A tour of the places and sights most travellers wish to visit in China! From the grandeur of Beijing, to the Great Wall, the Warriors of Xian, the mighty Yangtze and beautiful Li Rivers, to the bustling, modern city of Shanghai; it will all be experienced on this tour.
Day 1 – Arrive Beijing
Arrive Beijing airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Stay four nights at the Novotel Peace Hotel.
Day 2 – Beijing
Today you will visit the famous sights of Beijing including the majestic Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Hutongs, Beijing’s ancient, narrow streets. In the evening attend a performance of the Chinese Kong Fu Show. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Great Wall excursion
Travel north from the city to the Great Wall of China. Visit the section known as Badaling Remnant, a little way off the usual tourist route, and known for its beautiful natural setting. You can walk on top of the wall and appreciate the scale of this remarkable structure as it snakes down valleys and along ridge lines as far as the eye can see. On the way back to Beijing stop at the Ming Tombs to stroll along the Sacred Way lined with animal statues, and see the Olympic Park. (B,L)
Day 4 – Beijing
Visit the Temple of Heaven for a one hour class with a Tai Chi master. Be delighted by the antics of the Pandas at Beijing Zoo before experiencing the graceful gardens and lakeside setting of the Summer Palace. This evening enjoy a Beijing specialty – a Peking Duck Banquet. (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Beijing to Xian
Transfer to the rail station for the high speed train to Xian. Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and see the fountains in its northern square. A colourful Tang Dance Show is included this evening.
Stay two nights at the Grand Noble Hotel. (B,D)
Day 6 – Xian
Walk along the well preserved City Wall this morning. This afternoon you will see another amazing sight; the Terracotta Warriors and Horses still standing in battle formation as placed 2000 years ago. Visit the main exhibition halls where excavation and restoration work is on going. (B,L)
Day 7 – Xian to Guilin
This morning visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum, one of the best museums in China. Fly to Guilin in the afternoon. On the drive from the airport you will begin to see some of the beautiful limestone peaks for which the area is famed.
Stay two nights at the Bravo Hotel. (B,L)
Day 8 – Guilin
Tour the colourfully lit Reed Flute Caves, visit a local art gallery, climb Fubo Hill and see landmark Elephant Trunk Hill. (B,L)
Day 9 – Li River Cruise
Cruise the unique Li River, twisting and turning through incredibly beautiful scenery. Disembark at the market town of Yangshuo and spend the afternoon enjoying the picturesque countryside by electric cart. This evening see the “Impressions of Sister Liu”, a spectacular show staged on the river.
Stay overnight at the Secret Garden Boutique or Green Lotus Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 10 – Yangshuo to Chongqing
Transfer back to Guilin airport for a flight to Chongqing on the Yangtze River. Tour the city visiting Erling Park and Ciqikou Ancient Town before boarding your five star ship for a Yangtze River cruise. All cabins on board this luxurious vessel have their own balconies. A variety of entertainments and shore excursions are included during the cruise. Settle in and become familiar with the ship’s facilities and sailing schedule, which may differ slightly to the cruise described below.
Cruise for three nights onboard the Century Paragon. (B,L,D)
Day 11 – Yangtze River Cruise
The shore excursion today is to the striking wooden structure on the cliff face at Shibaozhai, or perhaps the ‘Ghost City’ of Fengdu with its temple devoted to the king of the underworld. (B,L,D)
Day 12 – Yangtze River Cruise
Sail through Qutang and Wu Gorges, the first two of the famous Three Gorges. Transfer to row boats for an excursion along the Shennon Stream. Back on board, enter Xiling Gorge, the longest and deepest of the Three Gorges. (B,L,D)
Day 13 – Yichang to Suzhou
Disembark at Maoping and visit the Three Gorges Dam. Travel by coach to Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai and a coach transfer to Suzhou, famous for its silk production, exquisite gardens and traditional canal living.
Stay two nights at the Garden Hotel at 99 Daichenqiao Road. (B,L)
Day 14 – Suzhou
Visit Tongli, an ancient canal town, stroll through the Lingering Garden, and marvel at the fine work at the Silk Embroidery Institute. (B,L)
Day 15 – Suzhou to Shanghai
Cruise the small canals of Suzhou seeing stone houses and arched bridges. See highly skilled textile work at the Silk Factory, then travel to Shanghai. See the city lights on an evening Huangpu River Cruise.
Stay two nights at the SSAW Shanghai the Bund. (B,L,D)
Day 16 – Shanghai
Start the day with a panoramic view over the city from the sightseeing floor in the 2nd Sphere of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Learn about Shanghai’s development from a small village to the present metropolis at the History Museum at the base of the tower. Stroll along the Bund, and in the evening attend an acrobatic show. (B,L,D)
Day 17 – Depart Shanghai
Free until transfer to the airport for the flight home. (B)
GOT MORE ON YOUR WISHLIST?
We offer variations of this tour with some great add-ons. contact or call us for details.
China Wishlist with Lhasa – 17 days from $8462 twin share, land only
Travel on the world’s highest railway to fascinating Tibet.
China Wishlist with Pandas & Yunnan – 14 days from $5957 twin share, land only
Swap the cruises for the abundant natural beauty of Yunnan Province and the not-to-be-missed Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu.
