Your trip-of-a-lifetime begins today with an international flight to Beijing, the capital city of China. Upon arrival you will be warmly greeted at the airport by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Take the evening to rest and prepare for your first day of touring tomorrow. 

Please note that some flights might depart one day early.

Hotel: 5★ Wyndham Beijing North or similar

Today we will explore the city that has served as the capital of five dynasties over a period of 800 years. We begin with a visit to the impressive Tiananmen Square, the second largest public square in the world. From here we will continue on to the Forbidden City, a magnificent palace complex in the heart of Beijing, which served as the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming to Qing dynasty. In the afternoon, we continue to the Temple of Heaven, which was used by emperors in ancient times to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for a good harvest. In the evening, our welcome banquet will include the local delicacy, Peking Roast Duck, a traditional dish that has been prepared since the imperial era.

Optional program - After dinner enjoy the spectacular stage show, the Golden Mask Dynasty - a performance rich in visual splendor featuring more than 200 actors from China and abroad.

Hotel: 5★ Wyndham Beijing North or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our highlight today is an excursion to the majestic Great Wall at Juyong Pass, the most famous vista in China. On the way, we will visit an exquisite Jade exhibition. To the Chinese, jade is a cultural icon and embodies the virtues of courage, wisdom, modesty, justice and compassion. After lunch, see skilled artisans practice the art of enamelling at a Cloisonné factory. Following this we will be visiting the Changling Exhibition Hall of the Ming Tombs, where thirteen out of the sixteen Ming dynasty emperors are buried. We cap off the day by attending a superb and thrilling Chinese Acrobatic Show in the evening.

Hotel: 5★ Wyndham Beijing North or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we begin our day with a tour of the exquisite Summer Palace (Imperial Garden), the largest preserved ancient garden in China and a former summer resort for Emperors. Following this we will enjoy an outside view of the beautiful Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Centre), both purpose-built for the 2008 Olympics. Next you’ll have the special treat of visiting a freshwater pearl factory.

Optional - In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of the ancient alleyways of Beijing, the “Hutongs”, by pedicab. Eat next to Wangfujing, one of the capital’s most famous shopping street.

Hotel: 5★ Wyndham Beijing North or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we fly to Xi’an, the first Chinese city to open its doors to the world during the Tang dynasty and capital for eleven dynasties over a period of more than 2,000 years. Our highlight here is a visit to the magnificent Terracotta Warriors Museum to see the life-sized defending army to the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Be humbled as you stand among one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century. Later this afternoon we will be visiting a ceramic arts factory. In no other country has pottery and ceramics assumed such importance, the influence of Chinese porcelain has been profound the world over. The day will end with a flourish as you enjoy a special Dumpling Banquet, while enjoying a performance of music and dance from the Tang Dynasty.

Hotel: 5★ Titan Times Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin a fantastic day by visiting the fascinating Shaanxi Provincial Museum, housing over 370,000 murals, paintings, pottery, coins and bronze, gold and silver artefacts. Our lunch today will feature a special and fun noodle making demonstration. Afterwards we will be visiting the Ancient City Wall, the most complete ancient city wall to survive in China. Following this we saved the best for last – a visit to the Great Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of the city.

Hotel: 5★ Titan Times Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we fly to Wuhan and transfer by coach (approximately 4-5 hours) to Yichang, the gateway to the Yangtze River. This is the starting point of our Yangtze River Cruise, your home for the next four nights. The Yangtze River is the largest river in Asia and the third largest in the world. The river begins in the remote mountainous regions and winds its way through stunning gorges to bring life to millions of people. We board the luxury cruise in the evening and receive an introduction on cruise events and onboard activities. Take some leisure time to unpack and relax.

Hotel: 5★ Victoria Selina Cruise or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy your first day on the Yangtze River as your ship winds its way through spectacular scenery. Enjoy breakfast on board before joining a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Project. One of the largest construction projects undertaken by man, it is the biggest hydro project in the world. You may also choose an optional visit the Tribe of the Three Gorges, the only large scenic spot that has not been influenced by the Three Gorges Dam project, which showcases the abundant Ba Culture and Shu Culture. In the evening, you will return to the ship and attend the Captain’s Welcome Banquet and enjoy an evening of dancing.

Hotel: 5★ Victoria Selina Cruise or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you can choose to relax on board or enjoy a shore excursion to the mesmerising Shennong Stream. Here the Yangtze flows through 3 beautiful gorges, each renowned for its stunning scenery. The Shennong Stream is also home to the Hanging Coffins – which are ancient coffins containing the remains of descendants of the Tujia people. You can choose to join an optional shore excursion is to visit the White Emperor City. It’s an ancient temple that is located atop Baidi Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in Fengjie County. Return to the ship in time for lunch.

Hotel: 5★ Victoria Selina Cruise or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s shore excursion is to the legendary Shibaozhai. Built into the cliff, the sight has over 400 years of history and at 200m high, the striking 9 storey red pagoda allows people to reach the buddhist temple perched on top of the hill. Alternatively you may partake in an optional visit to Fengdu Ghost City, also known as the ‘City of the Ghosts’. Artwork here depicts the Chinese people’s imagination of hell. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner while on-board your ship.

Hotel: 5★ Victoria Selina Cruise or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we disembark from our cruise in the port city of Chongqing and visit the Panda House at the Chongqing Zoo, the largest urban zoo in China. Following this we will be flying to Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province. Kunming has the most beautiful climate of all Chinese cities and is popularly known as the “Spring City”. With a long history of nearly 2,400 years, this city is made rich and colourful with its many ethnic minorities and unique natural attractions.

Hotel: 5★ Kunming Kai Wah Plaza Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning visit the picturesque Stone Forest where massive limestone columns form a vast forest of surreal shapes and images. Due to an astonishing process of weathering and erosion, nature has created a natural art gallery of stone formations here. The countless stone formations appear to have sprung from the ground, assuming different shapes as if vying to surpass each other in grandeur and sublime beauty. Next we will visit the Jiuxiang Scenic Resort. The Jiuxiang caves are a vast and spectacular network of more than one hundred karst caves. The stalactites in the caves take on many different shapes and colours. Also found in the caves are numerous natural bridges, valleys, rivers and waterfalls, which constitute a wonderful subterranean world. Later we will return to Kunming and this evening we will sample the local delicacy, Crossing the Bridge Noodles.

Hotel: 5★ Kunming Kai Wah Plaza Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

As we depart Kunming this morning we prepare for a magical tour through the countryside to Dali, home of the Bai Minority, an ethnic group that have traditionally lived in villages clustered around the Dali Plain. Upon arrival, we’ll take a stroll through the fascinating Old Town Quarter. This 600-year-old town features beautiful gardens, stone walls, grey-tilted roofs, doors, and windows carved with dragon and phoenix patterns. As you walk along the cobble-paved streets in the ancient city, a sense of primitive simplicity and elegance will be evoked.

Hotel: 5★ Regent Hotel Dali or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We will begin today with a visit to the charming Song Dynasty Three Pagodas, which are the outstanding landmark of the region. We will then enjoy a delightful cruise on Erhai Lake where you may be lucky enough to see traditional junks still plying their trade. After this we will visit a local Bai minority family and their home in Xizhou Village. The House of Bai is renowned throughout China for their craftsmanship in silverware and fabric dyeing.

Hotel: 5★ Regent Hotel Dali or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will travel by coach to the ‘living museum’ city of Lijiang, sitting at the foothills of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the cultural centre of the Naxi Minority. Explore the Old Town of Lijiang, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Gaze in wonder at the sights and sounds of this ancient city and imagine being part of a bygone era as you stroll through the maze of cobblestone streets, narrow canals, and decorative wooden houses, preserved for over 700 years. The Black Dragon Pool is a famous pond built in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty and offers a spectacular view of the region’s tallest mountain, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, over its white marble bridge. Later, we will visit the famous Baisha Frescoes that illustrate ancient stories of religions and nations. With their fine and smooth lines, bright colours, vivid pattern, balanced and harmonious compositions, the frescoes are not only significant to the history of painting in China, but are also important cultural heritage relics in themselves. We will finish the day with a visit to a quaint local village.

Hotel: 5★ Guanfang Hotel Lijiang Garden Villa or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today’s highlight is a trip to magnificent and picturesque Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the legendary mountain worshipped by the Naxi people. At the base of the mountain, you will board chair lifts to access higher regions that afford a beautiful vista of the famed Thirteen Peaks. We will then enjoy a stunning cultural performance with the mountain as a breathtaking backdrop – the innovative Impression Lijiang.

Hotel: 5★ Guanfang Hotel Lijiang Garden Villa or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We will begin our drive to Shangri-La (formerly named Zhongdian) this morning and visit one of the most dramatic gorges in the world, the Leaping Tiger Gorge. Legend has it that this particular gorge is so narrow in certain places that a tiger escaped capture by leaping across, hence its name. We will arrive at Shangri-La this afternoon and continue your tour to visit a Tibetan family where you can taste Tibetan specialities of yak butter tea, local yoghurt and Tibetan barley. Afterwards, take some time to explore the Old Town at your own leisure and acclimatise to the higher altitude.

Hotel: 5★ Anxin Blue Horizon Junhua Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Our day will begin with a visit to the Songzanlin Monastery, built by the 5th Dalai Lama more than 300 years ago. Known as Ganden Sumtseling in the Tibetan language, it is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, with more than five hundred lamas living and studying here. Next we will visit the Bitahai Lake which is widely recognised as ‘a pearl on the plateau’ and the most attractive lake in Shangri-La. It is famous for its limpid water and its beautiful scenery, as it is set against the surrounding mountains and forests. Bitahai Lake is a place of legends. When visiting it, you will find that even a tree or a hill has a story. It is not only a feast for the eyes, but also enhances your sense of beauty and imagination.

Hotel: 5★ Anxin Blue Horizon Junhua Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Today’s highlight is an excursion to the stunning White Water Terraces, which have formed over 300,000 years in the foothills of the Haba Snow Mountains. As the sparkling spring water cascades over layers and layers of white limestone pools, a magnificent photographic opportunity arises. 

Hotel: 5★ Anxin Blue Horizon Junhua Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

This morning we will fly to Chengdu and upon arrival, explore the dynamic folk custom street Jin-Li, experiencing the lifestyle of Old Chengdu.

Optional - In the evening, join a fascinating face-changing show - a traditional Chinese Dramatic art.

Hotel: 5★ Yinsheng International Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After a final breakfast, you will be transferred to Chengdu airport to board your flight home to Australia. The trip may be over, but the experiences and memories will certainly last a lifetime.

Meals: Breakfast

Arrive home today.