Glories of China

Daily departures - Guaranteed departures

A popular 13-day tour of the highlights of China, combining Beijing for the Great Wall and Forbidden City, Xi'an for the Terracotta warriors, the scenic landscape of Guilin with a cruise on the Li River, the dynamic modern city of Shanghai and the garden city of Suzhou. An escorted tour with your own local English-speaking guides and car and driver, using mostly 5-star hotels, with most meals and cultural shows included.

For those seeking something a bit different, there is the option to visit the small 'water town' of Wuzhen instead of Suzhou, staying overnight in one of the excellent guest houses in renovated homes lining the canals.

Day 1 Depart UK.
Day 2 Arrive Beijing. Transfer to 5-star hotel. Rest of the day free.
Day 3 Morning tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City - the imperial palace that was the centre of power for China's rulers for some 500 years. After lunch, visit the Temple of Heaven, where emperors performed rituals to guarantee a good harvest. Enjoy a delicious Peking duck dinner and acrobatic show. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Excursion to the Great Wall at Badaling, followed by the tombs of the Ming emperors, in particular Changling - the tomb of the emperor Yongle (reigned 1402-24). (B, L)
Day 5 Morning visit to the gardens and pavilions of the Summer Palace. After lunch, take the two-hour flight to Xi'an, a former capital of China and starting point of the Silk Road. Transfer to 5-star hotel. (B, L)
Day 6 In the morning, visit the famous Terracotta Army, created to guard the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the 3rd century BC. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Xi'an to visit the impressive Shaanxi Historical Museum. 'Tang Dynasty' song and dance show after dinner evoking the sights and sounds of old China. (B, L, D)
Day 7 In the morning visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built in the 7th century AD, and the ancient cultural street. After lunch, transfer to airport for the two-hour flight to Guilin. Transfer to 4-star hotel. Rest of the day free. (B, L)
Day 8 Cruise on the Li River past a stunning, exotic scenic backdrop of limestone hills and lush rice paddies. Lunch served on board. Disembark at the small riverside town of Yangshuo and visit local markets before travelling back to Guilin by coach. Optional boat trip in the evening to see traditional fishing methods using cormorants. (B, L)
Day 9 City tour of Guilin including the Reed Flute Cave, a vast underground cavern, and Elephant Trunk Hill. Transfer to airport for flight to Shanghai. Transfer to 5-star hotel. (B, L)
Day 10 Sightseeing tour of the bustling, cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, including the Yu Garden and old city bazaar area, and the Jade Buddha Temple. After lunch, explore the Bund - Shanghai's famous waterfront - the former French Concession and the new Pudong development zone on the other bank of the Huangpu River. (B, L)
Day 11 After breakfast, transfer to railway station for train to Suzhou, famous for its gardens and silk industry. Transfer to hotel. Visit two of Suzhou's classic Chinese-style gardens: the Garden for Lingering In and the Garden of the Master of the Nets, plus the silk embroidery institute where skilled workers created masterpieces of silk tapestry. Stay at 4-star hotel. (B, L)
Day 12 Further exploration of Suzhou, with a visit to the picturesque area around the Panmen watergate, the scenic Tiger Hill with its pagoda, and Hanshan Temple before travelling back by train to Shanghai for overnight stay. (B, L)
Day 13 Transfer to airport for flight back to UK, arriving later the same day (B)

WUZHEN OPTION
Day 11 After breakfast, transfer by road (approx. 2-3 hours) to the atmospheric 'water town' of Wuzhen, with its canals, old Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, stone bridges. Explore the historic buildings, art galleries, workshops and boat trip on the canals.(B, L)
Day 12 Further exploration of Wuzhen before transfer back to Shanghai for overnight stay. (B, L)
Day 13 Transfer to airport for flight back to UK, arriving later the same day (B)