Highlights of China including the Yangtze Cruise

Depart for Beijing and start our Highlights of China holiday.

On arrival in Beijing, we meet our local representative before being transferred to your hotel.

Let's unpack and settle in and experience our new surroundings. We have arrived in Beijing a world wonder, home to many key attractions which we will discover together.

In the evening, we get together for dinner at a local restaurant, where we experience our first local restaurant dining. 

Please note: 

If our flight arrives late, dinner may be changed for lunch.

Your holiday includes bed and breakfast each day in China, plus dinner each night; four in hotels, eight in local restaurants and two on the cruise,  and three lunches are also included.

Experience the wonders beyond Beijing city on an excursion to the iconic Great Wall of China, a Jade Factory and the Sacred Way leading to the Ming Tombs. The ‘pièce de résistance’ of this holiday, the Great Wall, dates back to the 7th century BC in certain sections, and is more than 20,000 miles long. Snaking along lush mountains, this wall was employed by Emperor Qin to protect the first unified kingdom of China. 

In the afternoon, we’ll visit a Jade Factory to see beautiful jewellery and sculptures being expertly carved from jade stone. We’ll then continue to the Sacred Way, home to the Ming Dynasty Tombs, where thirteen emperors are laid to rest. Our visit begins with a walk through the grand ceremonial gateway, setting the scene for this fascinating site.

Kick start your day with a full day tour including, Tiananmen Square and the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City. Though it was a gathering place in the imperial days, Tiananmen Square was Chairman Mao's creation, and major rallies took place here during the Cultural Revolution. This vast square is home to many important buildings and monuments. Off limits to most of the world for 500 years, the Forbidden City is the best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China, and stepping into this magnificent palace is like stepping back in time. The old world of beautiful concubines and emperors, eunuchs and conspicuous wealth still hovers around the lush gardens, courtyards, pavilions and the great halls of the palace.

After, we finish our day with a stroll down Qianmen Street, Beijing’s favourite shopping district. 

We depart Beijing for Xi'an, on a high-speed train (Journey of approx. 4.5hrs), stopping at two places of interest en-route to your hotel on arrival. First, you will visit the Old City Wall of the Ming Dynasty where you will see the towers and defensive fortifications, which protected Xi’an. Afterwards you will visit the Wild Goose Pagoda, which is an ancient 7th century Buddhist example of the iconic Chinese building. Take in the wonder of it all.

After our discovery of ancient wonders, we transfer to our hotel and check in.

The rest of our day is yours to further discover the ancient city of Xi'an.  Our expert guide will be happy to tell you of places of interest. Maybe walk the ancient walls, shop at the local markets, take in a refreshing and relaxing cup of tea in a teahouse. The choice is yours!

Please note for 2025 we will spend three nights in Xi'an. An excursion includes a visit the Terracotta Warrior factory, rural school visit (unless holidays) and vegetable growing base.

On this full day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage site, you will see a remarkable collection of life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses, arranged in battle formations. These figures were buried with the emperor Qin Shi Huang in 210-209 BC, to protect him in his afterlife. They were hidden until 1974 when they were discovered by local farmers and are now a must-see attraction for many who visit China. 

There will be some free time in the late afternoon to spend at your leisure in Xi'an. Shop in the markets, savour time in cafes, exploring more of the old walls or people watching in this fascinating old city.

This morning, transfer to Xi’an Airport for your internal flight to Guilin (approx. 2hrs). On arrival in Guilin, you will be met by your local guide and visit the Reed Flute Cave en-route to your hotel.

Flight times and tickets will be given locally to you by your guide

Check into your hotel and enjoy time at leisure to explore your new surroundings. 

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Guilin Port to board a cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo. During our four-hour journey, we’ll be surrounded by stunning hills and picture-perfect scenery. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some Chinese tea and a set lunch as we sail.

On arrival in Yangshuo Old Town, we’ll have free time to explore this charming and historic area, often veiled in mist that adds to its magical beauty. Later, we’ll return to Guilin and join our fellow travellers for dinner in a local restaurant.

Today, we’ll continue our journey with an internal flight to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. On arrival, we’ll head to Jinli Old Street, a lively pedestrian area filled with cafés, tea houses, and stalls selling everything from local crafts to sweet treats. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this charming street, followed by some free time to have lunch (not included).

Your flight tickets and timings will be provided locally by your guide.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit People’s Park, Chengdu’s first public park, established in 1911. It’s a lovely place to relax and people-watch, and it’s also home to the famous “Matchmaking Corner”, where parents and grandparents search for suitable partners for their unmarried children.

We’ll have the chance to enjoy a cup of tea with some locals and learn how to play Mahjong, an ancient tile-based game that originated in China during the Qing Dynasty; before transferring to our hotel in Chengdu.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a traditional Hot Pot dinner, followed by a colourful Sichuan Opera performance, now that is an experience to remember! 

Today, we will visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Centre to see China’s national treasure, the giant panda, which is one of the rarest animals in the world. This is a wonderful opportunity to stroll through the centre and observe these gentle creatures as they eat, play, and relax in their natural surroundings.

After some free time for lunch, we visit the largest and oldest Taoist temple in Chengdu and Southeast China, the Qing Yang Gong Taoist Temple, where you will be welcomed by a pair of bronze goat statues. Discover the Eight Trigrams Pavilion which reflects the ancient Chinese philosophy that 'the sky is round and the ground is square'.

This morning, we will take a two-hour train journey to Chongqing, a vibrant city set on the banks of the Yangtze River and surrounded by rolling hills. On arrival, we will be met by our local guide and enjoy a half-day city tour, taking in some of Chongqing’s highlights. Afterwards, there will be free time to explore this lively city at our own pace, perhaps discovering its bustling markets or sampling some of its famous spicy cuisine.

After dinner at a local restaurant, we will transfer to Chongqing Port to board our river cruise. Once on board, we can settle into our cabins and take some time to explore the ship’s facilities as we begin our three-night journey along the majestic Yangtze River.

For the early risers you can start the day with some Tai Chi classes. This will leave you with a sense of calm and peacefulness and a great way to start your day.

After breakfast we set off on our first shore excursion.

Fengdu Ghost City, home to temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld , or you could just relax and enjoy the facilities of your ship.

Sit back and soak up the ever changing scenery as we sail down the Yangtze.

“Please note that these excursions may vary depending on the direction of the cruise. This itinerary is based on a downstream journey, and alternative excursions may be offered if the cruise direction changes.”

During our cruise we will have the chance to participate in the Captain's welcome party followed by a buffet dinner while cruising along the Yangtze River. Don't forget to pack smart casual clothes for the dinner.

Start another day with Thai Chi classes before breakfast on board your cruise. There may be the possibility to go on an optional excursion to the White Emperor City, which is located at the entrance of the Qutang Gorge on the north bank of the river. Marvel at the breath-taking scenery from the Qutang Gorge that extends only 8 km from White Emperor Town to Daxi Town, and it is flanked with the Mount ChiJia in the north and Mount Baiyan in the south. The cruise will continue to the Wu Gorge, which runs 45 km and it is known as the most enchanting of the three gorges. This gorge is surrounded by twelve peaks, is often shrouded in mist and has become the theme of many poems and paintings in Chinese history.

In the afternoon, we experience a shore excursion to the Lesser Three Gorges or Shennv Stream (depending on the river conditions).

Let's make the most of our last night onboard with onboard entertainment which is often a crew talent show. 

We say farewell to our scenic cruise along the magnificent Yangtze and disembark the cruise in Yichang. We transfer to the airport for a flight to Shanghai (alternative routes/transport may be used for operational reasons). 

Alternatively, if flights are not available we will depart by train to Shanghai. The journey can take approximately six hours, depending on the train type. Sit back and relax as we watch the world go. This is the perfect time to brush up on Mandarin, listen to a podcast or read that book you have wanted to delve into.

Flight or train tickets and times will be given locally by your guide.

The rest of our evening is free to relax and soak up our surroundings. Our local guide will be happy to tell you about places to visit to make the most of your time here in bustling Shanghai!

2025 We spend one night in Shanghai. Morning city tour is included on the last day as per itinerary. Late check out is included with dinner en route to airport. 

Let's uncover this dynamic city on a  half-day guided excursion, including both the new and Old Shanghai. See more on a visit to the Oriental Pearl Tower or the Financial Centre Tower, taking in the panoramic views of this bustling city, the beautiful Yu Garden, the old town of Shanghai, Shikumen Open House Museum and the bustling Xintiandi Street. Time to take a short break and perhaps enjoy a refreshing cup of tea.

The afternoon is yours to discover Shanghai. Why not shop for some last-minute souvenirs in one of the huge shopping malls dotted around the city or photograph some of the fantastic architecture in this modern metropolis. We also recommend a visit to the Shanghai Museum, which is often regarded as the best museum in China.

 We say farewell to Shanghai and our journey through the Highlights of China as transfer to Shanghai Airport for our flights home. 

Note: For flights with a night time departure from Shanghai, a late check out and evening meal at a local restaurant enroute to the airport.

Please note - 2025 itinerary varies.