Hong Kong and Continental China

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to mainland China. Arrive in Beijing, the enormous capital of China, famed for its ancient sites such as the iconic Forbidden City, and as being the gateway to some of the most visited portions of the Great Wall. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Beijing.

Breakfast at the hotel.  Enjoy a half-day tour of the fantastic Temple of Heaven, a religious complex where you could have the opportunity to watch the locals practising Tai Chi in the tranquil surroundings. Afterwards, visit a Pearl Factory to learn about the production of this precious object. In the afternoon we recommend an optional Hutong Excursion* and a Kung Fu Show experience in the evening.** Overnight stay in Beijing.

* Optional Hutong Excursion: Hop on a rickshaw, the traditional form of transportation, and visit Bell Tower and Drum Tower from the outside before stepping into one of the local Siheyuan courtyard houses to learn about Chinese paper cutting. Finally take advantage of the shopping on Wangfujing street.

** Optional Red Theatre Kung Fu Show: Admire the intricacies of this martial art as you enjoy a professional show.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an exciting excursion to the best-preserved section of the Great Wall of China. The Juyongguan section is the most visited part of the wall and is the best representation of the former splendour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of unimaginable length, the wall can be seen from space. On the way, admire the countryside and stop at a Jade craftsmanship exhibition, where you can learn about the culture surrounding this precious stone. Arrive at the Great Wall where you will have plenty of time to learn about the history of the wall and enjoy walking on this ancient relic of the past. Return to Beijing to visit a Chinese Natural Remedies Factory, to learn about the ancient practices and remedies used in traditional eastern medicine for more than 2000 years. Then, stop at the famous Olympic Park for a photo stop and admire the beautifully architected Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube Aquatics Centre from outside. We reccommend attending a Golden Mask Show in the evening, a beautiful cultural performance* Overnight stay.

* Optional Golden Mask Show: Set in the Golden Mask Dynasty, a legendary age in China, the story tells the story of a queen, who wears a golden mask, and creates a splendid dynasty. It is a fabulous insight into China's history and arts.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day exploring Beijing at your leisure, visiting the sights or delving into the fabulous cuisine. Alternatively, we recommend an optional excursion to Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City*. Overnight stay in Beijing. 

* Optional Full-Day Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City Excursion: Explore the iconic Tiananmen Square to then head to the Forbidden City, an impressive palace complex and home to the former Imperial Chinese Palace for the years spanning from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. It is the world's most visited attractions and showcases immaculate Chinese design and architecture. Afterwards, visit a traditional Bamboo Factory and finally, explore the Summer Palace, a former imperial garden from the Qing era.

Please note: the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so the order of the itinerary may be changed to accommodate this closure.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the train station for an exciting bullet train journey to Xi'an. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Afterwards, visit the Muslim Quarter and enjoy some shopping time there. Return to the hotel. We recommend an optional Tang Dynasty Show for an evening of entertainment.* Overnight stay in Xi'an.

* Optional Tang Dynasty Show at Shanxi Theater: Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with fabulous music and dancing from the era of the Tang Dynasty, China's golden age. The show is a unique way to get to know the historical culture of the ancient city of Xi'an.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover one of China's most iconic sights as you enjoy a visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Approximately 8,000 sculpted figures were buried alongside Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, and today you can see this once in a lifetime sight for yourself. Each figure is impressively crafted and unique. Be blown away by the intricacy and the sheer number of the figures as you learn about their significance. Also visit the local Terracotta Factory and the Xian Museum, to learn about the history of this ancient Chinese capital. In the evening we recommend an optional night tour of the Old City.* Overnight stay in Xi'an.

* Optional Old City Night Tour: Tour the Old City of Xi'an at night and enjoy the ambience of the old city walls and the Wild Goose Pagoda (from outside) with photo stops, the North Square and the Music Fountain.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the station to take a high-speed train to Shanghai. Arrive, and transfer to the hotel. After resting for a while, take a walking tour of Nanjing road and the Bund to get to know Shanghai's diverse neighbourhoods. Return to the hotel and in the evening you have the option to enjoy a Huangpu River Cruise.* Overnight stay in Shanghai.

* Optional Huangpu River Cruise: View the city's skyline from the comfort of the river cruiser as you enjoy an evening of spectacular views.

Breakfast at the hotel. Head out into the city on a tour of the Old Bazaars to experience authentic Chinese culture. Learn about the city's history at the Shanghai Museum and see the modern side of the city. Visit an authentic Silk Factory to discover how this coveted fabric is manufactured. Return to the hotel. We recommend an optional Acrobatic show this evening.* Overnight stay in Shanghai.

* Optional Acrobatic Show: Experience one of the world's oldest performing arts as you are immersed in an evening of culture and entertainment. Note: This activity is only available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, shopping in one of the many shopping centres, strolling around colonial Bund or sampling the street food. Alternately, you can join our optional tour of Suzhou's gardens and canals*. Overnight stay in Shanghai.

* Optional Tour of Suzhou Gardens: Acquaint yourself with Suzhou, known as the ‘Venice of the East’ and one of the most historically significant cities of Southern China where you will visit Lingering Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Suzhou Museum before taking a boat ride on Pingjiang River to make your way to the charming Old City and gaze at the Wumen brigde and Prince Zhonog's Mansion.