China Highlights Journey

Welcome to China. Upon arrival at Beijing Airport, you will be met by your guide and driver in the arrivals hall and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and settle in at your own pace. Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and drive to Tiananmen Square, the vast public space at the heart of Beijing. Here, you can appreciate its immense historical and cultural significance, including the famous portrait of Mao Zedong and his mausoleum at the far end of the square. From there, we walk to the Forbidden City, the imperial palace where Chinese emperors ruled for nearly five centuries. Explore the vast complex of grand halls, tranquil gardens, and ornate courtyards that reveal the daily life and power of the imperial court. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit one of Beijing’s remaining hutongs – traditional narrow alleys lined with courtyard homes dating back to the Yuan dynasty. This area offers a glimpse into old Beijing’s community life and architecture. We also visit the Buddhist Miaoying Temple, known for its striking White Stupa built in 1279 under Kublai Khan. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Beijing.

After breakfast, we drive to the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall, known as the Yellow Flower Wall. This stretch is celebrated for its stunning scenery and offers a gentle hike along one of China’s most iconic landmarks. At either end of this section lie two lakes, created by dams built in the 1970s and 1990s. From the wall, you’ll enjoy unobstructed views of the lakes as the Great Wall descends dramatically into the water. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we explore the 798 Art District, a vibrant hub of contemporary art and culture housed in a former industrial complex built by East Germans in the 1950s. Since the 1990s, Chinese artists have transformed this area into a lively centre for galleries, design, and innovative dining. You’ll have time to discover the district’s unique atmosphere before returning to the hotel for the night in Beijing.

After breakfast, we visit the Temple of Heaven complex in southeast Beijing. Built in the early 15th century, this site was where Ming and Qing emperors worshipped the heavens and prayed for a good harvest. The complex features the square-shaped Palace of Abstinence, representing earth, and the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and Circular Mound Altar, symbolising heaven. The surrounding park is a lively space where locals practise morning exercises such as dancing, fencing, flag-waving, and Taichi. After the visit, you have free time for lunch. Later, we transfer to Beijing West Railway Station to board a second-class high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and driver and taken to the Muslim Quarter. Here, the aroma from numerous food stalls invites you to sample local Halal delicacies such as skewers, roast mutton, and persimmon cakes (own expense). Xi’an’s Muslim community dates back around 1,300 years, established by Persian and Arab traders along the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty. We conclude the day with dinner at a local restaurant before overnighting in Xi’an.

Breakfast at the hotel before driving to the Ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved city walls in China and among the largest ancient military defence systems worldwide. Originally built from rammed earth and later rebuilt in brick during Emperor Longqing’s reign, the wall still bears bricks marked from the original construction. We take a leisurely walk along the top of the wall, where you may choose to rent a bicycle or electric bike (at your own expense) to cycle a section or the entire circuit. Afterwards, we set off early to visit the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Warriors, exploring this extraordinary archaeological site with a professional guide. Marvel at the life-sized sculptures of soldiers, horses, and chariots created to protect Emperor Qin Shihuang’s mausoleum. The army comprises around 8,000 figures, each uniquely crafted, making it one of the most significant discoveries of its kind. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. After returning from the Terracotta Warriors, we visit the Xi’an Museum (closed on Tuesdays), which offers valuable insights into the origins of Chinese civilisation and the rich history of the region. Overnight in Xi’an.

After breakfast, we take the second-class high-speed train to Chengdu. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local guide and driver. We then visit Kuanzhai Alley, the last remaining section of Shaocheng City before it merged into Chengdu. Dating back to the Qing Dynasty, this area was once a military quarter and now serves as a cultural hub, featuring 45 courtyards, souvenir shops, traditional tea houses, and Sichuan restaurants set within charming gardens. Later, we experience everyday life at Chengdu People’s Park, the city’s largest green space. With its artificial lake, gardens, teahouses, and monuments, it offers a wonderful opportunity to observe locals dancing, singing, practising calligraphy, or simply enjoying a cup of tea. You may also choose to try your hand at Mahjong or Chinese chess in one of the tea houses (own expense). Overnight in Chengdu.

After breakfast, we drive to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base for a close encounter with China’s beloved giant pandas. The base replicates their natural habitat to prepare them for eventual release into the wild, supporting the conservation of this endangered species. Arriving early allows you to see the pandas during their most active time – feeding, climbing, and resting. Besides giant pandas, the base is home to other rare and endangered animals. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Sichuan Museum, the largest comprehensive museum in southwest China. It showcases the rich natural resources and cultural heritage of Sichuan Province, often called ‘The Land of Abundance’. We spend the afternoon exploring its extensive historical collections before returning to the hotel in Chengdu for the night.

After breakfast, we transfer to Shuangliu International Airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and driver. Lunch is at your own arrangement. In the afternoon, we visit Reed Flute Cave, a vast limestone cavern formed over 180 million years. Inside, you’ll see impressive stalactites, stone pillars, and formations shaped by millennia of water erosion, all beautifully illuminated. Next, we stop at Elephant Trunk Hill, a Guilin landmark named for its resemblance to a giant elephant dipping its trunk into the Li River (photo stop only; entrance fee not included). Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Overnight in Guilin.

After breakfast, we take a leisurely cruise down the Li River, one of China’s most celebrated natural landscapes. Along the nearly four-hour journey from Zhujiang Wharf to Yangshuo Town, you’ll see lush hills, bamboo groves, clear waters, traditional fishing boats with cormorants, and ancient villages lining the riverbanks, creating a series of picturesque scenes. A simple lunch is served onboard. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, you have free time to explore West Street, the town’s oldest thoroughfare, now a vibrant shopping area ideal for picking up souvenirs (own expense). Later, we drive back to Guilin for the night.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, a vibrant city that embodies modern China’s energy and diversity. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and driver. Lunch is at your own arrangement. In the afternoon, visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Museum (closed on Mondays), a small but fascinating collection offering a unique insight into China’s recent history through over 5,000 Mao-era propaganda posters. Afterwards, take a stroll along the Bund, Shanghai’s iconic riverfront promenade, where you can admire the striking neoclassical architecture that reflects the city’s colonial past and early interactions with the West. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Overnight in Shanghai.

Breakfast at the hotel before driving to Yu Garden, one of Shanghai’s most celebrated attractions. Wander through its intricate network of pavilions and arched bridges, then explore the bustling market nearby, where traditional Chinese arts and crafts are on offer. You can browse antiques, silk fans, bamboo items, shell carvings, and paintings, or sample local delicacies such as Shanghai Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), vegetarian buns, and chicken soup. Next, visit Jade Buddha Temple, an active place of worship housing two renowned Buddha statues brought from Burma in the 19th century. The temple’s construction took ten years to complete. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before taking a stroll through the French Concession Quarter. This stylish neighbourhood, once under French control until 1946, retains its European architecture and relaxed atmosphere. Today, it is one of Shanghai’s most vibrant shopping districts, popular for its boutiques, cafés, and lively streets. Overnight in Shanghai.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy some free time at your leisure before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.