Premium China - 12 Days

Ni hao! Welcome to China! Your adventure begins in Shanghai, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You’ll then have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head out to get a feel for this vibrant city and its bright lights. Maybe visit the Yuyuan Gardens where you can explore the sculptures, gardens and pagodas from the Ming Dynasty. After your meeting, it’s time for a foray into Shanghai’s unbeatable food scene. Head with your group and leader to a famous local restaurant to sample some of the city’s regional favourites like fried dumplings, braised pork and crystal shrimp.

Start your day with a walking tour with your trip leader, who will introduce you to the sights and sounds of this animated city. Explore old residential neighbourhoods, known as nongtang, then head to the tree-lined Wukang Road in the former French Concession part of the city – home to 37 protected historic buildings. Stop by a market and watch the locals go about their daily life, then hop on the metro and head to the Bund – an iconic promenade along the Huangpu River that divided Shanghai into Puxi and Pudong. The spectacular Art Deco buildings that line the street will give you a glimpse into 1920s Shanghai against the modern backdrop of Pudong’s metropolitan skyline. Your tour ends here, and the rest of the afternoon is yours.

Depart Shanghai this morning and board a high-speed train to Huizhou. The beautiful villages of Huizhou and their unique Hui-style architecture have inspired poets and painters for generations. When you arrive, head to the home of a local family for a homecooked Hui lunch. Chat to your hosts about their way of life and find out what makes Hui cuisine so delicious. In the afternoon, take a tour of the ancient village of Tangmo – founded during the Tang dynasty. Visit some local families who have been weaving bamboo for decades and learn about the ancient art form, then head to the village ancestral temple to meet a local artisan famous for his stone inscription printing skills. Speak to him about his trade and gain insight into the world of Chinese calligraphy. This evening will be spent at your Feature Stay accommodation – this hotel was converted from the mansion of a famous Ming Dynasty poet. Traditional 17th-century Hui design is paired with 21st-century conveniences, and the hotel’s tranquil gardens will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

Enjoy some free time in Huizhou today. Maybe wander the village’s narrow lanes and admire the local gardens. In the afternoon, return to Shanghai by high-speed train. This evening, head to a rooftop bar with your group and see the city’s cloud-piercing buildings and glittering neon lights from a different point of view.

Today you have a final morning to soak up the magic of Shanghai, then you’ll catch a midday flight to Guilin. From here, transfer to Yangshuo, where karst mountains sprout like domes around the waters of the Li River. The countryside around Yangshuo is immortalised in many traditional Chinese paintings and it’s easy to see why. When you arrive, check into your accommodation for the next two nights – a modern hotel tucked away among the karst hills and rivers of Yangshuo. You have a free evening to take in the natural setting – you may like to go for a walk in the surrounding area or spend some time relaxing.

After breakfast, head out to one of the largest tea plantations in Yangshuo, where you’ll learn about China’s most beloved beverage, from picking the leaves, to processing and brewing the perfect cup. Enjoy a cup of fragrant green tea to energise you for a short but steep climb up Xianggong Hill. From here, you’ll get an amazing bird’s-eye view of the Li River and the karst landscape. Wander through the local villages, where if you’re lucky, you may be invited into some old houses to get a glimpse at countryside life in China. Take some time out for lunch in a local village, then head into Yangshuo town, where your leader will regale you with the history of the area as you explore. Wander up the busy West shopping street, then enjoy some time to browse the stores or relax in a cafe. Later in the afternoon, return to the countryside and visit a local cooking school, where you’ll learn how to craft traditional Chinese dishes. Tonight’s dinner will be the tasty dishes you’ve whipped up during the class.

Enjoy a peaceful morning at your accommodation then catch a midday flight to Xi’an. Once the imperial centre of China for 2000 years, Xi’an is now a vibrant, modern city dotted with many historical sites. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle into your hotel before setting off for a walking tour. Your leader will unpack the layers of Xi’an’s rich history as you walk past the Bell and Drum tower, continuing to the buzzing Muslim quarter. Wander the narrow streets and find shops, markets and groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in cafes. Xi’an is a food lover’s paradise, and tonight you’ll get a chance to sample the flavoursome regional cuisine during an included dinner at a local restaurant – and, yes, delicious dumplings are on the menu!

Today you’ll journey out into the countryside surrounding Xi’an and visit what is undoubtedly one of the manmade wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. Your local guide will share the unbelievable history of this incredible archaeological find, which after being buried for 2000 years, was discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974. These clay statues of soldiers, horses and chariots were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC. Three pits of warriors are open for viewing, where thousands of uniquely sculpted soldiers stand in battle formation. For lunch, visit a local family restaurant, the owner of which has experienced firsthand the changes brought about by the excavation of Terracotta Warriors. Listen to their stories while enjoying simple homecooked food. Return to Xi’an and enjoy a free afternoon – you may like to cycle across the ancient city wall or check out the Big Wild Goose pagoda and its musical fountain.

Say goodbye to Xi’an and board a high-speed train bound for Beijing. The capital of the most populous country on earth, Beijing has mostly shed its historical face in favour of modernity. However, there are still plenty of places that give an insight into the nation’'s ancient past. Enjoy a free evening in Beijing – you may like to attend a Chinese opera performance. Restaurants across the city span all styles and countless cuisines, so be sure to ask your leader for the perfect place to suit your tastes.

Today, enter the enormous scarlet walls of the Forbidden City. Built more than 500 years ago, and until recently off-limits to commoners, you can now explore the great halls and courtyards. Then, head to Jingshan Park for a glimpse from the top. Lunch today will be an authentic homecooked meal at a local home. After, walk around Beijing’s hutongs (residential alleyways) and learn about the history, dating back 800 years. Stop in at a hutong household, where your leader will explain the ancient building technique of mortise and tenon. The rest of the afternoon is free.

No trip to China would be complete without a visit to the Great Wall – one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Today you’ll visit one of the best-preserved areas, the Hanghuacheng section, also known as the Water Great Wall. It used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs, and features guard towers dating back to the Ming dynasty. Take your time strolling along the wall, which snakes through the hills and seemingly endlessly into the distance, as your trip leader fills you in on the history. From here you can see parts of the wall submerged beneath the lake water. It’s an unforgettable experience – being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside. In the afternoon, head back to Beijing and take some time to relax before heading to a traditional courtyard restaurant where you’ll enjoy a Beijing duck feast for a final dinner with your group.

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. If you have time, there’s plenty more to see in Beijing. If you would like to extend your stay here, just speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.