The Mandarin Tour
China Holidays - 22 Night Itinerary from £6,939 from €7,426 from $8,020

Day 3 - Great Wall & Ming Tombs

We start the day with a once-in-a-lifetime visit to one of the great wonders of the world and an enduring symbol of Chinese power. Located around 50 miles north of Beijing, Mutianyu is one of the very best preserved sections of the Great Wall, affording picture-postcard views, as the wall gently rolls over the surrounding hills.

On the way back to Beijing, we will stop to visit the impressive Ming Tombs, resting place of 13 Chinese emperors from the Ming dynasty. Surrounded by mountain ridges on three sides, the site shows off some wonderful Ming era artifacts, statues and architectural details. Upon returning to Beijing, we will make a quick stop to admire and photograph the world famous Birds Nest Olympic Stadium. It is one of the finest modern arenas in the world, surprisingly full of hidden symbolism.

In the evening you will enjoy a traditional duck dinner at a local restaurant.

Great Wall alternative excursion

Alternatively, there is the option to visit the wilder Jinshanling Great Wall section, which offers hiking opportunities and far fewer crowds. This is a full day tour from Beijing, so does not allow time for the tombs or the stadium, instead offering a more in-depth experience of the wall.

Day 5 - Bullet Train to Xi'an

Travel by high speed futuristic Bullet Train to the city of Xi'an, a journey time of between 4 and 5 hours. You have time at leisure to enjoy a stroll through the city in the afternoon and evening.

Day 6 - Xi'an city tour

Today, you will be shown around the ancient city and its impressive city walls. Once the starting point of the legendary Silk Road and a capital for eleven dynasties, the city has retained a great deal of its mystique and boasts an impressive array of sights, including the Great Mosque, the Muslim quarter and the traditional drum and bell towers. We will also visit the Big Goose Pagoda, built in the centre of the Dacien Temple grounds to house precious Buddhist scripts, brought back from a seventh century pilgrimage to India by Tang monk Xuanzang. The structure stands 64 metres tall and is comprised of seven stories. You can climb the inside and throw coins out of the windows for good luck.

Lunch and dinner is included today.

Day 7 - Terracotta Army

We begin today with a visit to the famous Terracotta Army, just outside Xi'an. 8,000 individually sculptured clay warriors, horses and archers proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder in three large excavated pits, protecting the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang. At first it is the sheer number that overwhelms, but on closer inspection you begin to notice the extraordinary level of detail that went in to them, with each figure seemingly sporting a different expression and hairstyle. It's not hard to imagine this as a real army in waiting, awakening at the slightest hint of danger.

Lunch is included and in the evening you will enjoy a welcome dinner of traditional Chinese dumplings, followed by the wonderful Tang show. The Tang Dynasty (618-907) is distinguished as one of the most progressive and prosperous era in the history of China. The music and dance of the era fused the culture inherited from the preceding dynasties with elements of the new and exotic cultures that came along the Silk Road. With authentic Tang musical instruments - bells, drums and zithers, the show will take you back to the Tang Dynasty, and present you the art of that golden age.

Day 11 - Transfer to Mount Emei

You will be transferred to Lhasa airport for your morning flight to Chendgu. On arrival you will be met by your guide and driver and be transferred three hours south to a comfortable hotel at the foot of Mount Emei. Enjoy time in the afternoon to relax and recuperate or explore the surrounding area. Lunch and dinner are included.

Day 12 - Mount Emei

Today we will explore Mount Emei, one of four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. Many temples, monasteries and pavilions are dotted along the side of the mountain, connected by a combination of steep staircases and cable cars. There are also buses which journey up the mountain to make life easier. At Mount Emei you can explore its rich cultural heritage and understand its sacred importance in the company of an expert guide. Lunch and dinner are included.

Day 13 - Leshan Giant Buddha

Measuring in at 71 metres high, the 1,200 year old Buddha watches over the confluence of three rivers and looks out onto the sacred Mount Emei. We will take a boat ride to enjoy panoramic views of the Buddha and climb up the steps to come face-to-face with the Giant Buddha, for a close up view. You will then return to Chengdu and again have all meals included during the day.

Day 15 - Transfer to Longsheng

You will be transferred from your hotel to Shanghai airport for the short flight to Guilin. Here you will be met on arrival and be driven an hour and a half north to Longsheng, where you will stay overnight in a charming lodge. There will be time to walk around the village and enjoy the peaceful countryside.

Lunch and dinner are included in today's activities.

Day 16 - Longji Rice Terraces

Today we will explore the incredible rice terrace landscape around Longsheng, enjoying the best panoramic vistas of the area, as well as exploring the local minority villages to learn about life here. The landscape changes throughout the year here, depending on the seasons. In spring, the terraces are irrigated and so brim with water, before turning lush green over the summer. The autumn brings beautiful golden hues, before snow falls add to the drama in winter. Lunch is included.

We transfer back to Guilin later, enjoying a local dinner and staying overnight here.

Day 19 - Transfer to Shanghai

This morning you will be driven back to Guilin airport for your flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival you be welcomed by your guide and drive and take a short transfer to your hotel and will be given a short introduction to the city. This afternoon you will have some time at leisure to explore Shanghai, or could book on optional half-day tour.

Day 20 - Highlights of Shanghai

Shanghai is China's most developed mega city, a futuristic metropolis symbolised by its forest of towering skyscrapers. However, if you know which street to turn down, you can still find relics of a bygone era and the occasional oasis of calm.

The Jade Buddha Temple is one such example, rebuilt in 1918 to replace the original one that was destroyed during the revolution and to house two impressive jade Buddhas. The 16th century Yu Yuan is a quintessentially Chinese garden, with many fascinating details throughout the various areas, divided by undulating dragon walls. One of the best spots in Shanghai is the Bund waterfront, lined with historic banks, offices and hotels on one side and on the other, sweeping views across the Huangpu River to the skyscrapers of Pudong - one of the world's most iconic skylines. The most recognisable of these towers is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, offering fine views from its viewing platforms.

Lunch and a special dim sum dinner is included, plus in the evening you will enjoy a spectacular acrobatics show to complete an unforgettable day.

Day 21 - Shanghai at leisure

Enjoy time at leisure in Shanghai to relax and do some last minute shopping or sightseeing.