Grand Tour of China

This journey has all of China's top destinations covered, with time to soak up the sights. Whether you are looking for history, character and culture or the modern and marvellous, this itinerary has it all.

Your Holiday Package Includes:

• Economy class flight to Beijing, return from Shanghai
• 24 night Grand Tour of China guided tour with Wendy Wu, Beijing to Shanghai

Includes:

• 4-star accommodation
• 24 breakfasts, 23 lunches, 24 dinners
• Touring with guides & entrance fees
• Authentic experiences & highlights
• Domestic transportation
• Visa fees & processing for Australian passport holders
• Yangtze River Cruise, Li River Cruise, Huangpu River Cruise
• Airport transfers
• Airline taxes

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 14 March - 07 April 2025

Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities & flight upgrades available on request

Alternative departures available, surcharges may apply

Itinerary:

Day 1 / Fly To Beijing

Fly to Beijing, China's historical capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 2 / The Great Wall

Visit Tiananmen Square and discover the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City before soaking up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven. This evening, eat traditional Peking duck. The next day, spend the morning taking a walk on the Great Wall and in the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the idyllic gardens of the Summer Palace.

Day 3 / The Great Wall

Visit Tiananmen Square and discover the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City before soaking up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven. This evening, eat traditional Peking duck. The next day, spend the morning taking a walk on the Great Wall and in the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the idyllic gardens of the Summer Palace.

Day 4 / Beijing's Hutongs

Exploring Beijing's old hutongs where you can meet a local family and visit their home. Later, take the bullet train to Xian, the starting point of the fabled Silk Road.

Day 5 / Terracotta Warriors

Visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda before wandering around the narrow alleys of the Muslim Quarter. Tonight, feast on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings before a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. The next day, view the enigmatic ranks of warriors that make up the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Later, stroll on Xian's beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls.

Day 6 / Terracotta Warriors

Visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda before wandering around the narrow alleys of the Muslim Quarter. Tonight, feast on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings before a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. The next day, view the enigmatic ranks of warriors that make up the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Later, stroll on Xian's beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls.

Day 7 / Board Your Cruise

Fly to Yichang where you will board your Yangtze River cruise vessel.

Day 8 / Yangtze River Cruise

The Three Gorges Dam may be an impressive feat of engineering but as you cruise upstream nature takes over, revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next three days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Take a side trip to the attractive Goddess or Shennong Stream and enjoy various shore excursions.

Day 10 / Yangtze River Cruise

The Three Gorges Dam may be an impressive feat of engineering but as you cruise upstream nature takes over, revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next three days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Take a side trip to the attractive Goddess or Shennong Stream and enjoy various shore excursions.

Day 11 / Old Ciqikou

Disembark in Chongqing then explore old Ciqikou, whose narrow streets are perfect for a stroll to admire the traditional architecture. Transfer to Chengdu where tonight you will be served a traditional Sichuanese dinner with the option to watch a Sichuan Opera performance.

Day 12 / Giant Pandas

Visit Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre to see and learn about these celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. Later, fly to the charming city of Dali.

Day 13 / Enchanting Dali

Dali offers a peek of the China of times-gone-by. Explore Xizhou village to browse around the local market, see the Yan Family House, cruise on Erhai Lake, visit the Golden Flower Tie Dye shop and explore Dali's quaint old quarter.

Day 14 / Travel to Kunming

Enjoy some relaxed sightseeing around the symmetrical Three Pagodas before boarding the bullet train approximately 2.5-hours to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province.

Day 15 / Stone Forest

Explore the fascinating limestone formations of the picturesque Stone Forest and tuck in to local delicacy, Across the Bridge Noodles, for dinner tonight.

Day 16 / Train To Guilin

Take a bullet train to beautiful city of Guilin.

Day 17 / Li River

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 and grazing buffalo.

Day 18 / Yangshuo Countryside

Begin with a relaxing and invigorating session of tai chi, taking a class with a master to learn this ancient martial art. Explore the countryside and stop on the banks of the Li River for a photo opportunity with a cormorant fisherman. Enjoy time at leisure or choose one of the many optional activities available.

Day 19 / Guilin

Return to Guilin and visit a pearl factory and Reed Flute Cave. Also stroll around Ronghu Lake and admire the Sun and Moon pagodas – two towering examples of traditional Chinese-Buddhist architecture.

Day 20 / Fly to Hangzhou

Fly to Hangzhou. In the evening there is an optional Song Dynasty Show (time permitting, payable locally).

Day 21 / Hangzhou to Suzhou

Today, visit the Temple of Inspired Seclusion and Xihu Tiandi, then enjoy a cruise on West Lake before continuing to Suzhou.

Day 22 / Suzhou

Suzhou's centre has managed to retain a sense of quaint charm. Renowned for its elegant gardens, visit one of the finest, the Humble Administrator's Garden – typical of the Chinese appreciation of balance and harmony. Also cruise on the Grand Canal.

Day 23 / Shanghai

Travel to the exuberant and cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. Visit Matchmaker's Corner, where parents search for worthy suitors for their children, Nanjing Road and People's Square. Later, enjoy a view of the glittering city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise. This evening, dine on a delicious meal of Shanghainese cuisine.

Day 24 / Cosmopolitan Shanghai

Shanghai is China's great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th century temples. Visit Yu Garden, the old town, as silk factory and stroll along the Bund. End the evening with the fascinating ERA acrobatic show.

Day 25 / Fly Shanghai To Australia

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

Day 26 / Fly Shanghai To Australia

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

Prices listed are per person in AUD, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 04-12-2024 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.