China: Best Bits

• Day 1 : Depart UK and fly overnight to Shanghai.
• Day 2 : Arrive in Shanghai.
• Day 3 : Shanghai – this great metropolis has plenty to keep you entertained. Try combining the Yu Gardens, a stroll along the Bund and an evening river cruise of the Huangpu River or exploring the many shopping options with a trip to the Shanghai Museum.
  
• Day 4 : Travel to Yichang to board your Yantgze cruise vessel. We’d recommend taking the 1 hour 50-minute flight, as the journey takes 14 hours by road.
• Days 5-7 : Spend four nights on the mighty Yangtze, cruising upstream, passing the manmade marvel that is the Three Gorges Dam, and the dramatic beauty of the Three Gorges themselves, where you should prepare yourself for one dramatic panorama after another. Your cruise will include a number of shore excursions, such as Shibaozhai Temple and Shennong Stream.
• Day 8 : Disembark your cruise vessel and perhaps pop to old Ciqikou to see the historical, traditional architecture. Travel to Chengdu – we would recommend flying this route (3.5 hours) as travelling by road would take 24 hours.
• Day 9 : Chengdu - The highlight of Chengdu is the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding – spend some time here learning about and visiting the furry residents before returning to the city for a stroll along the lively Jinli Street. Travel to Xian, 1.5 hours by plane or an overnight train.
  
• Days 10-11 : Xian – over the next two days take some time to visit the Terracotta Warriors, about an hour outside the city. The Muslim Quarter makes for atmospheric explorations and can stroll the old city walls whilst you can also enjoy local dumplings and Tang Dynasty dancing. Travel to Beijing, 1 hour 50 minutes flying, or an overnight train.
  
• Day 12 : Beijing - we would suggest visiting Beijing’s imperial treasures today: the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, finishing with a Peking Duck dinner.
  
• Day 13 : Beijing - head out of the city to see the magnificent Great Wall - visit our dedicated Great Wall page to see which section is best for you.
  
• Day 14 : Fly Beijing to UK.

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More information

Highlights

The Great Wall – Terracotta Warriors – Chengdu’s Pandas – Yangtze River – Shanghai’s Bund

Duration

Prices

4 star from £3,590
5 star from £4,890