DAY 1 USA—Beijing

Board your international overnight flight in the US today and relax on your journey to China’s capital.

DAY 2 Arrive in Beijing

Meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

DAY 3 Beijing

Today enjoy an introductory tour of Beijing, whose origins extend back 3,000 years. The seat of the Ming and Qing emperors until the early 20th century, China’s capital fuses gleaming temples with austere public monuments built by Chairman Mao. Ogle Tiananmen Square, the world’s biggest public square, and visit the Forbidden City, the secret-steeped residence of 24 emperors. This UNESCO World Heritage site is girded by 10-metre high walls and consists of more than 8,000 rooms, all exuding imperial mystique. Later, visit the gorgeous UNESCO-protected Summer Palace. Walk around this entrancing park, a vision of Chinese landscaping, to view the elaborate bridges, temples and pagodas that flank Kunming Lake. Cap your day with photo stops at the impressive Bird’s Nest and Water Cube stadiums, built for the 2008 Olympics.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner at hotel

DAY 4 Beijing

After breakfast at your hotel, travel to the Great Wall or ‘Long Wall of Ten Thousand Li’ as it’s named in old Chinese. Built over 2,000 years ago to stave off nomadic invasions from the north, the gargantuan wall trails for over 5,500 miles across China like an imperial dragon. Stride along the battlements and behold the views over the mountains and valleys stretching into the distance. Next, continue to visit Temple of Heaven, a fascinating complex of imperial cult buildings centered on a sacrificial altar pavilion. Constructed in the early 15th century, the temple compound was used by China’s emperors to perform animal sacrifices that they believed would secure bountiful harvests. Dinner on your own.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch

DAY 5 Beijing - Xian

In the morning board the high speed train to Xian. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and visit Xian’s ancient City Wall. Dinner at the hotel.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner at hotel

DAY 6 Xian

Once China’s capital and eastern terminus of the Silk Road, the vibrant city of Xian dates back 3,000 years and is best known as the home of the Terracotta Warriors. Unwittingly unearthed by farm workers in 1974, this 6,00o-strong mass of carved life-size soldiers and horses represent the real army that guarded China’s first emperor, Qin Shih Huang, and were interred with his tomb in 200 BC. After viewing the ranks of warriors, neatly arranged in the battle order of the time, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, visit the ornate Big Wild Goose Pagoda . Enjoy the Tang Dynasty dinner show at night.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner and show

DAY 7 Xian - Chengdu

After breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the train to Chengdu. Meet the guide on arrival at the train station and transfer to the hotel. Visit Jingli ancient street, Wide and Narrow Alleys. Tonight, enjoy the Chengdu local specialties for dinner.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner

DAY 8 Chengdu

This morning visit the adorable giant pandas at Giant Panda Research Base which is one of the largest panda breeding facilities in the world. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy the tea tasting at the People’s Park. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch

DAY 9 Chengdu - Shanghai

Take a flight to Shanghai, China’s largest city, after breakfast this morning. Located where the Yangtze River empties into the East China Sea, and sometimes referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, this exciting city mixes 21st-century skyscrapers with elegant 1930s architecture, old world teahouses and traditional pagodas and pavilions. A brief orientational tour upon arrival.

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner

DAY 10 Shanghai

After breakfast, set out on a sightseeing tour along the Bund, Shanghai’s riverside boulevard. Lined by grand colonial buildings built by foreign powers in the 1930s and 1940s, this imperious promenade bustles with activity and affords stirring views over the glass high-rises of the Pudong district. See its highlights on our sightseeing tour, taking in everything from the handsome Bund waterfront to the City God Temple Bazaar , Yu Garden , and the teeming shopping avenue of Nanjing Road .

Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch

DAY 11 Shanghai

A free day today gives you the opportunity to explore dynamic Shanghai independently, perhaps browsing for souvenirs and enjoying its tempting restaurants. Alternatively, book our optional excursion to Suzhou, often called the ‘Venice of the East’. Strategically situated on ancient trade route, Suzhou has been an epicenter of silk production for centuries and serves up photogenic canals, stone bridges and ornamental gardens. Discover its highlights on a guided tour, which includes a cruise on the Grand Canal and time at the Master of the Nets Garden. Return to Shanghai late in the afternoon.

Included: Breakfast at hotel

DAY 12 Shanghai – USA

After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to Shanghai as you transfer to the airport and fly back to the US.

Included: Breakfast at hotel