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.

After our visit we return to Beijing. Again there is the opportunity to either simply relax or to enjoy optional visits.

With included sightseeing completed and with a mental map of the city you are today free to explore alone. We recommended rising early to head to Temple of Heaven or Tiantan Park to watch the morning exercises and Tai Chi, grabbing a local breakfast en route.

Later why not head to the famous Lama Temple (easily reached by the Metro). Te lama temple is famous for its five large halls and courtyards each with beautifully decorative archways. This is a treasure-house of Buddhist art with sculptured images of gods, demons and Buddhas along with Tibetan-style murals.

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

After checking in our city tour today 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.

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 your time is free to explore, perhaps to the renowned Shaanxi Museum.

Today we travel south by plane and bus heading first to Guilin on the beautiful Li River. On arrival we transfer to Yangshuo, again sat on the banks of the Li, and relax in this idyllic spot, a real travellers’ favourite.

We start our day with a bike ride into the countryside including a visit to a local family where we can have lunch. From here we take a hike up scenic Moon Hill, a famous local spot.

On return to Yangshuo you are free to do some souvenir hunting or simply relax with a coffee in one of the little restaurants.

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 we visit the Shanghai Museum where over 120,000 precious works of art can be found in eleven galleries and three exhibition halls covering Chinese art, ancient bronzes, ceramics, sculpture, jade, calligraphy and minority nationality treasures.

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

An hour from Shanghai and at the start of the Grand Canal, Suzhou is called the Venice of the East due to its numerous canals. Exploring by bike is a great way to see the town, its narrow streets lined with shops and vendors and little bridges crossing the canals.

Suzhou is also home to an assortment of wonderful gardens which will enthral those even without green fingers. With names such as the “Garden for Lingering In” and the “Humble Administrator’s Garden” these UNESCO World Heritage site gardens attract visitors with their beautiful lines and buildings.
 

Zhouzhuang is one of China’s most-famous little towns, well-known for its well- preserved houses, elegant. Today is free to explore Suzhou further or take an optional trip to explore Zhouzhuang and its ancient streets.

Bisected by lakes and rivers and with 14 stone bridges Zhouzhuang has two which all people seem to know - Shide Bridge and Yongan Bridge. Built in Wanli era (1573 - 1619) of the Ming Dynasty, the “Twin Bridges” lie in the northeast of the town, Shide runs east-west and has a round arch, Yongan runs north-south and has a square arch.

Whilst a day trip reveals the very best of this lovely town you may prefer to relax and see more of Suzhou, perhaps enjoying gardens not seen yesterday.

Later we return to Shanghai by rail.

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