sample itinerary

Day 1                              Arrival in Beijing

The capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing has been China’s political and cultural centre since the Mongol warlord Kublai Khan made it his capital in 1264. Few places can match Beijing’s vibrancy and sheer cultural splendour, a city of wide boulevards and narrow hutongs, it is home to the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, the evocative Tiananmen Square, the Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong's (Mao Tse-Tung) Mausoleum, the Museum of Chinese History, and the iconic Great Wall. Here the past, present and future all merge in an eclectic mass of history, humanity and bicycles.

Upon arrival in Beijing you will be met as you exit from Customs and transferred to your hotel for a 3 night stay. The remainder of your first day is at leisure.

Day 2                              Beijing

Today you will be taken on a full day of sightseeing including visits to Beijing’s main Imperial era attractions. The morning will start with a drive through the city centre to reach the vast Tiananmen Square, which is home to China’s Parliament – The Great Hall of the People. Walking through the Gate of Heavenly Peace from where Mao declared China as the People’s Republic in 1949, you will then visit the Forbidden City (Restoration is ongoing) – home to China’s Imperial Dynasties. After a lunch of traditional Beijing food your tour of this magnificent city continues by visiting the ImperialSummerPalace which bears witness to the opulence in which the Emperors once lived.

Day 3                              Beijing  

Today, after breakfast, enjoy a visit to The Great Wall of China. The visit to the Great Wall will be at the relatively quieter Mutianyu section where there will be ample opportunity to explore this section of the Wall and take in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

As a one of the highlights of your visit to China we suggest a wonderful private seated champagne picnic which you can have in a pine grove with views over the Wall.  

This evening we would suggest allowing us to make a dinner reservation (dinner is locally payable) at the atmospheric private-members China Club. One of the most exclusive private members clubs in China, the China Club is housed in a 400 year-old, courtyard-style palace. Guests can enjoy the unique thrill of inhabiting traditional palace rooms furnished with Chinese antiques. You will be transferred between the Hotel and the China Club.

Day 4                              Beijing to Xian

This morning visit the magnificent Temple of Heaven, where the Emperors came to pray for good harvests. Today this is where local residents come for morning exercises such as Tai Chi and Ballroom dancing! After lunch of traditional Peking duck, you will be transferred to the airport for the short onward flight to Xian where on arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 5                              Xian

China ’s ancient capital and the starting point of the famous Silk Road, Xi’an’s imperial history spans some 12 dynasties, covering a period of nearly 2,000 years. Today its worldwide renown is due mainly to the presence of the spectacular Army of Terracotta Warriors. Without a doubt the highlight of any visit to Xian and possibly even China is to explore the legacy of the Terracotta Warriors and visit the incredible burial site, where they were discovered only recently. Xian’s city streets hide a wealth of other treasures that span the ages of Imperial rule as well. The more recently discovered Han Yang Ling Imperial Tombs are also worth a visit.

Today you will be taken to the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang and to visit the Warriors themselves who stand guard over Emperor Qin’s tomb. After a simple lunch you will visit the impressive ShaanxiMuseum. This evening enjoy an entertaining show and a traditional dumpling banquet.

Day 6                              Xian to Chengdu

This morning a visit is arranged to the Old City of Xian seeing the old City Walls, where a short bike ride is enjoyed, The Islamic Quarter and also the Great Mosque, which is a beautiful spot in the midst of peaceful gardens. Late this afternoon fly to Chengdu.

Day 7                              Chengdu to Lijiang

This morning you will visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute and for the child in all of us it’s a great experience getting so close to these magnificent bears.

Through the efforts of the World Wildlife Fund, the giant panda has come to be a symbol of endangered animals all over the world. At Wolong, 140 kilometres to the northwest of Chengdu, you can see these loveable creatures at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Scientists at the centre have been studying a wide variety of subjects –from zoological and plant ecology, to animal husbandry, genetics and cell biology – in an attempt to improve the panda’s notoriously poor breeding record, and their progress is such that Wolong can now boast the highest cub survival rate in the world. The eventual aim of the captive breeding program is to be able to release giant pandas back into the wild.

After a lunch of traditional Sichuan cuisine take in the main sights of Chengdu including its fascinating Daoist Temple and People’s Park, always very busy in the afternoon where you will be taken to a traditional Sichuan Park tea-house. Early this evening you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Lijiang. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the stunning Banyan Tree Lijiang Resort for a 4 night stay. This is a much more natural part of China and the scenery and village life are fascinating.   

Day 8                              Lijiang

Step back in time with a visit to Lijiang, with its narrow cobblestone streets, rickety wooden buildings, ancient canals and lively markets, designated as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. The town is the capital of Naxi people with a relatively small population of 250,000 but a richly textured culture.

Old Lijiang has enjoyed a long history of over 800 years and unlike most of the old towns in China, there are no city walls due to a superstitious belief of an ancient local ruler that if encircled by walls, the town would be besieged.

A popular excursion from Lijiang is to one of the deepest gorges in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the river is so narrow that, legend tells us, a hunted tiger made his escape to the other side in a single bound. In some places there is a drop of 3,000 metres to the water below.

This morning you will be taken to see Lijiang’s fascinating OldTown, Dayan, where your guide brings alive the area’s history and its indigenous Dongba culture. We visit the Black Dragon Pool and suggest you spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Day 9                              Lijiang

Today we offer a full day in the countryside outside of Lijiang and make a visit to Yu Hu Village the former home of renowned naturalist, Dr Joseph Rock and where the more traditional Naxi way of life continues. You may also like to visit Yongfeng Monastery. You can do this either by road, or if you would prefer we can organise for you to visit on horse-back (the horses will walk only, and are led by their local owners) over the mountains to WenhaiLake, which is rarely visited. The small villages in this area are reminiscent of a China from many years ago, and are a perfect way to see a more rural China. A simple lunch is offered at the Wenhai Eco-Lodge and then drive back to Dayan.

 

Day 10                           Lijiang

Spend today at your leisure for independent exploration.

 

Day 11                           Lijiang to Sanya

This morning you will be transferred to Lijiang’s Airport for your onward flight to Kunming where you will be met on arrival and assisted with your connection onwards to Sanya. Upon arrival at Sanya you will be met and transferred to the Banyan Tree Sanya Resort for a 3 night stay.

Days 12 & 13               Sanya

These two days are offered at leisure and the Banyan Tree has a wonderful spa.

 

Day 14                           Sanya to Shanghai

Your transfer is offered to Sanya’s airport as is the onward flight to Shanghai where your local guide meets you on arrival and offers the transfer to the Grand Hyatt Hotel for a 2 night stay.

 

Day 15                           Shanghai

The most dynamic city in the world’s fastest- changing nation, Shanghai is an exhilarating, ever-morphing metropolis that isn’t just living China’s dream, but is setting the pace for the rest of the world.

Once a playground for foreign adventurers and socialites, the one-time whore of the Orient is now where home-grown tycoons build soaring monuments to capitalism and the locals party all night. But despite a past as evocative as it is notorious, Shanghai has dispensed with the rear-view mirror, pushed the pedal to the floor and is roaring towards its imagined future so fast that keeping up is almost impossible. New developments spring up weekly, while the rapidly growing middle classes work seven days a week in the hope of graduating to the big-time.

This morning you will have the opportunity to visit the city’s Bund, flanked by the magnificent buildings previously owned by the great trading houses and banks of the early 1900’s. You will also visit the Yu Gardens before an afternoon visit to the excellent ShanghaiMuseum and the fascinating Urban Planning Centre. Sample the traditional Shanghainese cuisine at Lubolang Restaurant for lunch.

 

Day 16                           Departure from Shanghai

At a convenient time your transfer is offered to Shanghai’s Pudong airport for your onward flight and UK bound flights normally depart in the late morning with an afternoon arrival.