Ni hao, and welcome to sprawling Beijing! With its labyrinthine streets and towering buildings, China’s captivating capital is home to over 20 million people and a millennia of fascinating history.
Upon arrival, take your included transfer to your hotel for check-in, after which you’ll have time to explore freely ahead of your busy itinerary tomorrow.
One of the world’s great megalopolises, Beijing’s distinctive architectural feats and cultural heritage are an ever-evolving story, stepping boldly forth with futuristic innovation.
Acquaint yourself with the city’s complex past as you visit historic Tiananmen Square – one of the largest public squares in the world – then pass through the southern gate of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Forbidden City for a glimpse at the imperial palace, home to China’s emperors for over 500 years. Wander the sprawling complex on a private tour, weaving through courtyards and passageways that hum with history.
The rest of your day is spent at leisure. Perhaps you’ll choose to join an optional performance of the dramatic Golden Mask Dynasty musical show.
Optional activities:
- Golden Mask Dynasty show (from RMB380 per person, paid locally).
After breakfast, head out to the awe-inspiring Juyong Pass of the Great Wall of China, the world’s longest man-made structure, stretching almost 4,000 miles across China’s northern border. Take your time to stroll along its paths, taking in breathtaking views of mountains, plateaus, and grasslands from this ancient defensive fortress. Later, enjoy a delectable Peking duck lunch at a local restaurant, before returning to Beijing.
This afternoon, choose to join an optional tour through Beijing’s thousand-year-old ‘hutongs’ – narrow alleys through the city’s oldest neighbourhoods – offering a path into the daily lives of the locals. Here, you’ll be treated to a delicious home-cooked dinner with a local family in their courtyard home.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Optional activities:
- Hutong pedicab tour and local dinner (from RMB350 per person, paid locally).
After an energising breakfast, start your morning with a visit to a Chinese herbal institution to learn about the traditional use of herbs for medicinal purposes.
Later, wave goodbye to Beijing’s busy streets as you board your second-class cabin on a high-speed G train to Xi’an. Once you’ve arrived and checked in at your hotel, the evening is yours to spend freely.
Travel time: High-speed rail – approx. five hours
Wake to breakfast and the promise of an adventurous day in Xi’an, where China’s dynastic legacy is built into the 14th-century city walls.
Set off for one of China’s most treasured sites to see the jaw-dropping Terracotta Army. One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th-century, this vault of terracotta-sculpted warriors is credited to the rule of unified China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Since its unexpected discovery, archaeologists have pored over the individual faces and assembled masses of these solemn statues in search of historic insights. Before you leave, pay a visit to the workshop where skilled craftspeople recreate terracotta warriors in the style of their ancient counterparts.
After a filling breakfast, pay a visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda – one of Xi’an’s most recognisable Buddhist pagodas dating back to the 7th century CE. Later, transfer to Xi’an Airport (XIY) for your included domestic flight to Hangzhou (HGH), where you’ll be transported to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Travel time: Flight – approx. 2.5 hours
Regarded as the tea capital of China, Hangzhou’s beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage are best enjoyed over a fresh brew at a local teahouse. Travel to Meijiawu Tea Village and sit down for a mindful moment to learn about the region’s tea tradition. Afterwards, board a boat to cross tranquil West Lake, marvelling at the arched bridges, ancient pagodas and verdant hills as you drift dreamily along.
This afternoon, travel onward to Suzhou to check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day as you wish.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Suzhou is a town characterised by idyllic canals and meticulously landscaped gardens. Stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lingering Garden, famed for its picturesque ponds and stone bridges. Choose to join an optional cruise along the enchanting Grand Canal for a special experience in this scenic cityscape.
Later today, weave your way to the Suzhou Silk Factory for a deeper insight into China’s tradition of crafting silk fabric. Continue on to Shanghai – a gargantuan city blending old-world character with modern innovation. Check-in at your hotel for an evening spent wandering through the thrumming heart of Shanghai, or choose to join an optional trip to an astounding Chinese acrobatic show (charges apply).
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Optional activities:
- Grand Canal cruise (from RMB220 per person, paid locally).
- ERA – Intersection of Time acrobatic show (from RMB390 per person, paid locally).
Step into the bright morning with a tour of Old Shanghai’s vibrant markets and busy streets, losing yourself in the traditional customs of day-to-day life. Visit the Shanghai History Museum for a fascinating dive into the city’s diverse heritage.
Spend the rest of your day exploring the city as you desire – perhaps shop for delicate Chinese ceramics or opt to visit the famed Yu Garden then jump aboard a night cruise along the majestic Huangpu River (charges apply). You’ll discover the architectural marvels of the cityscape, witnessing the international buildings that mark the western bank, as well as the eye-catching Lujiazui skyline, defined by its towering trio of skyscrapers.
Optional activities:
- Yu Garden and Huangpu River night cruise (from RMB390 per person, paid locally).
After one last breakfast at your hotel – and perhaps some last-minute Shanghai sightseeing – it’s time to bid farewell to captivating China as you transfer to the airport for your return flight to London with British Airways.
Travel time: Flight – approx. 14 hours
Arrive back in London today, as your Chinese voyage concludes.