Destinations: Xi'an, Beijing, Shanghai, Yangtze River Delta, Chengdu, Chongqing
Destinations: Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Beijing, Yangtze River Delta, Chongqing
Destinations: Shenzhen, Hong Kong
Unearth ancient secrets and modern marvels on a curated 12-day journey through China’s most iconic sights, staying in handpicked Shangri-La hotels along the way. Witness the imposing majesty of the Great Wall at Juyong Pass and stand face to face with Xi’an’s legendary Terracotta Army, frozen in time for more than two millennia.
Marvel at giant pandas at Chengdu’s celebrated research base, then experience the thrill of high-speed bullet train travel connecting you between cities with ease. Glide along the legendary Yangtze River on a three-night premium cruise, passing dramatic gorges and mist-shrouded peaks, before arriving in Shanghai to explore Yu Gardens, Yuyuan Bazaar and the historic Bund.
With a maximum of 16 guests, expert local guides and private transfers throughout, this fully escorted premium tour is your seamless gateway to the very best of China — combining iconic experiences with elevated comfort.
Destinations: Xi'an, Beijing, Shanghai, Yangtze River Delta, Chengdu, Chongqing
Destinations: Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Beijing, Yangtze River Delta, Chongqing
Destinations: Shenzhen, Hong Kong
Begin your discovery of Beijing with a guided visit to Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public square and the symbolic heart of modern China. Surrounded by landmarks such as the Great Hall of the People and the Monument to the People’s Heroes, it’s a powerful introduction to the nation’s past and present.
From here, step into the awe-inspiring Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex that once housed 24 emperors across the Ming and Qing dynasties. Wander through palatial halls and serene courtyards as your guide reveals the rich symbolism behind its ancient treasures.
This afternoon, choose to delve deeper into local life with an optional tour of Beijing’s hutongs — narrow alleyways where traditional courtyard homes reveal centuries of community culture (surcharges apply). Conclude your day with a quintessential dining experience: a Peking Duck banquet at a local restaurant, savouring the city’s most famous dish.
Leave behind city life as you strike out for the utterly breathtaking Great Wall of China. Travel to Juyong Pass, carving an imposing line through the valley of the Changping District. Surrounded by mountains on either side, this is one of the most historically significant and impenetrable segments of the Great Wall. Admire the vast mountain scenery as you walk along this architectural wonder, then continue to a local jade factory for the opportunity to witness a traditional trade and maybe purchase a handcrafted souvenir.
This evening, you might like to watch an acrobatic kung fu performance (surcharges apply).
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Great Wall of China visit
After breakfast, meet in the lobby and transfer to the station for your train bound of Xi’an. Board your high-speed G train in luxury second-class seats.
On arrival in Xi’an, you’ll be met and transferred to your Shangri-La hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure before the option to join a night tour to experience the city’s evening atmosphere.
Travel time: Train – approx. five hours
High-speed G train trip (bullet train)
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.
Start your day at a Terracotta Warriors workshop, where artisans craft detailed replicas of the famous army. Then, continue to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. 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.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to the Muslim Quarter to lose yourself in the enchanting stalls, narrow lanes and alluring aromas of typical Islamic street foods. Later, return to your hotel for the rest of your day free to spend as you desire.
Terracotta Warriors Museum visit
After breakfast at your Shangri-La hotel, meet in the lobby for your transfer to the train station, where you’ll board a bullet train in a second-class cabin to Chengdu.
Once arrived in Chengdu, check-in at your opulent hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Travel time: Train – approx. four hours
High-speed G train trip (bullet train)
After breakfast, today takes you to Chengdu’s most celebrated attraction – the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Here, conservation efforts have supported the panda population since 1987, when it rescued six wild pandas, leading to a safely confined population of over 100 giant pandas today. More than just a chance to see these monochromatic creatures, a visit to the Research Base is an opportunity to learn more about all kinds of pandas, including the curious red panda.
After lunch, you will be transferred to take a bullet train to Chongqing.
On arrival, transfer to Chongqing port to board your luxury vessel for a three-night Yangtze River cruise. Whether aboard the Victoria Sabrina or Victoria Isabella, enjoy a luxurious cruise with a scenic sun deck, indoor pool and onboard theatre.
Once settled into your well-appointed cabin, you’ll set sail down one of the world’s longest rivers through a dramatic landscape of mountains and shimmering waters. After your welcome briefing, you may spend the rest of your day however you please, soaking up the spectacular scenery as you go.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding visit
High-speed G train trip (bullet train)
Rise to the beauty of the Yangtze, enjoy breakfast and join Tai Chi on the main deck if you wish. Be prepared to visit Shuanggui Mountain, a naturally pristine area and national park on the banks of the river. Here, you could visit the sacred Luming Temple where you’ll learn more about the Song dynasty poet Su Shi.
Today, you may want to visit Fengdu Ghost City, a storied site above Ming Mountain on the northern banks of the Yangtze. Dedicated to the afterlife, this complex of temples and shrines embraces ancient representations of the Underworld, or ‘Diyu’, with intricate detail and incredible execution. Wandering this mesmerising city, you’ll learn of the many vivid stories depicted across the complex.
Return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon however you please. This evening, attend the Captain’s Welcome Party to meet the crew and enjoy live entertainment.
Yangtze River cruise
Awaken to the beauty of the Yangtze, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and optionally join a Tai Chi session on the main deck. Today, sail into the Three Gorges, where emerald waters wind between towering cliffs and lush, forested mountains. Pass through Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the three, before gliding into Wu Gorge, famed for its majestic cliffs.
Next, turn your attention to the Goddess Stream, where towering Wu and Qutang Gorges frame an awe-inspiring picture of China’s natural wonder – one so beautiful it features on the back of the 10-yuan bill. Taking a smaller boat along this narrow stretch of hidden beauty, you’ll have the chance to unearth the Ancient Plank Road and dizzying Meng Liang Stairway, pausing to consider the ancient traditions of the region as you look high up the limestone cliffs to the hanging coffins tucked above.
Afterwards, you might like to participate in a White Emperor City tour or simply unwind on your luxury ship.
Yangtze River cruise
After breakfast, disembark the ship in Shanghai and visit the Three Gorges Dam. A feat of engineering at 2,335 metres long and 185 metres tall, this gargantuan structure stands at the heart of discussions of clean energy and environmental impact. As the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant – its generating capacity reaches a jaw-dropping 22,500 megawatts – the dam’s complex, and at times controversial local history, is well worth exploring.
Then, take a high-speed G train in luxury second-class seats to Shanghai.
On arrival, transfer to your luxury hotel for check-in and send the rest of the day at leisure in this buzzing city.
Yangtze River cruise
High-speed G train trip (bullet train)
Spend the day in the heart of Shanghai, beginning with a stroll through Yuyuan Bazaar, where cobbled streets are lined with shops selling herbal medicines, handicrafts, Chinese tea and local snacks. Step into the Yu Gardens, a serene example of classical Chinese landscaping, featuring jade rock formations, goldfish ponds and elegant pavilions, built by Ming-era governor Pan Yunduan as a retirement gift for his father.
Next, visit the Bund, where Shanghai’s colonial history unfolds along the waterfront. Admire buildings from 1850s trade houses to 1920s Art Deco landmarks, including banks, hotels and the iconic customs house. Explore the Silk Mill to see the production of luxurious silk from silkworm to finished fabric.
For a different perspective, consider an optional Huangpu River cruise (surcharges apply).
Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with the group to say goodbye to this fabulous China trip.
After breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to say goodbye to charming China as you transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), where your adventure comes to a close.
Walk alongside the Great Wall of China – a UNESCO World Heritage-listed marvel of ancient pathways and mountain vistas. Carefully reconstructed over the years, the Yuan-era balustrades, watchtowers and white marble Cloud Platform gate of the Juyong Pass are the perfect demonstration of this feat of architecture. Spend your time admiring the craftsmanship and restoration work of these fortifications.
Experience one of Chengdu’s most enchanting encounters at the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Since 1987, this sanctuary has grown from rescuing six wild pandas to nurturing a flourishing population of over 100. More than just a chance to see these iconic creatures, the Base offers a window into their world – from the gentle giants to the playfully curious red pandas – making it an unforgettable experience.
Set sail aboard the Victoria Sabrina or Victoria Isabella and glide through the Yangtze’s legendary landscapes, where emerald waters wind between towering cliffs, lush forests and the dramatic Three Gorges. From Tai Chi on the sun deck at dawn to intimate excursions along the Goddess Stream and hidden waterways, every moment aboard this luxurious vessel immerses you in China’s natural wonders.
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Your tour begins at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and ends at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) with return airport transfers.
The Shenzhen & Hong Kong Extension ends at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
The Zhangjiajie (Avatar Mountains) Extension ends at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG).
Return flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. If your chosen tour departure date is guaranteed at the time of booking, you may be able to purchase flights immediately. If your tour departure date is not yet guaranteed (still pending minimum numbers), flights should not be booked until you receive an update on the status of your tour.
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Important Destination Information:
China
Time zone: GMT+8 (China Standard Time)
Telephone: +86
Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city.
Language: Mandarin, Cantonese, Hunanese
Climate: In the north, the climate is temperate, with summer temperatures around 25°C and very cold winters. In the south, it is subtropical with very hot summers and mild winters.
Dress code: Relaxed but respectful, especially when visiting religious institutions.