Day 1 London Heathrow to Beijing
Fly with British Airways non-stop to Beijing.

Day 2 Arrive Beijing
Arrive Beijing and proceed by car to the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Day 3 Beijing
Morning visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven and on to Tiananmen Square the largest public square in the world. Walk through the square to enter the Forbidden City, the seat of supreme power for the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, where you can spend the remainder of the day exploring the courtyards and buildings of this extensive complex.

Day 4 Beijing
Travel through the countryside to Mutianyu from where you can take a cable car up to the Great Wall. As you stand on the Wall and look at it snaking its way across the top of the mountains, it is easy to imagine ancient armies locked in battle on the misty slopes. Continue across the mountains, after lunch to visit the fascinating tombs of the Ming Emperors before returning to Beijing later in the afternoon.

Day 5 Beijing
Visit the Summer Palace with its landscaped gardens, lakes and pavilions. Explore the ancient alleyways of old Beijing by rickshaw and end the day with a relaxing cruise on the tranquil Hou Hai Lake. In the evening we can arrange an optional visit to the Beijing Opera or an acrobatic show.

Day 6 Beijing to Xi’an - by air
Fly to Xi’an and on arrival visit the ancient city wall, before proceeding to the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Day 7 Xi’an
Today visit the remarkable Qin Shi Hunanngdi Tomb which was unearthed in 1974 and is the burial ground of the first Qin Emperor who was interred with at least 6000 life size terracotta warriors and horses. Proceed to visit the Terracotta Warriors, the Huaqing hot springs and the nearby Neolithic village at Ban Po.

Day 8 Xi’an to Chongqing - by air
Further sightseeing of Xi’an will include the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi Provincial Museum and the Great Mosque before flying to Chongqing where you will board the Regal China Cruise ship. Regal China is amongst the most luxurious vessels operating on the Yangtze. They offer an extensive range of on board facilities and all 124 cabins have en suite bathrooms.

Day 9 Yangtze Cruise
The Yangtze is China’s longest river beginning in the snow-covered Tanggulashan Mountains in Tibet and flowing 6300kms into the East China Sea just north of Shanghai. Between the towns of Fengjie in Sichuan Province and Yichang in Hubei province are three spectacular gorges: the Qutang, Wu and Xiling. The ship will depart this morning for Fengdu a ‘ghost’ city, 172kms downstream from Chongqing. Overnight onboard.

Day 10 Yangtze River Cruise
Early this morning enter the gorges of Qutang and Wu. Arrive late morning at Badong and explore Shennong Stream where boatmen operate ‘pea’ boats in the small gorges. In the afternoon continue downstream through Xiling Gorge to anchor at Sandouping, the site of the new Three Gorges Dam. Overnight onboard.

Day 11 Yichang to Shanghai - by air
Morning visit the dam complex, before disembarking at Yichang from where you fly on to Shanghai, China’s commercial and financial centre. On arrival proceed by car to the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Day 12 Shanghai
A full day sightseeing to include the Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Chinatown and the Yu Yuan Garden. Stroll along the Bund by the Huangpa River where the old European style buildings are still evocative of ‘Paris of the East’.

Day 13 Shanghai to Guilin - by air
Fly to Guilin, situated in the heart of south west China, and noted for its scenic beauty. Numerous limestone hills surround Guilin creating superb views into the surrounding countryside. On arrival visit the famous Reed Flute Cave which is full of stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and sizes. Stay two nights at the Sheraton Hotel.

Day 14 Guilin
Today join the cruise boat, which will take you down the Li River passing the magnificent limestone peaks that rise mysteriously out of the water. A series of beautiful scenes unfold as you glide along the river on your journey south. A common sight is the cormorant fisherman, with their wide brimmed hats and narrow rafts made from bamboo. Finally arrive at the market town of Yangshuo where a visit will be made to the market, before returning by car to Guilin.

Day 15 Guilin to Hong Kong - by air
Fly to Hong Kong and transfer by car the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Hotel, which offers magnificent views of Hong Kong's renowned Victoria Harbour. Dynamic Hong Kong is where the Orient truly meets the West. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon are compact and ideal for exploring on foot, notwithstanding the fact that the transport system is incredibly efficient and inexpensive. To sense Hong Kong’s vitality ride an antique tram along the north shore of Hong Kong Island and then cross the harbour on the famous Star Ferry to Kowloon. Almost anywhere you are likely to see ancient Chinese temples and graceful colonial buildings, colourful street markets and sophisticated shopping centres

Day 16 Hong Kong to London Heathrow
At leisure to enjoy this vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Evening transfer by car to the airport for British Airways non-stop flight back to London.

Day 17 Arrive London Heathrow
Early morning arrival in London.