Itinerary

Day 1

London/Beijing

Begin your unique holiday by making your own way to London Heathrow for an overnight flight to Beijing with Air China.

Day 2

Beijing

On arrival in Beijing transfer to the 4*Grand Mercure Xidan Hotel for three nights. Welcome dinner.  D

Day 3

Beijing

Walk along the Great Wall of China at its most atmospheric, the section between Jinshanling and Gubeikou which is partly restored. It takes around 5-6 hours to walk this section and there are some steep uphill slopes and very uneven and rough ground, but the relative remoteness of the wall here, its ancient watchtowers gazing over wild scenery, does make for an utterly exhilarating experience.  B/L/D.

Day 4

Beijing 

Tour Beijing’s most recent highlights, the extraordinary Olympic Sites. Admire the Aquatics Centre, the ‘Water Cube’ that looks like a huge blue box of soap bubbles, actually a membrane of 3,000 pneumatic cushions set in a polyhedral steel frame. Also tour the National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest that hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.  B/L/D

Day 5

Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu, the capital of the colourful province of Sichuan, for two nights at the 4*Yinhe Dynasty Hotel  B/L/D

Day 6

Chengdu  

Visit the vivid Wenshu Monastery, dedicated to the Buddhist incarnation of wisdom, and relax in the tea house under the ginkgo trees. Continue to admire poetic river views from Wanjianglou Pavilion that stands in its own bamboo park, and visit the museum of brocade before walking through Kuanzhai Lanes, lined with traditional houses decorated with intricate woodcarving and red lanterns. Later attend a Sichuan ‘face-changing’ Opera – see if you can spot how the performers swap their masks so quickly!   B/L/D

Day 7

Huanglong

Fly to Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan’s foremost nature reserve, a land of fairy-tale beauty. Known as the Nine Village Valley after its wonderfully picturesque Tibetan settlements, it is also noted for its stunning scenery of craggy mountains, tiered waterfalls and 114 clear, jewel-like lakes. Stay two nights at the 4*New Jiuzhai Hotel in the wildly romantic Huanglong, or Yellow Dragon, scenic area. Note that the altitude here is around 11,500ft above sea level.  B/L/D

Day 8

Jiuzhaigou

These once-hidden villages are surrounded by spectacular landscapes that are home to a wealth of endemic flora and fauna. 40% of all China’s plants are found here, 223 species of birds, as well as giant pandas, red pandas, Sichuan golden monkeys and Asiatic black bears.  B/L/D

Day 9

Ya’an

Fly to Chengdu, and drive to Ya’an, a town on the old road to Tibet, calling en-route at the picturesque town of Shangli with its traditional houses and bridges. Stay two nights at the 4*Hongzhu Hotel.  B/L

Day 10

Ya’an

Opened in 2003, Bifengxia Panda Base is one of the foremost research and breedings centres in China. Over 70 pandas live in semi-natural surroundings here, learning how to survive in the wild before they are set free. Enjoy today's panda tuor. B/L/D

Day 11

Mount Emei

Drive to the magnificent Giant Buddha in Leshan, a 233ft-high statue hewn into the cliffside in the 8^th century in the belief it would make the treacherous river below safer for travellers. Drive to Mount Emei to stay two nights at the 4*Emei Mountain Hotel.  B/L/D

Day 12

Mount Emei

This is one of China’s most magnificent and beloved mountains, its slopes covered in orchids, rhododendrons, ginkgo, roses, herbs and tea, as well as thick forests and dozens of tiny temples. Take the cable car up to the Golden Summit and see the Sea of Clouds, also visit the oldest building on Mount Emei, Wannian Temple, filled with thousands of statues, and the delightful Baoguo Temple at the base.  B/L/D

Day 13

Beijing

Fly from Chengdu to Beijing for an overnight stay.  B/L

Day 14

Beijing

Fly from Beijing to London Heathrow with Air China arriving the same day.  B/L/D