Treasures of China & Yangtze River Cruise

Overnight flight to China's capital

Meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London Heathrow and board an overnight flight to Beijing via Hong Kong.

Free time on arrival in Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, met by a local English-speaking guide and transfer to a central four-star hotel near Wangfujing Street. Rest of the day is free to relax or explore. Dinner together at the hotel.

Meals: Dinner

Walking along the Great Wall of China

Travel to Mutianyu to admire a beautifully restored section of the Great Wall. Take a cable car to the wall and explore towers and parapets. Stop for photos and lunch on the way back. Evening Peking duck dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Exploring Beijing and the iconic Forbidden City

Guided sightseeing tour including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the 15th-century Temple of Heaven. Lunch at a local restaurant. Evening free to dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

From imperial Beijing to the Silk Road city of Xi'an by rail

Board a First Class high-speed train from Beijing to Xi'an (750 miles, approx. 5.5 hours, up to 186mph). Check in to four-star hotel. Dumpling banquet for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Ancient Xi'an and the jaw-dropping Terracotta Army

Visit the Terracotta Army (8,000+ sculptures). Lunch at a restaurant. Explore the Ming Dynasty city walls and Muslim Quarter including the Great Mosque. Evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Tang Dynasty Xi'an and to Chengdu by rail

Relaxed morning then transfer to railway station. High-speed train to Chengdu with picnic lunch on board. Check in to the city's oldest five-star hotel. Dinner of Sichuan specialities at the hotel restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chengdu's pandas and historic temples

Morning visit to the Panda Research Centre. Lunch at a restaurant. Visit the Buddhist Wenshu Temple and stroll along Jinli Street. Rest of the day free to explore and dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning tea ceremony and boarding our Yangtze cruise ship

Visit a teahouse in People's Park. Lunch at a local restaurant. High-speed First Class train to Chongqing. Dinner at a local restaurant. Board the five-star Century Glory cruise ship.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The verdant hills of Shuanggui Mountain National Park

Optional tai chi lesson on board. Shore excursion to Shuanggui Hill National Forest Park. Optional excursion to Fengdu Ghost City (payable locally). Cultural activities on board before dinner. Optional War Fire of the Three Kingdoms show (payable locally).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Marvelling at the Yangtze's breathtaking gorges

Optional tai chi before breakfast. Optional excursion to White Emperor City (payable locally). Sail through Qutang and Wu Gorges. Afternoon sailing excursion along Shennong Stream. Captain's farewell banquet and on-board cabaret show.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The incredible Three Gorges Dam and to Shanghai by rail

Dock in Maoping. Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam. Lunch then transfer to Yichang station. High-speed train to Shanghai with picnic dinner on arrival. Check in to five-star hotel near East Nanjing Road.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Exploring the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao

Guided tour of Zhujiajiao's canals, bridges and pagodas. Lunch. Visit a silk mill, the Garden of Cultivation and a scenic canal cruise. Return to Shanghai. Evening free to dine independently.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Tradition and history in China's biggest city

Guided sightseeing tour: Yu Garden, Yuyuan marketplace, French Concession (free time for lunch), Jade Buddha Temple. Farewell dinner at a Yunnan cuisine restaurant. Evening cruise along the Huangpu River past the Bund and Pudong.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Homeward bound

After breakfast, board the Maglev train (265mph+, First Class) to the airport. Fly from Shanghai to London Heathrow via Hong Kong, arriving this evening.

Meals: Breakfast