Shangri-La Splendour in Enchanting China: A Luxury Small-Group Tour
See China’s most iconic sights in ultimate five-star style on a 10-day luxury small-group tour (max. 16 travellers). Stroll the Bund in Shanghai, explore electric Beijing, marvel at the iconic Great Wall and come face-to-face with the ancient Terracotta Warriors all while staying in Shangri-La luxury throughout the tour. Includes all internal flights and first-class bullet trains, daily breakfasts and a collection of dining experiences including a Peking duck feast, private local guides, all sightseeing and entrance fees, insider experiences, private airport transfers and transportation throughout, and so much more.
Discover the wonders of China on a 10-day, luxury small group tour (maximum 16 travellers). This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers a fascinating snapshot of China past and present. Learn more about its rich history, taking in iconic sights such as the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors, the waterfront Bund in Shanghai, enchanting Beijing and more. Soak up the vibe of the bustling cities and immerse yourself in local traditions and culture with experiences such as an authentic tai chi class at Beijing’s beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed Temple of Heaven.
What You’ll Love…
The Accommodation – World Class Shangri-La Luxury At Every Turn
Spend nine nights in ultimate five-star Shangri-La luxury. Renowned as one of the world’s finest hotel chains, Shangri-La destinations offer exquisite interiors combined with exceptional, heartfelt hospitality for an unforgettable experience. Stay at the beautiful Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai, Shangri La’s China World Hotel Beijing and the Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an. Each offers a central location and a luxuriously comfortable room to return to after a long day exploring. Expect premium gourmet dining restaurants and stunning city views, making your touring experience one of complete luxury and escapism.
The Experiences – Soak up the Sights from the Great Wall of China to the Terracotta Army
Your experience commences in China’s sprawling capital, Beijing, home to six UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Immerse yourself in the vibe of this buzzing city and tick off sights including the famous Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and more.
Dive into the history of China with visits to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wall of China, the Terracotta Army – which dates back to the third century BCE – the Wild Goose Pagoda, Tongli Ancient Water Town and the ancient city wall of Xi’an.
Compare and contrast with the glittering lights of contemporary China, where skyscrapers graze the clouds in dynamic Shanghai. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in local culture along the way, with an authentic Tai Chi class, a Peking duck banquet, a rickshaw ride through the alleyways of Beijing and a traditional Chinese tea ceremony all included.
Your Tour Includes:
- Nine nights’ accommodation in five-star Shangri-La luxury, at Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai, Shangri La’s China World Hotel Beijing and the Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an
- Daily breakfast and a selection of additional dining experiences including a Peking Duck welcome dinner
- All internal flights and first-class bullet train transfers
- Return private airport transfers and private transportation throughout the tour in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Services of English-speaking tour guides
- All sightseeing and entrance fees
- Small group sizes of just 16 people max. for the perfect balance of intimacy and freedom throughout your tou
Yangtze River Cruise and Chengdu Pandas Tour Extension
Want to cruise the Yangtze River in ultimate five-star style and meet the famous giant pandas of Chengdu? Add another unforgettable dimension to your China experience by upgrading to the 16-day extended tour.
Enjoy four nights aboard the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer, an intimately-sized boutique ship and one of the finest on the river, and indulge in all-inclusive dining with local beers, local house wine, soft drinks and water included during meal times. Board a traditional ‘sampan’ longboat to ride the Shennong Stream where ancient coffins hang in the limestone cliffs, gaze in wonder at the colossal size of Three Gorges Project Dam Site, see the ancient rock carvings of the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum 148 feet underwater and more. With breathtaking scenery from gorges to lush forest, and authentic Chinese activities onboard from Tai Chi to a dumpling cooking class, this is a cruise you’ll never forget.
After your adventure on water, return for two nights of Shangri-La luxury on land in Chengdu to meet the beautiful giant pandas and immerse yourself in local culture at the huge People’s Park.
The 10-day tour begins in Beijing and ends in Shanghai.
The extended 16-day tour begins in Beijing and ends in Chengdu.
Private return airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the tour only. Please note your international flights are not included in your package. Airlines that fly between Australia and China include China Southern, China Airlines, China Eastern, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines.
You MUST complete your booking form within 48 hours of booking. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements – including flights.
Please ensure your flights into Beijing arrive before 4pm on Day 1 and depart Shanghai anytime after breakfast on Day 10 or anytime out of Chengdu on Day 16 after breakfast.
A visa may be required to the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website Visa Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
DAY 1 – ARRIVE IN BEIJING
Upon arrival in Beijing, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Please ensure you arrive by 4pm in order to participate in the evening’s arrangements. Meet your group and leader in the evening for a pre-tour briefing and a welcome dinner of authentic Peking duck.
Accommodation: Shangri-La’s China World Hotel Beijing
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2 – IMPERIAL BEIJING
This morning, you’ll head to the sprawling capital of Beijing itself, rich with six UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Visit the famous Tiananmen Square public plaza, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and more.
Accommodation: Shangri-La’s China World Hotel Beijing
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 3 – THE GREAT WALL
Today you’ll travel north of Beijing to see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Wall of China, which dates back as far as the 7th century BCE and is truly a wonder to behold. En route, visit one of Beijing’s most renowned jade producers to learn all about the history of this celebrated stone. After climbing the wall, enjoy some lunch and sample local teas at a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. The evening is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Shangri-La’s China World Hotel Beijing
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 4 – BEIJING AND XI’AN
Immerse yourself in local culture by starting the day with a Tai Chi class during a visit to the Temple of Heaven. Next, get a taste of the past by exploring the winding alleys, or ‘hutongs’, of the local Beijing neighbourhoods from the back of a traditional rickshaw. Later in the day, you’ll travel to the ancient city of Xi’An, home to the famous Terracotta Army.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 5 – TERRACOTTA ARMY
Today, embark on a day tour to the site of the famed Terracotta Army – a massive collection of sculptures depicting the armies of the first emperor of China and dating back to the third century BCE – and discover the story behind this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site from an experienced local tour guide. Afterwards, head to the famous Moslem Street to sample local cuisine and shop for souvenirs.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 6 – XI’AN
Explore the incredible Wild Goose Pagoda, a five-story Buddhist pagoda built during the Tang dynasty, before visiting the ancient city wall of Xi’an, one of the oldest and best-preserved in China.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Xi’an
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 7 – XI’AN TO SUZHOU
Today, depart Xi’An for Suzhou, where you’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Master of the Nets Garden, whose history dates back 900 years. The evening is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel Suzhou
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8 – WATER TOWN TO SHANGHAI
After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Tongli Ancient Water Town with its well-preserved architecture and bridges. Afterwards, you’ll travel to Shanghai where you can check-in to your hotel before enjoying the evening at your leisure.
Accommodation: Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 9 – SHANGHAI
Today, discover the wonders of Shanghai on a guided city tour, taking in the stunning Yu Garden, the French Concession, the Xin Tian Di entertainment district with its plethora of restaurants, boutiques and galleries, and the famous waterfront strip The Bund, a melting pot of architectural influences. Spend the evening at your leisure or join the optional Huangpu River night cruise to admire the glittering Shanghai skyline at night (additional charge applies).
Accommodation: Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
DAY 10 – TOUR ENDS
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
OPTIONAL YANGTZE RIVER AND CHENGDU TOUR EXTENSION
DAY 10 – YICHANG
Today you will travel to Yichang to board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer. Please note flights to Yichang operate on limited/seasonal schedules, so depending on your travel date you will either fly in the morning (arriving into Yichang at approx 10am) or in the evening (arriving into Yichang at approx 10pm). This schedule will determine how your day is spent - either at leisure in Shanghai or Yichang. Depending on when you board the ship, you may be able to join the optional embarkation dinner (additional charge applies) before enjoying a documentary on the Seven Wonders of China in the Tang Theatre.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11 – XILING GORGES AND THREE GORGES DAM
Start the day with a traditional tai chi lesson. After breakfast, enjoy a lecture on the Three Gorges Project and learn the controversial story behind this colossal dam’s construction, which involved resettling 1.2 million people. A Chinese foot reflexology demonstration will take place mid-morning in the Tang Theatre, or alternatively treat yourself to a treatment at the ship’s onboard spa. After lunch, visit the Three Gorges Dam Project and exhibition centre. In the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on traditional Chinese medicine before sailing through Xiling Gorge. In the evening, enjoy a welcome reception with the captain and a delicious a la carte dinner.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 12 – SHENNONG STREAM, QUTANG GORGE AND WU GORGE
Kick off your morning with some traditional Chinese exercise. After breakfast, climb aboard a traditional sampan longboat rowed by expert Tujia boatmen, on a cruise along the Shennong Stream. As you pass through this spectacular forest-fringed gorge, see if you can spot the hanging coffins suspended in the limestone cliffs, evidence of early settlements in the area. Visit a traditional trackers village where you can encounter a rural Chinese community complete with mud huts, meat being dried on hooks and coffins the bedroom. After lunch on board, admire the scenery as you cruise through the breathtaking Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge and enjoy onboard activities such as a snuff bottle painting demonstration. In the evening, enjoy an a la carte dinner, a talk on the 816 Underground Project, a movie screening and live music.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 13 – FULING
Start the day with a Tai Chi session before breakfast. Spend the morning enjoying onboard activities. After a buffet lunch, choose to visit either a local farmer’s market and the White Crane Ridge Underwater Museum with its ancient rock carvings 148 feet underwater, or the 816 Underground Project, the world’s largest artificial military cave. Enjoy a ‘Taste of China’ farewell dinner on board with live music.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 14 – CHENGDU
Relax and enjoy your final breakfast before disembarking in Chongqing ready for your onward journey to Chengdu. Upon arrival check into your hotel before heading to the city’s largest public park, the People’s Park. Immerse yourself in the local culture as residents play traditional instruments and practice tai chi and calligraphy. Visit a local teahouse for a demonstration before heading to Jinli Promenade, a popular folk art street lined with buildings created in the historic Qing Dynasty style.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15 – CHENGDU
Today you’ll come face to face with beautiful giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. In addition to this national treasure, the centre is also home to black-necked cranes, white storks and other varieties of panda.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Chengdu
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 16 – DEPART FROM CHINA
After breakfast, your tour comes to an end and you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast