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DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 01: UK to Shanghai

• Overnight flight to Shanghai.

Day 02: Shanghai

• Upon arrival in Shanghai, make your way to your accommodation for a 3 night stay with guaranteed early check-in.
• Leisure time to relax at the hotel or do some local sightseeing.
• Evening welcome dinner and meet the rest of your tour group in a local restaurant.
• Overnight stay at Central Hotel Shanghai or similar. (Dinner included)

Day 03: Shanghai

• Morning guided tour around Shanghai: Old Town, Yu Garden, and the French Concession.
• Afternoon walk along the Bund waterfront and private cruise along the Huangpu River.
• Overnight stay at Central Hotel Shanghai or similar. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day 04: Shanghai – Suzhou – Shanghai

• Drive to Suzhou (approx. 1hr 30mins), renowned for its gardens, culture, and canals.
• Morning tour: Administrator’s Garden, Pingjiang Road, Garden of the Master of Nets, and Pan Gate.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Return to Shanghai and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
• Overnight stay at Central Hotel Shanghai or similar. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 05: Shanghai – Yichang

• Morning at leisure in Shanghai.
• Afternoon flight to Yichang, in China’s western Hubei province.
• Transfer to Maoping Pier to board the luxury Century Sun boat for a 4 night Yangtze River cruise.
• Overnight stay aboard the Century Sun. (Breakfast included)

Day 06: Yangtze Cruise

• Start the day with coffee, tea, pastries, and tai chi.
• Visit the immense Three Gorges Dam – the largest hydroelectric dam in the world.
• Buffet lunch on board.
• Optional tour to the Tribe of the Three Gorges.
• Evening buffet dinner and welcome party hosted by the captain.
• Overnight stay aboard the Century Sun. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 07: Yangtze Cruise

• Morning coffee, tea, and pastries as the ship sails through the stunning Wu Gorge.
• Enjoy a cruise on a smaller wooden boat along the serene Shennv Stream.
• Lunch on board.
• Optional shore excursion to the White Emperor City.
• Overnight stay aboard the Century Sun. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 08: Yangtze Cruise

• Morning tai chi, pastries, and hot drinks on deck.
• Breakfast buffet and optional shore excursion to the Shibaozhai Pagoda.
• Lunch on board.
• Afternoon on board activities and farewell dinner.
• Overnight stay aboard the Century Sun. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 09: Chongqing – Chengdu

• Breakfast on board and disembark at Chongqing.
• Transfer to the train station and catch a high-speed train to Chengdu (approx. 2hrs).
• Afternoon visit to Wenshu Monastery and stroll down historic Jinli Street.
• Dinner at a local restaurant.
• Overnight stay at the Tibet Hotel or similar. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day 10: Chengdu – Xi’an

• Morning visit to the Chengdu Panda Base research centre.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Transfer to the train station for a first-class high-speed journey to Xi’an (approx. 3¾ hours).
• Transfer to accommodation and evening at leisure.
• Overnight at Grand Mercure Xi’an on Renmin Square or similar. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 11: Xi’an

• Full day sightseeing: early morning visit to the Terracotta Warriors (approx. 1hr 30min drive).
• Possible meet and greet with an archaeologist.
• Afternoon visit to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and traditional dumpling making class.
• Evening Tang Dynasty music and dance show.
• Overnight stay at Grand Mercure Xi’an on Renmin Square or similar. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day 12: Xi’an – Beijing

• Morning exploration of the bustling Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• First-class high-speed train journey to Beijing (approx. 4hrs 30 mins).
• Leisure time upon arrival.
• Overnight stay at Park Plaza Wangfujing or similar. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 13: Beijing

• Morning visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Afternoon tour of the Summer Palace with a boat ride (subject to weather conditions).
• Evening traditional Peking duck dinner at a local restaurant.
• Overnight stay at Park Plaza Wangfujing or similar. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 14: Beijing

• Early morning visit to the Temple of Heaven and tai chi lesson.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• Afternoon visit to the Mutianyu area of the Great Wall of China (approx. 1¾ hrs from Beijing).
• Evening farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
• Overnight stay at Park Plaza Wangfujing or similar. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Day 15: Beijing – UK

• After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK. (Breakfast included)

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