2021 Beijing > Chengdu

Ancient China

There are many jewels on this itinerary, from Beijing to the Gobi Desert, the mighty Yangtze River to the Tibetan Plateau, and some of the most captivating of them all are the jewels you’ll chance upon along the way.

This journey is not about discovering Tibetan Buddhism, but it would be surprising if your encounter with this beautiful aspect of Tibet and Western China leaves you completely unmoved. From the Mogao Caves and grottoes to the Samye Monastery and Potala Palace, the outward beauty of Sino-Tibetan Buddhism is on full display on this itinerary. However, you can also look forward to so much more. Discover exciting Shanghai and delight in unique Xi’an. Indulge in China’s incredible cuisine and in the visual splendour of its greatest waterway. When all is done, you may find yourself changed by all you’ve seen and experienced, and that of course will be the finest jewel of all.

Tour Code:: CHJW
Duration:: 27 days
Departure City:: Beijing
Return City:: Chengdu

Selected Itinerary

2021 Beijing > Chengdu

27 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Beijing

Begin your amazing discovery of China with a Peking duck welcome dinner. Your home for the next three nights is Beijing.

Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - Beijing

Visit China’s most iconic attraction, the Great Wall at Mutianyu.

Freechoice

Look forward to an unforgettable evening at either the famed Peking Opera or the spectacular Kung Fu Show.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 - Beijing

Wander through Tiananmen Square.

Enrich

Visit a private section of the Forbidden City. Once used as the living quarters of Emperor Qianlong, this section is not usually open to the
general public.

Afterwards, enjoy lunch with a local family in a traditional home in the Hutongs before relaxing on a rickshaw ride through the ancient laneways.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 - Beijing > Dunhuang

Fly to Dunhuang, a major stop along the Silk Road known as the ‘City of the Sands’. Check into your hotel in Dunhuang for the next two nights. Tonight, visit the Shazhou Night Market.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Dunhuang

Begin your exploration of the area starting with the Yadan Landform and Yumen and Yangguan Passes. Later this afternoon, ride a camel through the Singing Sand Dunes to the Crescent Moon Spring, a crescent-shaped oasis sitting amongst the rolling sand dunes.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Dunhuang > Jiayuguan

Begin the day with a visit to the Mogao Museum, Caves and Grottoes. Once home to many monks and nuns, the caves are a system of sanctuaries and temples filled with ancient Buddhist statues and paintings dating back thousands of years.

Enrich

You will be accompanied by a local expert who will take you inside a special closed cave, not available for regular tourists to visit.

After lunch drive to Jiayuguan and enjoy an overnight stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Jiayuguan > Zhangye

Visit the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall at the Jiayu Fortress and Pass. From the wall you will be able to see the Gobi Desert. After exploring the fortress, visit the Wei Jin Dynasty Mural Tomb and drive to Zhangye for an overnight stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Zhangye > Xi’an

Gaze in wonder at the Danxia National Geological Park’s multi-coloured rock formations before flying to Xi’an. Spend the next three nights at your hotel in Xi’an.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 - Xi’an

Enrich

Marvel at Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s amazing Terracotta Warriors in the company of a museum curator.

Stroll around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Thanksgiving Temple.

Enrich

Enjoy a special private after-hours viewing of ancient artefacts at a local museum and learn about the history of Shananxi Province from the museum’s curator.

Sundowners

Enjoy refreshments overlooking the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 - Xi’an

Visit a local painter’s home, famous for its rural peasant paintings. Learn about his art and enjoy lunch with his family. Explore Xi’an’s ancient city wall. Enjoy the Tang Dynasty Cultural Show and dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Xi’an > Shanghai

Explore the maze of markets in the Muslim Quarter before flying to Shanghai for a three night Special Stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 - Shanghai

Stroll along the famous Bund and compare its heritage buildings to those in Yu Gardens. Explore the Pudong area and admire the view from Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in Pudong. Tonight, witness the renowned agility and skill of the Shanghai Acrobats.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13 - Shanghai

Freechoice

Wander through the Shanghai Museum and People’s Square. Alternatively, visit Zhujiajiao water town or cruise along Huangpu River.

Later, enjoy time at leisure to shop on Nanjing Road.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 14 - Shanghai > Yichang > Yangtze River Cruise

Take the high-speed train to Yichang to board the boutique Yangzi Explorer. On board enjoy included wine and beer with lunch and dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 - Yangtze River Cruise

Inspect the Three Gorges Dam project site. Continue sailing through Xiling Gorge while sampling afternoon tea delights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 - Yangtze River Cruise

Glide up Shennong Stream by longboat (sampan). Later, traverse Wu Gorge, known for its sheer rock walls, and Qutang Gorge, the most dramatic of the Three Gorges.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 - Yangtze River Cruise

Join an insightful excursion to Fuling to see the 816 Underground Project.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 - Chongqing > Lijiang

Disembark and visit Ciqikou and take a tour of Chongqing before flying to Lijiang. Over the next three nights you’ll enjoy a Special Stay at your resort, perfectly located in the old town.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 19 - Lijiang

Walk around Lijiang’s World Heritage-listed Old Town. This afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own.

Freechoice Dining

Try Sichuan and Yunnan specialties, or a restaurant serving Brazilian and South East Asian cuisine.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 20 - Lijiang

Explore Black Dragon Pool, then witness the Impressions Lijiang outdoor cultural show. Drive to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park for a gondola ride to Spruce Meadow.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 21 - Lijiang > Lhasa

Welcome to the rooftop of the world where you’ll spend four nights.

Freechoice Dining

Enjoy an international buffet, Cantonese or Sichuan cuisine.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 22 - Lhasa

Explore Drepung Monastery or visit the Chakpori thousand-Buddha cliff stone carvings and Norbulingka. Alternatively, visit Anitsamkung Nunnery and a local tea house.
Travel to Sera Monastery and witness the daily debate on the doctrines and teachings

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 23 - Lhasa

Join pilgrims strolling along the holy Barkhor Circuit to Jokhang Temple and visit Tibet’s iconic Potala Palace. Enjoy a Tibetan dinner with traditional music and singing.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 24 - Lhasa

Travel to Samye Monastery and Tsedang, the cradle of Tibetan civilisation, visiting local families en-route.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 25 - Lhasa > Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu and wander along Jinli Street. Enjoy a two night stay.

Freechoice Dining

A choice of Sichuan cuisine, ribs and burgers in an Irish pub, or an international buffet dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 26 - Chengdu

Enrich

Experience an enchanting encounter with rare Giant panda cubs at the Dujiangyan Panda Base.

Tonight, reminisce about your holiday at your farewell dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 27 - Chengdu

It’s time to bid farewell to China with many wonderful memories.
Please note: pre-release itinerary subject to change

Meals Included: Breakfast