Highlights of China

Our holiday begins meeting our Tour Manager and the rest of the group, before a flight from London Heathrow to Beijing, arriving into this bustling city on Day 2 . We spend the day exploring Beijing on a guided tour. We visit Tiananmen Square, the location of the now infamous 1989 uprising and, at over 4 million square feet, the largest city square in the world.

We continue to the Forbidden City - a palace and garden complex once inhabited by the Chinese royal family, and now preserved as a testament to China's long history. The incredible complex was built on a grand scale, with 980 buildings spread over 180 acres housing the family, their staff, and the royal guard from 1406 to the abdication of the last Chinese Emperor in 1912. Constructed to reflect the Purple Palace, where it was thought God resided in heaven, the Forbidden City's opulence is testament to the Emperor's vision as a divine ruler. The rest of the day is free, ahead of a delicious dinner of authentic Peking duck tonight.

This morning begins with a rickshaw tour of Beijing's hutongs, or backstreets, known for their association with the city's history. Each narrow maze-like street shows the real community between neighbours, as each home is connected with the other.

Later, we enjoy a highlight of our holiday, with a visit to the iconic Great Wall of China. We visit the Mutianyu section of the wall, one of the best preserved and most visited parts of this world-famous structure. This particular section is one of the oldest sections of the wall, and it was first built in the 6th century. After time to explore this magnificent piece of ancient engineering at our own pace, we return to Beijing, pausing en-route at the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube - examples of Beijing's modern architecture - for a photo opportunity.

Leaving the capital behind this afternoon, we board the high-speed train to Shanghai. On arrival, we're met by a local guide who takes us on a sightseeing tour. Discover the iconic Bund waterfront, part of the city's famously futuristic architecture. Afterwards, dinner is served at a local restaurant.

This morning, we continue our tour of Shanghai with a visit to some of the city's hidden attractions. Yu Garden is an oasis of peace amidst Shanghai's lively streets, situated in the older quarters of the city. The extensive gardens are spread out over five acres, and have a serene feel, with the typical features of Imperial gardens created by China's former rulers. The gardens feature ornate pavilions and tranquil pools filled with brightly-coloured fish, as well as curious stacked rockeries and decadent halls with traditional winged roofs. We also visit the Old City of Shanghai, the Chinese enclave that resisted the influences of the foreign concessions in the aftermath of the Opium Wars, and the Yuyuan Bazaar, a busy shopping quarter adjacent to the city's oldest street.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we stop by the former French Concession, a beautiful neighbourhood with a distinctive European character. This evening, we are treated to a night of entertainment at a fantastic acrobatic show.

This morning, we transfer to Maoping, enjoying China's excellent high-speed rail service from Shanghai to Yichang. This evening, we board the Century Sun or Glory cruise ship for a journey through some of China's most dramatic and beautiful scenery.

Our scenic Yangtze River cruise continues with a shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam on Day 7, before our ship passes through the striking Xiling Gorge. On Day 8, the ship makes its way through the Qutang and Wu Gorges, both renowned for their beauty.

On Day 9 we visit Shibaozhao Pagoda before free time to relax and soak up the scenery on board. This evening we attend a Captain's farewell dinner.

We disembark our ship in Chongqing, where we board the high-speed train to Chengdu. On arrival, take in the city's highlights, including the Wenshu Monastery and lively Jinli Street.

On the morning of Day 11, we enjoy a visit to the Panda Research Centre, where more than 120 giant panda cubs have been born over the years, before lunch at a local restaurant. Following this, we transfer to Xi'an, the ancient former capital of China, by rail.

Today we visit the incredible Terracotta Warriors, discovered on the outskirts of Xi'an in the 1970s. Later, we return to the city for a guided tour, taking in a wealth of ancient sites including the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Mosque. Tonight, sample some local specialities at a dumpling banquet, the perfect way to end our explorations of this wonderful country.

We board our flight from Xi'an to London Heathrow, travelling via Beijing, today. Our holiday concludes on arrival in the UK.