Meet & greet: Upon arrival at Beijing Airport, you will be welcomed to China by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.

Guided tour of the Temple of Heaven & the hutongs: Located in the centre of Tiantan Gongyuan Park, the spectacular Ming temple has become regarded, and is widely used, as the symbol of Beijing. Dating from 1420, its wooden pillars support a curved ceiling without cement or nails to a height of 38 metres. The temple's intricate carving and bright colours illustrate the opulent Ming style. Also in the Temple complex is the Echo Wall - a circular structure composed of polished bricks on the inside. The temple and its surrounding altars, gates and park are a meeting place for the people of Beijing and it is possible to see the locals enjoying a game of chess or practicing the ancient art of Tai-Chi. This visit lasts approximately 2 hours. Afterwards, you will take a cyclo tour of the fascinating Hutongs. Mostly built during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, hutongs are the narrow network of lanes created by closely built quadrangular homes in the city's inner areas. These are a fast disappearing sight as Beijing's city developers move in to modernise these areas. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Cote Cour (Deluxe Room)

Morning guided tour of Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City: You will be taken for a tour of Tiananmen Square where you will visit the mausoleum of Chairman Mao and see the Monument to Heroes. From the square you will enter the Forbidden City which is the largest and most complete group of ancient buildings in China. Built in the 15th Century, the Imperial Palace was a forbidden area for 500 years before the revolution of 1911. It was home to two royal dynasties, the Ming and Qing emperors, and it is from this palace that these emperors governed China, stepping out of its confines extremely rarely. Afterwards you will visit Jingshan Park from where you can get a great view over the Forbidden City on a clear day.

Afternoon guided tour of the Summer Palace: This afternoon, travel to the outskirts of Beijing to the Imperial Summer Palace. The original Summer Palace was laid out in the 12th Century and over the centuries was used by the emperors as their summer escape from the humidity of Beijing and the Forbidden City. The Palace is set in huge gardens on the large Kunming Lake. You will be taken around the palaces of the complex, including Empress Dowager's retreat, and the gardens. 

Peking Duck Dinner: This evening, enjoy dinner at a renowned Peking duck restaurant. The hallmark bird is a crispy duck served with plum (or garlic) sauce, scallions and pancakes. Also carved up is the skin of the duck, served with sugar, an old imperial favourite.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Cote Cour (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day guided tour to the Great Wall of China at Jinshanling Pass: This morning, you will set off to visit the Great Wall of China. Stretching from the Gobi desert to the Yellow Sea, this is the largest man made structure on earth and is an amazing feat of engineering, labour and sacrifice. The original wall was begun 2,000 years ago when China was unified under Emperor Qin Shi Huang to keep out marauding nomads. The construction used hundreds of thousands of political prisoners and an estimated 180 million cubic metres of packed earth. Two hours’ drive from Beijing, Jinshanling is further out of the city than some of the more developed and more crowded parts of the Wall. Visitors here can see the collection of watchtowers and ramparts that rest on the mountain ridges, offering views of the Great Wall as it snakes across the skyline far into the distance. You will have lunch in a local restaurant and there will be time to explore before returning to Beijing late in the afternoon.

Private transfer: This evening, you will be transferred to the railway station in time to catch the overnight train to Xi’an.

Overnight train journey: Board the Z19 train which departs Beijing at 20.40 and arrives in Xi'an at 08.31 the following morning. A private 2-berth soft sleeper compartment is included (with ensuite bathroom facilities).

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: On arrival in Xi’an, you will be met at the train station and transferred to your hotel where you will have breakfast and check in. Early check in is subject to availability.

Morning tour of the Shaanxi Museum: This morning, you will visit the Shaanxi Museum, established in 1952, and considered to be one of the best museums in China. Its exhibits date from prehistoric times through early dynastic China and up to the early 20th century, and many are from the local area. Included are terracotta horses and soldiers, Ming and Qing pottery, bronze cooking vessels from the Shang and Zhou dynasties (16th - 11th centuries B.C.) and tools and pottery from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic ages. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant.

Afternoon tour of Muslim Quarter & Great Mosque: This afternoon, you will visit the historic Muslim Quarter of the city. In the centre of the walled city you will find the old houses and narrow lanes of Xian's Muslim, or Hui, community. Islam has been the most enduring of all faiths in Xi’an. It was first introduced by Arab merchants during the Tang Dynasty, and flourished during the Yuan (1279-1368). The Great Mosque survived the Cultural Revolution virtually unscathed and remains an outstanding Chinese re-interpretation of an Islamic place of worship. It was founded in 742 A.D, according to a stone tablet in the mosque, but nothing from this Tang period survives. The present layout dates from the 14th century.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sofitel on Renmin Square (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Morning excursion to the Terracotta Warriors: After breakfast, leave the city to visit the site of the Terracotta Warriors. In 1974 a peasant digging a well came upon what now stands as one of the main attractions in China and one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century. An army of thousands of life-sized warriors and their horses in battle formation, which were buried for 2,000 years, stand guard over the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The figures were buried with artefacts and weapons of the day and every figure differs in facial features and expressions. The dig is still in progress, as it is believed that the site is part of an even larger army still buried underground. Return to Xi’an for lunch.

Afternoon tour of the City Walls & Big Wild Goose Pagoda: This afternoon, you will be taken to see the old city walls which form a circumference of 9 miles with a gateway and watchtowers on each side. Most sections of the wall have been restored or even rebuilt and it stands at 12 metres high. Afterwards, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a symbol of ancient Xi’an, and a well preserved ancient building and Buddhist holy place which is located in the southern suburb of Xi’an City, about 2.5 miles from the city centre. Standing in the Da Ci'en Temple complex, the pagoda attracts visitors due to its appealing style of construction and the new square that is in front of the temple.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sofitel on Renmin Square (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: Transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin, with a quick stop to visit the Tomb of Han Yangling en route.

Visit the Tomb of Han Yangling: Road workers in the northern suburbs of Xi’an recently discovered the 2,000 year old tomb of Han Yang Ling, and the site has now opened to tourists in its barely excavated state. Relics from the tomb reveal the cultural characteristics of imperial life from Han Dynasty.

Flight: CZ6376 Xi’an - Guilin 11.55 - 14.00

Private transfer: On your arrival in Guilin, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel to check in. The rest of the afternoon will be free at leisure for you to relax and explore this charming riverside city at your own pace.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Aroma Tea House (Lake View Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After breakfast, you will be transferred to the river where you will board your cruise boat.

Shared cruise to Yangshuo on the River Li: Depart Guilin on a leisurely 4 hour cruise down the picturesque Li River. There is stunning scenery on the way as your boat meanders between the dramatic forested peaks and past bamboo fishing villages. This is one of the most enchanting river journeys in China with great photo opportunities along the way. A simple packed lunch will be provided for you to eat on board.

Private transfer: On arrival in Yangshuo, you will be met by your guide and after some time at leisure to explore the charming town of Yangshuo, you will be transferred to your hotel to check-in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Yangshuo Tea Cozy (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Cycling & rafting tour around Yangshuo: This morning, you will set off on bicycles passing through paddy fields, old villages and between the karst mountains as you head for Moon Hill. On arrival you will climb up Moon Hill to the viewing point from where you can get amazing views of the region. Later, you will head down to the river to take a scenic rafting trip down the Yulong River. Bamboo trees sway in the breeze and line the banks of the river. Return to your hotel in the afternoon for some time at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Yangshuo Tea Cozy (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today, you are free at leisure to roam the Guangxi countryside independently. By far the best way of getting around is by bike, although walks of any length are also available. Spending time on the water either on the Li itself or by bamboo raft along one its’ many gullies is also a memorable way to explore. Numerous other activities are also recommended, such as a cooking class at the Yangshuo Cooking School, shopping along Yangshuo’s central West Street, taking in the evening Son et Lumiere show, or arranging a trip to witness the fascinating fishing with cormorants method still practised by local fishermen.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Yangshuo Tea Cozy (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in Guilin in time to check in for your flight to Chongqing.

Flight: MF8403 Guilin - Chongqing 09.40 - 11.05

Private transfer and sightseeing: On arrival at Chongqing‘s airport, you will be met and taken for a short city tour. You will visit Erling Park where you can get a good view over this enormous city. Later, you will visit the Great Hall of People and the bustling Old Quarter. Early evening, you will be taken for an early ‘hotpot' dinner in a local restaurant before transferring to your cruise boat.

Yangtze River cruise: Board your Victoria cruise boat for a 3 night cruise. The boat sets sail at approximately 9pm this evening, depending on local conditions.

Please note: The following itinerary is subject to change depending on river and navigation conditions and at the Captain's discretion. All excursions organised as part of your cruise package are on a group basis.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the Victoria Cruise Boat (Standard Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Yangtze River cruise: This morning, there will be a safety briefing as you sail down the Yangtze River. Today there will be a shore excursion to Shibaozhai, a small village with a picturesque 12-storey pagoda built against a protruding 220 metre high rectangular rock. The boat will moor near Shibaozhai this evening.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the Victoria Cruise Boat (Standard Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Yangtze River cruise: This morning, the ship will navigate the waters of the first two of the Three Gorges. The first, Qutang Gorge, is the smallest gorge at 5 miles long where the water flows most rapidly. The second, Wu Gorge, is 25 miles long and is flanked by cliffs of up to 90 metres. It is known for its twelve peaks, although these are often enveloped in eerie mist as the sun rarely penetrates the sheer cliffs of the gorge. Depending on river conditions, you will be taken on either of the following excursions: Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream. On returning to the ship, lunch will be served and this afternoon you will cruise through the third of the Three Gorges, Xiling Gorge. This is the longest at 41 miles long and is actually comprised of seven smaller gorges whose varied names - Military Books and Precious Sword, Rice Granary, Ox Liver and Horse Lungs, Yellow Ox, Bright Moon, Lantern Shadow and Yellow Cat - are all based upon ancient legends. The boat will dock this evening near the great dam.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the Victoria Cruise Boat (Standard Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Three Gorges Dam Site: After breakfast, there is a morning excursion to the Three Gorge Dam site. Dr Sun Yat-Sen originally proposed a dam along the Yangtze in his ambitious 1919 blueprint for the future of China. The feasibility of the project has been studied and debated ever since and American engineers selected the current site in 1930, with the main body of the dam completed in 2008. The dam is almost 2 kilometres long and 185 metres high. It created the world's largest reservoir, 360 miles long and relocated over 1.5 million people. The controversial dam brings the benefits of flood control, drought control and hydroelectric power for the large cities in the Yangtze Basin. You will be taken to see the immense construction and to a viewpoint above the dam to appreciate the scale of the project.

Disembarkation and private transfer: The dam visit is followed by disembarkation after which you will be taken for lunch in a local restaurant and a short city tour, before being transferred to Yichang Airport in time to board your flight to Shanghai.

Flight: FM9366 Yichang - Shanghai 18.10 - 20.00

Private transfer: On arrival in Shanghai, you will be met at the airport and then transferred downtown to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Shanghai: Your day begins with a visit to the Shanghai Museum. Set in a newly designed building in the 'People's Park', this museum is China's foremost collection of exhibits dating from Neolithic times. The bronze collection is considered the best in the world, with other first-rate exhibits of sculpture, jade, calligraphy, painting and Ming and Qing dynasty furniture and minority art. Continue to the old city and the Yuyuan Gardens which date from the 16th century and are a wonderful mixture of pavilions and corridors, small hills, lotus ponds teeming with goldfish, bridges, winding paths, trees and shrubs. After looking around the gardens you will have time to visit the adjoining market or sip tea in the tea pavilion. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant and this afternoon you will visit the Jade Buddha Temple, one of Shanghai's most popular temples. The tour ends at the Bund, lined with fine colonial buildings from its 1930's heyday when the city was occupied by European, American, and Japanese banks, trading houses, clubs, consulates and hotels.

Evening Chinese State Acrobatics Show: Chinese acrobatic troupes are among the best in the world and this evening you will be taken to see a performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, one of the most dazzling in the country.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch