Grand Tour of China

After taking your included VIP door-to-door travel service to the airport, fly overnight to Shanghai.

Arrive at China's largest city for a two night stay at the 4-star Jin Jiang Hotel (4Q). D

As well as strolling along the historic waterfront of The Bund, today's included tour will take you through the peaceful Yu Garden and along bustling Nanjing Road.

Later, there's the chance to see an optional acrobatic show. B, L, D

Fly inland to Yichang on an early flight (two hours and 30 minutes), there will be a sightseeing tour of the city.

Afterwards, transfer by coach and board your cruise ship Victoria Anna (4?) for your four-night cruise. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. B, L

Visit the striking Three Gorges Dam. B, L, D

Embark a smaller boat for a diversion down this tributary of the Yangtze and admire the beautiful river-gorge landscape.

River conditions might mean this excursion sails along Shennong Stream. B, L, D

Mount Shuanggui, facing the Yangtze River, is well-known as a national forest park characterised by its picturesque scenery and cliff brush writings of calligraphists from Song dynasty to modern society. You’ll have opportunity to see traditional Chinese handcrafts such as paper cutting and handmade wheat straw painting, and to taste local snacks. B L D

Cruise past sweeping farmland as your ship reaches Chongqing.

After you disembark, an included excursion takes you Chongqing Zoo (subject to cruise timings). Established in the 1950s the zoo functions as both a zoo and a reserve. In addition to housing endangered species including the South China Tiger, it operates a breeding programme for giant pandas. Look forward to seeing these endearing and fascinating animals during your visit.

Afterwards, travel by bullet train to Guilin (five hours), where you'll stay three nights the 4-star Lijiang Waterfall Hotel (4Q). B L

Visit Yaoshan, one of the largest mountains that surrounds Guilin city.

Look forward to taking the chairlift up the mountain and enjoying panoramic views of the city. Afterwards, visit the Sea Pearl Museum where you can learn about and see South Sea Pearls. Perhaps take an optional evening cruise excursion along the Four Lakes around the city. B, L, D

Look forward to a relaxing cruise along the Li River today, sailing past surreal jagged limestone peaks, traditional villages and bamboo groves to Yangshuo, where you'll have some time at leisure to wander amid the shops and restaurants of West Street and have your picture taken with a genuine cormorant fisherman. B, L

Transfer to the airport and fly to Xi'an (two hours), where you stay two nights at the 4-star Golden Flower Hotel (4Q). B, L

This morning you'll visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652AD to store the scriptures brought back from India, but the highlight of your day is sure to be the Terracotta Army, where you'll see a staggering 8,000 life-size warriors on display.

Later, perhaps enjoy an optional Tang Dynasty Show. B, L, D

See part of Xi'an's Old City Wall that date back to the 14th-century Ming Dynasty before travelling to the airport for your flight to Beijing (two hours) and a final three-night stay at the 4-star Beijing New Century Hotel (4Q).

This evening there will be a traditional Peking duck dinner at a local restaurant. B, L, D

Today's half-day included tour begins in Tian'anmen Square and leads you into the vast Forbidden City, former home to the imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Later, for a real flavour of Beijing, perhaps take an optional rickshaw ride to the Hutongs. B, L

No trip to China would be complete without a visit to the Great Wall, so your final included tour takes you here as well as to the 18th-century Summer Palace and a jade carving workshop. B, L, D

Fly back to the UK for your included door-to-door travel service home. B