China Tapestry with Zhangjiajie - 15 Days

Once you arrive in Beijing today, a representative will be waiting for you just outside the customs area at the airport. From here, you'll be transferred to your accommodation in a private vehicle.The rest of the day is yours to settle in - you might use the time to rest after your flight, or take a gentle wander around the streets near your accommodation to get your bearings before the tour begins.

This morning, our guide gives us a short briefing in the hotel lobby at 8 am, a good chance to meet the rest of the group before we head out. We spend the morning at Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City (also known as the Palace Museum), followed by lunch at a well-regarded local restaurant.In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Heaven, followed by a lively acrobatic show. In the evening, we enjoy a special welcome dinner, included in the tour, at a popular restaurant, where we can enjoy the legendary Peking Roast Duck and other authentic local dishes.

The day begins with a visit to the Mutianyu Great Wall, including a round-trip cable car ride or chairlift up and toboggan down. There's ample time to hike along the wall, and we arrange a group toast with red wine up on the Wall itself.After a buffet lunch, we return to downtown Beijing for a photo stop at the Olympic National Stadium (Bird's Nest), admiring the striking structure up close. Later, we take a rickshaw tour through the original Hutong alleys and visit a local family's courtyard home.

After breakfast, we visit the imperial Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design featuring tranquil Kunming Lake and the iconic Long Corridor. After lunch, we board a high-speed train to Xi'an (around 4.5 to 5 hours, second-class seats) - a smooth, comfortable ride at speeds over 300 km/h, with the countryside changing outside the window along the way.On arrival, our local guide and driver meet us and take us to our accommodation.

Today's focus is a visit to the Terracotta Army Museum, followed by lunch at a good nearby restaurant. Afterwards, we visit the home of the farmer who first discovered the Terracotta Warriors, and with the help of a local artisan, we each create our own miniature clay warrior to take home. On the way back to Xi'an, we stop at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.In the evening, we enjoy a splendid performance of the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show, followed by a well-known dumpling dinner - a traditional northern Chinese dish made from wheat flour and a variety of local fillings, and a great way to get a taste of the region's food culture.

We begin the morning at City Wall Park, watching daily life unfold and trying our hand at Tai Chi with the resident master, before continuing to the ancient City Wall itself. Around noon, we explore the lively Muslim Quarter and enjoy an a la carte lunch of local food.In the afternoon, we visit the Great Mosque and the Shaanxi History Museum.

In the morning, we take a flight to Guilin (around 2 hours, economy class). Our guide and driver in Guilin meet us and transfer us to our accommodation, before we visit the Reed Flute Cave and the Elephant Trunk Hill.

We start the day with a scenic cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, taking in the picturesque landscapes along the way (around 4.5 hours). After disembarking in Yangshuo, we take a leisurely stroll through the famous West Street, then head out to the Yangshuo countryside to soak up the rural scenery and visit a local villager's home. Finally, we transfer back to Guilin.Please note: Lunch on the cruise is a simple Chinese boxed meal, which may not suit all tastes - a hearty breakfast at the hotel beforehand is recommended.

From here, a morning high-speed train carries us to Chongqing (around 4.5 hours). On arrival, our local guide and driver pick us up and take us to our accommodation. After a short break, we visit the Liziba Light Rail Station to see the train running straight through a 19-storey building, admire the city's 3D architecture at Kuixing Tower, and finish at Hongya Cave for its striking night view.

The day starts with a visit to see the giant pandas at Chongqing Zoo. Afterwards, we glide across the river on the Yangtze River Cableway, followed by a stroll through historic Longmenhao Old Street. In the afternoon, we take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie (around 3 hours), where our local guide and driver are waiting to transfer us to our accommodation.

After pickup from our accommodation, an exciting day in the spectacular Zhangjiajie National Forest Park begins. We take the Bailong Sightseeing Elevator up to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, marvelling at the dramatic scenery of the Hallelujah Mountains, with lunch served at a restaurant on the mountain. We then continue to Yangjiajie Scenic Area to admire the Natural Great Wall, before heading to Tianzi Mountain for stunning views of the floating mountains and descending by cable car.

Today, we visit the world's highest and longest glass bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon - a perfect chance to test our nerve while taking in the dramatic canyon scenery. Lunch is served at noon. In the afternoon, we re-enter Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for a beautiful hike along the Golden Whip Stream, a valley flanked by towering column peaks and lush greenery.

This morning, we visit Tianmen Mountain, including a round-trip cableway ride, the iconic Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate), and the seven-level mountain-crossing escalator. In the afternoon, we're seen off at the airport for our flight to Shanghai (around 2 hours, economy class). On arrival, our local guide and driver welcome us and take us to our accommodation, conveniently located close to the North Bund.

After breakfast, we explore Shanghai's cultural treasures at the Shanghai Museum, home to exquisite ancient Chinese art. We then wander through the classical Yu Garden, a serene setting of pavilions and lotus ponds, before stepping into the nearby traditional bazaar filled with local snacks and souvenirs.Lunch is on your own. In the afternoon, we stroll along the iconic Bund, where historic buildings meet Pudong's futuristic skyline, and take a one-hour cruise on the Huangpu River for panoramic city views. Back at the accommodation, our guide bids us farewell.

Today, you make your own way to the airport for your departing flight.Please note: Due to differing flight schedules among group members, hotel-to-airport transfers are not included, though a private transfer service can be arranged if needed. Taxis in China are convenient and reasonably priced.