Itinerary

Day 1

Depart  UK           

Fly from London Heathrow aboard Air China's non-stop flight to Beijing.

Day 2

Beijing            

On arrival in Beijing transfer to the 4*Capital Hotel for three nights. Welcome dinner tonight.   D

Day 3

Beijing            

See Mao's mausoleum and the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square, then walk across to the Forbidden City, home to China's 'celestial' emperors for over 500 years until the last one was evicted in 1924. Tour the lavishly decorated chambers and halls that a million workers created, then drive to Jingshan Park for panoramic views over Beijing. Enjoy a thrilling Kung Fu performance tonight. BLD

Day 4

Beijing            

Walk along the Great Wall of China at its most dramatic but lesser-visited section, Mutianyu, where 22 watchtowers stand guard over the rugged terrain. Back in the city, stroll through the manicured gardens of the Summer Palace and admire its painted long corridor, seventeen-arch bridge and Marble Boat. Special Peking Duck dinner.  BLD

Day 5

Xian               

Visit the Temple of Heaven, the meeting point of Heaven and Earth designed according to the ancient principles of numerology and symbolism. Fly to Xian to stay two nights at the  4*New World Hotel.  BL

Day 6

Xian               

Two centuries before Christ, China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, ordered the creation of an army to guard his tomb here in China's first capital, and 7,000 of these terracotta warriors, horses, chariots and weapons were unearthed in the 1970s and are on display. Later climb onto Xian's ancient city walls, and tonight attend a special Tang dynasty music and dance show. BLD

Day 7

Hangzhou       

At the Shaanxi Provincial Museum China Holidays' guests are allowed to touch some of the precious relics from Xian's heyday as an imperial city. Fly to Hangzhou, a city described by Marco Polo as “beyond dispute the finest and noblest in the world”. Stay two nights at the 4*Best Western Meiyuan Hotel. BLD

Day 8

Hangzhou       

Take a romantic cruise on West Lake with its landscaped banks, temples, pagdoas and distant hills, then visit a traditional pharmacy and an extravagant manor house that belonged to a prosperous 19^th century local businessman. Enjoy scenes from the olden days along Qinghefang Street. BL

Day 9

Suzhou           

Drive through the Yangtze Delta to Suzhou, famous for its waterways, silk, gardens and beautiful girls. Visit the Silk Embroidery Institute to admire its skilled double-sided embroidery, and the Panmen City Gate, the only land and water gate left in the world. Stay overnight at the 4*Bamboo Grove Hotel. BL

Day 10

Shanghai        

Learn about how the relationship between man and nature is expressed in Chinese landscaping at the exquisite Garden of the Master of the Nets and the Humble Administrator's Garden. Drive to Shanghai for two nights at the 4*Lansheng Hotel, and stroll along the famous Bund, once the richest and most fashionable street in Asia.  BLD

Day 11

Shanghai       

Relax in the poetic surroundings of Yuyuan Garden, an oasis of calm in the city, see the white jade statues at the Jade Buddha Temple and at the Shanghai Museum, arguably China's best, view superb displays of rare, ancient treasures. Later walk though the quaint and trendy district of Xintiandi and marvel at the skill and daring of acrobats at an exhilarating show.  BLD

Day 12

Yangtze Cruise         

Fly to Yichang to embark on an utterly memorable Yangtze River cruise, four nights aboard the luxurious Century Sun. Unpack and settle into your spacious, comfortable cabin and from your private balcony watch the lights of Yichang disappear as you slowly glide up the Yangtze. BLD

Day 13

Yangtze Cruise           

See the extraordinary Three Gorges Dam this morning, a vast construction 7,761ft long across the river to create the world's largest hydroelectric power plant. The Century Star makes her way through the five giant shiplocks before cruising into the dramatically beautiful Xiling Gorge.  BLD

Day 14

Yangtze Cruise           

Explore one of the Yangtze's tributaries, the Daning River, on a small boat through the lovely Lesser Three Gorges, and an optional shore excursion later is to the temple of the White Emperor City. Back on board, cruise through the mysterious and once notoriously dangerous Qutang and Wu Gorges. BLD

Day 15

Yangtze Cruise           

Take a shore excursion at Fengdu, and enjoy the on-board activities and vistas of Qutang Gorge.   BLD

Day 16

Chengdu                    

Disembark at Chongqing and drive to Chengdu via the spectacular rock carvings at Dazu, where thousands of Buddha statues and stone pictures line mountain caves. At Chengdu stay two nights at the 4* Budda Zen or Tibet Hotel.  BLD

Day 17

Chengdu                    

Get close to one of the world's most adorable and endangered animals, at the Panda Research Base here which both supports those living in the wild and also works on a successful breeding programme. Later, step back in time as you walk along Kuanzhai Lanes, a quaint and colourful part of town, and attend an intriguing and entertaining Sichuan 'face-changing' Opera.  BL

Day 18

Guilin             

Fly to Guilin for an overnight stay at the 4*Park Hotel.  BL

Day 19

Yangshuo                   

A day of wonder and romance begins with a cruise along the lovely Li River whose landscapes of cloud-capped karst mountains, sparkling waters and green rice fields have inspired painters and poets since time immemorial. At Yangshuo browse the handicraft stalls at West Street, before enjoying the spectacular son et lumiere show of a tragic love story. Stay two nights at the deluxe Yangshuo Resort.  BLD

Day 20

Yangshuo                   

Take a gentle walk along the Yulong River through charming, rustic scenery, and climb the marble steps up Moon Hill later to peer through the natural crescent-shaped hole at the peak down through the wreaths of mist to a stunning panorama of mountains and river.  BL

Day 21

Beijing

Fly from Guilin to Beijing for an overnight stay.  B

Day 22

Depart China

Fly from Beijing to London Heathrow with Air China arriving on the same day. B