Day 1

London/Beijing

Begin your unique holiday by making your own way to London Heathrow for an overnight flight to Beijing with Air China.

Day 2

Beijing

On arrival in Beijing transfer to the 4* Novotel Xinqiao Hotel for three nights.

Day 3

Beijing

Walk along one of the most dramatic sections of the Great Wall of China that snakes across the rugged mountain landscape. Also tread along the Sacred Road, the road to heaven that leads to the Ming Tombs where the emperors are buried. Back in the city, enjoy Beijing's most popular dish, a traditional Peking Duck dinner. B/L/D

Day 4

Beijing

From Tiananmen Square enter the Forbidden City, the imperial palace, and gaze around the grand ceremonial halls and peek into the private family quarters. Later stroll through the elegant formal gardens of the Summer Palace and admire the famous Marble Boat. B/L/D

Day 5

Beijing / Xi'an ( By High Speed Day Train)

Visit the magnificent red and gold Temple of Heaven that was built for the Emperor, the son of Heaven, to make sacrifices for a good harvest, before transfer to railway station for high-speed 'bullet train' to Xi'an for two nights at the 4* Novotel Xi'an SCPG Hotel. B/L

Day 6

Xi'an

See the 7,000 terracotta soldiers that have stood guard over China's first emperor for over 2,200 years, and they still stand in battle formation in giant exhibition halls erected around the pits where they were discovered in the 1970s. This afternoon see Xian's immense City Wall complete with towers and battlements, and tonight we are guests at the Tang Dynasty show, an enchanting performance of music and dance from another era. B/L/D

Day 7

Xi'an/Guilin ( By Flight )

Visit Xian's first-class Shaanxi Provincial Museum where 300,000 objects from every dynasty since a thousand years before Christ are displayed. Fly to Guilin and stay one night at the 4*Guilin Bravo Hotel. B/L/D

Day 8

Yangshuo

Morning cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo through poetic rural landscapes, karst mountains rising steeply from the river valley, their peaks wreathed in mist, and below, oxen ploughing the rice paddies. Time for shopping at Yangshuo's handicrafts market before a spectacular open-air son et lumiere show, stay two nights at 5*Yangshuo Green Lotus Hotel. B/L/D

Day 9

Yangshuo

Explore the rural charms of Yangshuo today, first climb Moon Hill for fantastic views, and see the 1,400-year-old Big Banyan Tree. Also visit Jiuxian Garden Village, undergoing a unique conservation and regeneration project to preserve its culture and architecture. B/L/D

Day 10

Yangshuo-Guilin/Shanghai ( By Flight)

Visit the extraordinary Reed Flute Cave with its dramatic stalagmites and stalagtites, before transferring to Airpot for you flight to Shanghai. Met on arriva and drive to the superb 4* Novotel Shanghai Atlantis Hotel for a four-night stay. B/L/D

Day 11

Shanghai

Admire the very best of China's treasures at the Shanghai Museum and later stroll through Yuyuan Garden, an oasis of calm and beauty in the midst of the bustling city. Then visit Jade Buddha Temple with its lovely white jade statues and great incense burners, later stroll along the Bund, Shanghai's riverside promenade with futuristic skyscrapers on one bank and grand 19th century European architecture on the other. Tonight watch an amazing Acrobatic show, and marvel at the skill and daring of the performer. B/L/D

Day 12

Shanghai/Suzhou/Shanghai

Drive to Suzhou, described by Marco Polo as 'the Venice of the East', and visit two of its favourite classical gardens, the Humble Administrator's Garden, and the Garden of the Master of the Nets. Admire exquisite handicraft at the Silk Embroidery Institute before returning to Shanghai. B/L/D

Day 13

Shanghai

Enjoy your free day in Shanghai. B

Day 14

Shanghai/London

Fly from Beijing to London Heathrow with Air China. B

Key:

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

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