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Discover the incredible beauty, history and cuisine of China - VISA-FREE.

Longsheng Tour - 17 Night Itinerary

A deluxe tour of China, from Beijing to Xi'an, Chengdu to Shanghai with longer in beautiful Yangshuo and Longsheng and its incredible rice terraces. End the journey at Hangzhou beside beautiful West Lake.

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Travel Highlights

  • Explore Beijing's Imperial wonders, ancient temples and timeless hutongs
  • Walk on the Great Wall, away from the crowds
  • Come face-to-face with the magnificent Terracotta Army
  • Immerse yourself in Xi'an Muslim Quarter
  • Visit Chengdu's pandas and enjoy a cooking class in Sichuanese cuisine
  • Observe beautiful karst landscapes in Yangshuo
  • Enjoy a guided cycle tour along the Yulong River
  • Marvel at the incredible rice terraces in Longsheng
  • Explore Shanghai, visiting the French quarter, the Bund and famous Yu Yuan Gardens. 
  • Admire beautiful Chinese gardens in an ancient water town near Suzhou
  • End your tour in Hangzhou, spending a magical time on West Lake
  • Stay in excellet boutique and 5 star hotels throughout

Tour Route

This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.

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Map of Longsheng

Tour Itinerary

Roll1 B006449 R1 13 13
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Thursday, 04 June 2026

Fly to Beijing

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Beijing.


Friday, 05 June 2026

Arrive in Beijing

Arrive in Beijing in the morning and transfer to your chosen hotel for a 4-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure.


Saturday, 06 June 2026

Guided city tour

Enjoy a guided tour of Beijing today visiting Tiananmen Square and the iconic Forbidden City. Beautifully restored for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Forbidden City courtyards and rooms are a joy to explore.

We then ascend coal hill just behind the Forbidden City for a spectacular view of the entire site and layout of the whole of Beijing. 

Continue to an ancient 'Hutong', where many older Beijingers still reside, living in small single story homes laid out facing inner courtyards. The outer streets are a hive of activity, with locals gathering to socialise and play Chinese chess or whizz about on the city's famous bicycles. Enjoy an included lunch at a family home, gaining valuable insights into their lives here. There will also be opportunities for you to enjoy some cultural activities, tailored to your interests. You might like to learn the ancient arts of calligraphy or paper cutting or perhaps attempt to cook the Chinese way by making some local dumplings.


Sunday, 07 June 2026

The Summer Palace

This morning we visit the beautiful Summer Palace, renovated by Emperor Qianlong during the 18th century with variety of traditional Chinese temples, pavilions, lakes and gardens.

Continue to visit the 798 art district and fascinating Panjiayuan Antiques Market, a great place for buying souvenirs.


Monday, 08 June 2026

The Great Wall of China

Today we visit the Jinshanling Section of the Great Wall, from where we enjoy a guided hike. Contrary to popular myth, the Great Wall cannot be seen from the moon. It is, nonetheless, still one of the most famous symbols of China dating back over 2000 years. Stretching for over 6000 km, the wall spans from ancient Manchuria to the edge of the Gobi desert in the west. 

11924 Hotel Cote Cour
Beijing & Great Wall - First Boutique

Hotel Cote Cour Beijing

The Cote Cour is a renowned boutique hotel spread out around a traditional inner courtyard and nestled in one of the historic centuries-old Hutongs. Fully refurbished in 2016, the rooms and communal areas are decorated to a high standard with classic paintings, furnishings and details, evoking a deep connection with the long history of the…

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5889 Regent Hotel
Beijing & Great Wall - Deluxe Hotel

Regent Beijing

A multi-award winning luxury hotel close to Tiananmen Square and shopping streets, providing guests with outstanding service in opulent surrounds. 500 spacious rooms and suites are elegantly finished in a traditional Chinese style, whilst floor-to-ceiling windows fill the rooms with natural light and afford panoramic views, including one of the Forbidden City from some. Connecting…

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8772 Xian Terracotta Army
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Tuesday, 09 June 2026

The Temple of Heaven & train to Xi'an

This morning visit the Temple of Heaven located in a park where locals gather. The temple is simple in structure, but strongly symbolic. Learn how the ancient emperors considered themselves messengers from heaven, a belief that predates Buddhism and Taoism. Continue to the railway station and travel by high speed train to Xi'an. On arrival, our guide will transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast. 


Wednesday, 10 June 2026

Terracotta Warriors & Xi'an tour

One of the highlights of the tour is a today's visit to see the mighty Terracotta Warriors. In 1974, a few farmers stumbled upon the warriors by accident. Today they are housed in a grand mausoleum housing the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi's immense army of infantrymen, archers and cavalry riders to protect him in the afterlife. We continue to Xian and explore the city wall and ramparts built during the Ming Dynasty.

We also discover Xi'an's Islamic history with it being the start (and end) of the silk road. Muslims total over 15 million inhabitants in China - we visit a Chinese-style Mosque and the lively night market. 

5704 Tianyu Gloria Plaza
Xi'an and Terracotta Army - First Hotel

Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel Xi'an

This modern hotel is located close to the city centre, around a 10 minute walk to the city walls and to the Peace Gate. It offers 345 well-appointed rooms and suites, all attractively decorated and with good facilities, as well as a cafe, bar and two restaurants, one Chinese and the other western. The hotel…

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5894 Sofitel On Renmin Square
Xi'an and Terracotta Army - Deluxe Hotel

Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square

This 5 star hotel curves gracefully along the side of the historic Renmin Square, right in the heart of this ancient city and within easy reach of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, as well as the Great Mosque and the bustling night markets of the Muslim Quarter. 178 spacious rooms are equipped with modern…

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Chengdu
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Thursday, 11 June 2026

Chengdu tour and an evening at the opera

Transfer to the train station for your morning bullet train journey to Chengdu. On arrival enjoy a guided tour visiting the Wenshu Temple and a leisurely stroll through People’s Park watching locals perfecting the arts of tai-chi, kung-fu, sword dance, meditation, dance and gymnastics. After checking into your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast, enjoy an evening performance of Sichuan Opera, known for three distinct features: changing faces, spitting fire and rolling light. 


Friday, 12 June 2026

Dujiangyan Panda Base & Sichuan cooking class

Today we visit the Dujiangyan Panda Base, located near Chengdu, and enjoy quality time with giant pandas, baby pandas and red pandas.

The Dujiangyan Panda Base specialises in giant panda rescue and disease prevention in China. At present, there are more than 30 giant pandas and 5 red pandas living here. In the afternoon we visit the Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Museum to enjoy a cooking class to learn how to cook Sichuan style. Lunch is included today.

5885 Buddha Zen
Chengdu & Pandas - First Hotel

Buddha Zen Hotel Chengdu

Located close to the Wenshu Yuan Monastery, this spiritually themed 4 star hotel aims to give visitors an insight into traditional Buddhist life. It offers 35 tranquil rooms and well-equipped rooms, all thoughtfully  decorated in an elegant style true to the spirit of the hotel. The courtyard-style building is filled with ancient paintings and statues each…

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5893 The Ritz Carlton
Chengdu & Pandas - Deluxe Hotel

The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu

As you might expect from a Ritz-Carlton, this hotel delivers luxury and service on an unparalleled level in Chengdu. Its collection of spacious and stylish rooms look out onto fine city views of Chengdu's skyscrapers and offer a host of facilities and features including:

  • Twice-daily housekeeping attention
  • LCD TVs (at least 42 inches)
  • Exclusive Asprey bath amenities
  • Blu-ray disc/DVD…
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Li River, Guilin
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Saturday, 13 June 2026

Fly to Guilin and onto Yangshuo

Transfer to Chengdu airport and fly to Guilin. On arrival, our guide will transfer you to your chosen hotel in Yangshuo for a 3-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure.


Sunday, 14 June 2026

Guided tour of Yangshuo and around

This morning enjoy a guided cycle tour from Yangshuo to Baisha village along the Yulong River through scenic fruit orchards filled with oranges, mandarins, chestnuts, and pomelos. Enjoy the picturesque Guangxi countryside, known for its striking karst peaks. Continue on a picturesque Bamboo Rafting excursion along on Yulong River, admiring the spectacular landscapes. Later, walk to a viewing point on the Li River and enjoy a cup of Chinese Tea toasting to the beautiful sunset.


Monday, 15 June 2026

Explore breathtaking scenery & local villages

This morning visit Ruyifeng Peak rising majestically amidst the enchanting karst mountains of Yangshuo, known for its distinctive shape, resembling a “ruyi” scepter, a symbol of good fortune in Chinese culture. Continue to Xingping, known for its old Ming and Qing Dynasty houses and for its market. The village is surrounded by “sugar loaf Mountains” with names such as “Five-Finger Hill” and “Camel Hill” which supposedly resembles a camel crossing the river. In the evening, enjoy the show ‘Impressions Liu Sanjie' where hundreds of local actors imitate scenes from rural life.

Rice's Terraces
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Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Explore the rice terraces at Longsheng

This morning, drive through beautiful scenery to Longsheng where we visit the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces, an awe-inspiring agricultural marvel dating back over 650 years. These terraces, carved into the hillsides with simple traditional methods, are a testament to ancient farming ingenuity and are often featured in Chinese paintings. Enjoy a walk along the “Dragon’s Backbone” (Longji), one of the most beautiful stretches of rice terraces in the country visiting local Zhuang villages. Today the region looks like a succession of humongous staircases. 

5823 Li An Lodge
Longji Rice Terraces - Deluxe Lodge

Li-An Lodge

The renowned Li-An Lodge is located in the heart of the Longji region at Ping An village, overlooking gracefully curving rice terraces for as far as the eye can see. Its attraction goes far beyond its spectacular views, with 16 individually and tastefully designed rooms, decorated with beautiful Chinese art, calligraphy and architectural details.

The lodge offers the…

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Shanghai
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Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Fly to Shanghai

Transfer to Guilin airport and fly to Shanghai where our guide will meet and transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 3-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure.


Thursday, 18 June 2026

Guided city tour

Explore Shanghai today on a guided tour visiting the French Concession, Fuxing Park (where locals practice Tai Chi) and the colonial homes which have now been transformed into restaurants, bars, and different boutiques. Continue to Xintiandi and onto Tianzifang, a maze of animated alleyways full of restaurants, boutiques, and small, authentic art galleries.

We also visit the Old Town with its few remaining lively lilongs (similar to the hutongs in Beijing) and famous Yu Yuan Gardens, a superb example of the art of Chinese garden landscaping, particularly common in this region. Our final stop is the Bund, the city’s famous walkway, dating back to the opulent 1930's. 


Friday, 19 June 2026

Suzhou

Enjoy a guided tour to the garden city of Suzhou today, visiting the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou’s largest and most famous classical garden and many other beautiful gardens set amid the quaint canals. Enjoy a stroll a on Pingjiang Road, a historic street lined with traditional architecture, quaint shops, and charming teahouses. It’s an ideal place to experience the local culture, sample traditional snacks, and enjoy the scenic canal views. We continue to Tongli before returning to Shanghai.

5891 Courtyard By Marriott
Shanghai - First Hotel

Courtyard by Marriott

Located in the Jing'an district, close to the Jade Buddha temple, the railway station and popular eating and shopping streets, the Courtyard provides 321 modern, spacious and well-equipped rooms and 129 suites, with city views through large floor-to-ceiling windows. There is an elegant indoor swimming pool and a choice of casual dining and bar areas,…

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12015 Peninsula Hotel Shanghai
Shanghai - Deluxe Hotel

The Peninsula Shanghai

The Peninsula Hotel represents a rare example of a modern building along the historic Bund waterfront. Surrounded by grand public buildings and with magnificent views out onto the Huangpu River and the gleaming skyscrapers of the Pudong District, the location of the Peninsula befits the elegant style and faultless attention to detail found within.

The spacious…

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Hangzhou
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Saturday, 20 June 2026

Train to Hangzhou & West Lake

This morning transfer to the railway station to catch your high speed train to Hangzhou. On arrival, visit West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, lush gardens, willow trees and charming pagodas. You can opt a boat ride to explore the lake’s picturesque islands and admire landmarks such as the Broken Bridge and the Su Causeway. As the sun rises, the mist over the water creates a magical atmosphere, perfect for capturing stunning photos. We also visit the Dragon Well tea farm and continue to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast.


Sunday, 21 June 2026

At leisure

Your last day in China to explore the delights of Hangzhou at your leisure.


Monday, 22 June 2026

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to Shanghai airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.


Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Arrive in the UK

Arrive back in the UK in the morning.

6453 Lake View
Hangzhou & West Lake - First Hotel

Deefly Lake View

Just as the name suggests, the Deefly Lake View hotel in Hangzhou is located on the banks of the West Lake, affording easy access to places of interest and great views across the water. This recently renovated 4 star hotel provides a convenient and comfortable base from which to explore Hangzhou, either on a relaxing…

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6441 Hyatt Regency
Hangzhou & West Lake - Deluxe Hotel

Hyatt Regency Hangzhou

The Hyatt Regency is a luxury 5 star hotel located in downtown Hangzhou, affording views across the city or to the serene waters of West Lake. 390 spacious and stylish rooms and suites are well-equipped, with large beds, elegant marble baths and a separate shower. Garden rooms offer patios which allow exclusive access to the private landscaped…

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Price Guidelines

Season High Season
Travel Dates April to October
Room Arrangement Deluxe
Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms £6,598
Single Traveller - Own Room £8,735

Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.

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What's Included

  • 20 days / 17 nights
  • International return flights (2 overnight)
  • 2 internal flights as shown
  • Bullet Train tickets as described in itinerary (first - 2nd class, deluxe - 1st class)
  • 17 nights accommodation and 2 lunches, as shown on the itinerary
  • Meals as described on the itinerary
  • Transfers to and from airport
  • Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides and private vehicle
  • Prices are per person based on two sharing a room
  • Guideline price only - please request a bespoke itinerary for an accurate quote

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