Days 1-4:
China’s capital is a fitting starting point for this incredible journey – a vast and vibrant city of great historic sights and cultural enclaves. Tiananmen Square, the elaborate grandeur of the Forbidden City and 2000 year old Great Wall are just a few of the attractions that Beijing has to offer. Tiananmen, the Gate of Heavenly Peace, shields the Forbidden City from the vase expanse of the Square. Its lavish palaces and ornate courtyards telling their own story of China’s rich history. During your time in Beijing you will explore this historic area as well as the magnificent Temple of Heaven, the vast Summer Palace and the intricacies of Beijing Opera.

On Day 3 you will take a trip to the Great Wall at Mutianyu with time in the afternoon to visit one of Beijing’s great clothing or souvenir markets.
One evening venture into the hutongs for a succulent Beijing Duck dinner. This courtyard restaurant is one of Beijing’s most traditional, the family has been preparing Beijing Kaoya for generations.

In the late afternoon of Day 4 board your overnight sleeper train to Xi'an.

Days 5-6:
Capital of Chinese empires for more than 2000 years, Xi’an is a city of ancient treasures - the most magnificent and famous of which is the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang Di. The thousands of soldiers, crafted in intricate detail, stand in battle formation to guard the mausoleum of the emperor who ordered their creationThe city has many other attractions including the Great Mosque, a wonderfully serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and fantastic evening food markets. The center of Xi’an is enclosed by an enormous city wall which can be climbed for a small fee - the top is a great place to view the setting sun. In the evening head out to the Muslim Quarter for some of the best street food in China – great spicy beef and lamb kebabs are always a favorite.

Days 7-8:
Standing on the banks of the Li River, Guilin has been regarded as one of China’s premier beauty spots since the Tang Dynasty. Explore the city’s sights and take a day trip into the countryside, beginning by cruising down the Li River past limestone karsts, rice paddies, fishermen on bamboo rafts and grazing water buffalo to the country town of Yangshuo. Here there is time to explore the town and sample a traditional village meal before returning to Guilin.

Days 9-10:
Renowned as an earthly paradise, the city of Hangzhou is a great place to soak up the local atmosphere. One of the main attractions of beautiful Hangzhou is the West Lake; surrounded by hills and gardens, its banks are dotted with temples and pavilions. Hangzhou is the centre of one of China’s most famous tea-growing areas and home to numerous traditional teahouses. The city is also known for its superb food. Visit Lingyin Si one of the largest temple complexes in China, founded in 326. It is set in a vast park with hundreds of Buddhist sculptures, rock formations. Explore the complex before heading to Dragon Well village on the outskirts of the city is the origin of Longjing Tea, the finest green tea produced in China.

Day 11:
Long perceived as one of the world’s most exotic destinations, today Shanghai remains a glamorous, vital consumer paradise and architectural marvel - a mesmerizing array of old and new and walking is a great way to explore the streets and get a feel for this enormous city. There are many options - stroll along the Bund with its spectacular array of art deco-style buildings, or cross the river and take in the sights of Pudong - one of China’s ‘special economic zones’ - with its amazing skyscrapers.

Day 12:
The lovely canal town of Suzhou is only an hour from Shanghai leaving plenty of time to explore the temples and gardens of this lovely city. Boat along the canals, visit the Silk Museum, climb to the top of the 9-tiered Beisi Pagoda and stroll through magnificent gardens.

Days 13-14:
A visit to the Shanghai Museum, which houses one of the best collections of Chinese bronze and artwork, is included in our itinerary. We also visit Yuyuan Gardens in the old city section of Shanghai and a performance by the famous Shanghai Acrobats.