China Present, Past & Future - 9 Days

Welcome to Beijing! On arrival at the airport, we transfer you to your hotel to meet your local guide. You can rest and recover after the flight or head out for a first glimpse of life in the capital. You may also choose to book the optional Summer Palace and Kunming Lake excursion – a four–hour visit to the spellbinding imperial retreat of rulers and their families, with lavish pavilions on Longevity Hill, serene temples and landscaped gardens beside Kunming Lake. If you opt for this, you can stroll between the Temple of Buddhist Virtue, the Hall of Jade Ripples, the Cloud–Dispelling Hall and the Hall of Happiness and Longevity, taking in elegant architecture and tranquil waters. The tour starts at 14:00 from the hotel’s lobby. Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast, we visit Tian’anmen Square, the monumental plaza that witnessed the founding of the People’s Republic, then explore the Forbidden City – the world’s largest ancient palace complex and the best–preserved imperial residence in the country (excl. exhibitions). We continue to the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Ming and Qing design set within expansive parkland. We round off the day with a tea ceremony or a browse in a pearl market before transferring back to the hotel. Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast, we head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall – a stirring testament to extraordinary engineering and human endeavour amid dramatic mountain scenery (excl. cable car). We pause at a tea house, then continue to the Summer Palace, the former imperial retreat offering striking views and the chance to enjoy Kunming Lake; its buildings and courtyards are beautifully decorated and steeped in history (excl. boat, theatre and Longevity Hill). We then return to the hotel. Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast, we tour Beijing’s intricate hutong alleyways, then transfer in the afternoon to Beijing West Railway Station for a high–speed train to Xi’an. On arrival at Xi’an North Railway Station, we are met by a guide who assists with the transfer and check–in at the hotel. Overnight in Xi’an.

After breakfast, we set out for the Terracotta Warriors Museum, often called the eighth wonder of the world – an astonishing army of warriors, horses, chariots and weapons unearthed near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, offering vivid insight into the ancient era. Around 2,000 figures have been excavated since their discovery in 1974, with estimates suggesting as many as 8,000 in total. On the return journey we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty and among the oldest surviving structures of its kind. We conclude at a local jade factory to see how this beautiful stone is refined and shaped, long revered for its calming qualities. Back at the hotel, you have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Xi’an.

Enjoy breakfast, then we take a walk along the historic city walls that have safeguarded Xi’an for centuries before delving into the lively Muslim Quarter, with its mosques and bustling market streets. We wander the stalls, soak up the bright, colourful atmosphere and sample local snacks. In the afternoon, at the appointed time, we transfer to Xi’an Railway Station and board a high–speed train to Shanghai Railway Station. Dinner on board is not included. Overnight on the night train.

On early arrival at Shanghai Railway Station, our representative meets and greets us and takes us to the hotel for breakfast. We leave our luggage in the hotel’s storeroom and set off to explore the old town. We visit the serene Yu Garden, a superb example of classical design, then the Jade Buddha Temple, famed for its two exquisite white jade Burmese Buddha statues. We stroll along The Bund to admire the world–famous skyline, and finish with a walk down Nanjing Road, the city’s well–known shopping boulevard. Overnight in Shanghai.

After breakfast, we drive to Zhujiajiao, a water town often dubbed the Venice of the East, for a half–day wander among bohemian cafés and eye–catching high–rise buildings. Returning to Shanghai, we explore the Former French Concession, revealing a quieter side of the city with elegant boulevards, leafy residential rues and grand mansions with château–style roofs and turrets. Our final visit is to a Silk Factory, where we admire this fine handicraft before heading back to the hotel for the evening. Overnight in Shanghai.

Enjoy a farewell breakfast at the hotel, then check out at the scheduled time and we transfer you to Shanghai Airport for your onward or return flight.