Imperial China - Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai

NB: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner

Day 1 – Depart for Shanghai

Scheduled flight to Shanghai.

Day 2 – Arrive Shanghai (D)

On arrival in Shanghai we are met by our tour manager who will accompany us throughout our tour – transfer to the 4* Ocean Hotel.

Day 3 – Shanghai (B, L, D)

Half day city tour of Shanghai, China's largest city whose modern culture dates back to the early 1900's and is an eclectic mix of East and West, takes in Yu Garden, bustling Nanjing Road and the pristine waterfront Bund – as night falls, we enjoy an amazing performance of Chinese acrobatics.

Day 4 – Shanghai - Beijing (B, L, D)

Fly from Shanghai to Beijing – full day tour of Beijing taking in the expansive Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, a place of rest and relaxation just minutes from Beijing – check in to the 4* Guangxi Plaza – this evening enjoy the marvellous Beijing opera show.

Day 5 – Beijing (B, L, D)

China's magnificent Great Wall spans thousands of miles across Northern China and you have ample time to traverse the ancient steps before visiting the famed Ming Tomb Museum – return to the city to enjoy an impressive Peking duck banquet.

Day 6 – Beijing - Xi’an (B, L, D)

Visit the historic Temple of Heaven, widely regarded as the noblest example of religious architecture in China and where emperors came to pray for a bountiful harvest – short flight to Xi’an and in the afternoon we visit Xian’s ancient city walls – check in to the 4* Aurum International.

Day 7 – Xi’an (B, L, D)

Xian is home to the life-sized Terracotta Warriors of Qin Shi Huang, which were designed to protect China's first emperor even in death and discovered by a farmer in 1974 – return to Xi’an and visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda – this evening, enjoy a special Imperial Dumpling Banquet which is followed by an exciting Dynasty Stage Show.

Day 8 – Xi’an - Shanghai (B, L, D)

Fly back to Shanghai – check in to the 4* Ocean Hotel – the rest of the day is free to enjoy Shanghai at your leisure.

Day 9 – Shanghai - UK (B)

Transfer to the airport for our direct scheduled flight back home.

OPTIONAL YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE ADD ON

Day 9 – Shanghai - Yichang (B, L, D)

Internal flight from Shanghai to Yichang for the cruise – transfer to our 5* cruise boat for preboarding where we stay for four nights on full board basis.

Day 10 – Cruise (B, L, D)

Set sail for the magnificent Three Gorges Dam Project, sailing by Gezhouba, the ship lock Xiling Gorge and the five-stage Big Dam Shiplock.

Day 11 – Cruise (B, L, D)

Visit the Lesser Three Gorges (sometimes called the Daning River) or the Shennongxi Lesser Gorges (sometimes called the Shennong Stream) – the ship passes through Wu Gorge.

Day 12 – Cruise (B, L, D)

Cruise to Shibaozhai, sailing by the beautiful White King City and Qutang Gorge.

Day 13 – Cruise (B, L, D)

Disembark at Chongqing this morning for a city tour – internal flight to Shanghai – check in to 4* Ocean Hotel.

Day 14 – Shanghai to UK (B)

We transfer back to the airport for our scheduled flight back to the UK.