Beauty of China
Beauty of China
Scenic vistas and natural wonders await as you explore this remarkable country
Discover the charm and elegance of China, from the scenic Yangtze River, to the spectacular Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yunnan province. Spend time with the iconic Giant Pandas in Chengdu and marvel at the imperious Terracotta Warriors in Xian. With experiences and sights in the capital Beijing, and vibrant Shanghai, at either end of the tour, this will truly be a once in a lifetime holiday.
Locations you will be visiting
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Beijing, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Beijing with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
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Xian, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Xian with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
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Guilin & Yangshuo, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Guilin & Yangshuo with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
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Chengdu, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Chengdu with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
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Lijiang, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Lijiang with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
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The Yangtze River, China
Discover the sights and traditions for the Yangtze River with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
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Shanghai, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Shanghai with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Beauty of China
20 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 Fly to Beijing
Catch a scheduled flight from the UK to Beijing. To get your journey off to the right start, we can arrange departures from your local UK airport.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Beijing
On arrival at Beijing airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax, or explore the local area, before meeting your fellow travellers in the evening, for a dinner hosted by your guide.
- Meals included: Dinner
DAY 3 Beijing City Tour
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on your Beijing City Tour. Starting at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors used to worship, and where you may see people practising Tai Chi in the courtyard. This is followed by a stroll through Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and continues to the Forbidden City, the former grand imperial palace. Your final stop of the day will be at the Hutongs, an area of traditional dwellings set amongst labyrinthine alleyways.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 Great Wall
Your holiday moves on to one of the most famous landmarks in the world – the Great Wall of China. The section you visit, Mutianyu, is renowned for its breathtaking views and for being one of the best preserved parts of the entire structure. On your return to Beijing, there is an opportunity for photographs at the Birds Nest Stadium, one of the iconic venues from the 2008 Olympic Games. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous Peking Duck Dinner, possibly the city’s most acclaimed dish.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Beijing to Xian
Have a hearty breakfast before checking out of the hotel and continuing your tour. The grounds of the Summer Palace, your first stop, are filled with picturesque lakes and are followed by a relaxing boat ride on the stunning Kunming Lake. Catch a bullet train to Xian for a two night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Bullet train
DAY 6 Terracotta Warriors
Today’s main attraction is the impressive Terracotta Warriors, an awe-inspiring collection of 10,000 life size statues dating back 2,000 years. Return to Xian and explore the ancient city wall, either on foot or by bike. This evening you will be treated to a delicious dumpling dinner with accompanying Tang Dynasty Show.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Xian City Tour and to Guilin
A trip to see the amazing exhibits at the Shaanxi Museum, follows breakfast and the next visit is to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, before moving on to the lively Muslim Quarter. The day ends with a flight to Guilin for an overnight stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 8 Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Following breakfast, your cruise on the breathtaking Li River begins. Enjoy the tranquil rural scenes of buffalo farming the rice terraces and the towering karst mountain peaks as you meander along the river. In the evening there is an optional ‘Impressions of Liu Sanjie’ show, staged on the river.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 9 Yangshuo to Guilin
With a morning free at leisure perhaps explore this beautiful area independently, or maybe join an optional cookery class. Return to Guilin, visit the colourful Reed Flute Caves and in the evening, perhaps watch an enthralling Cormorant Fishing Show, bookable locally and subject to availability.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 Guilin to Chengdu
Check out of the hotel for the morning flight to Chengdu, and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day at leisure to explore Chengdu independently. Perhaps explore the old town, or relax in the People’s Park watching the locals play mahjong or practising Tai Chi.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 11 Giant Pandas and to Lijiang
After breakfast, the first stop will be the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre, where you can see Giant Pandas in their natural habitat. Afterwards transfer to the airport for a flight to Lijiang and a three night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 12 Tiger Leaping Gorge
During your first day in Yunnan, visit the picturesque Black Dragon Pool, and marvel at the dramatic scenery of the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest in the world.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, is today’s main attraction. Take a cable car half way up the mountain to admire the panoramic views, and then visit the Baisha Naxi minority
village to learn about its ancient wall paintings. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore Lijiang Old Town.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 14 Lijiang To Chongqing
Depart Lijiang in the afternoon, for your flight to Chongqing and on arrival, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant then board your 5* ship to start your cruise along the majestic Yangtze River.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transport: Airplane, Cruise
DAY 15 Yangtze River Cruise
The first day of the cruise can be spent relaxing while the ship meanders along the Yangtze, as you enjoy the scenic vistas. There will be an excursion to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda, appropriately named “The Pearl of the Yangtze”.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 16 Yangtze River Cruise
Enjoy a journey on a small motorboat through the tranquil Goddess Stream, marveling at the soaring limestone cliffs rising sheer from the water.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 17 Yangtze River Cruise and to Shanghai
Before reaching your destination, you will visit The Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station. Disembark at Yichang and transfer to the station for your bullet train to Shanghai and a three night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Transport: Bullet train
DAY 18 Shanghai City Tour
First stop of the day is the centuries old Yu Yuan Gardens, a horticulturists dream, followed by the Jade Buddha Temple, to gaze in wonder at the exquisite Buddha statues. After exploring the exhibits at the Shanghai Museum, next up is a stroll along the water’s edge at the Bund. Later, from the observation deck at the Shanghai World Financial Centre, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 19 Zhujiajiao
Zhujiajiao, is an ancient water town with a history of over 1,700 years, and is known locally as the ‘Pearl Stream’. Admire the Ming and Qing Dynasty bridges, two ancient and historic buildings, and the Ma Family Garden before heading back to Shanghai for an afternoon at leisure.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 20 Fly to UK
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
Optional Extras - Cultural Experiences
There is some free time in your itinerary for you to explore on your own, or treat yourself to an excursion. Use the links below to create a to-do list, or, if you’d prefer us to book you onto one of these or any other excursions, please let us know when booking your tour.
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View this packageChina
China: Beijing Opera
Delight at a performance of traditional Beijing Opera
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View this packageChina
China: Volunteering at the Dujiangyan Panda Base
Enjoy a morning helping the staff with the pandas, at their base in Chengdu
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View this packageChina
China: Cycling in Yangshuo
Explore the countryside, cycling in Yangshuo
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View this packageChina
China: Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
Watch a magical acrobatic show in Shanghai
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
China: Beauty of China
from£
What's included:
- International flights in economy class departing from London Heathrow with British Airways
- Domestic flights in economy class
- Bullet train in first class
- 4★ accommodation based on twin share
- Transfers
- English speaking guides
- Meals as specified
- Entrance fees to the sites listed
- Airport taxes
- Local tips: RMB705 (approx. £82) per person,
- RMB150 (approx £18) per person tips aboard the Yangtze Cruise
- Personal spending
- Travel insurance
- China visa and fees
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