nanjing Road and People's Square, then walk along the Bund to see the grand colonial architecture. By evening you'll settle in for the dazzling ERA acrobatic show, a high-energy performance featuring incredible stunts and athleticism.
Included Activities
- Explore Nanjing Road
- Explore People's Square
- Admire Bund architecture
- ERA acrobatic show
Landmarks Nanjing Road People's Square The Bund - Day 22
Fly Home
Today you'll fly back to the UK, arriving home either the same day or the following day depending on your flight time and which direction you crossed the International Date Line.
- Day 22
Fly Home
Today you'll fly back to the UK, arriving home either the same day or the following day depending on your flight time and which direction you crossed the International Date Line.
