Wonders of China

Walk through Tiananmen Square and into the magnificent Forbidden City. Sightseeing here will involve approximately 3-4 hours on foot. Enjoy a leisurely stroll in the warren-like hutongs where you will meet a local family. Later, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven. Tonight, eat a traditional Peking duck dinner. Please note: The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. If this day of touring falls on a Monday, your touring in Beijing will be switched around so that the Forbidden City is visited on an alternative day.

Rise early this morning to avoid the crowds and drive approximately 2 hours northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass to take a walk on the Great Wall of China, appreciating the wall itself and the dramatic scenery. Your visit involves walking from the bus to the first section. Once your group has been given an introduction to the Great Wall’s unique history, you will have free time to explore at your own pace. Later, visit the Jade Factory before strolling through the exquisite Summer Palace.

This morning you will be transferred to Beijing train station for your 5-hour bullet train to Xian. Wander through the Muslim Quarter before enjoying a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing in the evening. Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train.

Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of the life-sized Terracotta Warriors. The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located approximately a 1-hour drive outside of Xian. From the bus park to the museum entrance is a 15-minute walk. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own cost. There is no electric cart available for the return from the museum exit to the bus park. Within the museum area the warriors can be seen in three different ‘pits’, which are active archaeological digs. The site is large and will take about 2 and a half hours to explore. After this, visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Workshop to see smaller models of the warriors being made. Later, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. The local guide will give you time to explore the ancient city walls at your own pace. There are options here to hire a bicycle or an electric cart to drive along the length of the wall. These are offered by private vendors and can be organised at your own expense. An optional night tour of Xian is available (time permitting, payable locally).

Transfer to the airport and take a 1-and-a-half-hour flight to Yichang. Upon arrival, transfer to Maoping docks and board your cruise ship which will take you on an amazing journey up China’s Yangtze River for the next 4 nights. Flights in this region are subject to change and can often be changed last minute, we aim to ensure passengers are transferred direct to Yichang. However, it may be necessary to fly to Wuhan and transfer 6 hours by road. The Yangtze River cruise section of your itinerary will not be confirmed by the cruise operators until after you commence your tour as it is subject to local river conditions and water levels. Your local guide will do their utmost to keep you informed of any changes but cannot guarantee against delays or – in rare cases – cancellations of sections of your itinerary. Shore excursions are subject to change depending on local conditions. A detailed itinerary will be handed out on the vessel each day. If you do not wish to take part in a shore excursion but you still wish to disembark the cruise ship, there is a mandatory port tax which must be paid by each customer. The port tax amount is approx. USD20-USD30 per person; however, this amount can vary and for security reasons, it is not always possible to disembark at all ports of call. Please be aware that there are a number of steps involved in embarking and disembarking your Yangtze River Cruise Ship, particularly during low tide. If you think this may be an issue, please inform us in advance. There are amenities package, deck and cabin upgrades available to pre-book – please enquire with our Reservations team. Please be aware that there are a number of steps involved in embarking and disembarking your Yangtze River Cruise Ship, particularly during low tide. If you think this may be an issue, please inform us in advance.

A man-made marvel, the Three Gorges Dam showcases this massive feat of engineering. But as you cruise upstream nature takes over, revealing some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. Over the next three days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another, take a side trip to the attractive Shennong or Goddess Stream and enjoy various shore excursions.

Check out of your cabin early this morning and disembark in Chongqing. Visit Chongqing Zoo’s Panda House before boarding the speedy bullet train for a 5-hour journey to Guilin. Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train.

Take a relaxed 4-hour cruise along the Li River to the charming village of Yangshuo, where you will spend 1 night. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalos and local fishermen. These are small cruise boats usually holding approximately 100 passengers; with an enclosed dining area on the lower deck and an open viewing area on the upper deck. Usually, the boats depart at 9am from the dock located a 1-hour drive from your hotel. However, when the river level is low they depart from further downstream which would mean a longer drive and an earlier check-out from your hotel. Disembarking from the cruise, your Local Guide will walk with you to your hotel, approximately a 30-minute walk from the river. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own cost. In Yangshuo, visit the local markets. An optional Sanjie Liu Impression’s show is available this evening (time permitting, payable locally).

Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of jewel-green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Spend the morning exploring the country side, before driving around 1 hour back to Guilin. Visit the Reed Flute Cave and the South China Pearl Factory. Stop for a photo opportunity on the banks of the Li River and meet a genuine cormorant fisherman.

This morning, stroll around picturesque Ronghu Lake and admire the Sun and Moon Pagodas – two towering examples of traditional Chinese-Buddhist architecture, and visit the Ancient South Gate. In the afternoon, fly just over 2 hours to the exuberant city of Shanghai for a 2-night stay. In the evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise.

Today’s explorations include the peaceful Yu Garden and a quick visit to old town. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund, before visiting the Silk Factory. Sightseeing today involves a full day of touring around the centre of the city including 3-4 hours on foot. Dine on Shanghaiese cuisine tonight.

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Shanghai Pudong or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional nights’ before and after your tour can be arranged.