Majestic China From Great Wall to Shanghai

Welcome to China. On arrival we transfer to your hotel, then in the early evening we head to Wangfujing Street – a vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare of shops and eateries – for a first flavour of the city. Dinner is included before we return to the hotel.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

Today we visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu – a magnificent stretch threading across dramatic mountains – riding the cable car up and down for superb views. We continue to the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage site where emperors once prayed for good harvests. To unwind, we join a gentle Tai Chi session and enjoy a soothing foot massage. We round off the day with a traditional Peking duck dinner – included – before returning to the hotel.

An in–depth exploration of the capital awaits. We cross vast Tiananmen Square, then visit the Forbidden City, seat of 24 emperors and China’s most spectacular palace complex. In Jingshan Park we climb Coal Hill for panoramic views of the Forbidden City – weather permitting. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we experience local life on a tricycle ride through the hutongs, browsing small shops and stepping inside a traditional siheyuan courtyard home. We finish at the exquisite Summer Palace, the Qing imperial retreat of gardens and lakes. 06:30 p.m. – tour ends. You may return to the hotel by bus or stay in the city centre – if you do, the return is at your own expense; we recommend carrying the hotel address written in Chinese for the taxi. Note: visitor numbers at the Forbidden City are restricted for conservation and safety, so access cannot be guaranteed – if admission is not possible, we will visit the Confucius Temple and the Lama Temple instead.

After breakfast we head to the station for a state–of–the–art high–speed train, covering nearly 1,000 km in under four hours at around 300 km/h, to reach Nanjing – a vibrant city widely regarded as one of China’s most pleasant. We visit Purple Mountain to explore the grand Sun Yat–sen Mausoleum and the tranquil, historic Linggu Temple amid lush greenery. Afterwards you have free time to discover the city at your own pace. Overnight in Nanjing.

We depart for Suzhou, famed for its classical gardens – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and its long association with silk and refinement. We explore the Garden of the Humble Administrator, the city’s largest and most celebrated, with winding paths, serene ponds and luxuriant planting. You then have free time along atmospheric Pingjiang Road, lined with canals, traditional teahouses and artisan shops. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we continue to Tongli, a graceful water town of narrow canals, stone bridges and traditional houses, where we enjoy a peaceful boat ride. We then travel on to Shanghai and check in for the night.

Our exploration of Shanghai begins in Pudong, the modern financial district across the Huangpu River, home to soaring skyscrapers including the Pearl Tower. We take a scenic ferry across the river for sweeping views of both historic and contemporary skylines. We stroll the Old City and visit serene Yuyuan Garden, and hear an explanation of traditional tea culture. We continue through fashionable Xintiandi. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we delve into Tianzifang, a maze of lanes with craft shops and contemporary galleries, before a walk along The Bund, where grand waterfront architecture reflects the city’s trading past. Free afternoon – if you wish, you can take a boat trip to see Shanghai illuminated at night, an unforgettable experience.

After breakfast our journey concludes, leaving you with wonderful memories.