Shanghai is the vibrant and commercial Centre of China. Today we will visit Shanghai Old Street area, a busy shopping center where you may enjoy souvenirs and delicious local food. Enjoy some free time here.

In the afternoon, you will walk along the famous Bund, a mile-long stretch along the Huangpu River. Lined by the colonial architectures of European design, this area is the best place to capture the western influences of the old days.

At night, you may enjoy the “Huangpu River Night Cruise” and get a glimpse of the dazzling and charming night view of Shanghai (£45/pp).

After breakfast, we will visit Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town, which has almost 1,700 years of history. Walking on the zigzag stone pathway, you would feel like walking in an elegant and fresh painting. Small rivers shaded by willow trees, bridges over the river, houses dated back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, lovely local people, all of these are the charm of the small water town.

Then travel by coach to Suzhou. Suzhou is also known as the “Garden City” due to its classical gardens. Upon arrival, visit the Lingering Garden, one of the finest gardens in China. As a large area of the city is covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and streams, Suzhou is known as “Venice of the East”. You may take an optional cruise along the Grand Canal to view life along China’s golden waterway in its heyday (£35/pp).

This morning, visit a Silk Spinning Mill, and learn how silk is created from mulberry-munching silkworms to the finest thread and cloth. Then travel by coach to Wuxi, one of the oldest cities in China with history of more than 3,000 years.

Upon arrival, head to admire the famous Lingshan Grand Buddha, with a thousand-year old Buddhism temple nearby.

This morning, visit one of the largest Freshwater
Pearl Exhibition Stores in the country, then travel by coach to Hangzhou, described by Marco Polo as “the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world”. Upon arrival, visit the serene West Lake, the most renowned feature of Hangzhou, noted for its scenic beauty which blends with many famous historical and cultural sites.

This evening, you can enjoy an optional performance, “Enduring Memories of Hangzhou”, a masterpiece created by Zhang Yimou, the director of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. (£90/pp).

After breakfast, travel by coach bus to Shanghai, and then fly to Yichang, the starting point of your Yangtze River Cruise. After dinner, we board the luxury Yangtze Cruise and receive an introduction on cruise events and on board activities.

Your highly anticipated grand Yangtze River adventure starts this morning. The cruise ship’s first stop is at Taipingxi (or Sandouping). Disembark to visit the massive Three Gorges Dam Project, the world’s largest dam, measuring 606 feet high and 6,500 feet long. Re-embark the ship and sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the Three Gorges at 41 miles long and also its highest (4000 feet).

Disembark at Wushan where you will board small riverboat for a leisurely ride through Shennong Stream or Wushan small three gorges, picturesque rock formations, and even see the playful monkeys and goat along the river banks. Re-embark the cruise ship as it sails through Wu Gorge, which is famous for its quiet beauty and the Qutang Gorge, the shortest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges.

Today’s shore excursion will occur at Shibaozhai. The Shibaozhai Pagoda is 12-story, 18th-century temple built in Zhongxian county on the northern bank of Yangtze River. It represents one of the gems of Chinese Architecture, an architectural delight.

Disembark from the cruise in the port of Chongqing this morning and visit Ciqikou Old Town. The history of Ciqikou can be traced back more than 1700 years. After that, you can choose to attend an optional tour to visit Panda House (£40/pp) at Chongqing Zoo before flying to Beijing, the historical city of China.

Beijing has served as the capital of five dynasties over a period of 800 years. Today, visit Tiananmen Square, the second largest public square in the world, and the Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming to Qing dynasty. Tour the exquisite Summer Palace, the largest preserved ancient imperial garden in China, and a former summer resort for Emperors. Then, visit a Chinese Herbal Institute to learn about traditional Chinese medicine, which has existed for thousands of years. Tonight, you can choose to attend an optional tour with dinner, a large scale dramatic musical” The Golden Mask Dynasty” (£50/pp).

Today’s highlight is an excursion to the majestic Great Wall, the most famous image of China, and a chance to climb a portion of this 3,700-mile marvel. Visit one of the largest Jade Exhibitions in Asia in-route. After lunch, see skilled artisans at work at a Cloisonné Factory. Then we will pass by modern exteriors of the Olympic Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. Your Farewell banquet includes the local delicacy, Peking Roast Duck.

Enjoy the morning at your leisure, or join an optional Temple of Heaven and Hutong Tour (including Lunch) for (£79/pp.) Temple of Heaven, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest.

Then take a famous rickshaw Hutong Tour & Local Family Visit, this package also includes a traditional Beijing Homemade Dumplings as lunch. You may get a chance to make dumplings yourself. Hutongs are traditional alley ways that form an integral part of Beijing’s old city neighbourhood communities. Take a traditional rickshaw ride for an immersive tour to get a wonderful glimpse into yesterday’s world, the old way of life, and traditional Beijing culture. See the dramatic changes the city has undergone, and continue to visit a local family and local market in the Hutongs afterwards. Enjoy the free time this afternoon.

Board your homeward flight or extend your trip in China.