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 Xian, 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 with British Airways. (N) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
DAY 2: Beijing
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)
Accommodation:
Novotel Beijing Peace
DAY 3: Beijing
Beijing
Morning visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then stroll through the historic Liulichang district. Optional evening visit to the state acrobatics show. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Novotel Beijing Peace
DAY 4: Great Wall
Great Wall
Morning 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: Xian
Xian
Morning visit to a hutong (narrow streets) area, then drive to the station to board a high-speed train to Xian and stay at the Grand Noble Xian for 2 nights. (B)
Accommodation:
Grand Noble Hotel, Xian
DAY 6: Terracotta Warriors - Xian
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. Optional evening excursion to enjoy a Tang dynasty music performance with dinner. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Grand Noble Hotel, Xian
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. Afternoon visit to the Giant Panda Research Base. Optional evening excursion to enjoy a Sichuan opera performance. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Kempinski Hotel Chengdu
DAY 8: Fly to Guilin
Fly to Guilin
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 Yangshuo Resortfor a 2-night stay. (B)
Accommodation:
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo
DAY 10: Yangshuo
Yangshuo
Day at leisure to enjoy the relaxed riverside atmosphere of Yangshuo. (B)
Accommodation:
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo
DAY 11: Chongqing
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)
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. A range of shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings. (B, L, D)
DAY 13: Yangtze River Cruise
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)
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. A farewell dinner will be held tonight. (B, D)
Accommodation:
Central Hotel Shanghai
DAY 16: Fly to London
Fly to London
Transfer to the airport and fly back to London. (B)
DAY 1: Fly to Beijing
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.
DAY 2: Beijing
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)
Accommodation:
Novotel Beijing Peace
DAY 3: Beijing
Beijing
Morning visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then stroll through the historic Liulichang district. Optional evening visit to the state acrobatics show. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Novotel Beijing Peace
DAY 4: Great Wall
Great Wall
Morning 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: Xian
Xian
Morning visit to a hutong (narrow streets) area, then drive to the station to board a high-speed train to Xian and stay at the Grand Noble Xian for 2 nights. (B)
Accommodation:
Grand Noble Hotel, Xian
DAY 6: Terracotta Warriors - Xian
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. Optional evening excursion to enjoy a Tang dynasty music performance with dinner. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Grand Noble Hotel, Xian
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. Afternoon visit to the Giant Panda Research Base. Optional evening excursion to enjoy a Sichuan opera performance. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Kempinski Hotel Chengdu
DAY 8: Fly to Guilin
Fly to Guilin
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 Yangshuo Resort for a 2-night stay. (B)
Accommodation:
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo
DAY 10: Yangshuo
Yangshuo
Day at leisure to enjoy the relaxed riverside atmosphere of Yangshuo. (B)
Accommodation:
Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo
DAY 11: Chongqing
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)
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. A range of shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings. (B, L, D)
DAY 13: Yangtze River Cruise
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)
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. A farewell dinner will be held tonight. (B, D)
Accommodation:
Central Hotel Shanghai
DAY 16: Fly to London
Fly to London
Transfer to the airport and fly back to London. (B)
Sorry, this itinerary is not Available on the selected date
Please try using different date to see our available options
The Cox & Kings signature experiences
- Discover historic Beijing in the Liulichang district
- Visit the Terracotta Warriors & enjoy a Yangste river cruise
- Stay overnight near 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
Excursions on days 12 and 13 may be switched, subject to local conditions.
Accessibility
This tour involves climbing steps and some long walks. A reasonable level of fitness is required. You may need to carry your luggage at train stations.
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.
What's included
- Small group size - average 10 people (max 18)
- 4-star accommodation
- Flexible - extensions & flight upgrades available
- International & internal flights
- Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Experienced local tour manager
- 14 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 5 dinners
- Welcome dinner to meet the group & guide
- Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
- 3-night cruise on the Yangtze River from Chongqing to Yichang
- Porterage at hotels and train stations
Other tours you may like
Superior
Tailor Made
General Interest
China’s Ancient Heartlands
15 days 13 nights
From £5,410
An expansive itinerary visiting some of China’s more remote sites, including ancient Buddhist art and sculpture at the Yungang and Longmen caves, the Hanging Monastery near Datong, the Shuanglin temple near Taiyuan, and the famous Terracotta Warriors of Xian
Superior
Group Tour
General Interest
Grand Tour of Indochina
17 days 14 nights
From £3,695
Explore the Mekong delta before a journey through the captivating kingdom of Cambodia, ending at the majestic temples of Angkor Wat
Superior
Offer available
Group Tour
General Interest
The Grand Tour of India
17 days 16 nights
From £3,795
Explore the diverse cultural influences that have created the fascinating heritage of India
Latest from Compass
A guide to...Mekong river cruises
A mere trickle of melt water emerging from the parched landscape of the Tibetan plateau, the meagre source of the Mekong river belies the deluge that will eventually pour from its mouth into the South China Sea.
The natural wonders of... Japan
Michael Pullman recently travelled to Japan and was surprised by the country’s natural beauty. Here he talks about the highlights of his trip.
Where to go for your spring adventure
Avoid seasonal extremes, enjoy sweet-scented blossoms and spend Easter somewhere new, when you travel in spring.
Where to go for your winter adventure
Whether you wish to embrace the season or escape it, these destinations guarantee an unforgettable winter journey.
Why book your holiday with a tour operator?
Here are the top reasons to book your holiday with a trusted tour operator.
Make an enquiry
Inspired to visit the Far East? Enquire online or contact one of our experienced Far East specialists.
Order a brochure
For more travel inspiration, request a copy of the latest Cox & Kings brochure – a comprehensive collection of our group tours.