Pick up and transferred from Beijing international airport to your hotel, the day begins with a short visit to Summer Palace, take a stroll enjoying the classical Chinese garden architecture, the relaxation point of the royal family, enjoy dinner at a Chinese restaurant.

A day tour to see the famous city of Beijing, the first stop is Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Walk through the north side of the square through the red Tiananmen Gate into the Forbidden City, the ancient city home of the royal family and their court during China’s Ming and Qing Dynasties. After lunch visit the imposing Temple of Heaven where the Emperor’s came yearly to ask for a good harvest. Enjoy dinner and the a performance by the Peking Opera.

Visit the Great Wall, take a walk along and see one of the most impressive mad made structures on earth. After lunch travel some 50 km northwest of Beijing to the Sacred Way with its fabulous stone animals. The way leads to the Ming Tombs in the shadow of Longevity Mountain. Take a trip to the Underground Palace of Dingling and see the imperial coffins, burial artefacts and treasures before returning to Beijing

Enjoy your morning free at leisure, before taking the afternoon flight to the ancient former capital city of Xian (an alternative option would be an overnight train to Xian), visit the City Wall built in the 14th century and one of the most important city walls in China. For dinner enjoy the local speciality of dumplings at a local restaurant.

Visit the Terracotta Warriors Museum, thousands of life size soldiers and horses were created to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first Emperor to unite China under his firm rule. The royal tomb itself has yet to be opened but the rank upon rank of Warriors is a sight that is unrivalled anywhere in the world. In the afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Guilin

This morning we join a cruise that will take us on a voyage of discovery along the Li River. The river wends its way through the unique scenery of Karsts (limestone mountains) that have strange and fabulous shapes. Admire the shapes and try to guess their names (Crown Rock, Conch Hill, Jade Lotus Peak and Snow Lion Peak are just a few) while enjoying lunch on board. The cruise ends in Yangshou

Free day to explore Yanshuo

Depart Yangshou to visit the small rural village of Longji set amongst rice paddies in a typical rural China

Transfer to Guilin for your flight to Shanghai (alternative option would be to return directly to the UK from Beijing)

Free time to shop and explore the city of Shanghai

Depart Shanghai for the UK arriving in the afternoon