Grand Tour of China

An unforgettable 22 day journey, combining the highlights of the most famous historical and cultural sites of this ancient civilisation with those of the mighty Yangtze. The ultimate Chinese experience and not to be missed.

Full Itinerary

Day 1 - Heathrow / Beijing
Non-stop overnight flight on British Airways.

Day 2 - Beijing
Upon arrival at Beijing airport, transfer to the Novotel Xinqiao for the next 3 nights. Afternoon at leisure, before a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. (D)

Day 3 - Beijing
After breakfast, depart for a full day sightseeing, including a walk through Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world. You will then spend the rest of the morning in the Forbidden City, where the Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors and empresses lived and ruled from 1420 to 1924. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors worshipped and prayed for a good harvest. Return to your hotel for a short rest before departing for dinner and the Peking Opera. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Beijing
Another full day of sightseeing including the Great Wall at Badaling. In the morning walk along the beautiful Sacred Way guarded by stone statues of the emperors’ officers and animals, dating from the 15th century. After lunch, there will be a 20-minute drive to the Great Wall at Badaling. Approximately two hours will be spent at the Great Wall, along which you will be able to walk and climb or travel by cable car (optional, price not included). Peking duck dinner in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Beijing / Xian
After breakfast and check-out, depart the hotel for the Summer Palace. After lunch, you will be transferred to Beijing airport for your flight to Xian (ticketed locally). Upon arrival in Xian you will be transferred to the Royal Xian Hotel for 2 nights. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Xian
After breakfast in the hotel, visit the Terracotta Warrior Museum. After a presentation film explaining the history of the site, about two hours will be spent studying the thousands of Terracotta Warriors and their chariots. After lunch, visit the Wild Goose Pagoda and the City Wall. Dinner followed by the Tang Dynasty show. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Xian / Chongqing
Xian/Chongqing: Morning flight to Chongqing (ticketed locally). Lunch and city sightseeing tour. Board cruise boat after dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 8-10 - Yangtze River Cruise
A 3 night journey along China’s longest waterway. Stops will be made en route to visit historical sites and villages. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Yichang / Shanghai
Disembark in Yichang and fly to Shanghai (ticketed locally). Transfer to the Langsheng Hotel or New Century Hotel for 2 nights. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Shanghai
After breakfast in the hotel, a full day sightseeing starts with a visit to the Yu Garden, with typical pagodas and classic architecture from the Qing Dynasty and, after lunch, the Jade Buddha Temple, a functional Buddhist temple. The rest of your time will be spent in Nanjing Road and the famous Bund. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Shanghai / Suzhou
After breakfast, transfer to Suzhou by bus. On the way there will be a stop at Tongli, a typical water village. Continue to Suzhou and check in at New World Astor Hotel for 2 nights. (B,L,D)

Day 14 - Suzhou
After breakfast in the hotel, your morning sightseeing tour includes the Garden of Master of the Nets, a typical Suzhou garden, and the water pass, a pass gate reminiscent of the Grand Canal in Venice. You will then visit a silk spinning factory. Afternoon at leisure to stroll along the old living quarters of the old town. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - Suzhou / Hangzhou
After breakfast in the hotel, you will depart for Hangzhou by bus. After checking into ZheJiang International Hotel, you will cruise on the beautiful West Lake by dragon boat. You will also visit Hua Gang Park by the lake and Tea Plantation. (B,L,D)

Day 16 - Hangzhou / Guilin
Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to Guilin (ticketed locally) and city sightseeing tour. Transfer to the Guilin Plaza Hotel for 2 nights. (B,L,D)

Day 17 - Guilin
After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to the pier for your cruise on the picturesque Li River. The whole morning is spent on the boat with lunch served on board. In the afternoon you will go ashore for a short visit to the interesting market town of Yangshou. From there travel back to Guilin by bus. (B,L,D)

Day 18 - Guilin / Guangzhou
After breakfast in the hotel, you will have time at leisure to explore the town. After lunch, you will visit the Reed Flute Cave. Afternoon flight to Guangzhou (ticketed locally) with city tour. Overnight at Dong Fang Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 19 - Guangzhou / Hong Kong
After breakfast in the hotel, enjoy a tour of Sun Yantsen’s Memorial Hall, the Chen Clan Temple and local Market. After lunch you will be transferred to the train station for your journey to Hong Kong. Transfer to the Kowloon Hotel for 3 nights. (B,L)

Day 20-21 - Hong Kong
At leisure. (RO)

Day 22 - Hong Kong / Heathrow
British Airways flight to Heathrow arriving same day or early next morning.

Supplements: Single supplements available on request

What's Included
• An English speaking local guide for tour element only (including transfers). Yangtze cruise ship staff will look after your onboard requirements and excursions • All entrance fees as appropriate • Air-conditioned transportation • Twin or double bed & private bathroom (Cruise boat accomodation is compact but facilities and service are of a high standard) • Meals included as detailed: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D), No Meals (RO). Breakfast is usually a Western-style buffet in your hotel. Most other meals are taken in local restaurants.

Please Note
Local conditions can and do change, sometimes at short notice and it is possible that we may be advised to change the programme or runnings of any excursions or tour, including accommodation, sometimes without prior notification. Local domestic airport taxes are not included and are payable locally (approx £10 each segment). Alternative but similar hotels may be used at certain times of the year. For departures in 2008, disembark on day 11 will be in Wuhan, instead of Yichang and the accommodation in Hong Kong will be the Miramar Hotel in Kowloon.