Day 1 Home City/Beijing

Your journey of discovery begins as board a flight to Beijing, China.

Day 2 Beijing

On arrival in Beijing, you are met and escorted to your hotel.

Days 3 – 5 Beijing

Spend three days exploring the treasures of this fabled city. The heart of the Beijing is Tiananmen Square, largest in the world and site of the mausoleum of Chairman Mao Zedong. You pass through the Gate of Heavenly Peace to venture into the Forbidden City, and visit the Great Wall of China, a breathtaking sight as it snakes into the distance over rugged mountains to the north of the city. Other Beijing highlights include the magnificent Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and the Panda Zoo. Free time for shopping on Silk Alley. You will also enjoy a performance of Beijing opera, followed by a farewell Beijing Duck Dinner.

Day 6 Beijing/Shanghai

This morning, fly to Shanghai. Visit the Yu Garden, a 16th-century Ming period private garden/ residence in the heart of Shanghai’s old Chinese Quarter, a neighborhood of twisting lanes, home to wonderful boutiques. The phenomenal garden architecture, built in traditional Chinese style, includes many ponds, dragon-lined walls and bridges separating the unique garden areas and pavilions.

Day 7 Shanghai/Zhujiajiao/Shanghai

Explore Zhujiajiao, a "water village" threaded with lakes, stone bridges and lush tea gardens – the perfect way to spend your half day in this magnificent country. In the afternoon, explore the Shanghai Museum, considered among the finest museums of Chinese art in the world. This evening attend the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show.

Day 8 Shanghai/Yichang

Taking a guided walk along the Bund, the magnificent waterfront Esplanade along the Huang Pu River. Later, you fly to Yichang and board your elegant river cruise to begin your Yangtze adventure.

MS ‘Century Star’ (B.L.D)

Days 9 – 11 Cruising the Yangtze River

The appeal of the Yangtze lies not only in the river’s great natural beauty, but in the cultural and historical ties which link nearby communities with the life-giving waters. Your cruise takes you to the legendary Three Gorges, an inspiration for Chinese poetry and painting for centuries. You travel through Qutang Gorge, the "Devil’s Gate", renowned for its treacherous currents, precipitous heights and narrow width; Wu, or "Witches" Gorge, with its 12 towering peaks; and the rapids, whirlpools and seven small gorges of Xiling Gorge, longest and most exciting of the three. Enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Banquet.

MS ‘Century Star’ (B.L.D)

Day 12 Chongqing/Xian

Your final port of call is Chongqing. Here you disembark to connect with a flight to the Xian.

Day 13 Xian

Visit the first Emperor of China’s tomb complex with its army of terra-cotta warriors and the ancient City Wall. After dinner, enjoy a Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 14 Xian/Guilin

Today you will visit the Shaanxi Province Museum, which has the richest collection of ancient artifacts in all of China. Later, you fly to Guilin.

Day 15 Guilin

Today you board a river boat for a half-day cruise on the Li River is akin to traveling inside a Chinese landscape painting. Take in amazing vistas of limestone mountains on your way to the charming village of Yangshou and explore Reed Flute Cave the many limestone caverns that dot the area.

Day 16 Guilin/Beijing

Visit the Elephant-trunk Hill.Before fly to Beijing. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 17 Beijing/Home City

Board your homebound flight or travel on to another destination in the Orient. China Holidays can help you plan your own extension, "tailor-made" as you require. (B)