Classic China

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Depart the UK

  Travel to the airport for your overnight flight to Beijing.

• Day 2 • Arrival in Beijing

  We'll arrive in Beijing mid-afternoon and transfer directly to our hotel for check in. Those who prefer to "fly and flop" can spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel's facilities and a well-earned rest by the pool or in the bamboo garden. However, if you can't wait to start exploring, you couldn't be better placed. Located in the Central Business District area of Chaoyang, we're in the heart of Beijing's real downtown area. There are plenty of shops and restaurants within a 15-minute walk away and there’s easy access to the subway line.

• Day 3 • Beijing

  Begin exploring Beijing and visit the Summer Palace of the Qing dynasty's royal family.

• Day 4 • Beijing

  Climb the famous Great Wall of China and visit the impressive Temple of Heaven.

• Day 5 • Train from Beijing to Xi'an

  Catch one of China’s famous high speed trains to Xi’an and visit its Ancient City Wall.

• Day 6 • Xi'an Terracotta Army

  Marvel at the Terracotta Army, see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and visit the Muslim Quarter.

• Day 7 • Chengdu

  Journey to Chengdu by high-speed train and visit the bustling stalls of Jin Li Street.

• Day 8 • Chengdu

  Our day will start with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the pandas of Chengdu on a visit to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre. If you enjoy people-watching, you'll enjoy our visit to Chengdu People's Park after our included lunch. In the popular park at the centre of the city, you'll find locals engaged in a wide range of activities - dancing, drawing, singing, playing sports and other games - there are even fortune tellers and matchmakers hard at work here. On the south side of the park is a large lake where you can rent a boat or simply follow the winding paths towards the famous Heming teahouse. Watch as Chengdu residents play mahjong and enjoy a steaming cup of tea.

• Day 9 • Guilin

  Fly to Guilin, visit the otherworldly Reed Flute Caves and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

• Day 10 • Li River Cruise

  Get your cameras ready as we cruise along the scenic Li River and visit Yangshuo for free time.

• Day 11 • Huangpu River Cruise

  We'll take a short flight to Shanghai. The city has been an economic powerhouse since the British and French forced trading concessions from the Chinese in the 19th century. Its trade in opium, silk and tea, rapidly made it Asia’s most dynamic city and, today, it is an extraordinary blend of colonial and ultra-modern living. This evening, we'll head to a local restaurant for our first look at Shanghai's gastronomic scene.

• Day 12 • Shanghai

  Explore the beautiful Yuyuan Gardens and visit the Jade Buddha Temple.

• Day 13 • Transfer to the airport

  Say goodbye to Shanghai as we transfer to the airport for our return flight back to the UK.

• Day 14 • Arrive Home

  Arrive back home after a truly unforgettable tour.