14 days
Private/Small Group - Essential China

China is 8 hours ahead. Take an international flight today fromUK to arrive Beijing the next day. 

We can book flights based on your preference, and your holidaywill be protected under our own ATOL. If you wish to save airmiles, or joininganother around world tour and prefer to book own flights, we will still provideairport transfer in Beijing accordingly.

International airfare between UK and China is between £500 and£800 per person (economy class return), depending on season, availability and airline choices.

Your private driver will meet you at the airport and takeyou to hotel.

If your flight arrives in the morning and you prefer a tour inthe afternoon, the Summer Palace and 2008 Bird's Nest Olympics Stadium(exteriors only) tour is available to book in advance.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today, we will visit the less touristy Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. This section of the wall is also equipped with a cable car if you prefer ride, instead of walk (fee payable locally).

Take your time for breakfast, as we wait for the traffic to ease before setting off. We have allocated a full day to visit the Wall, so that we can have plenty time should you wish to enjoy a good walk.

A pack lunch (a selection of sandwiches, biscuits, cakes etc) with a glass (or two) of champagne on the watchtower, while we enjoy the view.

In the evening a welcome dinner is booked including Peking Duck.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

Enjoy a full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing.Our tour includes visiting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

In the Forbidden City, our expert will take you to some carefully selected hidden palaces and discover the deep secrets of the emperors and their concubines, where other group tours have shorter time and tend toonly stay along the Central Axis Way. 

Also, to have a glimpse of traditional Beijing people's life, we will take a Hutong Rickshaw tour, visit a local family and have lunch with them.

After the visit, our guide will take you to explore the colourful cultural streets of the capital city, Houhai area. It has anabundance of local handcrafts shops and numerous bars and restaurants. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, and our guide will either escort you back to hotel, or stay longer by yourselves to enjoy the local buzzing atmosphere (we recommend to take a taxi back by yourselves).

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning, on way to the Temple of Heaven, we go to watch local people doing their morning exercises, singing cage birds, writing calligraphies on the ground etc. One hour Taichi class from the master is arranged.

After lunch, visit The Lama Temple (Yonghegong), one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples in the world, built in the 17th century. Continue our visit to Confucius Temple.

In the evening, optional local variety show is available to book.

(Includes Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast, we check out hotel and transfer to the trainstation for fast speed train to Pingyao. Upon arrival, being met and transferto your boutique hotel which is centrally located, an authentic Chinese Innexperience awaits!

Our dinner is booked at the hotel, with local seasonal dishes to enjoy. Afterwards, we recommend a stroll to the close by market streets, which provide plenty of interests. There are also number of bars for a good drink and chat, just across your hotel, a definite recommendation from us so please try!

The ancient city of Pingyao is China’s best-preserved walled city and home to the oldest bank in China. The laid-back smallcity has maintained its traditional charm with red-lanterns hung alongquaint cobbled lanes and traditional architecture dating back to the Ming andQing Dynasties. It is no surprise the entire town has been declared a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site and is a living museum providing a rare opportunity to seethe vanishing culture of ancient China. 

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, we start our half-day tour of one of China'sbest preserved ancient walled Cities.

Pingyao was considered the financial centre of China during theQing Empire and we visit the first and largest bank in China, which once controlled half of China's Silver trade.

Afterwards, we stroll around the ancient walled town, with fascinating streets lined with rows of 17th–19th century store fronts andresidences. The majority of the buildings still retain their original appearance and we enjoy a view across the roof tops of the ancient buildings.

Later we drive for about an hour, to visit the Wang Family Courtyard residence. This was the luxurious home of a high ranking official's family and where generations of the family lived for over 300 years. The vast compound is one of the largest residential complexes built by opulent Merchants.

Lunch will be arranged in a local restaurant, where we enjoysome authentic local food.

Later, we transfer to the train station. You will be met uponarrival and transferred to your hotel for a good night rest.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast we take a guided tour to the Terracotta Warriors Archaeological Museum. Discover a local craftsman's cave dwelling and learn how to make clay warriors.

After back to the city, we take a walk on the City Wall and try a bicycle ride.

Drive to Big Wild Goose Pagoda in afternoon. The visit is not just to see the Pagoda, the Square nearby is where many locals have their leisurely activities, interesting for us to observe and perhaps participate.

Today’s lunch is a specialty Shaanxi cuisine Pao Mo, a typical food eaten in the city of Xian.

Evening entertainment includes: Tang Dynasty Show with dinner of dumplings.

(Includes Breakfast)

Our fast train to Chengdu is around mid afternoon, so themorning is free for you to explore Xian at leisure.

Alternatively, you can take a guided morning tour, visiting the Muslim Quarter, Xian's Wooden Mosque and ancient Bell Tower and Drum Tower.

In the evening, arrive Chengdu, the home of China's most famous residents, the Giant Panda.

Our Optional evening variety style show is in one of the best theatres in Chengdu and includes the amazing face-changing performance.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Dujiangyan Panda Base (around 1.5h driving) is the most easily accessible base in China to join the Panda Keeper Program. This unique full day program will get you close to lovely pandas. Our guests will enjoy special experiences such as a chance to hold one in your arms.

After return to Chengdu, we will be stop at the handcrafts and market street Jin Li street and Kuan Zai Ally, where there are plenty of cafes, tea houses and handicraft stalls to explore, an ideal chance to found some unique souvinire to bring home.

To complete this memorable day, our evening meal is to enjoy a traditional Sichuan style hotpot in a popular local restaurant.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, we drive to Leshan (about 2h). First, take a pleasant boat ride providing a great opportunity to view and photograph the huge Giant Buddha statue carved into the hillside. Later, we walk up the carvings. Enjoy spectacular view of the huge statue as you walk down through the narrow staircases to the foot of the Buddha.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, we take a flight to Shanghai. Meet our local guide upon arrival and check-in to our hotel. 

After a short rest, we start our city tour of Shanghai. Our tour includes visiting Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds. We then explore the famous promenade and marvel at the futuristic landscape of magnificent towers and building situated along the Huangpu River and the Bund. Finally our tour takes us to the historic districts of Shanghai and we visit the former colonial French quarters, known locally as 'Heaven on Earth'.

Our last stop of the day is a visit to Oriental Pearl Tower. Having a great buffet style dinner on the 263m main sightseeing floor, while enjoying the magnificent view of the city.

We provide option here for guests wish to fly to Hong Kong directly without going to Shanghai. Flight and transfer to Hong Kong is provided. Hong Kong extension is also available to book after visiting Shanghai.

(Includes Breakfast)

We leave this final full day for you to explore thiscosmopolitan city at your own leisure, to relax, and perhaps do some shopping.

(Includes Breakfast)

Today, you will be met at your hotel and transfer to airport forflight home. 

Extra nights at the same hotel can be provided upon request,with re-arranged airport transfer for free.