Journey from Shanghai's glass and steel, via classical 'silk city' Suzhou, to centuries-old Beijing, before cruising through a land as rich in myth and legend as in startling, spectacular scenery, as the Yangtze, arrested by the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam, plies its ageless course. Laid-back Chengdu, home to Giant Pandas, and ancient Xi'an with its eye-popping Terracotta Army, provide yet more unforgettable sights, before the holiday draws to a close back in Shanghai.
What's Included
- A Shanghai city tour and a visit to the Pearl Tower
- Explore Shanghai's Old City and Yuyuan Chinese Gardens
- Journey to ancient Suzhou and enjoy a canal cruise and a visit to the old city and the silk embroidery institute
- Experience Beijing - including visits to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace
- Journey to the Great Wall, and see the Olympic Stadium
- Entrance to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre in Chengdu
- A guided city tour of Xi'an and a visit to the Terracotta Army excavations
- A four-night, five-star, full-board Yangtze river cruise, visiting the Three Gorges Dam
- 10 nights' breakfast and lunch half-board accommodation at a series of good-quality hotels in Shanghai (2 nights), Suzhou (1), Beijing (3), Chengdu (2) and Xi'an (2)
- Eight dinners, including a Peking Duck dinner
- High-speed train journeys from Suzhou to Beijing, and from Chongqing to Chengdu
- Return flights from your chosen airport to Shanghai
- All internal flights in China
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
- The services of expert, English-speaking guides in China
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced Tour Manager
- Single rooms are available for a supplement
- N.B. Visas are required for travel on this tour (see Further Information)
1
Fly overnight to Shanghai.
2
Upon arrival, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel, before enjoying a guided introduction to the city. The colonial buildings of the riverside Bund, dwarfed by modern Shanghai's skyscrapers, hint at past glories, and surveying it all is the rocket-shaped Pearl TV Tower, a visit to which is included.
3
Enjoy a tour of Old Shanghai, with its 16th-century Yu Yuan classical Chinese garden. After a fascinating morning, board the coach for the 90-minute journey to the ancient city of Suzhou, for an overnight stay.
With its tree-lined waterways, UNESCO-listed classical gardens and its silk trade associations, Suzhou, on the engineering wonder of the Grand Canal, is a breathtaking treasure chest. Discover the charm of the old city, visit the beautiful Lingering Garden and the Silk Embroidery Institute, and enjoy a canal cruise as this fascinating place is brought to life. Late this afternoon, board a high speed train for the journey north to Beijing for three nights.
4
Enjoy a guided tour of the Chinese capital, including Tiananmen Square, Chairman Mao's tomb, the Great Hall of the People, the museums of Chinese History and the Revolution, and the Forbidden City, home to 24 Chinese emperors, who lived in unimaginable splendour behind the imposing walls. End your day with a traditional 'Peking Duck' dinner, in the heart of 'Old Peking'.
5
Travel out to Badaling, where amongst forested hills, part of the Great Wall has been lovingly restored. Your day will also include the opportunity to see for yourself the exterior of the amazing 'Bird's Nest' stadium from the 2008 Olympic Games, and this evening, an optional excursion is offered to the world-famous Beijing Opera.
6
Visit the tranquil Summer Palace at Yiheyuan, and step back in time on a rickshaw tour of the ancient hutongs, 'Old Peking's' fast disappearing labyrinth of narrow alleyways, before bidding farewell to Beijing, transferring to the airport to fly to Yichang, to meet a five-star ship for your Yangtze cruise.
8-10
Beginning with a visit to the extraordinary Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectricity project, you'll spend the next three days cruising through the Xiling, Wuxia and Qutang gorges, through one of China's most dramatic and spectacular regions. Rest and relax on board, join early morning Tai-Chi sessions, learn about the legends of the Three Kingdoms, take in the ever-changing vistas, and enjoy a journey along the beautiful Shennong Stream. On the last evening, join the Captain for a Farewell Dinner and crew show.
11
Disembark in Chongqing, and enjoy a guided introduction to one of modern China's fastest-growing cities. Visit the contrasting 100-year-old streets of Ciqi Kou and beautiful Goose Neck Park, before boarding a fast train into Sichuan province and relaxed, modern Chengdu, for two nights.
12
Enjoy the atmosphere of Eastern Sichuan's capital, where modern developments contrast with traditional tea-houses and colourful shops of old Jinli Lu street. A tour highlight will be the visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre, where you'll learn about these wonderful creatures. Dinner this evening will give you an opportunity to sample traditional Sichuan cuisine.
13
Fly to China's ancient capital, Xi'an, for a two-night stay. Upon arrival, visit the ancient city walls, the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter and view some Tang dynasty monuments. This evening, enjoy a traditional Dumpling Dinner.
14
An unforgettable day sees you visit the legendary Terracotta Army of first Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang, an estimated 8,000 lifelike foot soldiers, horsemen and charioteers that were discovered in 1974. Close by, the yet-to-be-excavated tomb of the emperor is said to contain a vast underground city. The tour of Xi'an's treasures is completed with a visit to the Small Goose Pagoda.
15
Fly back to Shanghai, perhaps to explore the preserved streets of the former French Concession, with its chic boutiques, or to complete your tour with an optional City Nightscape Cruise.
16
Transfer to the airport early this morning, for the daytime flight back to the UK, at the end of a truly wonderful holiday.
