Grand Tour of China

We depart London Heathrow on our overnight flight to Beijing, arriving in the Chinese capital on Day 2.

After transferring to the Novotel Peace Hotel, you are free to settle in. On Day 3, we discover the sights and sounds of China's vibrant capital. We begin by visiting the Tiananmen Square, which, at over 4 million square feet, is the largest city square in the world. Built by Mao Tse Tung to flaunt the power of Communism, the area houses his mausoleum where his embalmed body is kept. Most important state offices, including the Parliament House, are situated around the square. We also take in the neighbouring Forbidden City, a palace complex which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. A visit to a local tea house gives us the chance to experience one of China's oldest traditions in authentic surroundings, before we explore the sprawling Summer Palace.

We visit the world-famous Great Wall of China today. Listed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, this masterpiece of Chinese workmanship stretches thousands of miles from the Gobi Desert to the Korean border. We visit the Mutianyu section, a beautifully preserved stretch which offers incredible views over the seemingly endless mountain scenery.After ascending by cable car, we have the opportunity to walk along the wall.

In a guided tour of a cloisonne factory, we learn about the intricate art of Chinese enamel cloisonne made by embedding gold or powdered minerals on ceramics. We also see the 'Water Cube' and the 'Bird's Nest', the main arenas used in the 2008 Olympic Games. We end the day with a traditional Peking duck dinner.

We begin our day with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a beautiful edifice in central Beijing. In the afternoon we leave Beijing behind, and join the rail service to Xi'an. Our journey on the high-speed service takes us through the beautiful landscapes of rural China. In Xi'an we transfer to our hotel, the Grand Mercure Remnin Square, for two nights. On Day 6 we discover the famous Terracotta Warriors - one of the world's greatest archaeological finds. The 6,000 figures - some with horses or chariots, but all with unique features - were buried in 210 BC, yet only discovered 44 years ago.

The life-sized statues were built as part of an elaborate tomb of the Qin Emperor, believed to protect him in death just as his real army had in life. Built on an incredible scale, the soldiers - all grouped in rank order - are a breathtaking sight. Later we discover more of the walled city of Xi'an, taking in the Great Mosque, the city's lively bazaar and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. We enjoy a dumpling making lesson this afternoon.

Dating back to the 8th century, the towering structure is a leading example of Tang Dynasty architecture. Tonight, there is a delicious and traditional dumpling banquet.

Today, we travel on the new high-speed rail service from Xi'an to Chengdu, where we spend two nights at the Tibet Hotel.

On Day 8 we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute, which is spread out over 200 acres and is now home to more than 100 of these magnificent creatures. The project allows us to see the giant panda, an enchanting and rare creature, at close quarters in a near-natural habitat setting. We then return to Chengdu. Here we see the Wenshu Monastery, one of China's finest Buddhist structures, as well as the historic teak buildings on Jinli Street.

We head to Renmin Park, or the People's Park, this morning. Boasting artful landscaping, bonsais, and 2 tea houses, this park is the venue for various local cultural activities. Afterwards, we enjoy a traditional aspect of China with a tasting in one of the local tea houses. Later, we transfer to the station for the high-speed bullet train service to Chongqing, situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

Here, we board the luxurious 5-Star Century Glory river ship for our 3-night cruise along the Yangtze River. On the morning of Day 10, we rejuvenate ourselves with an early morning Tai Chi session onboard. After the ship moors, there's an option to visit the Fengdu ghost town (payable locally), a temple complex dedicated to afterlife. This afternoon we visit the stunning Shibaozhai Pagoda, rising 12 stories up a sheer cliff face. This evening, we attend the Captain's Banquet on board and enjoy cabaret performance by the crew.

On the morning of Day 11 there's an option of visiting the temples of the White Emperor City (payable locally). Our cruise then continues through the scenic locales of Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge, before we make a shore excursion to Shennong Stream. Here, the cliff sides soar steeply away from the near-emerald waters of this beautiful waterway.

We disembark at Yichang today and take a flight to Shanghai, where we spend three nights. One of China's most exciting and contemporary cities, Shanghai is a city in which old collides with new; the Bund region harks back to the emergence of the city in the 1920s, while the east of the city boasts an ultra-modern vibe with a booming financial district.

On Day 13, a guided tour of Shanghai takes us to the city's historic Yu Gardens, where we enjoy a traditional tea ceremony. We also visit the bazaar, where we stroll amongst traditional shops selling a host of enticing goods, and vibrant street performers. After lunch at a local restaurant, this afternoon we visit the Jade Buddha Temple, a beautiful, tranquil temple and active Buddhist monastery.

Today takes us to the Shanghai Museum to admire the fascinating Chinese artefacts found in the collections here, including ancient coins from the Silk Road. Next, we head out to explore the Bund, seeing the waterfront that's bordered by some of the iconic buildings that define futuristic Shanghai.

We have a little free time on Nanjing Road, one of the world's most famous shopping streets, to look around and grab lunch. Afterwards, we visit the beautiful French Concession, a former foreign settlement full of leafy boulevards and European-style buildings. This evening we round off our stay in lively Shanghai with a cruise along the Huangpu River, taking in the brightly-lit cityscape while we enjoy dinner onboard.

On Day 15, we transfer to Shanghai airport for our return flight to London Heathrow.