A China Adventure

Prices 17 days from £3,290pp

DAYS 1-2 FLY TO BEIJING

Fly overnight to Beijing, China's historical capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 3 FORBIDDEN CITY AND SUMMER PALACE WALK

Stroll across Tiananmen Square into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Walking through this ornately designed complex offers an unsurpassed insight into China's colourful past. Continue to the Summer Palace and explore the magnificent grounds, before taking a short hike up Longevity Hill to enjoy panoramic views. Stop for a photo at the Olympic Stadium before dinner.

DAY 4 BEIJING'S HUTONGS

Arrive early for a visit to the Temple of Heaven and mingle with the locals as they start their day with Tai Chi, dancing and card playing. Next, visit Yandaixiejie, where you will have some free time to wander around the hutongs. These narrow alleys offer an authentic glimpse of the old Beijing. Enjoy lunch in the hutongs before driving to the Simatai section of the Great Wall, staying overnight in Gubei Watertown. Ride up to the apex of the Wall by cable car to see the sunset.

DAY 5 HIKE THE GREAT WALL

Take a short transfer to Gubeikou to begin your full day hike to Jinshanling. Lasting approximately six hours, this is one of the wildest and most scenic section-to-section hikes of the Great Wall. Your path will traverse ancient and rugged landscapes, going off-wall for some time to navigate around a Chinese military base. Later, return to Beijing.

DAY 6 BEIJING - XIAN

Fly to Xian, the ancient former capital. Explore the narrow and winding streets of the Muslim Quarter, which are lined with Islamic food stalls and gain an insight into the city's fascinating culture and significance as the start of the Silk Road.

Day 7 TERRACOTTA WARRIORS AND CYCLING ON THE CITY WALL

Housed in three immense hangars, the ranks of the Terracotta Army stand sentinel in their subterranean necropolis, constructed to protect China's first Emperor in the afterlife. Gaze over the warriors and horses, whilst your guide introduces you to their fascinating story. Continue to the ancient city wall for a cycle on the fortifications surrounding the heart of the city. Tonight, dine on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and take an optional tour of the city at night.

DAY 8 TRAVEL TO PINGLE

Take the bullet train to Chengdu and then drive to Pingle Ancient Town. Dating back to the Han Dynasty, Pingle was a stopping point on the Tea Horse Road.

DAY 9 PINGLE ANCIENT TOWN

Enjoy a morning at leisure. You may wish to take a walk through Pingle's maze of teahouse lined streets. Later, see Sichuan's expansive bamboo forest from above on Jinji Suspended Rope Bridge. Drive back to Chengdu.

DAY 10 DUJIANGYAN PANDA BASE

Visit one of the world's finest panda conservation centres where you will gain a real insight into the hard work that goes into caring for and boosting the population of this endangered species. The pandas here are kept in conditions very close to their natural habitat. Later, ascend Mt Qingcheng, the most sacred Taoist mountain in China, by cable car. It is a truly beautiful area with numerous lush, green peaks and secluded temples. Take a stroll among the mystic scenery of Yuecheng Lake.

DAY 11 JOURNEY TO PING AN

Fly to beautiful Guilin before transferring to Ping'An for an overnight stay.

DAY 12 RICE TERRACES HIKE

Wake up to stunning views of the misty, stepped hills of Longji. Today's full day hike among the terraces will take you past small hamlets and picture-postcard views of the rice terraces which cover the landscape in intricate patterns. Whether full of water or bursting with rice plants, a walk in Longji provides an unforgettable experience of rural China. Return to Guilin where the evening is at leisure.

DAY 13 LI RIVER CRUISE

Take a gentle cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo. Lined with the most dramatic and imposing limestone cliffs on the planet, the serenity of life on the riverbanks is a wonderful sight. This evening, there is an option to be wowed by the light spectacular 'Liu Sanjie', a dramatic water-based show set on the Li River.

DAY 14 TAI CHI, COUNTRY CYCLING OR RAFTING

Start the day with a relaxing yet invigorating session of Tai Chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. This afternoon, there is the option of riding a bicycle through the countryside or joining an optional bamboo rafting trip along the Yulong River - another chance to really soak up the unspoiled surroundings and explore every corner of this exquisite location.

DAY 15 HUANGPU RIVER CRUISE

Return by road to Guilin and spend some time exploring the colourful stalactites and stalagmites at Reed Flute Cave before flying to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. This evening, cruise down the Huangpu River, serenaded by the neon lights of Pudong.

DAY 16 SHANGHAINESE SHANGHAI

Wake up to the buzz of Shanghai and take a breakfast walking tour between shimmering skyscrapers and traditional streets. Walk through the city's most fascinating districts, marvelling at monuments and rickety buildings before enjoying breakfast as the locals do - sample pancakes, fried bread sticks and tofu. Visit Yu Garden, the old town and the Silk Factory before taking an evening stroll along the Bund. Enjoy a farewell dinner of authentic Shanghainese cuisine.

DAY 17 FLY SHANGHAI TO UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

From £3,290 per person

Please contact us for alternative dates, durations and departure airports. Prices shown are for guidance only and are subject to availability.

Call our specialists on 01202 544876