China Delights

Prices 18 days from £3,290pp

Days 1-2 Fly to Shanghai

Fly overnight to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 3 EXPLORE SHANGHAI

Shanghai is China's great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th Century temples. Sightseeing today begins with a visit to the classical Yu Garden and stop in the old town before admiring the colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund. Round off the day with a delicious meal of traditional Shanghainese cuisine.

DAY 4 SHANGHAI

Explore ultra-modern Pudong followed by a visit to the Silk Factory and the Shanghai Museum to see the fine arts and antiquities on offer. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise.

DAY 5 HISTORIC SUZHOU

Suzhou's centre has managed to retain a sense of quaint charm even as the city has grown up around it. Renowned for its traditional gardens, visit one of its finest, the Humble Administrator's Garden, typical of the Chinese appreciation of balance and harmony. Later, cruise on the thousand-year-old Grand Canal.

DAY 6 WUZHEN

Travel to the water town of Wuzhen. A charming place of old-world timber buildings, cobbled streets and narrow waterways, it is an easy place to while away the day. Continue to the city of Hangzhou.

DAY 7 HISTORIC HANGZHOU

A restful morning is spent wandering around the Temple of Inspired Seclusion, one of China's most renowned Buddhist temples. Later, enjoy a cruise on Hangzhou's West Lake and admiring the gardens, pagodas and old bridges on its shores.

DAY 8 LUSH TEA PLANTATIONS

Browse the bustling local markets and visit the plantations of Meijiawu to learn the teamaking process, from bush to brew. Enjoy a cup of organic green tea and decide which of the locally produced teas you might like to purchase. Later, fly to the beautiful city of Guilin and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 9 LI RIVER CRUISE

Begin today with a relaxing cruise along the Li River to the charming town of Yangshuo. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged karst peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery and grazing buffalo. Wander through the cobbled streets and visit the local market, then stop on the banks of the Li River for a photo opportunity with a cormorant fisherman.

DAY 10 YANGSHUO

Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of emerald-green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Start the day with a relaxing and invigorating session of Tai Chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the countryside and enjoy some time at leisure. Later, travel through the countryside as you return by road to Guilin.

DAY 11 CHENGDU

Visit Reed Flute Cave to admire the colourful stalagmites and stalactites. Continue to the Pearl Museum, then fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. This evening, enjoy an optional performance of Sichuan opera for the actors' famous 'face-changing'.

DAY 12 GRAND BUDDHA OF LESHAN

Travel to Leshan to visit the UNESCO listed Grand Buddha which, at 71 metres, is the world's largest stone-carved Buddhist monument. Get a bird's eye view of the Buddha from the adjacent park, then a short boat trip will give excellent views from the river. Return to Chengdu and in the evening, sample a delicious Sichuanese meal.

DAY 13 GIANT PANDAS

Visit Chengdu's famous Giant Panda reserve to see and learn about China's celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. Later, take the bullet train to Xian, the ancient former capital.

DAY 14 TERRACOTTA WARRIORS

After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-sized warriors and horses. Also visit the workshop of the craftsmen to see where the warriors are recreated in style of their ancient counterparts. Later, take a leisurely stroll along the beautifully preserved 14th Century city walls that enclose Xian's old town. This evening, sit down to a delicious feast of Shui Jiao dumplings followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

DAY 15 XIAN - BEIJING

Visit the fascinating Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Later, fly to Beijing, the capital of China.

DAY 16 IMPERIAL BEIJING

Spend the morning soaking up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Here, mingle with the locals and watch or participate as they practise Tai Chi, dance or play cards. Next, head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and stroll into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will find a complex full of imperial riches. A Chinese acrobatic show rounds off the day.

DAY 17 THE GREAT WALL

This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight - the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that it surrounds it. Visit the Jade factory before spending the afternoon enjoying the idyllic landscapes of the Summer Palace, wandering through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner of Peking duck followed by an optional Kung Fu show.

DAY 18 FLY BEIJING 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.

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