Today you arrive in Beijing, the capital of China, and a vibrant and cosmopolitan metropolis. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for an opportunity to settle in and look forward to your forthcoming tour through some of the wonders of China.

History shows that Beijing has been occupied for thousands of years but today its heart dates largely from the Ming and Qing Dynasty periods with many older remains too.

After breakfast today we will walk from the hotel through famous Tiananmen Square to visit the largest complex in the city from these Ming Dynasty times – The Forbidden City. This was the royal palace and is a massive and grand affair that can provide no better introduction to the city and indeed country.

The word ‘hutong’ originally meant a ‘space between two tents’ and dates from Mongol times. You can see how it has given its name to the narrow network of traditional streets, complete with courtyard houses that can still be found albeit in decreasing numbers, in Beijing as we wander on our afternoon tour.

This evening is free for you to take in a traditional Peking opera or acrobatic show – both are optional and can easily be arranged via your local guide.

One of the great highlights of the trip today as we head out of Beijing.

Our first stop is at the superb Ming Tombs. Located 50 km northwest of the city these are the final resting place of no fewer than 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Perfectly preserved the mausoleums provide an intriguing insight into royal life and death with the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di and his empresses the most magnificent.

The Great Wall is one of the world’s greatest sights. The Great Wall is made up of several connecting structures from various periods of time and is known in China as the Wan Li Chang Cheng, or 10,000 League Fortification. The classic image of the wall exists for only a relatively short part of its entire length and we have chosen to visit at Mutianyu, a less-busy section.

This section winds 1.4 miles through high hills and ridge, its 8m high sides demonstrate its impregnability. At 4m wide and with both of the inner and outer sides having parapets the wall is less wall and more castle! 22 watchtowers provide communication points. In addition to its strategic location the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is also famous for its breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

Later this evening we board the overnight train (soft-class) for Luoyang.

We set off after breakfast for the famous Shaolin Temple, pausing first at Baima “White Horse” Temple, which legend says was the first Buddhist temple in China.

On arrival at Shaolin we waste no time in getting down to the action! Based on the movements of animals the story behind kung fu revolves around the need of the monks to defend themselves from attacking marauders and dates back many centuries. You’ll enjoy an exciting display of the monks’ skills, be able to wander the temple and see the famous Forest of Pagodas.

We will spend the night at Shaolin.

Lying just 13km south of Luoyang the Longmen Grottoes are simply incredible – home to some 100,000 Buddha images.

Guyang Cave is the earliest cave with three tiers of niches and hundreds of statues, many showing Gandharan influences from the Indus River area. A statue of the Buddha as Sakyamuni is an amazing 7.82 meters high (25 feet). Binyang Cave is later housing 11 large statues and a floor engraved with lotus patterns.

The last, the Lianhua ‘Lotus’ Cave has a huge relief of a well-sculpted lotus flower engraved on the dome,with six flying musicians around it. Other caves have a variety of other special features and a visit is a highlight of this part of the trip.
 

This morning we board the train and head to Xian.

After checking in this afternoon we set off on a city tour which introduces some of the many wonders of this remarkable ancient capital of China. Sat at one end of the Silk Road Xian, or Chang’an as it was then known was home to more than 10 dynasties and has a history that stretches back to Neolithic times.

We start our explorations heading from the imposing Bell Tower into the Hui Muslim quarter visiting the Grand Mosque as we go. This amazing structure is traditionally Chinese in look, but is none the less the focus of the city’s Muslim minority. If time allows we may visit our friend Mr. An.

Next we take a walk on the city’s walls for amazing views as we next head to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, 4 km south. The pagoda stands in the Da Ci'en Temple complex and attracts numerous Buddhist pilgrims and dates from AD652 and the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It takes its name from a legend that where previously meat-eating Buddhist were converted to vegetarianism by a passing goose falling from the sky and the belief that this was a sign they should abstain from meat eating.

Returning to your hotel there is time to relax before perhaps taking in one of the city’s unmissable Tang Dynasty shows, which kids love.

Immediately recognisable the Terracotta Warriors have been amazing visitors ever since they were discovered by a farmer digging a well. His unwitting find lead archaeologists to unearth the defensive army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi of the Han Dynasty who, in the 3rd century BC, wanted to assure himself of a well-protected afterlife. His mausoleum some 1.5 km away is the stuff of schoolboy imagination, with secret passages and traps to catch the unwary, Indiana Jones-style. It has yet to be excavated.

The life-size warriors are housed in vast pits and it is said that no two are alike. There are horsemen and infantry, officers and other ranks, all frozen in time and the site deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status.

On returning to Xian later this afternoon we fly south to Chengdu.
 

We are now in Sichuan Province, home to spicy food and, famously, pandas. This morning we set off for the panda research centre where work goes on to increase the numbers of this cute and highly endangered animal.

Found only in limited amounts of forest in remote parts of this remote southern region the panda needs all the help it can get. Education is helping, but the main way that assistance is afforded is by helping them breed here at the research centre. You’ll have the opportunity to see pandas “in the fur”, as it were, as you make a memorable visit today!

The rest of the day is free to explore Chengdu. Attractions include Wuhou Memorial Temple, Qingyang Palace and Wenshu Monastery for those that want to explore further.

A flight east takes us to Guilin, on the famous Li River. You’ll immediately be struck by the amazing landscapes that can be seen all around – more of which later!

For now we head into the countryside and make our way along winding roads to Longji, the amazing Dragon’s Backbone rice terraces that tumble hundreds of feet one below the other. This is the perfect opportunity to discover rural China at its very best as we meet local minority nationality people. These separate ethnic groups are an important part of the makeup of China’s ethnic fabric, each group with different languages, customs, methods of farming, building etc.

Walking through the local village and meeting locals kids will be able to meet Chinese children and learn first hand of their culture. This is one of the most memorable parts of the whole trip as we spend a night in this rural part of China.
 

Today we ride bikes to the local village of Xingping (bus available for those that prefer not to ride) then start a lovely the walk along the Li River for a couple of hours. We head to a place named "Jiu Ma Hua Shan" Nine Horses Mountain, where the eponymous horses are painted onto a cliff.

We next take a boat ride to Yangdi, a small fishing village. The scenes along the way are typical of this part of China - farmers with their water buffalo, men fishing and a beautiful landscape wherever you look.

From Yangdi we take the bus back to Yangshuo.

A transfer to Guilin airport sees us fly from there to Shanghai, the powerhouse of China’s modern economy.

On arrival we head out to the famous Jade Buddha Temple housing an important Burmese Buddha image.

Setting out today we embark on a walk from famous Nanjing Road to the Bund, visit Yuyuan Garden in the old part of town and via antique markets to the Old French quarter.

Nanjing Road is home to internationally recognisable brands names of the super rich and is the by-word for style and elegance in the city – quite a juxtaposition to what we have been used too. Shanghai sits on the Huangpu River and its waterfront Bund is lined with stately buildings dating from the time when colonial powers had influence here. Today the Bund provided a place for Shanghai residents to relax, walk and in the early morning practice their tai chi and other exercises.

Yu Yuan Gardens is a superb example of classical Chinese garden design and dates from the 16th century. Pavilions, water, meticulous planting all combine to create what Pan Yunduan, the gardens’ creator, hoped was a peaceful place for his parents to live out their old age in.

This afternoon is left free to relax, or perhaps do some sopping for some souvenirs.

This evening why not take a trip to see the famous Shanghai acrobats at one of their evening performances (optional), a great way to end the trip.
 

The tour ends with a transfer from the hotel to airport.