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Combining the contrasting urban splendour of Shanghai, Beijing and Xian with the majestic sights of the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and extraordinary landscapes of the Li River, this tour showcases China's most glorious highlights.
Our Glories of China tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Marvel at this sparkling city on a Huangpu River Cruise
Come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors
Walk along this incredible wall, one of the modern great wonders
Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo on the stunning Li River
Coronavirus Update for China
China currently has one of the lowest rates of new infections with 63 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 8 January 2020.
This adventure is ideal for travellers with less time to spend and who want to see the very best bits of this incredibly diverse destination. We have designed the tour to make the most of the time available to showcase the key highlights and cities of 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. Start with a visit to the classical Yu Garden, pass through the old town and visit a silk factory. View the city at night from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise. This evening, enjoy a meal of Shanghainese cuisine.
Travel to Zhujiajiao, one of Shanghai's sleepy water towns and explore its many charms. Return to Shanghai to see the antiquities of the Shanghai Museum before admiring magnificent architecture with a stroll along the Bund.
Fly to the scenic city of Guilin. Enjoy a stroll through the Seven Star Park and explore the spectacular formations of Seven Star Cave.
Take a relaxed 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, grazing buffalo and local fishermen. This evening there is an option to watch the spectacular Impression Liu Sanjie music and light show.
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 the afternoon at leisure. There are many optional activities available including cycling, rafting and walking.
Return to Guilin. En route, stop on the banks of the Li River for a photo opportunity with a cormorant fisherman. Stroll around Ronghu Lake and admire the Sun and Moon pagodas – two towering examples of traditional Chinese Buddhist architecture. Visit the South China Pearl Factory which covers the fascinating 1,700-year-old history of pearling and see the many displays and demonstrations on offer.
Fly to Xian and visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda before feasting on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and watching a lively 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, followed by a visit to the workshop of the craftsmen who recreate terracotta warriors. Later, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian's old town.
Board the bullet train to Beijing, the capital of China. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the warren-like hutongs and visit a local family to gain a deeper insight into Chinese culture and local customs.
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 the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. In the afternoon, return to Beijing and enjoy the idyllic landscapes of the Summer Palace. End the day watching a Chinese acrobatic show.
Soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape, where you can watch, or participate in a dance class and mingle with the locals. 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. This evening, savour Beijing's best-known delicacy – Peking duck.
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.
The 5-star Lijiang Waterfall Hotel in Guilin is the home of a Guinness world record making artificial waterfall which offers a stunning welcome. With beautiful views of Shanhu Lake or Guilin City, the elegant rooms offer spacious bathrooms and cable TV.
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.
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.
Places Visited: UK - Shanghai (3N) - Guilin (2N) - Yangshuo (2N) - Xi'an (2N) - Beijing (3N) - UK
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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No Single Supplement for a room of your own. Save up to £2,090pp on over 50 tours worldwide.
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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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