Mountains and Waterways of China
Mountains and Waterways of China
The perfect itinerary for those looking for something different
This 15 day tour of China combines some of the country’s iconic sights, like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, with scenic wonders such as the mighty Yangtze River and the breathtaking Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, an area of thousands of tree-clad sandstone columns dramatically rising over two hundred metres into the sky. Marvel at some of the country’s most beautiful scenery on this astonishing tailor-made journey.
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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The Yangtze River, China
Discover the sights and traditions for the Yangtze River with this handy destination guide.
3 Days
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Zhangjiajie, China
Discover the sights, traditions for Zhangjiajie 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.
2 Days
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Mountains and Waterways of China
15 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 Fly to Beijing
Catch a scheduled flight from the UK to Beijing, from London Heathrow, or your regional UK airport.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, your guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel for a three night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure.
DAY 3 Beijing City Tour
Following breakfast, join your Beijing City Tour to see the impressive Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests. You may also see local people practising Tai Chi in the courtyard. Stroll through Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and marvel at the Forbidden City. China’s best-preserved imperial palace, completed in 1420, took more than 1,000,000 workers 14 years to build and was the main residence for 24 Ming and Qing emperors. Your final stop of the day will be the Hutongs, an area of narrow streets and alleys filled with traditional single-storey houses, for a glimpse of time-honoured Beijing life.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 4 Great Wall
Today sees you visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu, one of the best preserved sections of the wall, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. On return to Beijing, there are more opportunities for photographs at the Birds Nest Stadium and Water Cube, architectural wonders, built for the 2008 Olympic Games. In the evening you could treat yourself to a sumptuous Peking Duck Dinner.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 5 Beijing to Xian
This morning’s first stop is the Summer Palace, a royal park filled with stunning gardens, regal pagodas and ornate bridges, followed by a relaxing boat ride on beautiful Kunming Lake. After lunch, catch your bullet train to Xian, where our representative will meet and transfer you to your accommodation to check-in.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Train
DAY 6 Terracotta Warriors
Enjoy breakfast, then visit the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, 10,000 life size soldiers and horses, that lay undiscovered until 1974. This will be followed by a leisurely afternoon stroll or cycle ride along Xian’s ancient city wall. In the evening, perhaps try a traditional dumpling dinner and accompanying Tang Dynasty Show.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 7 Xian to Chongqing
Check out after breakfast and marvel at some of the 250,000 exhibits displayed in the Shaanxi Museum, before moving on to the impressive Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Part of the Buddhist Jianfu Temple complex, this World Heritage Site dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907). Next on the itinerary is the Muslim Quarter for some colourful local life, bustling street markets and delicious local fare. Finally, transfer to the station for a bullet train to Chongqing, for the Yangtze River Cruise.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Train
DAY 8 Yangtze River Cruise
Relax while the ship meanders along the mighty Yangtze River, allowing you time to appreciate the scenic views. All your meals will be prepared and served on board by the ships talented chefs. Today there is an excursion to Shibaozhai, a craggy hill on the banks of the river, covered with trees, and home to an impressive, red, 12 storey wooden pagoda, appropriately named “The Pearl of the Yangtze”.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 9 Yangtze River Cruise
Enjoy breakfast with a view, as your vessel continues it’s path along the Yangtze River and ready yourself for today’s excursion. Board a small motorboat to take you on an exploration of the tranquil Goddess Stream, to marvel at the tree-covered limestone cliffs, rising sheer from the water like green walls.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 10 Yangtze River Cruise and to Zhangjiajie
The Three Gorges Dam, an engineering wonder, and a fantastic view point for the surrounding area, is the final stop of the cruise before disembarking at Yichang. From here you will be transferred to the station for the bullet train to Zhangjiajie, and on arrival transfer to your hotel to check in.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Cruise, Train
DAY 11 Zhangjiajie
Transfer to the Wulinyuan scenic area and ride the Bailong Elevator up to the top of Yuanjiajie, at a height of 326 metres, and gaze in wonder at the scenic vistas of the surrounding Sandstone Peak Forest. Then, then take the cable car up Tianzi Mountain, a thrilling 30-minute ride filled with spectacular views of magical rock formations and precipitous cliffs, shrouded in misty clouds.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 12 Zhangjiajie
Start with a walk to the picturesque Golden Whip Stream, flanked by ridges and peaks, where you can see fish swimming in the crystal clear waters. Continue to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, for a daring and exhilarating stroll along the world’s highest and longest glass bridge!
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 13 Zhangjiajie to Shanghai
Today visit Tianmen Mountain, known locally as the ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Ride the world’s longest cable car, about 8 km, above lush mountain peaks, deep gorges and the infamous ’99 bends’ road, to the top. Dare to navigate the adventurous glass walkway, that hugs the side of the cliff, an experience to savour. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 14 Shanghai City Tour
Your Shanghai City Tour starts at the mesmerising, centuries old, Yu Yuan Gardens, home to beautiful pavilions, walkways, streams, courtyards and flowers, perfect for the horticulturist. This is followed by the stunning Jade Buddha Temple, with its sublime Buddha statue hand-crafted from pure jade, and the fascinating Shanghai Museum. Then enjoy a stroll along the Bund, the former financial district, filled with European architecture, on the city’s riverside. Finally, take in a breathtaking birds eye view of the city from the Shanghai World Financial Centre.
- Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 15 Fly to UK
Have your last hotel breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your return 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: Kung Fu Show in Beijing
A dynamic kung-fu show in Beijing
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View this package
China
China: Night Cruise on the Huangpu River in Shanghai
Marvel at Shanghai's twinkling lights on a night cruise
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View this packageChina
China: Acrobatic Show in Shanghai
Watch a magical acrobatic show in Shanghai
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View this packageChina
China: Beijing Opera
Delight at a performance of traditional Beijing Opera
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
China: Mountains and Waterways of China
from£3,845
What's included:
- International and domestic flights in economy class
- Bullet trains in first class
- 4★ accommodation based on twin share
- Transfers
- Transportation
- Tours as stated
- Meals as specified
- Airport Taxes
- Tips
- Personal spending
- Travel insurance
- China visa and fees
Price from £3,845
Single room supplement from £645
(sole passenger prices on request)
Land only from £3,095
(excludes international flights)
Prices and products are subject to availability at the time of booking.
The deposit for these arrangements is £300 per person. Balance is due 12 weeks before departure.
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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