Classic China

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

Arrive and transfer to the Novotel Peace Hotel (or similar) for 3 nights. In the afternoon, walk in the Summer Palace gardens. Welcome dinner at a Peking duck restaurant. (D)

Morning with a local chef and a lesson in Chinese cooking. After lunch, visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. (B, L, D)

Full-day excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Lunch is taken at the Brickyard Eco Retreat near the wall. Evening at leisure to choose a restaurant or browse the food stalls near the pedestrianised Wangfujing shopping street, which is close to the hotel. (B, L)

High-speed train to Xian and stay at the Grand Noble Xian hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon visit to the city walls and then transfer to Yongxingfang, a street selling all sorts of food and where you can sample some local Shaanxi cuisine. (B)

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

Morning high-speed train journey to Chengdu, then stay 2 nights at the Dorsett Grand Chengdu. Afternoon visit to the Qingyanggong Buddhist temple to sample some local tea. Afterwards, stroll down the Jinli street, lined with traditional architecture and old shops selling goods including Shu embroidery, paintings and local snacks, before stopping for dinner. (B, D)

Morning excursion to the Giant Panda Research Base. Afternoon at leisure. (B, D)

Morning flight to Shanghai for a 2-night stay at the Central Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing cruise on the Huangpu river, followed by dinner. (B, D)

Morning visit to Jade Buddha temple and Yu garden. Afternoon at leisure, or join the guide for a walk on Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s main shopping street. Farewell dinner at a restaurant followed by a walk along the Bund. (B, D)

Transfer to the airport then fly back to London, arriving the same day. (B)