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China Highlights

Small Group Tour

China Highlights

China's spectacular heritage, stunning views & breathtaking culture

See the country’s most scenic and spectacular locations, from the illustrious capital, Beijing, to the historic city of Xian, showing you China’s rich and unique culture. The Yangtze River cruise will take you along Asia’s longest river, and Guilin, located in southern China, offers a glimpse of China’s remarkable landscapes, whilst the vibrant city of Shanghai will bring you to China’s present.

Summer Palace Beijing China
shanghai night china

Locations you will be visiting

  • BeijingTemple of Heaven china

    Beijing, China

    Discover the sights and traditions for Beijing with this handy destination guide.

    3 Days

  • Ancient City Wall xian china

    Xian, China

    Discover the sights and traditions for Xian with this handy destination guide.

    2 Days

  • Li River guilin china

    Guilin & Yangshuo, China

    Discover the sights and traditions for Guilin & Yangshuo with this handy destination guide.

    2 Days

  • 3 Gorges yangtze china

    The Yangtze River, China

    Discover the sights and traditions for the Yangtze River with this handy destination guide.

  • pudong skyline shanghai china

    Shanghai, China

    Discover the sights and traditions for Shanghai with this handy destination guide.

YOUR TOUR ITINERARY

China Highlights

14 day Tour Itinerary

An overview of your trip

DAY 1 Fly to Beijing

Take a scheduled flight from London Heathrow to Beijing, or we can arrange departures from your local airport.

  • Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Beijing

Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore the surrounding area. Your guide will be pleased to advise you on what you can do. In the evening is your chance to meet your fellow travellers over dinner.

DAY 3 Beijing City Tour

This morning, your Beijing City Tour starts at the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors once worshipped and where nowadays you may see Tai Chi being practised in the courtyard. A stroll through awe-inspiring Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world, leads on to the Forbidden City, which served as the grand imperial palace for centuries. The final stop of today’s tour is the Hutongs, the labyrinthine area where the city’s people traditionally lived, and some still do.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 Great Wall

Today’s main highlight, after breakfast at the hotel, is the Great Wall at Mutianyu. This section of the wall is among the best preserved, and not as busy, enabling you to admire the surrounding picturesque countryside in a more relaxed atmosphere. On your return to Beijing, you will have a chance to view the amazing architecture of the Birds Nest Stadium and Water Cube, venues for the memorable 2008 Olympics. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous Peking Duck Dinner, a local delicacy and a culinary must.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Beijing to Xian

After breakfast, visit the Summer Palace, an impressive complex of lakes, gardens, and imperial buildings, before enjoying a relaxing boat ride on the stunning Kunming Lake. Transfer to the station for your bullet train to Xian, where you will be escorted to your hotel for a two night stay.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Transport: Bullet train
DAY 6 Terracotta Warriors

Your guide will take you to the Terracotta Warriors, a magnificent collection of 10,000 life size statues made over 2,000 years ago. Back in Xian, you can explore the ancient city wall, which is best done on foot or by bike.
This evening you will be treated to a Tang Dynasty Show, a colourful performance of traditional music and dance accompanied by a delicious dumpling dinner

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Xian City Tour and to Guilin

Following a tasty breakfast at the hotel, your Xian City Tour starts at the Shaanxi Museum, admiring some of the over a quarter of a million artefacts. The next stop, the UNESCO listed Small Wild Goose Pagoda, you may ring the bell to bring good luck. This is followed by a trip to the Muslim Quarter to see local community life. Finally, transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin and an
overnight stay.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Transport: Airplane
DAY 8 Li River Cruise to Yangshuo

The tour continues with a cruise on the breathtaking Li River towards Yangshuo. Sit back and relax as the tranquil rural scenes of buffalo farming on the rice terraces and the towering karst mountain peaks pass by. This evening there is an optional spectacular ‘Impressions of Liu Sanjie’ show, staged on the river.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Transport: Cruise
DAY 9 Reed Flute Caves and Fly to Chongqing

Your day starts with breakfast, followed by a visit to the Reed Flute Caves, a remarkable collection of colourfully illuminated stalactites and stalagmites. Afterwards you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Chongqing and Check in Cruise.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10 Yangtze River Cruise

On the first day of the cruise, you can relax while the ship meanders along the Yangtze, and enjoy the scenic views. There is an excursion to see the impressive wooden pagoda Shibaozhai, and an enjoyable journey on a small motorboat through the tranquil Goddess Stream included. All meals will be served on board the vessel.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Transport: Bullet train, Cruise
DAY 11 Yangtze River Cruise

Enjoy another day at the cruise.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Transport: Cruise
DAY 12 Yangtze River Cruise to Shanghai

As you make your way to Yichang, there is a chance to visit The Three Gorges Dam, before lunch on board. On arrival, transfer to the station for your bullet train to Shanghai, and a two night stay.

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Transport: Cruise
DAY 13 Shanghai City Tour

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by your Shanghai City Tour, which takes in the delightful Yu Yuan Gardens, followed by the serene Jade Buddha Temple. After a trip to the Shanghai Museum, wander along the riverside promenade at the Bund and admire the city’s pre and post war architecture. Later, marvel at the breathtaking bird’s eye view of the city from the observation floor of the
Shanghai World Financial Centre

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14 Fly to UK

Enjoy the last breakfast of your holiday, before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for a 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.

Sample Accommodation

4★ Xinqiao Hotel, Beijing

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4★ Grand Dynasty Culture Hotel, Xian

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4★ Bravo Hotel, Guilin

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5★ Victoria Cruises, Yanngtze River

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4★ Holiday Inn Express, Shanghai

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Your holiday details
Departures and Prices 2024 and 2025
Depart Return Days Price from Availability Reservation
Depart07/10/2024 Return20/10/2024 Day14 Depart£3,805 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart14/10/2024 Return27/10/2024 Day14 Depart£3,805 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart04/11/2024 Return17/11/2024 Day14 Depart£3,605£3,648 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart10/03/2025 Return23/03/2025 Day14 Depart£3,755 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart14/04/2025 Return27/04/2025 Day14 Depart£3,855 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart05/05/2025 Return18/05/2025 Day14 Depart£3,855 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart12/05/2025 Return25/05/2025 Day14 Depart£3,855 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart01/09/2025 Return14/09/2025 Day14 Depart£3,905 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart08/09/2025 Return21/09/2025 Day14 Depart£3,905 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart06/10/2025 Return19/10/2025 Day14 Depart£3,905 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart13/10/2025 Return26/10/2025 Day14 Depart£3,905 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation
Depart03/11/2025 Return16/11/2025 Day14 Depart£3,755 AvailabilitySpaces available Reservation

Single supplement from £795
Land only from £2,615
(without international flights)

Prices and products are subject to availability at the time of booking.

This tour itinerary is also available as a Private Tour. Please ask for more details.

China: China Highlights
price
from
£3,498
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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 stated
  • Entrance fees to the sites listed
  • Airport taxes
  • Local tips: RMB715 (approx £80) per person
  • RMB150 (approx £18 ) per person tips aboard the Yangtze Cruise
  • Personal spending
  • Travel insurance
  • China visa and fees

When making an enquiry or reservation we will request your contact details, however no payment will be required at this stage. We will contact you for payment details and to confirm your booking, your details and the details of those travelling with you along with any extras you’d like to add.

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