On arrival into Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), you will be met by your dedicated tour guide outside the baggage claim area. On the way to your pre-booked inner city hotel, your guide will point out the highlights and history of Beijing. Spend the rest of the day exploring this incredible city.

Stay overnight at Beijing.

After breakfast today explore Beijing with your guide who will collect you from the hotel. Visit the world's largest city square, Tian'anmen Square. Make your way across the road to the magnificent Forbidden City, a culturally historic landmark in China, which was the former residence of Chinese royalty and courtiers for five centuries. After the Forbidden City tour, exploration continues with a visit to the Summer Palace. Appreciate the beautiful gardens and imagine the lifestyle of royalty and courtiers who enjoyed this summer resort during imperial times. A stopover at Beijing's stadium and pool, the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, provides a modern contrast to China's ancient history. Return to the hotel.

Stay overnight at Beijing.

It will be an exciting day today. In the early morning, guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby and you'll enjoy the drive to explore the Mutianyu Great Wall, a less frequented part of China's 1,400-year-old iconic landmark, located approximately 70 kilometres from Beijing. Take a pleasant and comfortable round-trip cable car transfer over the picturesque scenery, then walk the wall to take in the Ming dynasty guard towers and sensational views. On return to the city in the afternoon, exploration continues with a visit to the Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum. Stroll through Wudaoying Hutong and experience local life as you wander through quaint shops, enjoy a coffee, and gain an insider's view of a real Beijing community.

Stay overnight at Beijing.

Start today with a visit to the remarkable Temple of Heaven, where emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties performed ceremonies and rituals to pray for good harvests and blessings for the country. Transfer to the Beijing West Railway Station and be checked in by your guide to travel by high speed rail train to Xi'an. Approximately a five hour trip, travelling at 300 kilometres per hour, you can relax and absorb the diverse landscape along the way. On arrival at the Xi'an North Station, your local tour guide will meet and escort you to your inner city hotel.

Stay overnight at Xi'an.

Today's tour highlight is the world-renowned Terracotta Army. Recognized as the largest underground military base in the world, take in this extraordinary archaeological discovery, which houses thousands of unique life-sized figures. Return to the city and explore Xi'an's ancient City Wall, currently the largest and best-preserved wall of its type in China. Enclosing China's former capital city and almost 14 kilometers long, enjoy your free time by exploring on foot or bicycle. For a change of pace, take in the quiet of Xi'an's Great Mosque, located in the middle of the city's old block. Built mid seventh century, the Great Mosque is the oldest and largest Islamic mosque in China. Mix with locals and find food of every flavor in Muslim Quarter, which is bustling with authentic eateries and travel souvenirs. Today's final destination is Xi'an's famous Bell Tower and Drum Tower Square. Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening or book a dinner, show, or both for an evening of entertainment.

Stay overnight at Xi'an.

After breakfast and check out from your hotel, the tour guide will take you to the Shaanxi History Museum where you'll discover over 370,000 relics of Chinese history. Take in the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of two iconic Buddhist pagodas in Xi'an. You may have a chance to explore the top of the pagoda and look out over Xi'an's 1,400 years of history, before enjoying a contemplative walk through the temple and gardens. Following on from the morning's activities, you'll be driven to the train station for your bullet train trip to Chengdu. Upon arrival in Chengdu, your local guide will meet and transfer you to the hotel, providing a brief introduction to China's panda capital on the way.

Stay overnight at Chengdu.

This morning, you'll visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and experience China's adorable pandas, ranging in age from babies to adults. Return to Chengdu's city centre and wander down bustling Jinli Street. Lined with unique regional street food and artisans, you'll find yourself up immersed in typical local culture and have the opportunity to sample traditional food snacks and meet local craftsmen. The final stop today allows you to enjoy leisure time in Wangjiang Pavilion Park where you can amble among the rare bamboo groves and drink fragrant teas.

Stay overnight at Chengdu.

After breakfast, this morning, you'll be accompanied by your guide to Chengdu Airport for the flight to Guilin. On arrival in Guilin, you'll be met by your local guide and start your tour at Elephant Trunk Hill, the most recognizable landmark in Guilin for its some resemblance to an elephant standing in the water. Move on to the beautifully eerie Reed Flute Cave, featuring a walk through unusual stalactite formations. Follow these local sights with a visit to Seven Star Park, after which you will be driven to your hotel and have free time to enjoy the rest of the day.

Stay overnight at Guilin.

This morning your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to Mopanshan Pier to embark on your Li River Cruise. On arrival, appreciate the slower pace and country feel of this small rural town. Enjoy a free night and dine with the locals at West Street.

Stay overnight at Yangshuo.

After breakfast, you will be driven back to the airport in Guilin to board your flight to Shanghai. On arrival, you will be picked up and escorted to the hotel by your local guide. The rest of the day is free for you to explore and relax.

Stay overnight at Shanghai.

Commence your tour of Shanghai with a visit to the Shanghai Museum, a massive museum housing over 140,000 artifacts, presenting the full history and culture of this cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a walk along the Bund, iconic and prestigious, one of the most well preserved demonstrations of the glamour of old Shanghai. Walk Nanjing Road, the busiest shopping precinct in China. Change tempo and visit Yuyuan Garden, where you can marvel at the artistically designed traditional Chinese gardens; then stroll around the nearby Chenghuangmiao bazaars and make a worthwhile detour and visit the Shikumen Museum in New Spot (Xintiandi) for a true taste of old world Shanghai. Make the most of your afternoon by wandering the quiet streets of Dongping Road or Sinan Road in the Former French Concession, where you will find the essence of classic Shanghai.

Stay overnight at Shanghai.

Your tour guide will collect you at the hotel and drive you to the airport for your flight home.