Breakfast will be followed by your transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
China Highlights
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.
Locations you will be visiting
-
Beijing, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Beijing with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
-
Xian, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Xian with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
-
Guilin & Yangshuo, China
Discover the sights and traditions for Guilin & Yangshuo with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
-
The Yangtze River, China
Discover the sights and traditions for the Yangtze River with this handy destination guide.
-
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 your scheduled flight from London to Beijing. Alternatively, we can arrange departures from your local airport.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival, our representative will meet and arrange your transfer to your hotel to check in for a three night stay.
DAY 3 Beijing City Tour
Your tour begins after breakfast, with a visit to the Temple of Heaven – where the Ming and Qing emperors worshipped the god of heaven and prayed for good harvests for the year. Here you can witness the tradition of Tai Chi being practised in the courtyard, which is followed by a stroll through Tiananmen Square, and continues to the Forbidden City which served as the grand imperial palace for centuries. Your final stop of the day will be at the Hutongs. Here, you will gain a personal insight into the everyday life of traditional Beijing citizens.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 Great Wall
Enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel before your visit to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a post on the wall with breathtaking views in a less crowded atmosphere. Mutianyu was built in the mid-6th century and its rich history can be observed in its unique construction. Back to the city and Visit the Summer Palace, which includes a grand collection of lakes, gardens, palaces and scenic views. This is followed by a relaxing boat ride on beautiful Kunming Lake . In the evening, enjoy a fabulous Peking Duck Dinner, in the city that gave it its name!
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Beijing to Xian
Transfer you to the station for you to take the first class bullet train to Xian (approx. 5 hours 30 minutes). Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the hotel and checking into your hotel for a two night stay.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Bullet train
DAY 6 Terracotta Warriors
Today, your guide will take you to visit the Terracotta Warriors, a stunning collection of 10,000 life-size statues of the Chinese army, made over 2,000 years ago, yet preserved almost perfectly. This is followed by a visit to Xian’s ancient city wall, best enjoyed on a leisurely stroll or bike ride. The evening’s meal is a delicious dumpling dinner accompanied by a Tang Dynasty Show, a colourful performance of traditional music and dance.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Fly to Guilin
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, begin your sightseeing with a visit to the famous Reed Flute Cave, renowned for its spectacular limestone formations, colourful illuminated stalactites, and fascinating natural rock formations often referred to as the “Palace of Natural Arts.”
- 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
Transport: Cruise
DAY 9 Yangshuo to Chongqing
Following breakfast, we will transfer you to the train station to take the bullet train to Chongqing. It will take 5 hours train journey. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the cruise ship for boarding and the start of your cruise along the majestic Yangtze River.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 10 Mountain Shuanggui
Take a shore excursion to Mountain Shuanggui near Fengdu. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Bullet train, Cruise
DAY 11 Enter the Three Gorges/“Small Gorges”
Enter the Three Gorges, one of nature’s most extraordinary sculptures. Today you will pass through the first two—Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Qutang Gorge is the shortest (5 miles), narrowest (500 feet), and most dramatic. The 25-mile long Wu Gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices. Transfer to another vessel for a relaxing excursion through the attractive gorges of Goddess Stream. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to the gorges of Shennong Stream. Enter Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles), and deepest of the Three Gorges.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 12 Yangtze River Cruise and to Shanghai
Disembark this morning and take a tour of the Three Gorges Dam, which spans the Yangtze River at Sandouping in Xiling Gorge. It is the world’s largest power station. Transfer you to the station for the train to Shanghai.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 13 Shanghai City Tour
The first attraction of the day, after breakfast, will be the Yu Yuan Gardens, first constructed in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan. The gardens occupy an area of 5 acres and are home to beautiful pavilions, walkways, rockeries, streams, ponds, courtyards and flowers. A horticulturist’s heaven. Next stop, the Jade Buddha Temple, where you can marvel at impressive temples, both ancient and modern, housing large, intricate sculptures of Buddha. Afterwards, you will spend time at the Shanghai Museum, followed by the opportunity to visit the impressive waterfront attraction of the Bund to admire Shanghai as a modern metropolis.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 14 Fly to 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.
-
View this packageChina
China: Impressions of Liu Sanjie in Yangshuo
-
View this packageChina
China: Cycling in Yangshuo
Explore the countryside, cycling in Yangshuo
-
View this packageChina
China: Cookery Classes in Yangshuo
Learn to cook traditional dishes in Yangshuo
-
View this packageChina
China: Tai Chi Lesson
Practise this ancient martial art with a Tai Chi lesson
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
Departures and Prices 2026 and 2027
Single supplement from £845
Land only from £2,755
(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£3,855
Make an enquiry
from£3,855
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.
TOUR MAP
Extend your holiday with a stopover
-
View this packageStopovers Tailor Made City
Bangkok Stopover
3 day tour from £295,00
A colourful city with a vibrant culture and delicious food
-
View this packageMalaysia Beach
Langkawi Stopover
4 day tour from £455,00
Beautiful Langkawi, perfect for a relaxing beach stay
-
View this packageStopovers Tailor Made Beach
Dubai Stopover
4 day tour from £350,00
Dubai, the ultimate stopover destination for shopping and relaxation
-
View this packageStopovers Tailor Made Beach
Bali Stopover
4 day tour from £285,00
A four day stopover on a paradise isle