Guaranteed departure holiday commencing in Beijing every Wednesday , with a minimum of 2 passengers.

This itinerary combines China’s classic sights of Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai with a journey along the great Yangtze River. It is a distillation of China’s highlights providing not only an insight into urban and rural China but also a flavour of this 5,000-year-old civilisation. Famed for her beauty and feared for the destructive power unleashed when seasonal floods break her banks, the Yangtze River or Chang Jiang has long held an iconic place in Chinese culture, art and literature.

Day 2 Beijing (B, L)
A morning tour of Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, and the Palace Museum, known as the Forbidden City; the complex of imperial palaces were home to China's emperors for over 500 years in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Some of the grand halls have been used as museums for fine collections of Chinese treasures. After lunch you will be driven to visit the Summer Palace, a former summer resort for the royal family, and take a boat ride on its Lake Kunming if weather permits. This evening you will be free or have the option to attend an evening show - "The Legend of Kongfu".

Day 3 Beijing (B, L, D)
Join a full day excursion to the Great Wall - the landmark of China. It is one of the most amazing feats of human labour. You are to visit the less crowded Mutianyu section with ascent by cable car included. Mid-afternoon, you will return to the city and visit old Beijing - Hutongs - by trishaw and have tea with a local family.
This evening you will be treated to a delicious Beijing roast duck dinner.

Day 4 Beijing - Xi'an (B, L )
Your sightseeing this morning is the Temple of Heaven, where the Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests. It is the largest temple complex remaining in China today. After lunch, take a two-hour flight to Xi'an, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 5 Xi'an (B, L )
This exciting day of sightseeing will include the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses at the Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin Emperor, and the Bronze Chariots. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in 652 AD. It contains a large volume of Buddhist scriptures which were obtained from India by the eminent monk Xuanzang. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 6 Xi'an – Chongqing (B, L, D)
This morning, visit the Shanxi Provincial Museum where you will discover how Xi'an became the cradle of Chinese culture. Visit the ancient City Wall, one of few well-preserved ones in China. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to the airport for a one-hour flight to Chongqing. A short city tour, if time permits, and then you are transferred to the dock to board the Yangtze cruise ship, your home for the next 3 days.

Day 7 Cruising on the Yangtze (B, L, D)
After breakfast enjoy a two hours’ shore excursion to Fengdu – Ghost City or Shibaozhai.
Cruise through the spectacular Qutang Gorge
Lunch & dinner on board

Day 8 Cruising on the Yangtze (B, L, D)
Today you will witness some of the most fascinating sights in all of China.
Enjoy a shore excursion at Shennong Stream or Lesser Three Gorges. You will continue cruising through the Wu Gorge and the west part of Xiling Gorges.
Lunch and dinner on-board.

Day 9 Yichang – Shanghai (B, L )
Pass the east part of Xiling Gorge, which is famous for its strangely shaped cliff faces. Enjoy a shore excursion at the Three Gorges Dam Project, one of the largest construction project ever undertaken and it will forever change the face of the Yangtze River. After disembarkation at Yichang, you will be transferred to airport for your afternoon flight to Shanghai, a cosmopolitan, and bustling city. You will be transferred to your hotel and free for the remainder of the day.

Day 10 Shanghai (B, L, D)
Your sightseeing this morning features a tour of the Yuyuan Garden, the old area of the city, and a stroll along the lively waterfront, known as the "Bund". After lunch, a visit to the Jade Buddha Temple.
After dinner, you will have an opportunity to enjoy a stunning acrobatic show.

Day 11 Departure (B)
At leisure until your transfer to the airport for homebound flight.

End of your unforgettable China trip.

For Holiday Pricing please contact us for details.

Hotels are as listed or similar

4* Hotels

• Beijing: Holiday Inn Downtown or Merchantel Hotel
• Xi’an: Aurum International Hotel or Mercure on Renmin Square
• Shanghai: Hengsheng Peninsula International Hotel or Yun's Paradise

5* Hotels

• Beijing: Wangfujing Grand Hotel
• Xi'an: Grand Park Hotel
• Shanghai: Howard Johnson Business Club Hotel

Services included:

• 10 nights accommodation in 4 or 5* star hotels with daily western breakfast.
• Flights Beijing/Xi’an/Chongqing & Yichang/Shanghai in economy class including taxes
• Meals & shows as indicated in the itinerary.
• Scheduled join-in sightseeing by air-conditioned vehicle
• Fullboard on 5* Yangtze cruise include all excursions
• English speaking local guide service
• Luggage handling and transfers from airport to hotel and vice versa.