A fascinating composite of contrasting worlds, jostling for your attention, China enchants with intriguing, mystical landscapes, astounds with ancient wonders and exhilarates with the sheer intensity of modern life.

Tour Highlights

• Sightseeing around Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong
• Watching the spectacular Shanghai Acrobatics show
• Gazing at the Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s most impressive archaeological finds
• Experiencing an exclusive welcoming ceremony on Xian’s ancient city wall
• Absorbing the music, costumes and culture at the Tang Dynasty dinner show
• Cruising the Yangtze River for 4 nights on the 5-star Victoria Anna
• Exploring the awe-inspiring Great Wall of China
• Marvelling at the incredible limestone scenery on a cruise along the Li River to Yangshou

Tour itinerary
Day 1 Depart Heathrow
Your Tour Manager will be waiting for you in the executive lounge, where you can relax before your flight.
Meals: In-flight.

Day 2 Arrive Shanghai
After transferring to your hotel, you’re free to explore. The hotel is next to Renmin Square, which is a great place for people watching, and just a short stroll from the pedestrianised Nanjing Road, leading down to the Bund; Shanghai’s spectacular riverfront. In the evening, join your Tour Manager and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at the start of your amazing journey.
Meals: In-flight, Dinner.
Hotel: Marriott City Centre.

Day 3 Shanghai
On a sightseeing tour of this dynamic city, you’ll visit the Yu Yuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple and the famous riverside Bund, with its wealth of historic buildings, which form a striking contrast with the 21st century skyscrapers. The afternoon is free, then you’ll meet up with your group in the evening for the utterly thrilling Shanghai Acrobatics show.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Marriott City Centre.

Day 4 Shanghai
You’re free to do as you please today. Your Tour Manager can point you towards the shopping district, the renovated mansions and cafés of the French Concession area, or the ancient town of Zhujiajiao, with its cobbled streets, canals and old arched bridges.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Marriott City Centre.

Day 5 Shanghai to Beijing
When your flight arrives into the capital, you’ll be taken straight to the impressive Raffles Hotel, close to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the pedestrianised Wangfujing Street.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Raffles Beijing.

Day 6 Beijing
Beijing is regarded as one of the world’s greatest cities and, today, you’ll find out why on a tour of China’s greatest political, educational and cultural centre. You’ll visit Tiananmen Square, which sits at the centre of the city, surrounded by imposing seats of power – the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People and Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. You’ll then enter the Forbidden City, the Chinese Imperial Palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. For centuries, it was closed off from the outside world, and remains a place of intrigue. After exploring the inner courtyards and viewing the Palace Museum’s collections of priceless artwork and artefacts, you’ll have lunch, then continue on to the Summer Palace. The former retreat of China’s Emperors, the palace is set on Kunming Lake, surrounded by landscaped gardens.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Raffles Beijing.

Day 7 Beijing
Nothing can prepare you for the experience of visiting the Great Wall of China. At the quieter Mutianyu section, the views of the wall climbing over craggy peaks into the distance are quite spectacular. Originally built to protect the Empire’s northern borders, the wall eventually extended thousands of miles from Shanhaiguan on the east coast to the Gobi Desert in the west.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Hotel: Raffles Beijing.

Day 8 Beijing
Take some time out today to revel in the hotel’s sublime facilities. If you want some ideas for your free day, your Tour Manager will be able to help; an Olympics stadium tour, a visit to the Temple of Heaven, or a thrilling rickshaw ride through the maze of ancient streets known as the Hutongs.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Raffles Beijing.

Day 9 Beijing to Yichang
Today you’ll fly to Yichang to board the Victoria Anna cruise ship, on the mighty Yangtze. Once you’ve settled into your cabin, you’ll set sail in the evening, heading upstream to explore this famous river.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Vessel: Victoria Anna.

Day 10 Yangtze
After a guided tour of the impressive Three Gorges Dam, one of the world’s largest ever construction projects, you’ll relax back on board as the Victoria Anna navigates the dam’s massive shiplocks, before passing through Xiling Gorge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Vessel: Victoria Anna.

Day 11 Yangtze
On today’s excursion, you’ll board a small craft paddled by experienced rowers and head upstream on the Daning River to enjoy the peace of this quiet valley. Rich in history, this area is said to have been inhabited since at least the Han Dynasty, and has been the site of many battles. Back on board the Victoria Anna, sit back and take in the stunning scenery as you pass through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Vessel: Victoria Anna.

Day 12 Yangtze
After breakfast, you’ll disembark for an excursion to Fengdu, known as Ghost City. This now deserted town was believed to be the Taoist gathering place of the spirits, and you’ll see the small temples that dot the hillside.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Vessel: Victoria Anna.

Day 13 Chongqing to Xian
Your cruise at an end, you’ll disembark at Chongqing and transfer to the airport for your flight to Xian. A thousand years ago, Xian was one of the world’s great trading centres and it has been the seat of power for some of the most important dynasties in China. After an exclusive welcome ceremony at the imposing North Gate you’ll arrive at your hotel for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Hilton Xian.

Day 14 Xian
Delving deep into the rich history of this fascinating city, you’ll visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 707-709 in the Tang Dynasty, before moving on to the famous Terracotta Warriors. Discovered in 1974, the warriors, horses and chariots date back to 211 BC. Over 8,000 individually crafted figures have been uncovered, and more wait to be excavated. This evening, you’ll dine on local specialities while watching a traditional Tang Dynasty music and dance show.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hotel: Hilton Xian.

Day 15 Xian to Guilin
This morning, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight southwards to Guilin. You have plenty of free time to settle into the riverside Sheraton and take a breather before the next part of this magnificent journey.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Sheraton Guilin.

Day 16 Guilin
On a cruise down the Li River, our travellers usually find the tranquillity and mystical beauty of this incredible landscape deeply moving. The vivid reflections take your breath away, and the limestone karst peaks are simply astounding. You’ll explore the laid back township of Yangshou, before returning through the hills via a local teahouse. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hotel: Sheraton Guilin.

Day 17 Guilin to Hong Kong
After a leisurely morning, you’ll visit the intriguing limestone Reed Flute Caves, before your flight to Hong Kong, and the next superb hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: InterContinental Grand Stanford.

Day 18 Hong Kong
On a morning tour of Hong Kong Island, the Peak Tram will reveal exceptional views over the skyscrapers and bustling city towards the mountains beyond. You’ll board a traditional sampan for a trip around Aberdeen Harbour, then explore the quieter market and waterfront at Stanley. In the afternoon, you’re free to relax or explore further before tonight’s special farewell dinner, where you can share your favourite memories of the tour with your companions.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: InterContinental Grand Stanford.

Day 19 Depart Hong Kong
You have a free day today, before your late evening flight home. Your Tour Manager has plenty of ideas for how to spend the day; you might like to visit the glitzy malls and colourful street markets, take the Star Ferry to Kowloon to browse the many eclectic markets, or simply soak up the atmosphere along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and take a last look at the incredible harbour views.
Meals: Breakfast, In-flight.

Day 20 Arrive Heathrow
Home again, but somehow, life may never feel quite the same.
Meals: In-flight. 

Extend Your Holiday
Think of China and you think of pandas. So we’ve lined up a wonderful experience to visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Research centre at Chengdu which, despite its name, is actually a beautifully landscaped outdoor park where the focus is very much on panda conservation and education. As you walk through the park, you’ll see various large enclosures where the pandas live. It’s great fun trying to spot the pandas as you go – some will be snoozing gently in a tree, some will be enjoying a nice bamboo snack. You’ll also have time to explore the charming town of Chengdu before you fly back to Shanghai.

Departure dates:
06 September 2012
11 October 2012
14 March 2013
09 May 2013