19 days
Magical China Tour

International airfare from the UK is usually between £550 to £800 per person(economy class return). Price varies depending upon the season and availability. However if you search online, you can get some great deals. 

Therefore you may either book your own international flights, or ask us to assist you to book the flights under our ATOL protection.

Our Tour Guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Beijing.

If your flight arrives in the morning and you have the afternoon free, then you can consider taking our optional Afternoon Tour to the Lama Temple. 

The Lama Temple (Yonghegong) is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples in the world, built in the 17th century.

After the temple visit, our guide will take you to explore some colourful cultural streets of the capital city, Houhai area. It has an abundance of local handcrafts shops and numerous bars and restaurants. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, and our guide will either escort you back to hotel, or you may stay longer by yourselves to enjoy the local buzzing atmosphere.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today, we will visit the less touristy Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. This section of the wall is also equipped with a cable car if you prefer ride, instead of walk (fee payable locally).

Take your time for breakfast, as we wait for the traffic to ease before setting off. We have allocated a full day to visit the Wall, as this is a main highlight of any trip to China. 

In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner including Peking Duck.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

Enjoy a full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. Our tour includes visiting the land marks such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Also, to have a glimpse of traditional Beijing family and people's life, a Hutong Rickshaw tour is included, and we have lunch with a local family.

In the evening, book an (optional) local variety show, or you may wish to just relax and explore Beijing by yourselves. 

(Includes Breakfast)

Morning at your leisure until our flight to Xian which is normally around mid afternoon.

Take an optional morning tour to the Summer Palace and 2008 Bird's Nest Olympics Stadium (exteriors only) 

Later, transfer to the airport for our flight to Xian, where you will meet our local guide. 

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast we take a guided tour to see the Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Museum, Xian ancient Bell Tower and Drum Tower. Later we take a leisurely stroll on the ancient city walls. 

Evening entertainment includes: Tang Dynasty Show with dinner of dumplings.

(Includes Breakfast)

Our flight to Chengdu is around mid afternoon, so the morning is free for you to explore Xian at leisure.

Alternatively, you can take a guided morning tour, visiting the Muslim Quarter, Xian's Wooden Mosque and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

In the late afternoon we take a flight to Chengdu, the home of China's most famous residents, the Giant Panda.

Our Optional evening variety style show is in one of the best theatres in Chengdu and includes the amazing face-changing performance. 

(Includes Breakfast)

Today we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. We will visit in the morning, as this is the best time to watch the pandas enjoying their bamboo breakfast. 

You will have plenty of time to watch the pandas and enjoy their playful antics. The Breeding Centre also usually sell a photo opportunity with a Panda (pay on the spot). Please be aware the fee is high and there is always a long queue, but it is a great souvenir.

Towards lunch time, our guide will drop you off at the popular Jin Li street and Kuan Zai Ally, where there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, tea houses and handicraft stalls to explore. You may choose to explore at your own leisurely, or come with us for an optional tour to see the Leshan Giant Buddha Statue. The optional tour includes a pleasant boat ride to see the huge statue carved into the hillside.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning, we take a flight to Guilin, where we meet our local guide and transfer to your hotel. 

After a short time to freshen up, we have a guided tour of Guilin. Our tour includes visiting either the delightful Fubo Hill or Elephant Trunk Hill and the exotic rock formations in Reed Flute Cave.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast we take an hour drive to Zhujiang Dock and board our boat for a leisurely cruise down the picturesque Li River, surrounded by majestic limestone hills and rice terraces. The cruise is a great opportunity to witness the lifestyle of rural communities that live along the river banks. You are likely to see many forms of river transport, farmers busy working in the rice fields, children playing along the banks and water buffalo cooling themselves in the river.

Lunch will be served on board and we will disembark upon arrival at Yangshuo. This is a charming ancient town that is famous for its beautiful scenery and tranquil countryside.

Optional Evening entertainment * The spectacular Liusanjian Impression show is a outdoor performance set to the scenic backdrop of Yangshou's mountains and rivers. This masterpiece combining awesome natural scenery with an excellent theatrical production.

(Includes Breakfast)

Time to explore this beautiful town at your own leisure. 

Alternatively, take an optional tour to the village of Longsheng, famous for it's rice terraces cut into the mountain sides.

(Includes Breakfast)

Return to Guilin airport for our flight to Kunming. Meet our local guide upon arrival and check-in to your hotel. After a short rest we start our guided tour to see the fabulous Stone Forest. 

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

Take a morning flight to Dali, renowned for its historical artefacts and ethnic culture.

Meet our guide upon arrival and take a short stroll around the entrance area to Erhai Lake.

After lunch, we visit the Three Pagodas in Chongshen Monastery which has a history of over 1,800 years. 

Later, we visit Dali Town and walk around its historic ancient streets. Enjoy a relaxing time with the local people of Dali. Afterwards we climb up the City Wall of Dali for panoramic views across Erhai Lake.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, we drive to Lijiang Ancient Town (183km), by air conditioned private transportation.

Explore the Old Town of Lijiang, with a history more than 800 years. Afterwards we visit Black Pond pagoda, which majestically overlooks Jade Mountain.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

Today we drive to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains, which stretch 22 miles and are 13 miles wide.

We take a sightseeing bus for a short visiting alongside the Baishuihe River and take a chair-lift to Yak Meadow. After lunch, we take a stroll through a traditional ethnic minority village. 

(Optional)*Special Show - Lijiang Impression Ethnic Show in Ganhaizi Meadow. Tickets must be requested well in advance.

(Includes Breakfast)

After breakfast, we drive to visit the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge, a scenic canyon on the Jinsha River. 

* The tour itinerary can change to fly to Hong Kong instead of Shanghai if you prefer. Price difference will apply.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

We leave Lijang and take a flight to Shanghai. Meet our local guide upon arrival and check-in to our hotel. 

After a short rest, we start our city tour of Shanghai. Our tour includes visiting Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds. We then explore the famous promenade and marvel at the futuristic landscape of magnificent towers and building situated along the Huangpu River and the Bund. Finally our tour takes us to the historic districts of Shanghai and we visit the former colonial French quarters, known locally as 'Heaven on Earth'.

Optional evening entertainment  available to book: Martial art show, dance show etc.

(Includes Breakfast)

We leave this final full day for you to explore this cosmopolitan city at your own leisure, to relax, and perhaps do some shopping in Shanghai's incredible shopping malls.

Or you may wish to take an optional tour with us to the Water village of Zhu-jia-jiao. We will take a pleasant stroll through the village and you will have the opportunity to take a relaxing boat ride.

(Includes Breakfast)

Today, you will be met at your hotel and take the super fast Maglev train to the airport (Please note this is subject to train operating times). If the train is not operating, our local guide will escort you to the airport by private transportation).

Extra nights at the same hotel in Shanghai can be provided upon request, with re-arranged airport transfer for free.

There are a number of tour extensions available. Please browse 'China Tour Extensions' under China region for details and prices. Or, there are options such as Seoul stopover, or taking one of our Japan guided tours as an extension of your dream holiday to the Far East.