Stefanie Studley

China Travel Specialist

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Essential China

Name: Essential China
Brand: Regent Holidays

15 Day Tour, from £2975 per person

From the Great Wall to Xian’s Terracotta Army, discover the country's greatest sights on this private China tour travelling by road, rail and riverboat. Beijing captivates with its clash of ancient and modern, while the stunning scenery of the Yangtze River provides a tranquil contrast to city life.

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Tour Itinerary

DAY 1

FLY TO BEIJING

Take an overnight flight to Beijing.

DAY 2

BEIJING

Arrive in China’s capital and transfer to the hotel for three nights. Spend a free afternoon relaxing or exploring Beijing at leisure.

DAY 3

BEIJING

Discover Beijing’s highlights on a full day tour. Visit Tiananmen Square, the biggest public square in the world, and the Forbidden City - imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the afternoon visit the beautiful Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal park in China. (B,L)

DAY 4

GREAT WALL

Take an excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, one of the most representative sections of the wall, built in 1505 during the Ming Dynasty. Walk along the wall and take in the breathtaking views. Also included is a visit to the Ming Tombs, where thirteen Ming Dynasty Emperors were buried. (B,L)

DAY 5

BEIJING TO XIAN

Enjoy a rickshaw tour of Beijing’s hutongs - narrow lanes and alleyways lined with traditional courtyard residences where little appears to have changed for hundreds of years. After lunch, visit the masterpiece of architecture that is the Temple of Heaven, before transferring to the railway station for the overnight train to Xian in 4-berth soft sleeper compartments. (B,L)

DAY 6

XIAN

Arrive into Xian early in the morning and enjoy a full day of sightseeing. Visit the ancient City Walls and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, symbol of the city and a Buddhist holy place. After lunch visit the Shaanxi Museum which houses a comprehensive collection of relics from various dynasties. (B,L)

DAY 7

XIAN

Discover the incredible life-size Terracotta Warriors, buried with the first Emperor of China over 2,000 years ago. More than 8,000 soldiers are estimated to be in the funerary pits. After lunch, visit the Banpo Neolithic Village and Huaqing Hot Springs, a favourite retreat of emperors and their concubines during the Tang Dynasty. (B,L)

DAY 8

XIAN TO CHONGQING

Enjoy a day at leisure in Xian - why not hire a bicycle and head out to explore the City walls. This afternoon, transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Chongqing (four berth, soft sleeper compartment). (B)

DAY 9

CHONGQING

Arrive into Chongqing and embark on a sightseeing tour including a visit to Eling Park, one of the oldest private gardens in the city, and the impressive Great Hall of the People whose auditorium can hold over 4,000 people. Transfer to the Yangtze cruise boat for three nights. (B)

DAY 10

YANGTZE CRUISE

Enjoy the majestic scenery of the Three Gorges en route to Yichang. Relax and admire the spectacular backdrop as the boat travels through a dramatic landscape of grand canyons, verdant cliffs and crystal clear waterfalls. (B,L,D)

DAY 11

YANGTZE CRUISE

Continue to enjoy the majestic scenery of the Three Gorges en route to Yichang. Relax and admire the spectacular backdrop as the boat travels through a dramatic landscape of grand canyons, verdant cliffs and crystal clear waterfalls. (B,L,D)

DAY 12

YICHANG TO SHANGHAI

Arrive in Yichang and transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Shanghai. (B)

DAY 13

SHANGHAI

Embark on a sightseeing tour of China’s largest city including the futuristic Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Gardens and Yuyuan Market. In the afternoon, visit the Old Town and stroll along Shanghai’s famous waterside promenade - The Bund. (B,L)

DAY 14

SHANGHAI

Enjoy a free day for some last minute shopping or perhaps take a boat trip on the Huangpu River, the dividing line between the colonial architecture of the western shore and glass skyscrapers of the east. (B)