China Uncovered

Day 1 | Fly to Beijing 

Fly 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.   

Meals: dinner

Day 2 | Beijing 

This morning head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square, where you will discover the magnificence of the Forbidden City and find a complex full of imperial treasures. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleys of the warren-like hutongs and learn more about living in this traditional area. In the evening, sit down to enjoy the local delicacy, Peking duck.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 | Beijing 

Rise early this morning and drive around 2-hours northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass. Here you can take a walk on the Great Wall of China, appreciating the wall itself and the dramatic scenery. After walking from the coach to the first section, your group will receive an introduction to the Great Wall’s unique history and a briefing on the different walking routes available, depending on your level of fitness. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 | Beijing – Xian 

This morning transfer to the train station and board your bullet train to Xian, with a journey time of 5-hours. Wander through the Muslim Quarter before enjoying a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing in the evening. Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 | Xian 

Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of the life size Terracotta Warriors. The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located approximately a 1-hour drive outside of Xian. From the bus park to the museum entrance there is a 15-minute walk. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own expense. There is no electric cart available for the return from the museum exit to the bus park. Within the museum area the warriors can be seen in three different ‘pits’, which are active archaeological digs. The site is large and will take about 2 and a half hours to explore. After this, visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Workshop to see smaller models of the warriors being made. 

Later, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. Your guide will give you time to explore the ancient city walls at your own pace. Stop by a local brewery for a refreshing beer tasting, where you can learn about the brewing process and sample a selection of beers (non-alcoholic drinks are available). 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Day 6 | Xian – Guilin 

Fly 2-hours south to the beautiful city of Guilin. Later, visit the Reed Flute Caves to admire the stunning colours of the stalagmites and stalactites. You will take a walk through the caves, sometimes along damp paths and stairs. It usually takes about 1.5-hours to complete the route and can be quite cool inside. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 | Guilin – Yangshuo 

Take a relaxed 4-hour cruise along the Li River to the charming village of Yangshuo, where you will spend 2 nights. These are small cruise boats usually holding approximately 100 passengers; with an enclosed dining area on the lower deck and an open viewing area on the upper deck. Usually, the boats depart at 9am from the dock located a 1-hour drive from your hotel. However, when the river level is low they depart from further downstream which would mean a longer drive and an earlier check-out from your hotel. Your luggage will be transferred by road. Disembarking from the cruise, your Local Guide will walk with you to your hotel, approximately a 30-minute leisurely walk from the river. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 | Yangshuo 

Start the morning off with a lesson in Tai Chi led by a local master, then explore the countryside. Enjoy the afternoon free to relax at your leisure. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 | Yangshuo – Guilin – Chongqing   

This morning, drive 1-hour back to Guilin, then board a bullet train 5-hours to Chongqing. Arrive in Chongqing. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon unwinding in the soothing waters of a local hot spring resort. Choose from 53 pools of varying temperatures, some infused with Chinese teas and oils. Included in your visit are lockers with electronic wristbands, showers, hairdryers, towels, cover ups, and waterproof bags. Water and specialty teas are provided throughout the resort.  

Alternatively, enjoy a guided walk and free time in the lively Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, the heart of downtown Chongqing, with many shops, cafés and food stalls to wander through. Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10 | Chongqing 

Travel approximately 2 hours by road to Dazu, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dazu Rock Carvings. Here, you will find thousands of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist idols and symbols carved into rock faces over 70 sites. Made between the 9th and 13th centuries, they are some of the best preserved in China. Return to Chongqing and enjoy some time at leisure. This evening, head to a waterfront location to see the dazzling Hongya Cave lit up, then watch Chongqing’s spectacular Saturday night drone show where over 5,000 drones light up the sky. Please note, the show may be cancelled due to poor weather or other unforeseen circumstances, as advised by the Chongqing local authorities. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Day 11 | Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise 

Start the day with a visit to Chongqing Zoo's Panda House. Watch giant pandas feed, climb and play, while learning about their unique behaviours and the zoo's long-standing role in giant panda breeding and conservation programmes that support the future of this vulnerable species. Next, explore the charming old quarter of Ciqikou, where narrow alleyways are lined with traditional teahouses, craft shops and tempting snacks. Then, stop by Liziba Intersection, where metro trains famously glide straight through a residential high-rise. Later, board your Yangtze River Cruise, where you will stay for the next three nights. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12 | Yangtze River Cruise 

Cruise along the mighty Yangtze River. Relax onboard or disembark to explore the elegant pavilions of Mount Shuanggui and view the impressive cliff brush writings by Song Dynasty calligraphers. Depending on local conditions, you may visit Shibaozhai Temple or Xiaoguanshan Folk Culture Park instead. Additional shore excursions may include Fengdu’s “Ghost City” and  Fengyan Sanguo “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” evening show (river conditions permitting). 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13 | Yangtze River Cruise 

Prepare for breathtaking vistas as you enter the Three Gorges and pass through Wu and Qutang gorges. Wu gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and sheer cliffs, while Qutang Gorge is the shortest, narrowest, and most dramatic gorge. Transfer to smaller vessels for a relaxing excursion through the Goddess Stream, which are narrower than the Three Gorges, but very impressive. There is no walking involved on this excursion; however you will need to get on and off the boat without assistance. Return to the ship and continue cruising through the gorges. Depending on local river conditions, you may visit Shennong Stream instead of Goddess Stream.   

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14 | Yangtze River Cruise – Zhangjiajie 

Visit the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, and marvel at this incredible feat of engineering. Disembark the ship and take a scenic 45minute drive (please note that the coach is not permitted to take photo stops) to the viewing area above the ship locks, where you will be able to appreciate the immense scale of this monumental project. Explore a small museum and a lookout point for further insight into its construction and impact on the region. This excursion includes approximately one hour of walking. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15 | Zhangjiajie 

Enjoy a full day of exploring Zhangjiajie National Park. Begin at the Yuanjianie Scenic Area, and ride the remarkable Bailong glass elevator, the highest and fastest outdoor elevator in the world. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in as little as two minutes! This impressive elevator will transport you to Mihun Stage, where you will enjoy amazing views of the majestic peaks, including the 'First Bridge under the Sun' and Hallelujah Mountain, more commonly known as the Avatar Mountain.  Continue to Emperor Mountain and visit Helong Park before taking a cable car down.  End the day on a sightseeing train through the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery. Sightseeing today will involve around 3-4 hours of walking including steps. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16 | Zhangjiajie 

Today, explore the breathtaking Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Begin with an unforgettable walk across Zhangjiajie’s iconic Glass Bridge — the world’s longest and highest glass bottomed structure, stretching 430 metres above the canyon floor. Continue your adventure with a serene cruise along Rainbow Lake, its turquoise waters winding through the base of the gorge. Sightseeing today will involve around 3-4 hours of walking. This evening, stop by the 72 strange and spectacular buildings of Zhangjiajie 72 Qilou. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 17 | Zhangjiajie – Shanghai 

Soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain in the world’s longest cable car, a 7-kilometre journey taking approximately 40-minutes. Atop the mountain, marvel at Tianmen Cave, nicknamed 'Heaven's Door', standing proudly at the top of 999 steep steps. Next, take a thrilling walk along a glass skywalk, aptly named the “Walk of Faith” as though you’re walking on air. If time permits, you may also walk across the Cliff-Hanging Walkway or Coiled Dragon Cliff. Return down the mountain by cable car and transfer to the airport for your 2-hour flight to Shanghai. 

Day 18 | Shanghai 

Shanghai is China’s great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th century temples. Today’s explorations include 3-4 hours of sightseeing on foot, visiting the peaceful Yu Garden and the atmospheric alleys of the old town. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the historical waterfront Bund, before visiting a silk mill. Head to the top of Jin Mao tower for incredible views of the city (weather permitting). This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise, before sampling some traditional Shanghai cuisine. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 19 – 20 | Depart Shanghai 

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Shanghai Pudong or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight.

Meals: breakfast

*Itinerary is subject to change.