China in Style by Rail

Fly to Beijing

Flight from the UK to Beijing. (N)

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

Beijing

Arrive in Beijing and transfer to the luxurious Peninsula Hotel for a 3-night stay. One of the finest hotels in the city, The Peninsula Beijing is located just a short walk from the main sights and the famous shopping street of Wangfujing. (N)

Beijing

Morning visit to Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares surrounded by important landmarks, including the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the Monument to the People’s Heroes. Next, head to the Forbidden City, the ancient imperial palace that served as the home to Chinese emperors for almost 500 years. After lunch, visit the gardens the Summer Palace, then enjoy afternoon tea at the luxury Aman Summer Palace resort. (B, L)

Great Wall

Drive north from Beijing and visit the legendary Great Wall at Jinshanling, a peaceful and dramatic section of the wall that receives far fewer visitors than other sections of the wall nearer the city. (B, L)

Xian

Early morning departure to Xian by high-speed train. Afternoon arrival in Xian and proceed to the Wild Goose Pagoda, followed by a tour of the Tang Bo Art Museum, which displays a collection of Shaanxi folk art, landscape paintings and contemporary works. Take a lesson in calligraphy at the museum, then transfer to the Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel for a 2-night stay. (B)

Xian

Enjoy a private tour of one of the most awe-inspiring archaeological sites in the world, the Terracotta Warriors. Explore the three main pits where the warriors have been uncovered, each pit providing a unique view into the emperor’s grand vision for the afterlife. (B)

Nanjing

Continue to Nanjing by high-speed train. Nanjing was once the nation’s capital in the early years of the Ming dynasty era, and is home to a range historical sights, museums and monuments. Transfer to The Ritz-Carlton for a 2-night stay. (B)

Nanjing

Morning visit to Zijin Shan (Purple Mountain), home to a number of historic sites including the Lingggu Temple, the Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory and the Mausoleum of Dr Sun Yat-sen, the founder of modern China. Afternoon at leisure, with time to visit the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre, which commemorates all those who were killed during the Japanese occupation of 1937. (B)

Shanghai

Early morning departure to Shanghai by high-speed train. Transfer to the Fairmont Peace Hotel for 2 nights, located on Shanghai’s famous waterfront, the Bund. (B)

Shanghai

Morning tour of Shanghai, visiting the Jade Buddha temple and the Yu Garden. The afternoon is at leisure, with options to take a cruise on Huang Pu River, visit the Shanghai Museum, or shop on Nanjing Road. (B)

Fly home

Transfer to Longyang Road Station, then continue to the airport on the Shanghai Maglev train, one of the world’s fastest commercial train services. (B)