On arrival in Shanghai Pudong or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, you will be met in the arrival hall by your local guide and/or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel. An informal welcome dinner and tour briefing will be held in the evening. Late arrivals will receive a box dinner and tour briefing the following day.

Today’s explorations include the peaceful Yu Garden and the atmospheric alleys of the old town. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture of Shanghai with a stroll along the Bund and round off your day with some delicious Shanghainese cuisine. Sightseeing today involves a full day of touring around the centre of the city including approximately 3-4 hours on foot.

Today involves a full day of sightseeing. Explore the ancient treasures of the Shanghai Museum in the People’s Square before visiting the Silk Factory. This afternoon, discover the ultramodern district of Pudong. Round off the day with a panoramic evening cruise on the Huangpu River.

Today, enjoy a leisurely day of sightseeing. Transfer 2 hours to Suzhou, renowned for its gardens and quaint charm. Start your day with a tour of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of the most exquisite examples of Chinese garden style in the world. Later, cruise on the thousand-year-old Grand Canal, an important commercial route for centuries.

Transfer 1-2 hours to the water town of Wuzhen, laced with wooden canal boats and white-faced houses, for a leisurely tour on foot. Continue your journey 1-2 hours to Hangzhou and check in at your hotel.

A restful morning is spent wandering around the Temple of Inspired Seclusion, one of China’s most renowned Buddhist temples. The Temple of Inspired Seclusion (Lingyin Temple) is one of the largest and most significant temples in southern China so it can get crowded with domestic tourists, particularly during weekends and holidays. There will be approximately 2 hours sightseeing on foot at this site. Later, cruise on Hangzhou’s West Lake, admiring the gardens, pagodas and old bridges on its shores.

Spend the morning browsing through Hangzhou’s local markets. Afterwards, visit Meijiawu Village, famous for its tea cultivation, and enjoy a tea tasting tour. Later, fly 2 hours to Guilin where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Take a relaxed 4-hour cruise along the Li River to the charming village of Yangshuo where you will spend 1 night. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalos and local fishermen. These are small cruise boats usually holding around 100 passengers; with an enclosed dining area on the lower deck and an open viewing area on the upper deck. As it is so popular, there are generally many boats at the docks – please be reassured that the cruise itself will be scenic and relaxing as the boats cruise past unspoilt countryside. Usually the boats depart at 9am from the dock located a 1-hour drive from your hotel. However, when the river level is low they depart from further downstream which would mean a longer drive and an earlier check-out from your hotel. Disembarking from the cruise, your Local Guide will walk with you to your hotel, around a 30-minute walk from the river. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own cost. In Yangshuo, visit the local markets. Today you will also stop for a photo opportunity on the banks of the Li River and meet a genuine cormorant fisherman. This evening, there is an optional Impression Sanjie Liu Show (time permitting, payable locally).

Start the day with a relaxing and invigorating session of Tai Chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the verdant countryside of Yangshuo. Walk by lush paddy fields and slow-moving water buffalos as you admire the panoramic mountain scenery that so epitomises the area. Transfer back to Guilin this afternoon.

This morning visit the Reed Flute Caves and the South China Pearl Factory. Transfer to Guilin airport for your 1-and-a-half-hour flight to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. This evening, there is an optional Traditional Sichuan Opera Show (time permitting, payable locally).

Travel 2 hours south of Chengdu to Leshan, where you will see the world’s largest stone-carved Buddhist monument, the Leshan Grand Buddha and take a short boat ride in front of the statue to grasp the size of this structure. On arrival at the Grand Buddha there is a 10-minute walk up to the entrance of the park. From here there are 250 steps to ascend and a similar amount to descend to the feet of the Buddha; a time of approximately 2 and a half-3 hours. The steps are extremely steep and can be very slippery in wet weather. There are handrails but the utmost care is still required. You must be physically capable if you decide to take part. Once you have started the walk to the feet of the Buddha you are committed as the steps are very narrow and strictly one-way only. Please note there are often long queues when descending to the feet of the Buddha. There are a number of attractions for those who wish to stay at the Grand Buddha Park. Covering an area of 18sqkm, the park is home to such sights as Haishi Cave, Lingyun Temple, Dragon Pond and Tiger Cave. Return to Chengdu and dine on a delicious Sichuanese meal in the evening.

Today, see China’s most famous resident, the Giant Panda. Visit the Panda Conservation Centre where you can learn about China’s celebrated bear. See these lovable creatures in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. It is not guaranteed that you will be able to see the feeding of the younger pandas, as this only happens at the start and end of each day. Sightseeing involves around 1 and a half hours on foot. There are electric carts offered by private vendors that can be organised at your own cost. Later, take a 3-and-a-half-hour bullet train to Xian. This evening, there is an optional Tang Ever-bright City night tour (time permitting, payable locally).

Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of the life-sized Terracotta Warriors. The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located approximately a 1-hour drive outside of Xian. From the bus park to the museum entrance there is a 15-minute walk. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own cost. There is no electric cart available for the return from the museum exit to the bus park. Within the museum area the warriors can be seen in three different ‘pits’, which are active archaeological digs. The site is large and will take about 2 and a half hours to explore. After this, visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Workshop to see smaller models of the warriors being made. Later, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. The local guide will give you time to explore the ancient city walls at your own pace. There are options here to hire a bicycle or an electric cart to drive along the length of the wall, these are offered by private vendors and can be organised at your own expense. This evening, dine on delicious Shui Jiao dumplings and watch a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing this evening.

Today, explore the Shuyuanmen Culture Street and stroll through the City Wall Park, involving approximately 1 and a half hours on foot. This afternoon, board your 5-hour bullet train to Beijing, China’s capital. Spend your evening soaking up the atmosphere of this fascinating city.

Soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Next, head into Beijing’s symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square, and head into the magnificent Forbidden City – a complex full of imperial treasures. A Chinese acrobatic show rounds off the day. Today includes a full day of sightseeing, predominately on foot. The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays. If this day of touring falls on a Monday, your touring in Beijing will be switched around so that the Forbidden City is visited on an alternative day. You will also need to bring your passport for a security check.

Rise early this morning and drive around 2 hours northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass. Here you can take a walk on the Great Wall of China, appreciating the wall itself and the dramatic scenery. Your visit involves walking from the bus to the first section. After your group has been given an introduction to the Great Wall’s unique history you will have free time to explore at your own pace. Later, visit the Jade Factory, and in the afternoon, wander around the beautiful grounds of the Summer Palace. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner of Peking Duck.

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Beijing Daxing or Beijing Capital International Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged.