➤ Arrival Beijing - Transfer to your hotel and meet your guide:

➤ Itinerary: We will be greeting you at the airport from where you will be transferred by private car and English speaking guide to your hotel. The approximately 1 hour journey to your hotel is a perfect opportunity to ask the guide any initial questions you might have. The guide will provide assisstance with checking in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax from the long flight or start to explore the city with the help of your personalised Trip Guidebook we send you before the trip. The area around your hotel is perfect for an introductory walk to soak up the local atmosphere.

➤ Overnight at the Days Inn Forbidden City 3*. A good standard modern hotel with some character and an unbeatable location close to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

➤ Meals included: None.

➤ Beijing - Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Ming Tombs:

➤ Itinerary: Today we will be showing you one of China’s most famous sights - the Great Wall. At over 4,000 miles long there is a lot of Wall to see but we will be taking you to one of the better and less touristed sections at Mutianyu 70km from Beijing. The drive to the wall averages 2 hours and will take you from your hotel in the centre of Beijing through the rapidly expanding suburbs and on into the beautiful mountainous countryside to the north east of the city. The Mutianyu section dates back to the 6th century but was largely rebuilt in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the best preserved sections of the wall largely due to the high standard of construction. The views from on top of the wall are spectacular and helped by Mutianyu having a high density of watchtowers which give a good idea of the scale of the wall as it passes over the mountain ridges. Lunch will be in a restaurant close to Mutianyu village.

On the way back to Beijing we will stop at the Ming Tombs, the burial place of 13 Ming Dynasty Emperors between 1368 to 1644AD some of whom oversaw the construction of the Great Wall section you saw earlier today. The tombs are approached along the Sacred Way lined with giant marble figures and animals who guard the tomb area. After you will be driven back to your hotel with the evening free.

➤ Overnight at the Days Inn Forbidden City 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

➤ Beijing - Free day to explore the city:

➤ Itinerary: Today is a free day to explore the wealth of sights Beijing offers. (if you have more time we would highly recommend adding in a few additional days in Beijing before starting your trip to Lhasa). The Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Summer Palace are just some of the many highlights.

Late afternoon transfer to the station (usually 6pm from your hotel lobby) for your departure on the train to Lhasa. Your transfer guide will have your Tibet Travel Permit and train ticket handing these over to you at the station. Opened in July 2006 this controversial engineering marvel is the highest train in the world reaching an altitude of 5,072 meters at the Tanggula pass. The trip instantly became a classic China rail trip. Settle into your berths for your first of two nights aboard this train.

➤ Overnight on board the sleeper train to Lhasa.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Full day on board the train to Lhasa crossing Central China:

➤ Itinerary: A full day crossing central China. Gradually the cities become smaller and the countryside between them larger as you head towards the less populated parts of China. Outside of the busy meal times the dining car is a good place from which to watch the world go by.

➤ Overnight on board the sleeper train to Lhasa.

➤ Meals included: None.

➤ Full day aboard the train crossing the Tibet Plateau. Late afternoon arrival in Lhasa:

➤ Itinerary: A second full day on the train as you cross the Tibetan Plateau. Today the scenery is spectacular with mountains visible for much of the day. Keep an eye out for nomadic settlements as well as pilgrims following the road that in places runs alongside the train track. Arrival in Lhasa late afternoon at the city’s striking new station with a transfer on to your hotel. Lhasa, at a quite manageable altitude of 3,650 meters (12,000 feet) is a unique city and a highlight of China and, indeed, Asia. The setting, the history, architecture, people and contrasts all make for a very special travel experience. Free time to relax and adjust to the altitude or explore the fascinating area of the old Tibetan city your hotel is located in.

➤ Overnight at the Dhood Gu Hotel 3*. With a fantastic location close to Barkhor Square in the heart of the Old City this hotel is built and immerses you in the beautiful and colourful Tibetan style.

➤ Meals included: None.

➤ Lhasa - Half day tour of Barkhor Square and Kora and the Jokhang temple:

➤ Itinerary: After breakfast start a half day tour of Barkhor Square area of the old city. We start with the Jokhang Temple, considered the most sacred and important temple in all Tibet. The temple is located at one end of Barkhor Square, a fascinating meeting point for pilgrims from all over Tibet. The temple itself was first constructed around 642 AD and despite or perhaps because of the hoards of visitors (mostly pilgrims) has an intense atmosphere infused with incense and devotion. You can sometimes get up onto the roof of the temple with good views over the old city. Surrounding the temple is the Barkhor Kora, a 1 km circular walk for pilgrims and locals as well as being a busy market selling all the goods a pilgrim might need on their travels. Free time to continue to explore the Old City for the rest of the day and evening.

➤ Overnight at the Dhood Gu Hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Lhasa - Half day tour to the Potala Palace and Kora:

➤ Itinerary: Today you will visit one of the architectural highlights of China, the vast Potala Palace, former chief residence of the Dalai Lama’s of Tibet. The palace was started to be built in 1645 and has been added to over the centuries. It is 13 stories high and contains over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. Visitor numbers are restricted although it always feels busy inside. You will see some of the meeting rooms as well as the extraordinary chapels with their vast gold and jewel encrusted shrines to previous Dalai Lamas (the chapel of the 5th Dalai Lama has a stupa coated in 3,727kg of gold and 18,680 precious stones). The Potala dominates Lhasa not just from it’s size but also it’s location on Mount Potala and the views you get from the palace stretch right across Lhasa to the mountains that surround the city. You will also have the chance to walk the devotional Potala Kora that surrounds the palace before free time in the afternoon and evening.

➤ Overnight at the Dhood Gu Hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Lhasa - Free day to explore this unique city or take a trip into the surrounding countryside:

➤ Itinerary: Today is a free day to continue to explore Lhasa and its surroundings. We can also organise day trips out of the city or you might prefer to wander the old city and its labyrinth of alleys and multitude of shops. There are also ample opportunities, particularly around Barkhor Square, to settle into roof top cafes and restaurants and watch the fascinating world of Tibet go by below you.

➤ Overnight at the Dhood Gu Hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Depart Lhasa for Xian by plane:

➤ Itinerary: Free time until a transfer to the airport for a flight onto Xian. This city was the fabled Chang An - a thriving city of Emperors, soldiers, arts, culture and capital of the Tang Dynasty, an era considered a golden period of Chinese history. For a time it was the largest city in the world and one of the world's great trading and meeting points being the beginning and end of the fabled Silk Road routes to Europe. Transfer to your hotel with free time for the rest of the day and evening.

➤ Overnight at the Citadines Central Apart Hotel 3*. A good location and clean modern rooms as well a large roof terrace make this a great value option in Xian.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Xian - The Terra Cotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda & City Walls:

➤ Itinerary: Today you will see one of the highlights of China - the extraordinary ranks of the Terra Cotta Army. Created by China’s first Emperor Qin Shi Huang - the fabled “Yellow Emperor” - to provide an imperial court and, of course, an army for the afterlife. Work began in 246 BC and at its height it is said that 700,000 people worked on the project. At some point however this vast undertaking became lost to time and was only rediscovered in 1974 by a farmer digging a well. Excavations have continued since and the three pits unearthed are thought to contain 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses. Several thousand of the soldiers have been pieced back together and make for a uniquely impressive sight today even without their original paint. The Emperor specifically stated that no two soldiers should look alike and all are life sized.

In the afternoon we will visit a relic of the Tang Dynasty, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda built in 652 AD and containing a large volume of Buddhist scriptures which were obtained from India by the eminent monk Xuanzang. After this we finish on Xian’s largest construction, the 13.7 km City Walls which are up to 18 meters thick at the base and 12 meters in height. The walls were constructed during the Ming Dynasty from 1370 AD and replaced an even larger wall. It is possible, if time, to hire bicycles and ride some sections of the wall.

Free time in the evening to explore the city perhaps eating in Xian’s vibrant Muslim quarter, a left over of the Silk Road which began or ended in Xian depending on which way you were heading!

➤ Overnight at the Citadines Central Apart Hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

➤ Xian - Free time to explore Xian before departure to Chengdu on the overnight train:

➤ Itinerary: Free time today to further explore the wealth of sights this ancient capital of the Tang Dynasty has on offer. The Drum and Bell Towers located in the centre of the city are particularly easy to visit independently. The Shaanxi Historical Museum, Forest of Steles and the Great Mosque are all worth a visit as well and if you enjoyed yesterday’s visit to the City Walls a great way to get above the busy streets of downtown Xian is to hire a bike to cycle along the wall top. Your personalised Trip guidebook we give you is full of ideas as to how to make the most out of your time here.

Mid-afternoon make your own way to the station for an overnight train onto your next destination of Chengdu.

➤ Overnight on board a sleeper train to Chengdu.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Arrival Chengdu - transfer to your hotel and free time:

➤ Itinerary: Late morning arrival in Chengdu with a transfer to your hotel. With a population topping 13 million and growing (the fifth most populous city in China) Chengdu is the capital of mountainous Sichuan province and the place to come and see Giant Pandas. The city does have charm beyond Pandas though. The people are friendly and the food excellent making Chengdu an easy place to spend a few days. Free time this afternoon to explore the area around your hotel, a fascinating district of temples and small shops. We recommend visiting the Wenshu temple which is also a good place to get a nice cup of Chinese tea!

➤ Overnight at the BuddhaZen hotel 3*. One of our favourite in China this beautiful hotel is built in the Chinese traditional style and has a great location and comfortable rooms.

➤ Meals included: None.

➤ Chengdu to Lijiang - Half day tour of the Giant Pandas before flying onto Lijiang:

➤ Itinerary: This morning we will be visiting the Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding while the pandas are active (which is usually only in the morning). Opened in 1987 the base now has over 60 pandas and is considered the best place in the world to see these endangered icons of China. As well as learning about the pandas themselves and watching such activities as feeding there is also an opportunity to hold a panda cub although note that this is not guaranteed and requires a local payment of approximately RMB 1,000. Free time in the afternoon before making your own way to the airport for a flight onto Lijiang.

Evening arrival in Lijiang, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage recognised city of cobbled streets and tiled roofs set against the magnificent backdrop of the 5,596m thirteen peaked Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Yunnan province’s top destination. A guide and driver will be meeting you at the airport and transferring you to your hotel set in the heart of the old town.

➤ Overnight at the Sanhe Hotel 3*. Located in the wonderful old town of Lijiang this traditionally designed hotel will help immerse you in this fascinating city and highlight of South West China.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Lijiang - Half day orientation tour of the Old City:

➤ Itinerary: After breakfast start a half day orientation tour of the Old City including the fabulous palace of the Mu Clan who ruled over this area for 400 years during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This large complex is a superb example of local Naxi architecture. You will also visit the Black Dragon Pool, a beautiful park containing some traditional buildings and one of the most famous views in China of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - stunning if the weather cooperates! Your guide will return you to your hotel after which you have free time for the rest of the day to further explore the narrow streets of the Old City or relax in the many cafes and restaurants.

➤ Overnight at the Sanhe Hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Lijiang - Free day to further explore the city and surrounding countryside:

➤ Itinerary: Today is a free day to continue to explore the labyrinth of the Old City which throws up surprises at almost every turn. It can also be an opportunity to get into the countryside, perhaps to visit the looming Jade Dragon snow Mountain 15km from the city or make a day trip to stunning Tiger Leaping Gorge 60km outside of Lijiang. Renting bicycles and exploring the surrounding countryside is another option perhaps making the ride to Baisha Village about 40 minutes from Lijiang. There is plenty to do around Lijiang including settling in one of the numerous cafes and watching the world go by.

Early evening make your own way to the station for an overnight sleeper train onto your next destination of Kunming.

➤ Overnight on board a sleeper train to Kunming.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Arrival Kunming - Transfer to your hotel - Full day Tour to the Stone Forest:

➤ Itinerary: You arrive early in the morning on the overnight train from Lijiang. Your guide will take you to your hotel where you will have time to have breakfast, freshen up and, if a room is available, you can also check-in.

After breakfast start a full day tour driving 85km out of the city to the extraordinary Stone Forest. This area of unusual Karst formations covers 2,670 square km and is believed to be 270 million years old. You will see some of the Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone forest, Outer Stone Forest, Underground Stone Forest, Stone Forest Lake, and Da Dieshui Falls. Return back to Kunming with a free evening.

➤ Overnight at the New Era Hotel 4*. A modern hotel well located in the heart of Kunming making it an ideal option in this pleasant city and a good base from which to explore Yunnan province.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

➤ Kunming to Guilin - A free day to explore the city before  the overnight train to Guilin:

➤ Itinerary: A free day to explore the city itself. At 1,890m, Kunming is one of those rare Chinese cities that is good to visit all year round. Renown for its greenery there are many parks to visit as well as several historic buildings including Yuantong and Tanhua temples, the famous flower and bird market and several museums. Late afternoon make your own way to the station for an overnight train to Guilin.

➤ Overnight on board a sleeper train to Guilin.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast

➤ Guilin - Transfer on arrival to your hotel - free time:

➤ Itinerary: This morning is spent on the train to Guilin passing through the traditional scenery of south central China, a lush land of villages and farms. Early afternoon arrival in Guilin with a transfer on to your hotel. Guilin is one of China's more pleasant cities and although it has undergone rapid growth in recent years it is still blessed with sights and stunning scenery surrounds the city. A trip down the Li river to Yangshuo is one of the main highlights which you will do tomorrow.

➤ Overnight at the Bravo Hotel 4*. This hotel has a good location next to Ronghu lake and within easy walking distance to downtown Guilin.

➤ Meals included: None.

➤ Guilin to Yangshuo - a cruise along the Li River passing through the stunning scenery this region is famed for:

➤ Itinerary: After an early breakfast a transfer from your hotel to the wharf to start your trip down the Li River to relaxed Yangshuo. You will cruise through the stunning limestone karst scenery that has made this part of China so famous while having lunch on board the boat. Depending on the river itself the trip can take from 5 to 7 hours but the time just flows by as you pass through some of China’s most iconic scenery one section of which has even be reproduced on the RMB 20 bank note. Aside from the scenery there is plenty of life along the river to Observe.

Early afternoon disembark in Yangshuo making your own way to your hotel. Free time to settle in and explore this wonderfully laid back town and its beautiful surrounding countryside.

➤ Overnight at the Hong Fu Palace Hotel 3*. Located in the heart of Yangshuo’s famous West Street this is an ideal base to explore the surrounding area.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

➤ Yangshuo - A free day to explore the town and surrounding countryside:

➤ Itinerary: A free day in Yangshuo to continue to explore the town and it’s beautiful surrounding countryside. A wide range of local tours and activities can easily be booked locally through the hotel. Such activities include cycle tours, rafting trips, cookery, Tai Chi or calligraphy classes or you can do as so many do here - just relax and take in all the scenery from your hotel or the many cafes and restaurants in town.

➤ Overnight at the Hong Fu Palace Hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Yangshuo to Hangzhou - Continue your journey to Hangzhou by plane:

➤ Itinerary: A free day in Yangshuo before making your own way to Guilin airport late afternoon to catch a flight to Hangzhou (your hotel will be able to arrange a taxi to take you to the station and in almost all cases the guide who initially met you in Guilin will have given you the tickets on your arrival in Guilin). Transfer on arrival in Hangzhou to your hotel.

At first glance Hangzhou looks like a huge modern urban expanse like so many east coast Chinese cities but it has one trump card, the stunning West Lake, the legendary beauty of which has been praised written and painted by the Chinese for centuries. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Free time for the rest of the day to start to explore the West lake. The lake has been one of China’s most important cultural areas through the dynasties of the last 1,000 years and represents the Chinese idea of man in perfection with nature. The many temples and gardens surrounding the West lake are designed to personify this relationship and over time became an Asian ideal exported to Japan and Korea.

➤ Overnight at the Lily Hotel 3*. A good value choice for Hangzhou with bright, clean rooms and friendly staff located just 10 minutes walk from the famous West Lake.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Hangzhou - Free day to relax and explore the beautiful West lake area:

➤ Itinerary: Today is a free day to explore Hangzhou’s sublimely beautiful West Lake with it multitude of temples and gardens. This area can be explored on foot or bicycle is a popular option. It is difficult to get lost as you can just follow the lake around and there are plenty of option to stop for food or a drink perhaps sampling some of the tea this area of China is so famous for.

➤ Overnight at the Lily Hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Hangzhou to Shanghai by bullet train. Half day tour of the Yuyuan Garden, Old Shanghai and The Bund:

➤ Itinerary: After breakfast make your own way to the station to catch the bullet train to Shanghai. Transfer on arrival to your hotel. Today you will have a half day private tour visiting some of Shanghai’s most famous sights. We will start with the Yuyuan Garden located in the heart of the Old City. The garden was established in 1559 by the son of a Ming Dynasty official who spent 20 years building it up in an effort to please his father. Today the garden showcases the architecture of this period with its pavilions, ponds and rock formations.

Surrounding the garden is Old Shanghai, an area that has been a vibrant commercial centre for over a century and which historically very much represented the “Chinese” part of Shanghai in comparison with the more European areas such as the Bund and the French Concession. Your afternoon finishes with a walk down the Bund along which the Huangpu River runs and where stands some of Asia’s finest colonial European architecture. Across the river rises Shanghai’s ultra modern Pudong Financial district whose skyscrapers dwarf the once dominant buildings of the Bund. All in all a superb introduction to Shanghai.

Free time for the rest of the day and evening when the bright lights and neon of really bring Shanghai into its own.

➤ Overnight at the Astor House Hotel 3*. Don’t be put off by the 3* rating - this gem of a hotel has a fantastic location at the end of the Bund and offers rare charm and character.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Shanghai - final free day to explore this exciting city:

➤ Itinerary: Today will be a final free day to further explore Shanghai. The city is China’s shopping capital and good place to stock up on souvenirs or you can wander the French Concession stopping at cafes or restaurants - another favourite activity! Alternatively we can arrange a trip out to one of the nearby water towns such as Suzhou, Hangzhou or Zhouzhuang all offering a more laid back experience from China’s past.

➤ Overnight at the Astor House Hotel 3*.

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

➤ Departure from Shanghai and China:

➤ Itinerary: Free time until making your own way to the airport for your departure from Shanghai and the end of this China adventure. We hope and expect that this introduction to the Middle Kingdom has wetted your appetite for further Chinese travel!

➤ Meals included: Breakfast.

 ✘ International flight tickets are not included in this itinerary. We can arrange these for you if you wish.

 ✔ Lhasa to Xian economy class
 ✔ Chengdu to Lijiang economy class
 ✔ Guilin to Hangzhou economy class

 ✔ Beijing to Lhasa soft sleeper class (1 berth each in a 4 berth cabin)

Note that due to railway bureau rules final availability of these tickets for non-Chinese can only be guaranteed 5 to 10 days before departure although it is rare we have any ticketing problems. However, in the event of ticketing problems we would give you the option of hard sleeper class (6 berth open cabins) or to fly up to Lhasa (with one extra night in Beijing and one in Lhasa). If choosing to fly up to Lhasa additional charges would apply to cover the price differences and these would be payable in Lhasa. If you were to choose to take the hard sleeper class on the train we would refund the difference between the classes to you.

 ✔ Xian to Chengdu soft sleeper class (17 hour overnight trip) 1 berth each in a 4 berth cabin
 ✔ Lijiang to Kunming soft sleeper class (9 hour overnight trip) 1 berth each in a 4 berth cabin
 ✔ Kunming to Guilin soft sleeper class (17 hour overnight trip) 1 berth each in a 4 berth cabin
 ✔ Hangzhou to Shanghai second class (1 hour bullet train trip)

 ✔ Li River Cruise Guilin to Yangshuo (group tour)

 ✔ 2 nights Beijing - Days Inn Forbidden City 3* (standard room with breakfast)
 ✔ 2 nights overnight sleeper train Beijing to Lhasa (shared soft sleeper cabin)
 ✔ 4 nights Lhasa - Dhood Gu 3* (standard room with breakfast)
 ✔ 2 nights Xian - Citadines Central Apart Hotel 3* (standard room with breakfast)
 ✔ 1 night Chengdu - BuddhaZen Hotel 3* (deluxe room with breakfast)
 ✔ 2 nights Lijiang - Sanhe Hotel 3* (standard room with breakfast)
 ✔ 1 night overnight sleeper train Lijiang to Kunming (shared soft sleeper cabin)
 ✔ 1 night Kunming - New Era Hotel 4* (standard room with breakfast)
 ✔ 1 night overnight sleeper train Kunming to Guilin (shared soft sleeper cabin)
 ✔ 1 night Guilin - Bravo Hotel 4* (standard room with breakfast)
 ✔ 2 nights Yangshuo - Hong Fu Palace Hotel 3* (standard room with breakfast)
 ✔ 2 nights Hangzhou - Lily Hotel 3* (standard room with breakfast)
 ✔ 2 nights Shanghai - Astor House Hotel 3* (standard room with breakfast)

 ✔ Beijing - Airport to Hotel / Hotel to Train Station
 ✔ Lhasa - Train Station to Hotel / Hotel to Airport
 ✔ Xian - Airport to Hotel
 ✔ Chengdu - Train Station to Hotel
 ✔ Lijiang - Airport to Hotel
 ✔ Kunming - Train Station to Hotel
 ✔ Guilin - Train Station to Hotel / Hotel to Li River cruise boat (as part of a group tour)
 ✔ Hangzhou - Airport to Hotel
 ✔ Shanghai - Train Station to Hotel

 ✔ Beijing - Full day private tour to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Ming Tombs.
 ✔ Lhasa - Half day private tour to Barkhor Square and the Jokhang Temple.
 ✔ Lhasa - Half day private tour to the Potala Palace and Kora.
 ✔ Xian - Full day private tour to the Terra Cotta Warriors, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Walls.
 ✔ Chengdu - Half day private tour to the Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding.
 ✔ Lijiang - Half day private tour including the Old City, Mu Fu Family Palace and Black Dragon Pool.
 ✔ Kunming - Full day private tour to the Stone Forest.
 ✔ Guilin - Li River Cruise Guilin to Yangshuo (group tour).
 ✔ Shanghai - Half day private tour to the Yuyuan gardens, Old City and the Bund.

 ✔ Meals - As indicated in the itinerary.
 ✔ Support - Emergency numbers and contacts for each destination.
 ✔ Guidebook - Our exclusive Trip Guidebook personalised to your trip.
 ✔ Financial Peace of Mind - All monies paid to us are legally protected under UK law.

✘ International Airfare to and from China (we can book these flights on request).
✘ The Chinese visa (we can advise as to how best obtain this visa).
✘ Travel insurance to cover medical treatment in China.
✘ Discretionary gratuities to drivers and guides.