Welcome to Shanghai, the heart of China's economy.

On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Your hotel check-in time is scheduled after 3:00pm, should you arrive earlier than this, your hotel is located near Nanjing Road, one of Shanghai’s most popular areas to explore.

At approximately 6:00pm, there will be a group meeting with your tour leader and the opportunity to connect with fellow group participants in the hotel lobby.

Following breakfast this morning, you'll be taken to explore the Shanghai Museum, a grand institution dedicated to ancient Chinese art. The museum boasts eleven galleries and three exhibition halls, each with its unique treasures.

Our next destination is a leisurely walk along the Huangpu River's Bund area. This iconic waterfront locale offers captivating vistas, especially the futuristic Pudong skyline across the river.

Tonight marks your welcome dinner, a delightful group event that presents a wonderful opportunity to forge new connections.

Today, you will board a high-speed bullet train bound for Beijing, the capital of China. A huge technological achievement, China now has close to 3,000 bullet trains connecting over 500 cities with some trains reaching speeds of 350 km/h. The journey takes approximately 6 hours, traversing a portion of the country's expanse.

On arrival in Beijing you will be transferred to your hotel. Our Beijing accommodation is located in the heart of the city in the vibrant Wangfujing district, walking distance to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. 

Today, you'll embark on a journey to explore Beijing's revered imperial treasures. Begin your adventure at the remarkable Tiananmen Square, a sprawling and majestic public plaza that ranks among the world's largest. From there, proceed to the awe-inspiring Forbidden City. Enter the imposing walls of this historical marvel, formerly under the dominion of the Ming Dynasty. Engage in an exclusive tour through its expansive array of courtyards and winding passages.

Following lunch, your next stop will be the Lama Temple. Here, you'll encounter captivating influences of Tibetan culture within the heart of Beijing city.

This morning after breakfast, pack your luggage as our destination today is the Simatai section of the Great Wall.

Our Inspiring Stay tonight will be in Gubei Water Town. Regarded as 'Wuzhen in Beijing', Gubei Water Town boasts a combination of mountains, water and ancient villages. The town is characterised by the northern architectural style, and the history and culture of the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Tonight we will stay in a traditional guest house at the foot of the Great Wall. 

This particular segment of the Great Wall is conserved in its authentic form where you can still feel the true historical atmosphere. Upon reaching the base of the Simatai Great Wall, take some time to explore the renowned Gubei Water Town, an extraordinary gem not commonly found in northern China. We then venture to the Wall itself! Step foot on this incredible structure and imagine yourself manning the fortifications as it winds its way along the ridge line.

Tonight you'll be treated to a magnificent sight as the Great Wall is lit up at night. 

Today we head back to Beijing, you will have the chance to relax at the hotel or enjoy the opportunity to shop or explore Beijing at your own pace.

Following breakfast, you will be transported to Beijing West Train Station, where you'll board your second bullet train of the trip, this time bound for Xi'an.

Upon reaching Xi'an, you'll be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Tonight, join your guide for an engaging walking tour, strolling through the enchanting streets to reach the vibrant Muslim Food Street. This is a popular locale where locals gather for their evening meals, providing you with an authentic taste of the city's culinary culture.

This morning, you will be transferred to enjoy the magnificence of the famous Terracotta Warriors, about 1.5 hours’ drive away from downtown Xi’an. Originally four armies were planned, one at each point of the compass, life-size and lifelike. Three have been found and it is assumed the emperor's successors decided enough was enough before the fourth was begun.

The first pit excavated had an estimated 6,000 figures in its one army. The third pit has been opened to the public, which contains the 'command squad' for the entire operation. This is one of China's great tourist attractions, and some people may find the sheer number of visitors rather overpowering.

Enjoy lunch with a local farmer before being transferred back to Xi’an. 

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Xi’an Airport to fly to Yichang, the gateway of the Yangtze.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the dock to embark on a Yangtze River cruise. The ship stays overnight in port tonight before setting sail tomorrow. Once on board you will have the rest of the day to yourself to explore the ship.

Today you will follow the itinerary of the cruise ship. Take an included excursion to the Three Gorges Dam Site, which is a hydroelectric river dam that spans the Yangtze River in Sandouping, Yichang. It is the largest hydro-electric power station in the world. The total electric generating capacity of the dam will reach 22,500 megawatts per day (enough to power 22,500,000 North American homes).

Note: additional optional activities are provided by the ship - further details of these will be provided by the ship while onboard and can be booked with the ship's concierge. These include:

• Three Gorges Tribe (approximately CNY 290pp)
• The Quyuan Hometown (approximately CNY 220pp)
• Three Gorges Ship Lift (approximately CNY 290pp)

Today, take an included excursion to the Shennv Stream. Positioned to the south of Wu Gorge, approximately 20 kilometres from Wushan County, lies the captivating Shennv Stream. Shennv Stream boasts almost 10 kilometres of untouched, primordial gorges. The cruise ship will dock at Wushan Pier, then you will transfer to small wooden boats to cruise up Shennv Stream.

Note: additional optional activities are provided by the ship - further details of these will be provided by the ship while onboard and can be booked with the ships concierge. These include:

• The Mini Three Gorges (approximately CNY 150pp)
• White Emperor City (approximately CNY 290pp)

Enjoy an included excursion to the well-known Fengdu Ghost City for an exploration of the special and mythical ghost culture in China. A popular stop, Fengdu "Ghost City" used to be a burial area with scores of temples and shrines and a small ancient town. During the Tang Dynasty, people started to say that the king of hell lived there. It became one of the famous Taoist burial grounds in China. There is a temple complex on the summit and below. It contains some construction or carvings dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

Note: additional optional activities are provided by the ship - further details of these will be provided by the ship while onboard and can be booked with the ship's concierge. These include:

• The Shibao Pagoda (approximately CNY 220pp) 

Today marks the end of your Yangtze Cruise.

After breakfast you will disembark the ship and then be transferred to the train station in Chongqing for a bullet train to Chengdu (approximately 2hrs).

Upon arrival in Chengdu, you will be transferred to the hotel for check in after which time you will have.

Today's itinerary brings you face-to-face with China's beloved creatures, the pandas, at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre. This sprawling centre stands as the world's largest panda breeding facility, nurturing an impressive panda population of 215 individuals as of the end of 2022.

In the afternoon, a leisurely stroll awaits you at Jinli Snack Street. This bustling street showcases some of Chengdu's and China's most celebrated snacks, treating you to an array of culinary delights. As the capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu's reputation for its renowned Hot Pot is well-deserved. As the day transitions into evening, get ready for an Inspiring Taste with an authentic Sichuan Hot Pot dinner. Chengdu hot pot, one of the country's most renowned dishes, and is known as "huo guo" which roughly translate to "fire and pot". The history of using "huo guo" could date back to 1000 years ago. Everyone can select their own ingredients such as beef, lamb, pork or potato, radish, bamboo shoot to be cooked up in a communal pot of spiced broth. Most people will have a "yin and yang" pot which means a pot is divided into a spicy part and none-spicy pot to suit all tastes.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in Chengdu and bid your farewell to the tour leader as you will have another local guide in Hong Kong. The flight takes approximately 3 hours.

On arrival, you will be welcomed by the driver at Hong Kong International Airport, and transferred to the hotel. The next few days allow for plenty of time to explore Hong Kong at your own pace. 

Please note: Your guide in Hong Kong will only be available during the included activity. Outside of these times you will be unguided and free to explore the city and its surroundings at your own leisure.

Today you will have the day to yourself.

Grab a map and get on the easy to navigate Hong Kong metro which will allow you to explore the city which embraces both Chinese traditional culture and western influence. 

In the evening, your local guide in Hong Kong will meet you at the hotel and take you on a night walking tour. On this tour, we will take the metro to Kowloon Park to visit the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, once the site of the British Army's Whitfield Barracks. From here we’ll walk to Victoria Harbour to witness the light show at Victoria illuminating the Hong Kong skyline. Enroute, we’ll pass through Tsim Sha Tsui. This area is the most popular place among locals as it’s packed with shops, cafes and Yum Cha restaurants.

Once the light show has concluded we’ll board the Star Ferry back to Hong Kong Island. National Geographic named the ferry crossing as one of the 50 ‘places of a lifetime’. The ferries date back to 1880 when the Morning Star steamboat started a regular service from Kowloon to Pedder’s Wharf on Hong Kong Island.

Today you will have the day to yourself. Hong Kong is a shopping paradise for many people. Why not take this opportunity to get some presents and gifts for your families and friends. 

After breakfast, your China trip comes to an end. At the appropriate time please make your way to the airport for your onward journey.

There are various options to reach Hong Kong Intenational Airport. One of the most convenient and cost effective ways is via the Hong Kong metro. The station is located close to your hotel and takes approximately 1 hour to reach the airport via the Airport Express and costs approximately HKD 115 per person. Alternatively a taxi costs approximately HKD 350-400 per vehicle.