From international Shanghai and the pandas of Chengdu to the imperial highlights of Beijing and all the dramatic landscapes in between, relish the historical, cultural and natural delights of China on this comprehensive trip.
Our China Delights tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Admire the colonial architecture with a walk along the Bund
Stand in awe in front of the Grand Buddha of Leshan
Walk the parameters of Xian's 14th century ancient city wall
Take a relaxing cruise down the Li River which runs from Guilin to Yangshuo
Coronavirus Update for China
China currently has one of the lowest rates of new infections with 17 new daily infections reported yesterday* which makes us optimistic that we will return to life as normal and be able to enjoy our dream holidays soon. *Correct as of 23 November 2020.
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This tour is suited for customers who are looking for a very comprehensive tour of China, visiting the country’s main cities and scenic areas. This tour is best suited for customers who perhaps do not want to take a Yangtze River Cruise but are interested in experiencing the bullet train in China.
Fly overnight to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Shanghai is China's great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th century temples. Sightseeing today begins with a visit to the classical Yu Garden and a stop in the old town before admiring the colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund. Round off the day with a delicious meal of traditional Shanghainese cuisine.
Explore ultra-modern Pudong followed by a visit to a silk factory and the Shanghai Museum to see the collection of fine arts and antiquities. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise.
Suzhou's centre has managed to retain a sense of quaint charm even as the city has grown up around it. Renowned for its traditional gardens, visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, typical of the Chinese appreciation of balance and harmony. Later, cruise on the thousand-year-old Grand Canal.
Travel to the water town of Wuzhen. A charming place of old-world timber buildings, cobbled streets and narrow waterways, it is an easy place to while away the day. Later, continue to the garden city of Hangzhou.
A restful morning is spent wandering around the Temple of Inspired Seclusion, one of China's most renowned Buddhist temples. Later, enjoy a cruise on Hangzhou's West Lake, admiring the gardens, pagodas and old bridges on its shores.
Browse the bustling local markets and visit the plantations of Meijiawu to learn the tea-making process, from bush to brew. Enjoy a cup of organic green tea and decide which of the locally produced teas you might like to purchase. Later, fly to the beautiful city of Guilin and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Begin today with a relaxing cruise along the Li River to the charming town of Yangshuo. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged karst peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery and grazing buffalo. Wander through the cobbled streets and visit the local market, then stop on the banks of the Li River for a photo opportunity with a cormorant fisherman.
Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of emerald-green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Start the day with a relaxing and invigorating session of Tai Chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the countryside and enjoy some time at leisure. Later, travel through the countryside as you return by road to Guilin.
Visit Reed Flute Cave to admire the colourful stalagmites and stalactites. Continue to the pearl factory, then fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. This evening, enjoy an optional performance of Sichuan opera for the actors' famous 'face-changing'.
Travel to Leshan to visit the UNESCO-listed Grand Buddha which, at 71 metres, is the world's largest stone-carved Buddhist monument. Get a bird's eye view of the Buddha from the adjacent park, then a short boat trip will give excellent views from the river. Return to Chengdu and in the evening, sample a delicious Sichuanese meal.
Visit Chengdu's famous giant panda reserve to see and learn about China's celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. Later, take the bullet train to Xian, the ancient former capital.
After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-sized warriors and horses. Also visit the workshop of the craftsmen to see where the warriors are intricately recreated in the style of their ancient counterparts. Later, stroll along the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian's old town. This evening, sit down to a delicious feast of traditional Shui Jiao dumplings followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.
Visit the fascinating Little Wild Goose Pagoda. Later, fly to Beijing, the capital of China.
Spend the morning soaking up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Here, mingle with the locals and watch or participate as they practise Tai Chi, dance or play cards. Next, head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and stroll into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will find a complex full of imperial riches. A Chinese acrobatic show rounds off the day.
This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. Visit a jade factory before spending the afternoon enjoying the idyllic landscapes of the Summer Palace, wandering through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner of Peking duck followed by an optional kung fu show.
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.
A short distance from Shanghai's major tourist attractions, the 5-star Jinjiang Huating hotel offers elegant guest rooms with large windows providing views of Shanghai. This beautiful hotel is home to the rooftop Moon View Restaurant, offering breathtaking city views and exquisite Chinese dishes.
In the heart of stunning Suzhou, Wyndham Garden is just steps away from the city's highlights. The spacious guest rooms are modern and fully air conditioned, providing an in-room safe and tea/ coffee making facilities. The hotel also offers a restaurant, outdoor pool and fitness centre.
A short distance from Hangzhou's famous West Lake, Wen Hua Gin Lan Jia Hotel offers beautiful guest rooms with a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and spacious bathrooms. Some rooms even offer guests stunning views over the river.
Located in Guilin’s city center and opposite the attractive Sun and Moon pagodas, the Lijiang Waterfall Hotel offers luxury rooms equipped with a flat screen satellite television, a minibar, a safety deposit box and a stunning en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries. The hotel also boasts an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre. Guests can enjoy Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Western cuisines in the onsite restaurant.
In the centre of Yangshuo, the 4-star Elite Garden Hotel offers spacious guest rooms designed and decorated to make you feel at home, all equipped with free internet access, complimentary bottled water and a coffee machine. The private bathrooms include both bath and shower facilities.
The 4-star Xinliang Hotel is located in the heart of Chengdu, just a short distance from some of the cities key attractions. The hotel's interior was inspired by Bashu culture and blended with a modern charm. Enjoy the recreational facilities available to you, including a sauna and steamroom designed for escapism and relaxation.
A short distance from Xian's historic old town, the 4-star Lanxi International hotel features a terrace for you to enjoy, as well as an indoor pool and hot tub. The modern guest rooms offer a private bathroom, desk and flat screen TV.
The 4-star Mercure Beijing Downtown is very well connected across the city, with easy access to the city centre and multiple transport links. The elegant and spacious guests rooms offer free internet access and satelite TV.
The best times to visit China are in spring (April to May) and autumn, (September to October) when temperatures are warm and humidity low.
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.
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There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
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