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. 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.

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.

Transfer to the train station and take the speedy bullet train to Xian, a journey of around 5.5-hours. In Xian, dine on scrumptious Shui Jiao dumplings followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. 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. This evening, there is an optional Tang Everbright city night tour (time permitting, payable locally).

In the morning, visit the lovely Little Wild Goose Pagoda before taking a 3-hour bullet train to Chengdu, capital of fascinating Sichuan Province. Take a stroll around People’s Park and visit a teahouse for a cup of delicious Chinese tea (tea at your own expense), as well as Matchmaker’s Corner, where parents search for suitable suitors for their children.

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. Fly to Lhasa, the capital of spiritual Tibet. The afternoon is at leisure to help acclimatise to the altitude. Daytime altitude: 4,000m Overnight altitude: 3,700m

Wander around the Barkhor to see traditionally dressed locals, stalls of religious trinkets and prostrating pilgrims. Inside the Jokhang Temple, the sacred centre of Tibetan Buddhism, the devotion is palpable as queues of people worship in the flickering light of yak butter candles. There will also be a visit to the Sera Monastery, a renowned seat of Buddhist learning, and a local Tibetan arts and crafts shop. Sightseeing at the Jokhang Temple and Sera Monastery will involve climbing many steps and walking over uneven surfaces in dim light. Daytime altitude: 4,000m Overnight altitude: 3,700m

This morning, visit the iconic palace of Potala, the largest monastery in the world. Sitting atop Red Mountain, the Potala Palace is painted in a traditional Tibetan blend of deep red and stark white. At the Potala Palace there are over 1000 steps. A small torch can be helpful to make your surroundings clearer. Next, visit Norbulingka, Lhasa’s answer to Beijing’s Summer Palace. Daytime altitude: 4,000m Overnight altitude: 3,700m

Fly to the monastery town of Zhongdian, also known as Shangri-La. This afternoon is at leisure. Daytime altitude: 4,000m Overnight altitude: 3,400m

Begin the day with a visit to a Tibetan village where you will pay a visit to a local family and learn how to make Tibetan Butter Tea. Next, visit Songzanlin Monastery, one of the most significant centres of Tibetan Buddhism outside of Tibet. There are steep steps to climb at the monastery. End the day with a tour of Zhongdian’s Old Town, where you will see authentic Tibetan dwellings, prayer halls and pagodas, and a visit to Dafo Temple. Daytime altitude: 3,400m Overnight altitude: 3,400m

Drive around 2 hours （depending on number of photo stops） out of Zhongdian to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of China’s most dramatic sights. The bus will drop you off at the southern end of a walkway which follows the gorge as far as the upper rapids. It is a newly constructed, even walkway. There are sedan chairs offered by local vendors, which can be organised at your own cost. The whole area is spectacular, so prepare for breathtaking views. Lunch today will be a simple meal as the choice of restaurants in this area is limited. Continue around 2 hours to the quaint town of Lijiang, one of China’s best-preserved old towns. Daytime altitude: 3,400m Overnight altitude: 2,300m

A magnificent mountain massif, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain incorporates several peaks, the tallest of which is 5,500m. Visiting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is very popular with travellers to this area, so to avoid the large crowds of people queuing at the same time, the local Government’s tourist authority allocates times to each group. The bus will drive to the base of the mountain where you will take a 10-minute chairlift and explore one of the beautiful high meadows and enjoy the amazing vistas. From the chairlift, there is a wooden pathway to the meadow; this walking route takes approximately 20 minutes. Descend by chairlift to re-board the bus. You may reach a maximum altitude of 3250M during your time on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. On the way back to Lijiang, visit Baisha Old Town to view the fascinating murals, painted during the early Ming Dynasty. There are ruthless souvenir sellers near the bus park so be firm to avoid any hassle. Daytime altitude: 3,200m at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Overnight altitude: 2,300m

Drive 2 hours to Shaxi, a former ancient market town on the famous Tea and Horse Route and enjoy some easy sightseeing around the old town. Continue a further 2 hours to the pretty city of Dali.

Head over to Xizhou Village to explore the local wares at the market and the iconic Yan Family house before exploring Dali’s quaint old quarter. Sightseeing around the Dali Ancient Quarter and surrounding countryside is relaxed, involving around 3 hours on foot. Later, take a cruise on tranquil Erhai Lake - you will be required to get on and off the boat here without assistance.

This morning, visit the Three Pagoda’s, then board the bullet train and journey around 2 hours to Kunming, 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.

Transfer to the railway station for your bullet train to the scenic city of Guilin, a journey of 7-hours. The journey from Kunming through Yunnan’s beautiful southern mountain ranges to Guilin is known for being one of the most scenic in China.

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. Board the 5-hour bullet train to Chongqing, where you will board your Yangtze River Cruise vessel. 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.

Over the next three days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Enjoy various side trips and shore excursions including the Three Gorges Dam. Disembark and transfer to Yichang for your flight to Shanghai.

Shanghai is China's great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th-century temples. Visit the Yu Garden and the Old Town. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the historical Bund and visit the Silk Factory. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise and enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Shanghainese cuisine.

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. Please contact our Reservations team to book.