China's Golden Path - 11 Days

On arrival at Beijing Capital Airport, we are met by our local guide outside customs. We then transfer by private vehicle to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest after the journey.

At 08:00, we gather in the hotel lobby for a short tour briefing and meet our fellow travellers. We then explore Tian’anmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, before entering the Forbidden City, including the Treasure Gallery. This vast imperial palace served as the home of Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years.

Lunch is enjoyed at a well-regarded local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once prayed for good harvests, followed by a spectacular acrobatic show. This evening, we enjoy a special welcome a la carte dinner at a popular restaurant, featuring Peking roast duck and other classic Beijing dishes.

Today’s highlight is our visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. A round-trip cable car is included, allowing us to enjoy sweeping mountain views. We allow ample time to walk along the Wall and raise a glass of red wine together for a group toast.

After a buffet lunch, we return to the city for a photo stop at the Olympic National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest. Later, we take a traditional rickshaw ride through Beijing’s historic hutong alleys and visit a local courtyard home, offering insight into everyday life in old Beijing.

Beijing - Xi'an. This morning, we explore the Summer Palace, the former imperial retreat famed for its landscaped gardens and Kunming Lake. After lunch, we board a high-speed train to Xi’an, travelling in second class for approximately five hours. On arrival, our local guide and driver meet us and transfer us to the hotel.

We begin the day with a visit to the Terracotta Army Museum, one of China’s most important archaeological discoveries. Lunch is served at a nearby restaurant. Afterward, we visit the home of the family of the first discoverer of the Terracotta Warriors and take part in a hands-on experience, creating our own mini clay warrior with guidance from a local artisan.

Returning to Xi’an, we visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, an important Buddhist landmark. In the evening, we enjoy a Tang Dynasty music and dance performance, accompanied by a traditional dumpling dinner showcasing the variety of flavours found in northern Chinese cuisine.

Xi'an - Yangtze. We fly to Chongqing this morning. On arrival, our local guide and driver escort us to see the Liziba Light Rail Station, where trains pass through a residential building, the Kuixing Tower and the lively Hongya Cave area.

Later, we transfer to the pier and board our luxury Yangtze River cruise ship. Dinner is served on board, followed by a welcome party hosted by the ship’s captain.

After breakfast, we disembark for an excursion to Fengdu Ghost City, known for its temples and folklore linked to the afterlife. The afternoon is free for you to relax on deck and enjoy the scenery along the Yangtze River, or take part in optional cultural activities onboard.

In the evening, we attend the large-scale live performance The Warring of the Three Kingdoms onshore.

Today is a highlight of the cruise as we sail through the Three Gorges - Qutang, Wu and Xiling - each offering dramatic landscapes of cliffs and river bends. We also take part in an onshore excursion to the Goddess Stream, travelling by smaller boat through narrow gorges and lush scenery.

Yangtze - Yichang - Shanghai. After breakfast, we disembark and visit the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project. Please ensure luggage is packed and check-out is completed beforehand.

Following the visit, we are transferred to the Three Gorges Tourist Centre, where our local guide escorts us to the railway station for a first-class high-speed train journey to Shanghai, lasting approximately six and a half hours. As time is limited, takeaway lunch will be arranged en route, along with fruit and drinks.

On arrival in Shanghai, our guide and driver meet us and transfer us to the hotel.

This morning, we visit the Shanghai Museum, home to an outstanding collection of Chinese art and artefacts, followed by a walk through Yu Garden and its nearby traditional bazaar. Lunch is at your own choice and expense.

In the afternoon, we stroll along the Bund, enjoying views of Shanghai’s historic and modern skyline, before taking a one-hour cruise on the Huangpu River. Returning to the hotel, our guide bids us farewell.

Today, you travel to the airport for your onward flight. As departure times vary, hotel-to-airport transfers are not included, though assistance can be arranged if required. Taxis are readily available and reasonably priced. We wish you a pleasant journey home and lasting memories of your time in China.