Classic two weeks in China holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 3 nights Beijing
• 2 nights Shanghai 
• 2 nights Xian 
• 2 nights Chengdu 
• 2 nights Yangshuo 
• 2 nights Hong Kong 

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights 

Day 2: Arrive Beijing

Upon arrival into Beijing you will be met by your guide and taken to your hotel, checking in for three nights.

After you have settled into your hotel, you can head to explore a little yourself, either enjoying the hotel's historic surroundings or relaxing before you head out to discover Beijing tomorrow. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel  

Day 3: Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City

After breakfast you will be met by your guide and driver, and your day will begin by exploring the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors performed annual rituals for good harvests. You will see people starting their day with Tai Chi, meditation, or practising Chinese calligraphy.

Next, you'll head to the Forbidden City, the imperial palace for 24 emperors. Wander through its 980-acre complex, marvelling at golden-roofed halls and intricate architecture. You'll also get the opportunity to visit Tiananmen Square before heading back to your hotel. On your journey back, why not ask your guide for some restaurant recommendations, as you really can’t beat a local perspective when it comes to food!

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel  

Day 4: Great Wall of China 

After breakfast, you will be met by your guide and driver, and will travel to the Great Wall of China to witness one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, as well as a UNESCO world heritage site. Here you can take time to admire the rugged scenery and hike along the wall. You will be visiting the Mutianyu section of the wall and will be able to see the early morning sunrise and take some once in a lifetime photographs.

Placed on the highest ridges, the wall offers an excellent view to the north, and allowed the guards to watch out for alarm fires in case of barbarian intruders. The wall extends to more than 6000 kilometres, and during the Ming Dynasty, it was restored and expanded to its height, width, and length we see today.

In the afternoon you'll visit the Summer Palace, an imperial garden where you'll find Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill and elegant pavilions. It's a peaceful place to explore after the vast and epic views at the Great Wall this morning. Head back to Beijing for your final night - why not head out for a delicious meal of roast duck for dinner?

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel  

Day 5: Train to Shanghai 

This morning, you'll hop on the train to Shanghai, speeding across the country and arriving in Shanghai, ready to explore China's most cosmopolitan city. 

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 6: Shanghai 

Spend the day exploring Shanghai with your guide, starting in the French Concession where you'll wander along its café-lined streets and admire the colonial architecture. Stop in at Jing'an Temple before tucking into a traditional xiaolongbao lunch, a delicious local specialty of soup dumplings filled with aromatic pork. 

Enjoy a tea ceremony in the Yuyan Harden before strolling along the waterside walkway at the Bund and gazing up at the Oriental Pearl Tower. Why not finish your day with rooftop cocktails by the Huangpu River, where you can gaze across to Pudong’s futuristic skyline.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel  

Day 7: Train to Xi'an 

Leaving Pingyao behind, you'll hop on the high speed train to Xi'an, home to the famous Terracotta Warriors. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the city - why not explore the Muslim Quarter, known for its vibrant street food like handmade noodles and mutton rolls.

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 8: Xi'an

Spend the day exploring Xi'an. China's imperial capital for more than 1,000 years, this city gives a unique insight into ancient China. Spend the morning learning about the army of 8,000 terracotta warriors, standing in their battle tunics by the tomb of China’s first emperor. Admire the life‑sized, intricately detailed statues, horses, and chariots, each placed to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.

In the afternoon, you'll head out to discover the city beyond the warriors - admire the Ming Dynasty walls and stop off for panoramic photos by the Drum Tower. Learn about Buddhist culture at the Wild Goose Pagoda where you'll get some of the best views over the city. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel  

Day 9: Train to Chengdu 

After breakfast, you'll take the train south to Chengdu, where you'll meet your guide and check in to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore the city - why not head out to discover bustling markets and mouth-watering street snacks? Chengdu is the capital of spicy Sichuan province, famous for its tongue-numbing hotpots and kung pao chicken. 

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 10: Chengdu 

Giant Pandas are the big draw of this southwest city, which has an out of town breeding centre that’s home to more than a hundred of these adorable bears. Spend the morning admiring these beautiful creatures before heading back to Chengdu to mingle with the locals in traditional teahouses or challenge them to a game of chess in People’s Park.

In the afternoon you'll visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, carved into the cliff overlooking the Min River. Head back to the hotel for another meal of delicious Sichuan cuisine.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel  

Day 11: Train to Yangshuo

Set off today again on the train, arriving in Guilin in the late afternoon. From there, you'll be met and driven to Yangshuo, nestled in the scenic Li River region. The evening is yours to soak up the towns natural beauty, strolling along the riverbank and visiting West Street's vibrant night market. 

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, 4* hotel 

Day 12: Yangshuo 

This morning, you'll head out to enjoy a cycling tour along the rural paths, gazing up at the towering karst peaks around you. After cycling along the river, you'll climb onboard a bamboo raft, floating along the water enjoying the views. After around an hour and a half, you'll hop back on the bikes and cycle to Moon Hill, to explore this unique rock arch. The rest of your time in Yangshuo is yours to explore at your leisure - whether you want to stroll through local villages, visit art galleries or tuck into fresh cuisine at riverside restaurants. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 13: Train to Hong Kong

After breakfast, you'll head back to Guilin to take the train down to Hong Kong. On arrival, you'll be met and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for two nights. Why not head straight out to admire the famous skyline and feast on dim sum for dinner?

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, 4* hotel 

Day 14: Hong Kong

Spend the day exploring Hong Kong. Depending on where you are staying, be sure to take the star ferry over to Hong Kong Island – highlights include visiting Stanley Market on the southern shores and the spectacular harbour views from Victoria Peak. We recommend heading up on the tram in the late afternoon, seeing the cities transform from day to night is wonderful.

If you’re staying on the island, make sure you visit Kowloon – afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel, walking along the Avenue of the Stars and tasting local delicacies at Temple Street Night Market are not to be missed. If you want to get out of the city, you could head over to Lantau, where a glass floored cable car soars over the water to get to the Giant Buddha.

Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel 

Day 15: Depart Hong Kong

Enjoy one final stroll along the harbour before heading to the airport for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 16: Arrive UK