Grand Tour of China

To Beijing

Your tour begins with a flight from London to Beijing, arriving into this bustling city on Day 2. On arrival, your exploration of Beijing begins, with a guided tour. Visit Tiananmen Square, the location of the now infamous 1989 uprising and, at over 4 million square feet, the largest city square in the world.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you continue this afternoon to the Forbidden City - a palace and garden complex once inhabited by the Chinese royal family, and now preserved as a testament to China's long history. The incredible complex was built on a grand scale, with 980 buildings spread over 180 acres housing the family, their staff and the royal guard from 1406 to the abdication of the last Chinese Emperor in 1912. Constructed to reflect the Purple Palace, where it was thought god resided in heaven, the Forbidden City's opulence is testament to the Emperor's role as a divine ruler.

Please Note: For departures 18CVS05a and 18CVS05b you will stay in the Novotel Xinqiao Beijing hotel in Beijing.

The Great Wall of China

This morning begins with a rickshaw tour of Beijing's hutongs, or backstreets, known for their association with the city's history.

Later, enjoy a highlight of your holiday, with a visit to the iconic Great Wall of China. You visit the Badaling section of the wall, one of the best preserved and most visited parts of this worldfamous structure. Built in the Ming Dynasty, Badaling has proved the favourite portion of the wall for many famous faces, including Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. After time to explore this magnificent piece of ancient engineering at your own pace, you return to Beijing, pausing en-route at the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube - examples of Beijing's modern architecture - for a photo opportunity. After a busy day exploring Beijing's best attractions, you enjoy a dinner of authentic Peking duck tonight.

Shanghai’s secrets

Leave the capital behind this morning, as you board the high-speed train to Shanghai. On arrival, you are met by a local English-speaking guide, who takes you on a sightseeing tour. Discover the iconic Bund, part of the city's famously futuristic architecture, as well as the French Concession, where distinctive western architecture pays testament to the history of French colonialism in this region. There is also time to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Nanjing Road, a largely pedestrianised thoroughfare and major shopping centre in Shanghai. Afterwards, dinner is served at a local restaurant.

Continue your tour of Shanghai on Day 5, with a visit to some of the city's hidden attractions. Yu Garden is an oasis of peace amidst Shanghai's lively streets, situated in the older quarters of the city. The extensive gardens are spread out over 5 acres, and have a serene feel, with the typical features of Imperial gardens created by China's former rulers - from ornate pavillions and tranquil pools filled with brightly-coloured fish, to curious stacked rockeries and decadent halls with traditional winged roofs. You also visit the Old City of Shanghai, the Chinese enclave that resisted the influences of the foreign concessions in the aftermath of the Opium Wars, and the Yuyuan Bazaar, a busy shopping quarter adjacent to the city's oldest street.

This afternoon, transfer to Maoping to board the Goddess II cruise ship, for a journey by water through some of China's most dramatic and beautiful scenery.

Cruising the Yangtze

Today, your scenic cruise along the Yangtze River begins. You take a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam today, before your ship passes through the striking Xiling Gorge. On Day 7, the ship makes its way through the Qutang and Wu Gorges, both renowned for their beauty.

On Day 8 you visit Fengdu Ghost Town.

Chengdu and its pandas

Disembark from the ship today in Chongqing, where you board the high-speed train to Chengdu. On arrival, you take in the city's highlights, including the Wenshu Monastery, which boasts the title of Chengdu's best-preserved Buddhist temple, and lively Jinli Street. On Day 10 you visit the Panda Research Centre, where pandas are studied and cared for. Following lunch in a local restaurant, you visit the famous Leshan Giant Buddha, an ancient monument that stands over 200ft tall.

The Terracotta Warriors

Transfer to Xi'an, the ancient former capital of China, by rail today. Tonight, sample local specialities, with a dumpling banquet for dinner. On Day 12, you visit the incredible Terracotta Warriors, which were discovered on the outskirts of Xi'an in the 1970s. Later, return to the city for a guided tour, taking in a wealth of ancient sites - from the imposing city walls, to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Mosque.

Return to London

Board your scheduled flight from Xi'an to London Heathrow today. Your tour concludes on arrival in the UK.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.