Combine the wonders of the superb cities of stylish Shanghai, Beijing and ancient Xian, with the beauty of the Black Mountain Valley, a magnificent and delightfully undiscovered example of China's nature.
Our China Splendour tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Trace the history of the emperors at one of Beijing’s biggest attractions
Admire thousands of relics at the Shaanxi History Museum
Stand in awe of this natural wonderland
Come face to face with these cuddly creatures at Chengdu's Panda Conservation Centre
Our China Splendour Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Discover the magnificent nature of the Three Natural Bridges National Park in Wulong, walking through the lush valleys and gorges to admire the spectacular geological wonder of the three bridges themselves.
Tuck into a delicious feast of local speciality Shiu Jiao dumplings before stepping back into Xian's golden age, during the Tang Dynasty, with a music and dance performance.
Wander the atmospheric alleyways of Xi'an's old Muslim Quarter, an area that perfectly showcases the city's illustrious history as a terminus of the ancient Silk Road.
This adventure is ideal for travellers who want to see the most famous cities in China and enjoy some more scenic touring in Wulong. This tour utilises time to include the optimum number of sights in each destination. This tour reaches a maximum altitude of 3,500m at Huanglong Temple
Fly to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the ‘Paris of the East’. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Shanghai is China’s great metropolis, where east and west collide on streets lined with futuristic skyscrapers and 10th Century temples. Visit the Yu Garden, stop in the old town and admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the Bund. Later, learn about the age-old silk production process at the Silk Factory, from the cultivation of silkworms up to creating the final piece. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise and enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Shanghainese cuisine.
Fly to Beijing, China’s fascinating capital. Soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape. Here, mingle with the locals and watch or participate as they practise tai chi, dance or play cards. Later this evening, savour Beijing’s best-known delicacy – Peking duck.
This morning, head to Beijing’s symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City where you will find a complex full of imperial treasures. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. An evening of Chinese acrobatics rounds off the day.
This morning is dedicated to China’s most iconic sight – the Great Wall. There is no better way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it than by taking a fascinating walk along it. Also visit a jade factory, then relax in the idyllic gardens of the Summer Palace as you explore traditional Chinese landscapes and view exquisite architecture. This evening, you may wish to join an optional kung fu show.
Fly to Xian, China's historic former capital. Stroll on the beautifully preserved 14thcentury city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. Tonight feast on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings before a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing.
After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-like warriors. Visit the workshop of the craftspeople who recreate Terracotta Warriors in the style of their ancient counterparts. Watch the skilled production process and choose to purchase your own little warrior to take home. Later visit the lovely Little Wild Goose Pagoda, then soak up the atmosphere in the narrow alleyways of the Muslim Quarter.
Fly to Chongqing and transfer to Wulong – an area of stunning natural scenery with towering limestone karsts, deep gorges, caves and natural bridges. Its remote location has ensured that the park is relatively unspoilt. It comes as no surprise that Wulong is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Today, visit Three Bridges National Park, a rare geological wonder consisting of three natural karst bridges: Tianlong Bridge, Qinglong Bridge and Heilong Bridge. Continue to Longshuixia Fissure, a narrow fault line that has been carved out by the river.
Return by road to Chongqing and then take the bullet train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.
Visit Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre where you can get up close to China's celebrated bears, as they chomp through piles of bamboo, in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. Continue to People's Park and spend time in Matchmaker's Corner. Tonight, dine on delicious Sichuanese cuisine. There is an optional performance to see the ‘face changing’ show at the Sichuan Opera.
Take a day trip to Leshan to see the 71-metre high UNESCO-listed Grand Buddha. Completed in the year 803, it is said that the Buddha's presence has calmed the turbulent waters of the river. View the Buddha from above before taking a short boat trip, which will give you an even better perspective from below. Later, return by road to Chengdu.
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.
We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.
A short distance from Shanghai's major tourist attractions, the 5-star Jinjiang Huating hotel offers elegant guest rooms with large windows providing views of Shanghai. This beautiful hotel is home to the rooftop Moon View Restaurant, offering breathtaking city views and exquisite Chinese dishes.
The 4-star Mercure Beijing Downtown is very well connected across the city, with easy access to the city centre and multiple transport links. The elegant and spacious guests rooms offer free internet access and satelite TV.
The 4-star Xinliang Hotel is located in the heart of Chengdu, just a short distance from some of the cities key attractions. The hotel's interior was inspired by Bashu culture and blended with a modern charm. Enjoy the recreational facilities available to you, including a sauna and steamroom designed for escapism and relaxation.
Places Visited: Shanghai (2N) - Beijing (3N) - Xian (2N) - Chongqing - Wulong (2N) - Chengdu (3N)
All of our tour departures (Excluding Antarctica and Australia tours) include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.
With our Book with Confidence guarantee you have peace of mind with low deposits, free changes and extended final payment. Plus, find a tour with the same inclusions cheaper and we will match it AND give you a reward. See full terms and conditions.
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There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.
