This is a comprehensive journey through China, taking in most of China's majestic splendour during a 20 nights, 21 days tour to Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Longsheng, Yangshuo, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Chongqing, Yangtze River and Shanghai, from $4,780 (Tour Code: ED)

Day 01 Australia/Beijing

Fly from Australia to Beijing, the dynamic capital of the People’s Republic of China. Once the imperial city of Mongol, Ming and Manchu emperors, Beijing today is still extraordinarily rich in historical sites and cultural relics. After clearing airport formalities, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel.

Day 02 Beijing (B/L/D)

Tour the Tian’anmen Square, the biggest public square in the world. If permitted, we visit Mao’s Mausoleum. After lunch, visit Forbidden City, the vast complex of palaces, which was the home to successive emperors for more than 500 years. Included is admission to the living quarters, museum and jewellery sections. Tonight you will experience the famous Beijing Duck Banquet for your welcome dinner.

Day 03 Beijing (B/L/D)

Morning tour to the Great Wall, stretching almost 4,000 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the sands of Central Asia and befittingly crowned one of the ten wonders of the world. Along the way, you will stop at a jade carving factory where you can watch artisans at work. Continue to the Summer Palace, the largest and the best preserved of all imperial palace gardens, which boasts such delights as the famous Marble Boat and the ornately painted ‘Long Corridor’, and take a boat ride on its Lake Kunming if the weather permits. After dinner, you will witness the amazing Beijing Acrobatic Show.

Day 04 Beijing (B/L)

In the morning, enjoy a pedicab tour of the Hutong – the ‘old city’ with neighbourhoods of narrow alleyways and courtyard gardens. Here you will experience local life on a family visit and a kindergarten school. After our special lunch in a local family home, tour to the Temple of Heaven, the 500 year old Temple houses altars on which sacrifices and offerings were laid to the gods in a glorious setting of gardens, trees and sculptures. Visit a local market if time permits. Evening at leisure.

Day 05 Beijing/Xian (B/D)

Morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Xian. Upon arrival, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Today you will sample the Xian dumpling dinner. Afterwords, you will see the traditional Tang Dynasty Show.

Day 06 Xian (B/L/D)

Morning tour to the greatest archaeological discovery of the century, the 2,000 year-old Terracotta Warriors interred with the Emperor Qin Shi Huang. In the afternoon, we will visit the Great Mosque, the best-preserved Islamic mosque in China and focus for the 30,000 Chinese Muslims of Xian.

Day 07 Xian (B)

Today is a free day for you to explore this city at your own pace.

Day 08 Xian/Guilin (B/D)

You are free untill your transfer to the airport for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, visit to Reed Flute Cave, a site of wonderful limestone caves, showcasing a dazzling variety of stalactite and stalagmite stone formations.

Day 09 Guilin-Longshen-Guilin (B/L)

Today, we take a full day excursion to Longsheng, located in the mountainous region on the northeastern part of Guilin. The natural beauty and the colourful ethnic Chinese cultures and customs attract people from all over the world. After a 2.5 hours drive (115 km beautiful mountain road) you will get to the Longji area, Heping Township of Longsheng County. Visit Zhuang and Yao Minority tribes’ villages and some local families. You will see the beautiful terraced rice fields from a distance after arriving at the summit of Longji (Dragon’s backbone). The terraced rice fields were first built in the Yuan Dynasty (about 800 years ago) and completed in the Qing dynasty. The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountaintop, which looks like a giant snail from afar.

Day 10 Guilin-Yangshuo (B/L)

The Highlight of the trip to Guilin is a spectacular cruise down the meandering and picturesque Li River. The scenery is breathtaking as jagged mist-covered mountains, quaint villages dot the riverbanks, drift past humped limestone peaks, fishermen aboard bamboo rafts and grazing water buffalo. You will also have a chance to roam Yangshuo’s local market in the evening. The well-known West Street in Yangshuo also called “Foreigner Street”, which has the history of 1400 years.

Day 11 Yangshuo-Guilin/Kunming (B/D)

Morning, free at leisure. You may rent a bike to further explore the stunning karst landscapes of Yangshuo on your own pace. Fly to Kunming in the evening, the capital of Yunnan Province, is called ‘City of Perpetual Spring’ with beautiful sceneries and historical sites. Check to your hotel.

Day 12 Kunming (B/L/D)

Visit the Stone Forest, known as ‘No.1 wonder under heaven’, is the highest karst terrain in the world. Here the scenery is dominated by natural limestone formations which forms a large forest. Visit Western Hills and Dragon Gate in the afternoon.

Day 13 Kunming/Dali (B/L/D)

Morning flight from Kunming to Dali. Standing against the Cangshan Mountains in the west and adjoining the Erhai Lake in the east, embraced by undulating hills around, Dali was the capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom as early as 1,300 years ago. It is home to Bai minority. Upon arrival in Dali, proceed to visit the Bai village Xizhou or Zhoucheng, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, and visit the old town of Dali, known as ‘state of literature’, which has a long history and splendid culture.

Day 14 Dali-Lijiang (B/L/D)

Coach journey to Lijiang. On the way, you will see the natural countryside scenery. Upon arrival, visit Black Dragon Pool Park. Then you will visit Dongba Cultural Museum, where you will learn about the well-preserved Naxi minority’s people’s culture, which is one of very few ancient photographic scripts in the world still in use. Dayan Town has been on the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites since 1997. Afterwards, we will wander through the cobbled streets.

Day 15 Lijiang (B/L)

In the morning, you will visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park, which is situated 3000m above sea level. You will catch a chairlift to explore the Yak Meadow Section, where you will see some yaks grazing in the lush surroundings. Afterwards, you will take a short tour of the Baisha Village to see the ancient Frescos. Return back to your hotel, here you will have some free time to explore the old town. Dinner will be on your own arrangement.

Day 16 Lijiang/Kunming/Chongqing (B/D)

In the morning, we fly back to Kunming. Then, catch our connecting flight to Chongqing. Upon arrival, we visit the old town area of Ciqikou if time permits, then board your cruise ship (M.S. Yangtze No.1) for the Yangtze River cruise after dinner.

Day 17-18 Yangtze River Cruise (B/L/D)

Relax on deck or in the lounge, while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the magnificent Three Gorges. Sailing downstream, view the Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges, and enjoy a side trip up Shennong Stream. Shore excursions include Fengdu, the “Ghost City” and Three Gorges Dam site. (please refer to P41)

Day 19 Yichang/Shanghai (B/L/D)

Disembark at Yichang. Transfer to airport for your flight to Shanghai. Check into your hotel.

Day 20 Shanghai (B/L)

In the morning tour we will visit the Bund, a popular promenade along the Huangpu River, where the old meets the modern in Shanghai. You may see the local people performing Tai Chi during your stroll along the bund. Afterwards, we will visit the Old Town with its winding alleyways, lined with shops, teahouses and restaurants, and then to the elegant and tranquil Yu Garden. Afternoon tour the Shanghai Xintiandi, which is a new tourist attraction in downtown Shanghai, featuring the city’s unique “Shikumen” houses and a maze of narrow alleys, which have been converted into cafes, restaurants, bars, art retail shops. Dinner will be on your own arrangement.

Day 21 Shanghai/Australia (B)

Today you are free for some last minute shopping before being transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

Day 22 Australia

Arrival in Australia.

Note: All Pricing in AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR based on 4 star accommodation.
You may request 5 star hotel upgrades at additional cost.

Exclusions:
- International and domestic airfare taxes
- Exit air and departure tax if applicable
- Personal expenses and tips
- visa processing