China Discovery Tour

On arrival in Shanghai, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy an evening getting acquainted with your group at a delicious welcome dinner.

With a population surpassing 25 million, Shanghai is an incredible metropolis not to be missed with architecture like no other Chinese city. Our full day tour commences after breakfast and includes visits to the scenic Yu Gardens, the traditional Old Town, Shanghai Museum and shopping in a silk factory with a break for lunch. After dinner in the city, take a night cruise along the Huangpu River, giving you the chance to enjoy beautiful views whilst meandering through the streams of water traffic.

Following breakfast, you will travel by coach to the water village of Wuzhen where lush gardens, calming waterways and authentic buildings will transport you back in time to a traditional China from centuries ago. You will head out on a boat trip, going on a journey through the stone bridges and winding canals before you retire to your hotel for dinner and your evening's stay.

Transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to the starting point of the Silk Route, the historic city of Xi’an. On arrival into this ancient Shaanxi city, lunch will be followed by a fascinating orientation tour of the birthplace of ancient China, showing you the many highlights of Xi’an. A former military defence, gaze in awe at the 14th century City Wall which protectively stands at an astonishing 12 metres high and stretches around a perimeter of 13.7km; surrounded by a dry moat and elevated views of the city, saunter along China’s most complete surviving city fortification.

Today, visit the UNESCO registered vaults which house the awe-inspiring ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, the magnificent 8,000 strong Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Taking nearly four decades to complete and over 700,000 workers, this incredible tomb was built to protect China’s first emperor in his afterlife. Positioned in battle formation, this extraordinary feat of craftmanship replicates the imperial guard combatants and appear to have been constructed so that no two warriors look alike. This evening, enjoy an East meets West banquet dinner in a grand theatre, followed by an authentic showcase of Chinese music and dance at a vibrant Tang Dynasty show.

Transfer to the station for your bullet train to Beijing, spending the afternoon enjoying your first taste of China’s dynamic capital city. Delight in a leisurely afternoon stroll around the world’s best preserved imperial gardens and exquisite architecture of Summer Palace, revelling in the tranquillity that exudes this stunning landmark. Offering a visual feast from its regal temples and pavilions, to the perfectly manicured gardens and harmonious lakes, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a marvel to behold.

One of the world’s truly captivating capitals, Beijing is complex metropolis which boldly blends its rapidly developing cosmopolitan vibe and fascinating ancient origins, a truly extraordinary city. One of the tour highlights is a trip to the iconic Great Wall, built over 2,000 years ago to protect the Chinese Empire against marauding Mongol invaders from the North. A stroll along this incredible structure is the only way to appreciate its scale and significance as it stretches over 5,500 miles along the horizon, fringed by mountains and rolling grasslands. Tonight, savour the authentic tastes of China as you enjoy a traditional Peking Duck dinner.

Today includes a comprehensive city tour and a visit to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, first stopping at Tiananmen Square. Spanning an enormous 109 acres, this monumental landmark is not only the world’s largest city centre square, but also the gateway to the remarkable Forbidden City. Exemplifying iconic Chinese architecture, step behind the imposing 10-metre high walls into a regal palace complex which houses the wondrous Imperial Palace Temple, where dynasties ruled China for hundreds of years. Later, explore China’s largest existing 15th century, the Temple of Heaven, where you’ll see locals playing cards and practicing Tai Chi in the tranquil surroundings. Spend your final evening marvelling at the incredible talents of accomplished performers at a mesmerising Chinese Acrobatic Show.

Transfer to Beijing Airport for your flight back to the UK.