Grand Tour of China

An all encompassing programme that captures not only the essence of China but also explores its fascinating historical, cultural and physical attributes. Beginning in the capital of Beijing and travelling southwards through China’s premier landscapes and attractions this tour is not to be missed for travellers looking to experience more of China in one comprehensive visit. Visiting Beijing, Xian and cruising on the Yangtze, this tour will also take you to see the cuddly pandas in Chongqing, to explore cosmopolitan Shanghai and see the wonder of Guilin’s Li River.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: SOUTH AFRICA TO BEIJING

Fly overnight with Cathay Pacific to Beijing for a four-night stay. Our welcome banquet includes a sample of the local delicacy, ‘Peking Duck’.

DAY 3: BEIJING

Today we stroll through Tiananmen Square past Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, followed by a visit to the Forbidden City.

DAY 4: BEIJING

Enjoy an exciting walk along the Great Wall and tour the 15th-century Temple of Heaven.

DAY 5: BEIJING

This morning we enjoy some shopping time at the copy markets and wander through the Summer Palace admiring it’s landscaped beauty. Our evening entertainment will be a Chinese Acrobatic show.

DAY 6: BEIJING TO XIAN

Explore Liulichang’s ancient shopfronts and the calligraphy market before boarding our overnight train to Xian.

DAY 7: XIAN

We arrive in Xian this morning and visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and the fascinating Shaanxi Provincial Museum. We then walk through the lively Muslim Quarter and explore the Islamic food markets. This evening we feast on a traditional Shui Jiao Dumpling banquet, a specialty of the region, while enjoying a performance of music and dance from the Tang Dynasty.

DAY 8: XIAN

Today we visit one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century, the life-size Terracotta Warriors. We also visit the ancient City Wall, one of the best preserved in all of China.

DAY 9: XIAN TO WUHAN - YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Fly to Wuhan and transfer by coach (approx 4-5 hours) to Yichang, the boarding point of our Yangtze River cruise for the next four nights.

DAYS 10-12: YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Enjoy a tour to the Three Gorges Dam before cruising on the Yangtze River, passing beautiful scenery along the way. Enjoy shore excursions (subject to change) to explore the fascinating history and tranquil landscapes.

DAY 13: CHONGQING TO KUNMING

We disembark from our cruise in Chongqing this morning and visit the Panda House at Chongqing Zoo before we fly to Kunming. This evening we sample ‘Across the Bridge
Noodles’.

DAY 14: KUNMING

Enjoy a full day tour to the Stone Forest, where massive limestone columns form a vast forest of surreal shapes and images.

DAY 15: KUNMING TO DALI

Today we leave Kunming and drive to Dali for a two night stay.

DAY 16: DALI

Enjoy a cruise on Erhai Lake and participate in a traditional tea tasting. We also visit the Three Pagodas and explore Dali’s ancient City Wall.

DAY 17: DALI TO KUNMING

Today we visit Xizhou Village to explore the local market and the Yen family house, an ancient courtyard home, before returning to Kunming.

DAY 18: KUNMING TO GUILIN

This morning we visit the Flower Market before we fly to Guilin.

DAY 19: GUILIN TO YANGSHUO

Relax on a stunning Li River cruise as we travel to the town of Yangshuo for an overnight stay.

DAY 20: YANGSHUO TO GUILIN

Wander through the local markets before returning to Guilin where we visit Mt. Diecai. This evening enjoy a display of traditional ormorant fishing.

DAY 21: GUILIN TO SHANGHAI

This morning we visit the Reed Flute Caves before transferring to the airport to board our flight to Shanghai.

DAY 22: SHANGHAI

Visit the Yu Gardens, the Old Town, the antiques and fine arts at the Shanghai Museum and stroll along the famous Bund. Our dinner this evening will be a banquet of delicious Shanghai cuisine.

DAY 23: SHANGHAI TO SUZHOU

Today we travel to Suzhou. We visit a silk mill still in operation today, cruise on a section of the ancient Grand Canal, visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Master of the Nets Garden.

DAY 24: SUZHOU TO HANGZHOU

Travel to Hangzhou, where we visit the local markets and experience an oriental tea-tasting.

DAY 25: HANGZHOU

Visit the Temple of Inspired Seclusion, the Six Harmonies Pagoda and relax as we cruise along tranquil West Lake this afternoon.

DAY 26: HANGZHOU TO SHANGHAI

Return to Shanghai and explore the unique ‘shikumen’ buildings in the Xintiandi area. Enjoy an evening cruise on the stunning Huangpu River as our farewell celebration.

DAY 27: DEPART SHANGHAI

Enjoy the morning at leisure before we transfer to Shanghai airport to board our overnight flight to South Africa.

DAY 28: ARRIVE SOUTH AFRICA

Arrive home this morning.

Price Guide

Travel Info

Country Info

Inclusions

Exclusions

Images from Grand Tour of China