2019/2020 Beijing > Shanghai

Authentic China beckons

From old timber houses on narrow cobbled streets to cormorant fishermen using their fascinating techniques, this itinerary is your opportunity to discover a China many modern travellers don’t get to witness first-hand.

It’s the China beyond Beijing and Shanghai – a charming wonderland where ancient crafts are still applied in the time-honoured fashion. You’ll get to embrace natural wonders, from rivers that snake through beautiful rolling landscapes to striking limestone outcrops that evoke images of old oriental water colour paintings. There’s something both strange and familiar about the places you’ll visit, at once thrillingly new and comfortingly recognisable. That is part of their allure, and their wonder.

Tour Code:: CHGC
Duration:: 19 days
Departure City:: Beijing
Return City:: Shanghai

Selected Itinerary

19 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Beijing

Begin your amazing discovery of China with a Peking duck welcome dinner. Your hotel for the next four nights is located close to the Forbidden City and many shopping malls.

Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - Beijing

Start your tour with a special highlight as you visit China’s most iconic attraction, the Great Wall at Mutianyu.

Freechoice

Spend an unforgettable evening at either the famed Peking Opera or the spectacular Kung Fu Show.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 - Beijing

Wander through Tiananmen Square and enter the mysterious Forbidden City. Afterwards, enjoy lunch with a local family in a traditional home in the hutongs before relaxing on a rickshaw ride through the ancient laneways.

Freechoice Dining

Choose between mixed Asian at Lost Heaven or Western dishes at The Exchange.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Beijing

Freechoice

Hunt for ingredients at the wet markets for a wonderful interactive cooking class. Alternatively, learn the ancient art of writing Chinese calligraphy or visit the incredible 15th century Temple of Heaven.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to perhaps shop at the Silk Markets.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 - Beijing > Yichang > Yangtze River Cruise

Explore the Summer Palace and enjoy a cruise on Kunming Lake. Later, fly to Yichang to join your boutique cruise ship, Yangzi Explorer. On board, enjoy included wine and beer with your lunch and dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Yangtze River Cruise

Visit the Three Gorges Dam project site. Later, sail through Xiling Gorge while sampling afternoon tea. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s reception.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Yangtze River Cruise

Glide through the dramatic gorges of Shennong Stream by longboat (sampan). Later, traverse Wu Gorge, known for its sheer rock walls, and Qutang Gorge, the most dramatic of the three gorges.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Yangtze River Cruise

Join an insightful excursion to Fuling to see the 816 Underground Project. Tonight, mingle at the Taste of China gala dinner. Be sure to dress in your finest Chinese outfit.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Yangtze River Cruise > Chongqing > Chengdu

Disembark and tour around Chongqing and the ancient town of Ciqikou, known for its porcelain. Experience China’s new high-speed train network on the way to Chengdu and settle in for a two night stay.

Freechoice Dining

Dinner is a delicious choice between traditional Sichuan cuisine at Shang Palace, western ribs and burgers at Mooney’s Irish bar, or international fare at Café Z.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Chengdu

Enrich

A special day with an enchanting encounter with rare giant panda cubs.

Wander through the old quarter of town and visit Jinli Street, one of the oldest commercial streets in China, and the second century Wuhou Temple.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Chengdu > Xi’an

Travel on the new High Speed Train to Xi’an and then explore the ancient city wall on foot, by bike or electric buggy. Tonight, enjoy a performance at the Tang Dynasty Cultural Show over dinner. You’ll spend the next two nights at your historically located hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - Xi’an

Enrich

Gaze at Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s amazing Terracotta Warriors in the company of a museum curator, an incredible opportunity to learn first-hand about the restoration process.

Later, enjoy a stroll around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Thanksgiving Temple.

Enrich

Be treated to a private after hours viewing of ancient artefacts at a local museum. Savour refreshing drinks and learn about the history of Shaanxi Province from the museum’s curator.

Sundowners

Continue your refreshments overlooking the Big Wild Goose Pagoda at sunset.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13 - Xi’an > Guilin

Explore the maze of markets in the Muslim Quarter before flying to Guilin for an overnight stay at your elegant hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14 - Guilin > Yangshuo

Enjoy picturesque vistas as you sail down the idyllic Li River to Yangshuo. Later, stroll around the Old Town before settling back at the luxurious hotel for a two night Special Stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 15 - Yangshuo

Venture into the countryside to discover a rural way of life rarely encountered by tourists. Visit Fuli, the hometown of China’s iconic painted paper fans. You’ll even get to meet a master of the art and try your hand in creating your own souvenir.
This evening, witness the amazing Impression Liu Sanjie Show.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16 - Yangshuo > Guilin > Shanghai

Return to Guilin and fly to cosmopolitan Shanghai. Travel on the high speed Maglev train, then enjoy a three night Special Stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17 - Shanghai

Stroll along the famous Bund and compare its striking heritage buildings to those in Yu Gardens. Across the Huangpu River, explore the Pudong area and discover modern China. Later, admire the view from Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in Pudong. Tonight, witness the renowned agility and skill of the Shanghai Acrobats.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 18 - Shanghai

Freechoice

Visit the Shanghai Museum and People’s Square before exploring the French Concession and Xintiandi pedestrian dining and entertainment area. Alternatively, visit Zhujiajiao, a town with a rich canal life and a wealth of traditional buildings and bridges or cruise along Huangpu River.

Later, spend your free time exploring Nanjing Road, with its wealth of shopping opportunities before enjoying your farewell dinner.

Sundowners

Soak in the view of the Bund and Pudong with farewell drinks from the rooftop bar.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 19 - Shanghai

It’s the end of a journey you’ll look back on fondly for years.

Meals Included: Breakfast