16 DAY CHINA DISCOVERY

Today begins your spectacular tour through China! Upon arrival at Beijing Airport, you will be warmly greeted and escorted to your hotel to rest after your flight (you will most likely be arriving late in the evening).
Meals: In-flight meal
Accommodation: Shangri-La’s China World Hotel 5* or similar

Set out with your guide to discover the iconic imperial treasures of China’s massive capital, Beijing. Stand in Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world, before moving on to the Forbidden City. We’ll enter through the imposing walls of the palace complex, once the domain of the Ming Dynasty, for an exclusive tour of its courtyards and lanes. This area was considered by the emperor to be a divine place, and as such entry was exclusive to the imperial family and their court, hence the name, the Forbidden City. This is certainly not the case today: it now plays host to some 14 million visitors per year. The Forbidden City also now houses the National Palace Museum – one of the most comprehensive museums in all of China.
After our tour, we’ll return to the hotel where you may relax or instead, you may wish to take part in an optional excursions to enhance your experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Shangri-La’s China World Hotel 5* or similar

Today’s excursion is one of the most anticipated of our trip – a visit to the Great Wall of China. Often recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a staggering feat and a bucket list destination. We’ll be touring the Juyongguan section, one of the three most famous passes along the Great Wall. Located 60km from downtown Beijing, it used be a stronghold that protected the northern access routes to the city. Here we’ll get a chance to climb a portion of this architectural marvel, which stretches an astonishing 21,000km. En route back to the city we’ll visit one of the largest jade exhibitions in China and learn all about China’s most precious and celebrated stone.
Upon returning to Beijing, the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure or to participate in one of our optional excursions.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Shangri-La’s China World Hotel 5* or similar

This morning we’ll begin our day at a Chinese herbal institute, where we’ll have the opportunity to learn about traditional Chinese medicine.

Later we’ll board a bullet train to reach the city of Suzhou. China’s bullet train network is now the most expansive in the world and you’ll be rocketing towards Suzhou at speeds up to 300km/h. Upon arrival in Suzhou, you’ll be met by our local representative and escorted to your hotel where you may spend the rest of the day relaxing, exploring or spending time with newly made friends.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Taihu 4* or similar

Welcome to beautiful Suzhou. This city, in the province of Jiangsu, is known as the Venice of the Orient for its exquisite canals, bridges, pagodas and gardens. Suzhou has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a fantastic place to learn more about Chinese culture.
Following breakfast we’ll visit the Lingering Garden, which was created more than 500 years ago. The classical garden is one of more than 60 in the city – it’s recognised as having the most UNESCO World Heritage gardens in the world.
After this we continue our journey to the Suzhou Silk Factory, which is said to be the largest silk manufacturer in the country. Here, we’ll discover the incredible methods that lay behind silk harvesting.

After lunch, we’ll continue our journey to the charming city of Wuxi, which sits on the banks of Taihu, one of China’s largest freshwater lakes. Enjoy your leisure time and explore the famous Grand Canal further at your own pace before visiting Nanchang Street – famous for its seamless fusion of the ancient and modern.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Grand Kingtown Hotel 4* or similar

This morning our day begins with a visit to The Brilliance of Lake Lihu, a branch of Lake Taihu. The lake is well known for its gorgeous park and many interesting features. Locally it is famous thanks to the work of numerous scholars, who have written that notable historical figures, such as Fan Li and Xi Shi, boated here. While here we’ll also visit a freshwater pearl farm.

In the afternoon we continue on to Hangzhou, once described by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”. Upon arrival in Hangzhou you’ll have the evening free to spend at your leisure: relax or take up our optional excursions, enjoying a performance.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Xiaoshan 4* or similar

The city of Hangzhou, also known as ‘Paradise on Earth’, has been immortalised by countless poets and artists. The most renowned feature here is the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This morning we visit the West Lake, enveloped by mountains on three sides and arguably the most beautiful lake in the country. During our visit you may opt to take an optional boat ride around the lake.

After our visit here, we’ll continue on to tea plantations to taste Dragon Well tea, otherwise known as Longjing – a much sought-after local green tea leaf. Green tea is said to be great for health and wellbeing, packed with antioxidants, and today you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about China’s tea culture.

Following lunch, we’ll drive to Shanghai, on China’s central coast. This evening, we’ll have the opportunity to get a glimpse of Shanghai’s dazzling skyline by joining the optional Huangpu River Cruise ride.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Hongqiao South 4* or similar

Enjoy a full day in Shanghai – a city of some 26 million people and an important global financial hub. After breakfast, we’ll travel to the Bund, a famous waterfront area in Shanghai that’s lined with colonial architecture of European design. The Bund is perhaps the best representation of Western influences from a bygone era, and is now called the ‘Wall Street of the East’. Following our tour here, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you please – relax or enjoy one of our optional tours and activities to help enhance your experience.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure Hongqiao South 4* or similar

Today, we again board the innovative high-speed train to travel to Xi’an. Xi’an is an ancient city in China and has recorded the great changes of the country just like a living history book. It was the first Chinese city to open its doors to the world during the Tang dynasty and was capital for eleven dynasties over a period of more than 2,000 years. Our first visit here will be to the incredible Wild Goose Pagoda. This temple was originally used to keep the Buddhist scripts which were carried by the great monk Yi Jing from the Indian area and over time it has become a holy place for pilgrims. Afterwards you will discover the Ancient City Wall, built in 194 BC and one of the oldest and best preserved city walls in all of China. In the evening, you can treat yourself by joining our suggested optional activities.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Titan Times Hotel 5* or similar

Today another highly anticipated icon of the country awaits – the famous and awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors. We will visit the enigmatic ranks of the Terracotta Warriors in the company of our professional and experienced local guide. Be humbled as you stand among one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century. You may also have the opportunity here to meet the man who first discovered the Warriors and learn about the moment they were uncovered when he stumbled upon them in 1974. After lunch, enjoy a walking food tour through the famous Moslem Street, where your guide will help order a range of delectable dishes and snacks for the more adventurous.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Titan Times Hotel 5* or similar

Today we transfer to Yichang, the gateway to the Yangtze River. This is the starting point of our Yangtze River Cruise, your home for the next four nights. The Yangtze River is the largest river in Asia and the third largest in the world. The river begins in the remote mountainous regions and winds its way through stunning gorges to bring life to millions of people. We board the luxury cruise in the evening and receive an introduction on cruise events and onboard activities. Take some leisure time in the evening to unpack and relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Victoria Sabrina or similar

Enjoy your first day on the Yangtze River as the ship wends through spectacular scenery. This morning indulge in a beautiful breakfast buffet onboard before joining an included shore excursion to the Three Gorges Project. One of the largest construction projects undertaken by man, it is also the biggest hydroelectric power project in the world.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Victoria Sabrina or similar

Today, we’ll enjoy a shore excursion to the mesmerising Shennong Stream. A tributary of the Yangtze, the Shennong flows through three beautiful gorges including the Mianzhu, Parrot and Longcangdong. Each gorge is renowned for its unique and stunning scenery. The Shennong Stream is also home to the Hanging Coffins – ancient coffins suspended high up on the limestone cliff faces, which contain the remains of descendants of the Tujia people.
In the afternoon, return to the ship in time for lunch and enjoy the crew’s magnificent performance in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Victoria Sabrina or similar

Take a shore excursion to the Xiaoguanshan Ancient Folk Culture Park, a noted site for the relocation and reconstruction of architectural relics after the water rose on the Yangtze as a result of the Three Gorges Dam Project, and scenic Mr. Shuanggui, a national forest park. Depending on river conditions, an alternate excursion may be substituted to Shibaozhai, with its impressive wooden pagoda. This evening you enjoy a Farewell Dinner with the rest of the travellers and crew and prepare for disembarkation tomorrow morning.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Victoria Sabrina or similar

Today, you will disembark the cruise ship and be transferred to Chongqing International Airport for your scheduled flight home, unless you choose to extend your stay and continue to explore other mesmerizing cities. You’ll be returning home with knowledge of a new culture, connections with new friends and memories to last you a lifetime.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: On Plane

Arrive home today.