BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE DISCOVER WHY NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO BOOK
The Award-Winning Tour Specialist
Cruise along the Yangtze and Li Rivers and let the spectacular landscapes of Yunnan province take your breath away. Saunter around the cobbled streets of old Lijiang, gaze on the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge and explore the mysterious Stone Forest on this diverse adventure.
Our Classic China tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
See the spectacular architecture of this bright city on a Huangpu River Cruise
Discover Lijiang, set in the foothills of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Relax on your 3-night cruise down the mighty Yangtze River
Explore this cities puzzling Stone Forest with many tall rocks giving the illusion of petrified trees
Sail high above the breathtaking landscapes of Yunnan into the majestic heights of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain by cable car, reaching an observation point at 4,500 metres and exploring a beautiful high-altitude meadow.
A speciality dish of Yunnan province, tuck into a delicious bowl of Across the Bridge noodles in provincial capital Kunming, a famous and flavourful noodle soup with a touching story behind it.
A centuries-old practice of Chinese medicine, reflexology works on the simple belief that points on the feet connect to every part of the body. You'll experience a soothing sequence of pressure and massage across the sole, arch and heel, leaving you feeling grounded and restored.
Experience the beauty of the Yangtze River aboard one of the elegant 4-star vessels from the Victoria Cruise fleet. The one pictured here is the Victoria Jenna, but depending on the departure date you book you could be cruising aboard Victoria Katarina, Anna, Sabrina or Isabella. Relax in your Superior Cabin situated on the Main Deck, equipped with Wi-Fi access, an ensuite bathroom, and a private balcony - a tranquil retreat for you to relax and take in the scenic beauty around you. Onboard entertainment may include informative lectures, painting demonstrations, Tai Chi, lessons in the Mandarin language and more! Amenity package upgrades are available upon enquiry with our Reservations team.
This tour is ideal for those looking for a comprehensive visit to the main sights in China, as well as visits to some of China’s lesser known areas in Yunnan. This tour is also ideal for those who wish to go on a Yangtze River Cruise.
Fly overnight to Beijing, China's historic capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Head to Beijing's symbolic heart and stroll across Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world. Enter into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through the Gate of Supreme Harmony to a vast complex of over 900 buildings covering an area of 180 acres. Later, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. In the evening, dine on the region's local delicacy, Peking duck, followed by an enthralling Chinese acrobatic show.
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 wall itself and the dramatic scenery that it crosses. Stop by a jade factory to learn about this sacred stone then spend the afternoon in the idyllic garden of the Summer Palace as you wander through traditional Chinese landscapes and see the exquisite architecture. In the evening, take your seat for a spectacular Chinese acrobatic show.
Board the bullet train to the ancient city of Xian and walk the atmospheric alleys of the Muslim Quarter. In the evening, enjoy traditional Shui Jiao dumplings followed by a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.
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 visit a workshop where the warriors are intricately recreated in the style of their ancient counterparts. Later, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian's old town then quench your thirst with beer tasting at a local brewery.
Fly to the beautiful city of Guilin. Explore the Reed Flute Cave to admire its colourful stalagmites and stalactites.
Take a relaxed cruise along the Li River to charming Yangshuo. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged karst peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalo and local fishermen. This afternoon you can spend some time browsing Yangshuo's vibrant markets.
Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of emerald-green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Begin your day with an invigorating Tai Chi class led by a local master, followed by a soothing Chinese reflexology massage. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the countryside and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Drive back to Guilin and board the scenic bullet train to Kunming, capital of Yunnan province.
Meander through the formations of the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest, where towering limestone pillars stand treelike in a fascinating illusion of woodland. This evening, dine on a local dish, 'Across the Bridge' noodles.
Board the bullet train to Lijiang, set in the foothills of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Discover the old quarter; the quintessential Chinese 'old town' and wander the jumble of cobbled streets, traditional wooden buildings and rustic stone bridges. Continue to the Black Dragon Pool Park, where there are wonderful views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain itself.
Journey to the 3,000-metre-deep Tiger Leaping Gorge. With its backdrop of snow-capped mountains, it is one of China's most extraordinary sights. Later, return to Lijiang.
A magnificent mountain, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain comprises several peaks, the tallest of which soars to 5,500 metres. Taking a cable car, explore one of the gorgeous high meadows and enjoy the amazing vistas. On the way back to Lijiang, visit Baisha Old Town to view the fascinating frescoes painted during the early Ming Dynasty and Baisha Village, a settlement of the Naxi minority people.
Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province. Tonight, dine on some fantastic local Sichuanese cuisine.
A visit to Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre allows you to see and learn about China's celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. Transfer to Chongqing and board your Yangtze cruise vessel for the next three nights.
As you cruise downstream, nature takes over, revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery. Over the next three days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Enjoy various side trips and shore excursions as well as the Three Gorges Dam which showcases a simply massive feat of engineering. Disembark and travel to Yichang for your bullet train to Shanghai.
Shanghai is China's great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th-century temples. Explore the classical Yu Garden, stroll through the charming old town, visit a silk mill, take in sweeping views of Shanghai's stunning skyline from the iconic Jin Mao Tower and stroll along the Bund. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise and enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Shanghainese cuisine.
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
Our tours feature hand-picked properties selected for their comfort, modern amenities and convenient location for sightseeing. We occasionally include a stay in a guesthouse or lodge where we feel the character of the property will enhance your tour, or to allow access to a more unique and memorable location. Here is a taster of the type of hotels you will be staying in on your tour.
The best times to visit China are in spring (April to May) and autumn, (September to October) when temperatures are warm and humidity low.
Places Visited: UK - Beijing (3N) - Xian (2N) - Guilin (1N) - Yangshuo (2N) - Kunming (2N) - Lijiang (3N) - Chengdu (1N) - Yangtze River Cruise (3N) - Shanghai (2N) - UK
Make the most of your time away. Whether you want to delve deeper into a destination, discover somewhere completely new, or simply unwind on a beautiful beach, we've created a range of ways to help you stay a little longer and see a little more.
If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book. Read our Price Match Promise
Fetching Price Information - please wait
Dedicated Solo departures are available on selected dates for this tour.
These solos-only departures feature smaller group sizes of up to 18, along with free airport lounge access.
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.
The same great Wendy Wu tour - just with an extra level of comfort. Enjoy relaxed 5-star city hotels, unique properties, and overnight cruises, each selected to deliver an elevated experience. See Upgraded Tour Hotels above for more details.
Rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 7021 reviews on 
Read our latest articles or travel inspiration, exciting news about our destinations and all things Wendy Wu Tours
More than 25 years expertise offering extraordinary tours
