China: The Grand Tour

Fly to Beijing

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) direct to Beijing with British Airways. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Beijing

Arrive and transfer to the Novotel Peace Hotel (or similar) for 3 nights. Afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven. Welcome dinner at a Peking duck restaurant. (D)

Beijing

Morning visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then stroll through the historic Liulichang district. This evening, you will enjoy a performance by Chinese acrobats at the Red Theatre. The show is a breathtaking display of acrobatic artistry, renowned for its vibrant performances and stunning choreography. Set in the elegant Red Theatre, the show features a dazzling array of gravity-defying feats, with its lively music, dynamic lighting, and visually striking costumes. (B, L)

Great Wall

Morning drive out of the city to the Great Wall at Jinshanling, a quiet and dramatic section of the wall. (B, L)

Xian

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)

Terracotta Warriors - Xian

Morning excursion to the Terracotta Warriors and the Tang Bo Art Museum, followed by a lesson in Chinese calligraphy. Afternoon visit to the Muslim quarter and Great Mosque. (B, L)

Train to Chengdu

Morning high-speed train journey to Chengdu, then transfer to the Kempinski Hotel Chengdu for 1 night. In the evening enjoy a Sichuan opera performance in one of Chengdu's traditional tea houses. The unique characteristic of the Sichuan opera is the 'bian lian' or changing masks. (B, L)

Fly to Guilin

Visit to the Giant Panda Research Base. Fly to Guilin and overnight at the Sheraton Guilin. (B)

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 Yangshuo Resort for a 2-night stay. (B)

Yangshuo

Day at leisure to enjoy the relaxed riverside atmosphere of Yangshuo. (B)

Chongqing

Train journey to Chongqing, then transfer to the port to board the Victoria Jenna (or similar) for a 3-night cruise to Yichang. (B, D)

Yangtze River Cruise

Cruise through the striking Three Gorges section of the Yangtze, an area of towering cliffs and twisting canyons. A range of shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings. (B, L, D)

Yangtze River Cruise

A range of shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings. (B, L, D)

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)

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)

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.

Fly to Beijing

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) direct to Beijing with British Airways. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Beijing

Arrive and transfer to the Novotel Peace Hotel (or similar) for 3 nights. Afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven. Welcome dinner at a Peking duck restaurant. (D)

Beijing

Morning visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then stroll through the historic Liulichang district. Evening visit to the state acrobatics show. (B, L)

Great Wall

Drive out of the city to the Great Wall at Jinshanling, a quiet and dramatic section of the wall. (B, L)

Xian

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)

Terracotta Warriors - Xian

Morning excursion to the Terracotta Warriors and the Tang Bo Art Museum, followed by a lesson in Chinese calligraphy. Afternoon visit to the Muslim quarter and Great Mosque. (B, L)

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)

Fly to Guilin

Visit to the Giant Panda Research Base. Fly to Guilin and overnight at the Sheraton Guilin. (B)

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 Yangshuo Resort for a 2-night stay. (B)

Yangshuo

Day at leisure to enjoy the relaxed riverside atmosphere of Yangshuo. (B)

Chongqing

Train journey to Chongqing, then transfer to the port to board the Victoria Jenna (or similar) for a 3-night cruise to Yichang. (B, D)

Yangtze River Cruise

Cruise through the striking Three Gorges section of the Yangtze, an area of towering cliffs and twisting canyons. A range of shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings. (B, L, D)

Yangtze River Cruise

A range of shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings. (B, L, D)

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)

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)

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.