Group Tour
China: The Grand Tour
Did you know we can tailor any tour?
James Noyes
Senior Travel Consultant
020 7808 6786
020 7808 6786
Tour Highlights
China: The Grand Tour
This comprehensive tour of China visits the treasures of Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors at Xi'an, picturesque scenery between Guilin and Yangshuo and the pandas at Chengdu. Cruise the Yangtze River and visit the Three Gorges Dam, before ending the tour in cosmopolitan Shanghai.
Dates and prices
Itinerary
DAY 1: Fly to Beijing
Fly to Beijing
Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) direct to Beijing. (N)
Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, B*: Box Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
DAY 2: Beijing
Beijing
Arrive and transfer to the Novotel Beijing Peace (or similar) for 3 nights. Afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven. Welcome dinner at a Peking duck restaurant. (D)
Accommodation:
Novotel Beijing Peace
DAY 3: Beijing
Beijing
Morning visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City with an expert guide. Stroll through the historic Liulichang district. Evening visit to the state acrobatics show. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Novotel Beijing Peace
DAY 4: Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Drive out of the city to the Great Wall at Jinshanling, a quiet and dramatic section of the wall. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Novotel Beijing Peace
DAY 5: Xi'an
Xi'an
Visit a hutong (narrow streets) area on a pedicab, then drive to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Xi'an, where you stay at the Grand Noble Xi'an for 2 nights. (B)
Accommodation:
Grand Noble Hotel, Xi'an
DAY 6: Terracotta Warriors - Xi'an
Terracotta Warriors - Xi'an
Morning excursion to the Terracotta Army and the Xi'an Museum, followed by a lesson in Chinese calligraphy. Afternoon visit to the Muslim quarter and Great Mosque. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Grand Noble Hotel, Xi'an
DAY 7: Train to Chengdu
Train to Chengdu
Morning high-speed train journey to Chengdu, then transfer to the Kempinski Hotel Chengdu for 1 night. Evening excursion to enjoy a Sichuan Opera music performance. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Kempinski Hotel Chengdu
DAY 8: Fly to Guilin
Fly to Guilin
Early visit to the Giant Panda Research Base. Fly to Guilin and overnight at the Sheraton Guilin. (B)
Accommodation:
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
DAY 9: Yangshuo
Yangshuo
Morning cruise down the Li River, past a dramatic landscape of limestone peaks. Arrive in Yangshuo and stroll along busy West Street, then transfer to the Lijing Resort for a 2-night stay. (B)
Accommodation:
Lijing Resort
DAY 10: Yangshuo
Yangshuo
Day at leisure to explore the Yangshuo region. (B)
Accommodation:
Lijing Resort
DAY 11: Chongqing
Chongqing
Train journey to Chongqing, then transfer to the port to board the 5-star luxury Victoria Jenna (or similar) for a 3-night cruise to Yichang. (B, D)
DAY 12: Yangtze River Cruise
Yangtze River Cruise
Cruise through the striking Three Gorges section of the Yangtze, an area of towering cliffs and twisting canyons. Shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings. (B, L, D)
DAY 13: Yangtze River Cruise
Yangtze River Cruise
Shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings. (B, L, D)
DAY 14: Yichang - Train to Shanghai
Yichang - Train to Shanghai
Disembark in Yichang and visit the Three Gorges Dam, then take the train to Shanghai. Stay 2 nights at the Central Hotel. (B)
Accommodation:
Central Hotel Shanghai
DAY 15: Shanghai
Shanghai
Morning tour of Jade Buddha temple and Yu Garden, followed by tea tasting at the Huxinting Teahouse. Afternoon tour of the Shanghai Museum with an expert guide, then end the day with a walk along the historic Bund. Tonight, attend a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Accommodation:
Central Hotel Shanghai
DAY 16: Fly to London
Fly to London
Transfer to the airport and fly back to London. (B)
Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
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The Cox & Kings signature experiences
- Visit the Forbidden City with an expert guide
- Cruise on the Yangtze River
- Tour the less-visited Jinshanling section of the Great Wall
- Tea tasting at the Huxinting Teahouse in Shanghai
- Private expert-led tour of the Shanghai Museum
Important information
Itinerary changes
Excursions on days 12 and 13 may be switched, subject to local conditions. The 12 March 2026 departure is a day longer with an extra night in Beijing.
Private & tailor-made travel
This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. So, should you want to spend longer in a particular location, or add another experience or destination, we can make all the arrangements for you. Please contact our travel specialists for guideline prices.
Guaranteed departures
Where a tour date shows ‘Guaranteed departure’, this tour is guaranteed to run.
For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Dates and prices
Unless otherwise stated, the tour prices and upgrade supplements are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin/double room. The online price is a guideline price; your final quote may differ due to flight availability, and you may be asked to pay a flight supplement.
Moderate activity level:
Medium pace, some longer travel days, with uneven terrain and longer walks requiring good fitness and mobility
What's included
- Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
- 4- & 5-star accommodation
- Flexible - extensions & flight upgrades available
- International & internal flights
- Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Experienced local tour manager
- 14 breakfasts, 6 lunch & 5 dinners
- Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
- Welcome & farewell dinners
- Porterage at hotels and train stations
Tour extensions
- Extensions
- Extensions
Superior
Extension
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Hong Kong extension
4 days 3 nights
From £1,725
Extend your China holiday with three days at leisure in Hong Kong, a city celebrated for its culture, cuisine, shopping and skyline
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