Magnificent China

Magnificent China

China is home to a great number of magnificent and world-renowned sights. This tour incorporates them all – cruise along the mighty Yangtze and languid Li Rivers, visit the adorable pandas and admire the astonishing Great Wall and Terracotta Army.

What's Included:

• Return flights.
• 19 nights in hotels (accommodation as specified or similar) and 1 in flight.
• All meals (excluding drinks) 20 Breakfast, 19 Lunches, Dinners 20
• Touring with guides and entrance fees
• Yangtze River Cruise, Li River Cruise, Huangpu River Cruise
• Max Group Size: 28
• Physical Rating 1 - Walking, some steps and time on your feet

Day 1 - 2: London - Beijing

Fly overnight to Beijing, China's historic capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 3: Imperial Beijing

This morning, head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and stroll into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City to discover a complex full of imperial riches. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleys of the warren-like hutongs and learn more about living in this traditional area. This evening, sit down to a traditional dinner of Peking duck.

Day 4: The Great Wall

This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. Visit a jade factory then spend the afternoon at the idyllic Summer Palace, wandering through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture.

Day 5: Temple of Heaven

Spend the morning soaking up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape and mingle with the locals as they practise Tai Chi, dance or play cards. Later, take the bullet train to Xian, the ancient former capital.

Day 6: Terracotta Warriors

After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-sized warriors and horses. Also visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop to see where the warriors are intricately recreated. Tonight, feast on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and watch a Tang Dynasty dance show.

Day 7: Ancient City Walls

Visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and take a stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian's old town. Later this afternoon, explore the narrow streets of the atmospheric Muslim Quarter, which are lined with Islamic food stalls. Here, you will gain an insight into the city’s fascinating culture and significance as the start of the Silk Road.

Day 8: Bullet train to Chengdu

Board the bullet train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Tonight, there is an option to see a performance of Sichuan Opera, famous for 'face-changing'.

Day 9: Chengdu Panda Reserve

Visit Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre to see and learn about China's celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. A look around the informative museum gives an overview of the reserve's breeding programme. Later, stroll through the vibrant People's Park with a stop at Matchmaker's Corner, where parents search for worthy suitors for their children. Also stop at a traditional tea house and wander through the Wide and Narrow Alleys. Tonight, dine on delicious Sichuanese food.

Day 10: Board your cruise

Fly to Yichang to board your Yangtze River cruise vessel, where you will stay for the next four nights.

Day 11-13: Yangtze River Cruise

Visit The Three Gorges Dam which showcases a massive feat of engineering. As you cruise upstream, nature takes over revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next few days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Enjoy a side trip to the attractive Shennong or Goddess Stream, as well as various shore excursions.

Day 14: Bullet train to Guilin

Disembark in Chongqing and then board the bullet train to the beautiful city of Guilin.

Day 15: Li River Cruise

Take a relaxed cruise along the Li River to the charming town of Yangshuo. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged karst peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalo and local fishermen.

Day 16: Yangshuo

Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of emerald-green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Spend the morning exploring the countryside and stop on the banks of the Li River for a photo opportunity with a cormorant fisherman. This afternoon is at leisure where you can choose from the many optional activities available including cycling, bamboo rafting and hiking.

Day 17: Discover Guilin

Travel back to Guilin and enjoy a walk around Ronghu Lake and admire the Sun and Moon pagodas – two towering examples of traditional Chinese-Buddhist architecture. Discover the colourful stalagmites and stalactites of Reed Flute Cave and continue to the South China Pearl Factory to see the fascinating 1,700-year history of pearling in the South China Sea with displays and demonstrations.

Day 18: Fly to Shanghai

Fly to the exuberant and cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. Later, spend some time in the city's Xintiandi area, a vibrant entertainment district made up of traditional 19th-century Shikumen architecture.

Day 19: Historic Suzhou

Travel to Suzhou. Suzhou is renowned for its gardens – visit one of its finest, the Humble Administrator's Garden. Cruise the Grand Canal before returning to Shanghai for a dinner of Shanghainese cuisine.

Day 20 - 21: Explore Shanghai

Shanghai is China's great metropolis, where east and west collide. Visit the Shanghai Museum, People's Square and admire the architecture on the Bund. Later, view the city from the Huangpu River on a cruise. The next day visit a silk factory, the classical Yu Garden and stop in the old town before exploring futuristic Pudong. Tonight, enjoy the ERA acrobatic show.

Day 22: Fly Shanghai to UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.