On arrival in Beijing Daxing or Beijing Capital 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. Early check-in is not included. Additional nights’ before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book.

Walk through Tiananmen Square and into the magnificent Forbidden City. Later, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven. Sightseeing today will involve approximately 3-4 hours on foot. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Peking duck dinner. Please note: 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. Next day rise early in the morning to avoid the crowds and drive approximately 2 hours northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass to 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. Once 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. This afternoon, stroll through the Summer Palace.

This morning, enjoy a leisurely stroll in the warren-like hutongs where you will meet a local family. There will be around 1 hour on foot here. Transfer to the train station and take the speedy bullet train to Xian, a journey of around 5.5-hours. Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train.

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 3 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. Please note we recommend wearing a helmet if cycling on the wall. The next day, in the morning, visit the lovely Little Wild Goose Pagoda before wandering through the atmospheric Muslim Quarter. The Muslim Quarter can get crowded, so please be mindful of your belongings. Later, enjoy a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings before a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.

Transfer to the airport and take a 1-and-a-half-hour flight to Yichang. Upon arrival, transfer to Maoping docks and board your cruise ship which will take you on an amazing journey up China’s Yangtze River for the next 4 nights. Please note flights in this region are subject to change and can often be changed last minute, we aim to ensure passengers are transferred direct to Yichang. However, it may be necessary to fly to Wuhan and transfer 6 hours by road to board your cruise. The Yangtze River cruise section of your itinerary will not be confirmed by the cruise operators until after you commence your tour as it is subject to local river conditions and water levels. Your local guide will do their utmost to keep you informed of any changes but cannot guarantee against delays or – in rare cases – cancellations of sections of your itinerary. Shore excursions are subject to change depending on local conditions. A detailed itinerary will be handed out on the vessel each day. If you do not wish to take part in a shore excursion but you still wish to disembark the cruise ship, there is a mandatory port tax which must be paid by each customer. The port tax amount is approx. USD20-USD30 per person; however, this amount can vary and for security reasons, it is not always possible to disembark at all ports of call. Please be aware that there are a number of steps involved in embarking and disembarking your Yangtze River Cruise Ship, particularly during low tide. If you think this may be an issue, please inform us in advance. There are amenities package, deck and cabin upgrades available to pre-book – please enquire with our Reservations team. Please be aware that there are a number of steps involved in embarking and disembarking your Yangtze River Cruise Ship, particularly during low tide. If you think this may be an issue, please inform us in advance.

The Three Gorges Dam may be an impressive feat of engineering but as you cruise upstream nature takes over, revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next three days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Take a side trip to the attractive Goddess or Shennong Stream and enjoy various shore excursions.

Check out of your cabin early this morning and disembark in Chongqing. Take a tour around Ciqikou, a centre of cobbled streets and porcelain wares. Continue your journey driving 4-5 hours to Chengdu for a typical Sichuanese meal. This evening, there is an optional Sichuan Opera show (time permitting, payable locally).

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 approximately 1 and a half hours on foot and there are electric carts offered by private vendors that can be organised at your own cost. Later, fly 1 and a half hour to the charming city of Dali.

Head over to Xizhou Village to explore the local wares at the market, as well as the iconic Yan Family house. Later, take a cruise on tranquil Erhai Lake. You will be required to get on and off the boat here. Visit the Golden Flower Tie Dye shop and explore Dali’s quaint old quarter. Time permitting, there is an optional cable car ride to Cangshan Mountain （payable locally）. Sightseeing today is relaxed, involving approximately 3 hours on foot. Next day, enjoy some relaxed sightseeing around the symmetrical Three Pagodas before boarding the bullet train approximately 2.5-hours to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province.

This morning, drive 1 and a half hours to the Stone Forest and spend the morning exploring its unusual limestone rock formations. The visit involves around 2 hours on foot, walking along cobblestone paths. Return to Kunming and dine this evening on the delicious local delicacy, Across the Bridge Noodles. This evening, there is an optional Yunnan Impression Show (time permitting, payable locally).

Transfer to the railway station for your bullet train to the scenic city of Guilin, a journey of 7-hours. The journey to from Kunming through Yunnan’s beautiful southern mountain ranges to Guilin is known for being one of the most scenic in China. 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 2 nights. 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 approximately 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, approximately 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. This evening, there is an optional Sanjie Liu Impression light and sound show (time permitting, payable locally).

Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of jewel-green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Begin with a relaxing and invigorating session of Tai Chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art before exploring the countryside. Stop on the banks of the Li River for a photo opportunity with a cormorant fisherman. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or choose one of the many optional activities available, including cycling or bamboo rafting.

Drive 1 hour back to Guilin and visit the Reed Flute Caves to admire the stunning colours of the stalagmites and stalactites. It usually takes 1 hour to complete the route and it is very cool inside. Take a tour of the South China Pearl Factory where you will have the opportunity to buy these precious stones. Also stroll around picturesque Ronghu Lake and admire the Sun and Moon Pagodas – two towering examples of traditional Chinese-Buddhist architecture and visit the Ancient South Gate.

Take an early morning flight to Hangzhou, a flight of just under 2 hours. After arriving, spend time wandering around the Temple of Inspired Seclusion (Lingyin Temple), one of China’s largest and most renowned Buddhist temples. Because the Temple is one of the most significant temples in southern China, it can get crowded with domestic tourists, particularly during weekends and holidays. There will be around 2 hours sightseeing on foot at this site. Also visit Meijiawu Village, famous for its tea cultivation, and enjoy a tea tasting tour. This evening, there is an optional Song Dynasty Show (time permitting, payable locally). Next day, cruise on Hangzhou’s West Lake, admiring the gardens, pagodas and old bridges on its shores. Disembark your cruise and explore the Xihutiandi area before transferring 3 hours to Suzhou, renowned for its gardens and quaint charm, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Today, enjoy a leisurely day of sightseeing. 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. There will be 3-4 hours walking while sightseeing today.

Transfer 2 hours to the vibrant city of Shanghai. Visit Matchmaker’s Corner where parents search for worthy suitors for their children, before exploring the ancient treasures of the Shanghai Museum in People’s Square. Time permitting, there may be an optional visit to the Jin Mao Tower and ride on the Maglev train, the world's fastest train (payable locally). End the day with a panoramic evening cruise on the Huangpu River and a dinner of delicious Shanghainese cuisine.

Today’s explorations include the peaceful Yu Garden and a visit to the old town. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund, before visiting the Silk Factory. End the evening with the fascinating ERA acrobatic show.

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Shanghai Pudong or Shanghai Hongqiao 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.