• Beijing: Great Wall & City tours (3 nights)
• Xian: City tour (2 nights)
• Terracotta Warriors
• Luoyang: city tour (2 nights)
• Shaolin Temple - Martial arts show
• Guilin: Li River Cruise & City tour (2 night)
• Yangshuo
• Chengdu: City tour (2 nights)
• Giant Panda Research base
• Shanghai: city tour (2 nights)
• Maglev train
• Hong Kong: (optional extension)

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1
Depart from Heathrow or your preferred airport for scheduled flight to Beijing. Meals on board.

Day 2 Beijing
Upon arrival in Beijing, you will be greeted at the airport by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel by private transport. The rest of the day is at your leisure to recover from jet lag and get ready for the adventure to come! (China is 8 hours ahead of UK GMT)

Day 3 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
A full day city tour to soak up the atmosphere of Beijing. This includes visiting historical sites such as Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Our welcome dinner in the evening provides an opportunity to sample various type of Chinese cuisine.

Day 4 Beijing (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The highlights of today's visit is to the Great Wall (Mutianyu Section), which is quieter and less touristy compare with many others. This section of the Wall is also equipped with a cable car for those who prefer an easier way up (fee required at local ticket office approx £5). You will have plenty of time to walk along the wall and enjoy unforgettable views.

Our memorable day continues with a trip to see the 2008 Bird's Nest Olympics Stadium and enjoy great photo opportunities. Time permitting, we will have a stroll in the large Olympic square and see the Water Cube (exteriors only). We conclude this unforgettable day by enjoying a selection of Beijing dishes including Peking Duck.

Day 5 Beijing to Xian (Breakfast, Lunch)
Visit the 12th century Summer Palace, Kunming Lake and the Garden of Harmony before taking the ferry next to the famous Marble Boat. In the next part of the tour enjoy a fascinating Rickshaw ride through the 'Hutong' residential area of Beijing to see how local people live. Our guide will then escort you to Houhai, a popular relaxing eating out place for both Western and Chinese tourists. For travellers who would like to experience shopping in China, we can take you to the popular shopping street - Xiushui Silk Market.

In the evening, we take a flight to Xian, the former capital of China and starting point of the ancient Silk Road.

Day 6 Xian (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
An exciting day awaits you as we head to the Terra-cotta Warriors Museum. You will visit the luxury underground palace of Emperor Qinshihuang, The Archaeological Museum of 6,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors and their horses. The warriors were the after life protectors the first emperor who united China (221BC-206BC). Our lunch is arranged at the dining restaurant in the Museum, where you can enjoy a selection of cold and hot dishes (buffet style), and the Xian speciality noodles. Following this we will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built as a Buddhist Monastery during the Tang Dynasty. We enjoy the jovial atmosphere around the beautiful Pagoda and picturesque boulevard where Xian residents come to meet & relax.

In the evening we go to enjoy a re-enactment of the royal arts performance of a 7th century Tang Dynasty Show, with a special Dinner of dumplings included.

Day 7 Xian to Luoyang ( Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast we explore Xian and visit the old Muslim Quarter of the City which is home to large Ethnic Muslim Chinese community, who have lived in the city since the silk road was established. Our tour including visiting Muslim square, the Wooden Mosque and later we will have great photos opportunities of the Bell and Drum Towers.

In the afternoon we enjoy a leisurely walk & cycle ride on the ancient city walls. The smooth & well preserved walls make for an ideal and safe cycling route around the inner historic city centre and are a charming way to enjoy the local lifestyle of Xian.

Late afternoon transfer to the train station for Luoyang. Be met and transfer to your hotel.

Day 8 Luoyang (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today, we visit the impressive Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple. This temple is very important in China, as it was the very first temple constructed after Buddhism was introduced to China from India.

Day 9 Luoyang - Shaolin Temple - Guilin (Breakfast, Lunch)
The highlight of the tour today is to see the famous Shaolin Temple, We will also be treated to a fabulous Martial Arts performance by the monks. After lunch we transfer to Zhengzhou for your flight to Guilin. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to our hotel.

Day 10 Guilin to Yangshuo (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, we take an hour drive to Zhujiang Dock, where we embark on our ship for our cruise down the picturesque Li River. Enjoy the unique mountain scenery often depicted in chinese paintings, including rural villages and tranquil rice paddies alongside the river banks. Hopefully we will also see native wildlife and water buffalo wallowing in the river. Lunch will be served on board and we disembark in Yangshuo. Yangshuo an ancient town that is famous for its beautiful scenery and is a favourite destination for many of our travellers. Drive back to Guilin.

Day 11 Yangshuo - Guilin - Chengdu (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today we take a tour to the delightful Fubo Hill or Elephant Trunk Hill (depends on local situation). Later we visit Reed Flute Cave, a vast underground cavern of exotic rock formations. In the evening we transfer to the airport for your flight to Chengdu, where you will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Day 12 Chengdu (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast we drive to the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base to visit the giant pandas. You have plenty time to watch the Pandas in their playful activities and see them enjoy their Bamboo meals.

After lunch, we take a pleasant stroll down the historic Jin li Street and Kuan zai Ally to observe the local culture and traditional wooden tea houses.

Chengdu is also the home to the famous spicy Sichuan cuisine. Tonight, our dinner is booked at one of the best Sichuan cuisine restaurants in Chengdu where you can enjoy sampling their delicious dishes, such as "Noodles carried on a pole" (Dan Dan Noodles).

*Optional evening entertainment can be arranged to see a very entertaining variety style show that includes the famous Chengdu face-changing performance. Ask for prices & details at time of booking.

*Tour option: you can opt your afternoon tour to Leshan mountain and visit the Giant Buddha Statue (by boat ride). It is about 1.5 to 2 hours drive from Chengdu. Supplement apply.

Day 13 Chengdu to Shanghai (Breakfast, Lunch)
Today we take a flight to Shanghai where our guide will meet you upon arrival and check into your hotel.

After having a short rest, we start our city tour of Shanghai which will include visiting Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds. We marvel at the futuristic landscape and magnificent towers on the famous promenade along the Huangpu River, the Bund and Nanjing Road. Finally our tour takes us to see the historic side of Shanghai. We visit the traditional low-rise homes, which was the former French quarter in colonial times and known locally as 'Heaven on Earth'.

Day 14 Shanghai (Breakfast)
Free day at your own leisure.

Day 15 Shanghai to homeward (Breakfast)
Be taken by private car from your hotel to the Maglev train station in Shanghai, where our local guide will assist you to board the futuristic and super fast Maglev train with a top speed of 267mph. The train will take you to the airport in time for your flight homeward.

Hong Kong extension (£399* per person inc flight)

Day 15 Shanghai to Hong Kong (Breakfast)
You will be met at your hotel and taken by private car to the Maglev train station in Shanghai. With the assistance of our local guide, board the futuristic and super fast Maglev train which will take you to the airport for your onward flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel (superior/moderate deluxe standard). The rest of day is free at leisure.

Day 16 Hong Kong (Breakfast)
Half day morning tour to the Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Aberdeen Fishing Village. Rest of the day is free.

Day 17 Hong Kong - Homeward (Breakfast)
You are transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

OR, for the same price, you may choose the option of 3 nights/4 days in Hong Kong incl a flight to Hong Kong. (flight & accommodation only)

*supplement apply for Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct, Nov.

Magical China Holidays 2013 Departure Dates & Price (£)

Guaranteed departure from 2 people

Price Includes (The prices shown above are 'per person')

• Internal flights including airport tax.
• Twin share price includes International flights with full ATOL Protection. (International flights based upon London, Heathrow departure). We can also arrange departures from your local airport.
• All airport/hotel transfers.
• Fully escorted sightseeing tours by professional English speaking guides (including entrance fee).
• Carefully selected good 4/5 star hotel and 5 star cruise accommodation in well furnished rooms with private facilities. In Hong Kong it is 3/4 star standard, upgrade option available.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary, daily supply of bottled water.

We also arrange tailor made departure & private tours according to this itinerary, please contact us to discuss your requirements. Flight Prices may be different around the bank holiday period in the UK, and festival periods in China. Please contact us for confirmation.

Price Does Not Include

• Chinese Visa (we can provide service, please go to Our Visa Service for details).
• Travel Insurance.
• Tips to guides and drivers.
• Optional tours and extensions.

FAQ and further Tour information
Please see our FAQ page for further essential tour information.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of flights available, although on rare occasions the sequence in which cities are visited, duration of time spent can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.