Iconic China & the Magnificent Yangtze River

Monday, 24 March 2025

Fly to Beijing

Depart from London or a choice of UK regional airports on a direct overnight flight to Beijing.

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Welcome to Beijing

Arrive in Beijing in the morning where our guide will transfer to your hotel for a 4 night stay. You will receive a walking orientation tour around your hotel with our guide, familiarising you with the surroundings. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax, or you may prefer to add an afternoon tour.

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Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Temple of Heaven, Hutongs & Forbidden City Tour

We start early to visit the Temple of Heaven located in a delightful park. The Temple of Heaven, considered by UNESCO "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design", was created as a place of learning about Chinese philosophical beliefs, cosmogony, art, dynastic politics and sacrificial rituals. In the park, you will gain insights into local life, as groups of elderly Beijing residents gather to take communal exercises, sing, socialise and play musical instruments. We continue to the Hutong district, where we explore the ancient narrow streets by foot and rickshaw and enjoy an included lunch at a family hutong home. In the afternoon, we visit Tiananmen Square and explore the mythical and vast Forbidden City, home to 24 Chinese Emperors. Here you can learn about China's dynastic past.

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Thursday, 27 March 2025

Experience the Great Wall of China

Today we visit one of the wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China. We travel for 2 hours out of Beijing to a remote section of the wall where in the footsteps of soldiers from the Ming Dynasty, we hike a wild section away from the crowds. It is a unique experience where you will truly appreciate the full majesty of the Great Wall and savour stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We also visit the restored part of the wall at Mutianyu, allowing you a look at the Wall in its original state. Lunch is included.

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Friday, 28 March 2025

At leisure

Today is at leisure.

We have a range of optional excursions you can book with your guide including a calligraphy or paper cutting class or perhaps attempt to cook the Chinese way by making some local dumplings.

Saturday, 29 March 2025

Train to Xi'an 

Transfer to Beijing West station for your high speed Bullet Train to the ancient city of Xi'an, a journey of some four and a half hours. Our guide will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay. Time at leisure in the afternoon. Once the starting point of the legendary Silk Road and a capital for eleven dynasties, Xi'an has retained a great deal of its mystique and boasts an impressive array of sights, which we will explore over the next two days. 

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Sunday, 30 March 2025

The 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 of warriors that is quite overwhelming, but you will soon notice the extraordinary level of detail 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. Afterwards we visit the home of the farmer who accidentally discovered the Terracotta Army.

After an included lunch, we return to Xian and explore the Muslim Quarter. We will also visit a traditional courtyard mansion, owned by a former official during the Ming Dynasty. Dating back 400 years, the property shows the wonderful architectural style of the time and offers cultural activities and demonstrations including shadow puppetry and paper cutting. There will also be time to explore the temple and lively food market. 

Monday, 31 March 2025

Train to Chengdu & time at leisure 

Today take the high speed Bullet Train to Chengdu, where you will be met by your guide for the next few days and transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay. The rest of the day at leisure, perhaps relax in the large People's Square, taking tea at one of the large outside teahouses and observing local life. South of the river is the lively Jinli Street, lined with traditional buildings and shops and stalls selling locally created artwork, handicrafts, paper cuts and calligraphy. This is a great place to spend the afternoon shopping for gifts and souvenirs. 

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Tuesday, 01 April 2025

Baby & Giant Pandas up close 

No visit to Chengdu would be complete without going to the nearby Panda Research Base - there is simply no better place to see these charming and highly endangered animals in very close proximity. Designed to replicate the natural bamboo habitat of the panda to encourage breeding, the centre is respected the world over for its ongoing research and conservation efforts, not just for the giant pandas, but also for red pandas and black swans. We visit early in the morning to see the baby pandas at their most active, returning to the city at midday. Afternoon at leisure. 

Wednesday, 02 April 2025

Train to Chongqing, embark cruise ship 

Travel by train to Chongqing and embark your luxury cruise vessel, the Century Legend, for the start of your 3 night cruise (on a full board basis including all excursions) downstream on the mighty Yangtze River. The ship sets sail around 9:30pm. 

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Thursday, 03 April 2025

Excursion to Shibao Pagoda 

Sit back and relax on the sun deck or observation lounge as you watch the beautiful and dramatic scenery pass by. Enjoy the on-board facilities, including cultural lectures, a library and Tai Chi classes. There is a delightful shore visit to the remote pagoda-like Shibao Zhai temple, sat in a cliff-face on a verdant island. Enjoy an evening dinner and cultural show.

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Friday, 04 April 2025

Dramatic Three Gorges scenery 

The journey continues as the ship passes through the magnificent Qutang and Wu gorges, the first two of the famous Three Gorges. The landscape is marked by powerful steep mountainsides, covered in thick vegetation, which sink into the river and create a breathtakingly cinematic scene. In the afternoon, take an excursion to the beautiful and more remote Lesser Three Gorges, visiting either the Shennv Stream or Shennong Stream, before experiencing the Three Gorges Dam, lowering some 600 feet as you pass through a series of locks. 

Saturday, 05 April 2025

Three Gorges Dam, travel to Zhangjiajie

The final day of the cruise starts with an excursion to see the Three Gorges Dam where you will learn about this remarkable feat of engineering. Disembark and travel by train and car to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, where you check into your hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast.

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Sunday, 06 April 2025

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Today enjoy a visit to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, with our local guide, one of the most scenic national parks in China and famous as the location for the film Avatar. Admire dramatic landscapes are the gigantic limestone pillars that can be seen throughout the park, as you explore on a network of walking trails, elevators, shuttle busses, a tram and cable cars. For many, the highlight is crossing the giant glass bridge, a marvel of engineering that connects two giant pillars over a spectacular canyon.

Monday, 07 April 2025

Fly to Shanghai

Transfer to Zhangjiajie Hehua airport and fly to Shanghai. On arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay including breakfast. The rest of the day and evening is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy a stroll on the Bund.

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Tuesday, 08 April 2025

Shanghai's Local life and European heritage

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.

Our special tour introduces you to Shanghai's rich history and local life, starting at the classic Yu Gardens. We admire the European buildings of the riverside Bund area, once known as the "Paris of the Orient" and enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Huangpu River. Take an included lunch in the French Concession before discovering the traditional houses of Xintiandi, now converted into upscale shops, restaurants and bars. 

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Wednesday, 09 April 2025

Return flight to UK  

Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your return flight to the UK arriving later the same day.