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. An informal Welcome Dinner will be held on Day 1. If you miss this due to your arrival time, all information will be provided to you at breakfast the following morning.

Walk through Tiananmen Square and into the magnificent Forbidden City. Next, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven. Sightseeing here will involve approximately 3-4 hours on foot before enjoying a traditional Peking duck dinner this evening. 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.

Rise early this 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. In the evening, enjoy a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings before a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. This evening, an optional Tang Ever-bright City night tour may be offered (time permitting, payable locally).

In the morning, visit the lovely Little Wild Goose Pagoda before strolling 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. End the day exploring the atmospheric Muslim Quarter. The Muslim Quarter can get crowded, so please be mindful of your belongings.

Board the bullet train for a 4 hour journey to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Tonight, there is an option to see a performance of Sichuan Opera, famous for ‘face-changing’(time permitting, payable locally).

Today you will visit 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, wander through Matchmaker’s Corner in People’s Park where parents search for suitable suitors for their children, and visit a traditional Tea House where you can try traditional Chinese tea (at your own expense). Stroll down the Wide and Narrow Alley and in the evening, enjoy a delicious Sichuanese meal.

Travel by bullet train approximately 6.5-hours to Yichang to board your Yangtze River cruise vessel, where you will stay for the next four nights. Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train. 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.

Visit The Three Gorges Dam which showcases a massive feat of engineering. As you cruise upstream, nature takes over revealing some of the world’s most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next few days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Enjoy a side trip to the attractive Shennong or Goddess Stream, as well as various shore excursions.

Disembark in Chongqing and then board the bullet train to the beautiful city of Guilin. The journey will be approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in. Please note you will need to carry your own luggage on and off the train.

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. 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. An optional Sanjie Liu Impression’s show is available this evening (time permitting, payable locally).

Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of jewel- green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Spend the morning exploring the countryside, before having an afternoon at leisure. There are many activities available including cycling, rafting and walking, though you may prefer to relax in the town. Stop for a photo opportunity on the banks of the Li river and meet a genuine cormorant fisherman.

Drive approximately 2 hours 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. Later, enjoy a leisurely walk around Ronghu Lake and visit Sun & Moon Pagodas for a spectacular view over downtown Guilin.

Today you will fly 2 hours and 15 minutes to the exuberant city of Shanghai. In the evening, enjoy the exciting ERA acrobatic show.

Travel approximately 2 hours to neighbouring Suzhou, which is renowned for its gardens. Visit one of its finest, the Humble Administrator’s Garden. Cruise the Grand Canal, before returning to Shanghai to dine on local Shanghainese cuisine. There will be 3-4 hours walking while sightseeing today.

Explore the ancient treasures of the Shanghai Museum in People’s Square and admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund. An optional excursion may be offered to Jin Mao Tower and experience the Maglev Train (time permitting, payable locally). Then, wander for a couple of hours through the Xintiandi area to admire the 1920s architectural styling. This evening, cruise on the Huangpu River for panoramic vistas of the Shanghai skyline. Next day’s explorations include the peaceful Yu Garden and the atmospheric alleys of the old town, as well as the Silk Factory. Next, explore the futuristic Pudong district, home to Shanghai’s world-famous skyline. Sightseeing today involves touring the city for approximately 3-4 hours on foot.

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.