Wonders of China

Following breakfast, you will embark on a full day tour of the city, taking in the delights of the famous classical Yuyuan Garden, the French Concession and Tianzifang, the arts and crafts enclave in the French neighbourhood. After lunch you can saunter around Xintiandi - 'The City's Living Room', a multifunctional entertainment district with unique 1920's style stone gate buildings known as 'shikumen'. You will end the day visiting Tianzifang, the Bund and Nanjing Road. In the evening you have the chance to go on an optional night cruise on the Huang River (*payable locally).

Meals Included: B, L, D

After breakfast, you will have some free time to explore and then after lunch you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Yichang. Upon arrival you will continue to board your ship for the four-night Yangtze River Cruise which will tour the Three Gorges Dam and breathtaking scenery along the way as you cruise upstream.

Meals Included: B, L, D

The cruise will set sail to reach your first shore excursion the Three Gorges Dam, this 60-story, mile-wide structure is a stunning example of human achievement and a hallmark of an emerging China. In the late afternoon, you'll sail through the west section of Xiling Gorge, the first of these dramatic slices through the surrounding mountains.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Following breakfast, a morning side excursion is offered into the Lesser Three Gorges or Shennong stream or Goddess Stream in smaller sightseeing boats. You will then sail to Wu Gorge, the prettiest of the Three Gorges followed by Qu Tang Gorge, the shortest. In the afternoon there is the option to take a tour of the White Emperor City, an ancient temple perched at the top of an island in the middle of the river or the “Return to the Three Gorges” live show in the evening.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Meals Included: B, L, D

Disembarking the ship at Chongqing you will travel to the capital of the Sichuan Province, Chengdu. Your guide will show you around the People's Park, where locals relax, mingle and exercise, then enjoy a stroll through the ancient streets of the Wide and Narrow Alleys which have been renovated to their former architectural glory.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Today takes you to Leshan, famous for its magnificent riverside cliff-carving of a giant Buddha which is the largest stone-carved Buddhist statue in the world, viewed from a boat on the river. Continue in the afternoon to Jinli Ancient Street. Most famous place for baldachin - a rich, ornate cloth, this is a great place to relax, admire the traditional-style buildings, and taste some local snacks. Strolling down the narrow street, you will find yourself surrounded by old-world stores selling Shu Embroidery, lacquer products, folk handicrafts, curios, or calligraphies and paintings of celebrities.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Spend the morning experiencing a once in a lifetime trip to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre, home to one of China's largest habitat of pandas. Stroll around the enclosures, take photos and try to spot the lesser-known Red Pandas. In the afternoon board the bullet train to Xian.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Known to many as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', a visit to the spectacular Terracotta Warriors is an unforgettable experience. 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. Continue to the Wild Goose Pagoda and Muslim Quarter- a labyrinth of market stalls and shops, then in the evening travel back in time whilst you watch the colourful Tang Dynasty dancing show.

Meals Included: B, L, D

A morning tour of Xi'an incorporates a visit to the historic City Wall. In the afternoon, transfer to the station for your bullet train to Beijing, on arrival transfer to your hotel where you will spend the night.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Begin your day with a visit to the unique Temple of Heaven, China's largest existing masterpiece of ancient sacrificial buildings, and then onto a stroll around the impressive Summer Palace, China's largest & best-preserved royal park. The afternoon is left at leisure to relax and explore the city in your own time.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Today is the day you visit the iconic Great Wall of China. Winding across deserts, grasslands & mountains & stretching over 5,500 miles, it was constructed over 2,000 years ago to guard the Chinese Empire against the Mongol invaders from the North. You will visit the Juyongguan part of the Great Wall. Juyongguan Great Wall is one of the three most famous passes along the Great Wall of China and it was the most impregnable of the passes. In the evening enjoy a mesmerising Chinese acrobatics performance.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Following breakfast on your last full day you will visit one of China's most important political landmarks, Tiananmen Square. It is the world's largest city centre square & gateway to the Forbidden City, which houses the wondrous Imperial Palace. Wander through the Forbidden Palace, once home to Emperors, eunuchs and all the life of the Chinese court. Conclude your trip with a traditional Peking duck dinner, a delicious way to end your tour.

Meals Included: B, L, D

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

Meals Included: B