Classic China

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Beijing.

Day 2 : Beijing

Arriving in Beijing, you're met at the airport by your private guide and driver, then driven to your hotel by private transfer. You then explore historic Tiananmen Square with your private guide, along with the Forbidden City, a vast site of ancient buildings that was once off limits to all but the emperor and the imperial family. You're driven back to your hotel at the end of your visit.

Day 3 : Beijing

Spend today exploring the Temple of Heaven with your private guide. This Confucian-designed temple is technically an altar and stands in the middle of a leafy park. We can arrange for you to arrive early, so you can see Beijing residents performing the ancient art of Tai chi. In the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace Park with your private guide, taking in its lakes, gardens, walkways and teahouses.

Day 4 : Beijing

Today leave the city behind to visit the Great Wall. After a two hour journey by private transfer, you arrive at a section called Jinshanling. It's a little further out and much quieter, so you'll be able to enjoy the views of the wall snaking off into the distance without the crowds. You take a four hour walk on the wall with your private guide, looping back through a valley. You'll then take your private transfer back to Beijing.

Day 5 : Xian

Today your private driver takes you to Beijing West train station. You catch the bullet train to the city of Xian, a five and a half hour journey. On arrival you're met by a private guide and driver and take a private transfer to your hotel. With your guide, head out to explore Xian's vibrant Muslim Quarter. You could even eat dinner there at one of the many food stalls: the barbecued meat dishes are particularly delicious.

Day 6 : Guilin

This morning explore Xian's star attraction, the Terracotta Army, with your private guide. Even if you have read about these ancient models, nothing can prepare you for their sheer scale and number. In the afternoon take a private transfer to Xian Airport and fly to Guilin, which takes roughly two hours. On the way to the airport, visit Hanyangling Tombs which contain some intricately carved, though smaller, figurines.

Day 7 : Yangshuo

This morning join a group of 120 people (though still accompanied by your private guide) to cruise down the River Li to the town of Yangshuo at lunchtime. En route, you'll sail through bamboo plains and limestone karst towers. Look out for water buffalo. On arrival in Yangshuo you're met by a private driver and taken to your hotel. You then have an afternoon to explore the town at leisure. We suggest ambling around its markets and cafes.

Day 8 : Yangshuo

A day at leisure in Yangshuo. We recommend cycling around the surrounding paddy fields and countryside, or even trying a local cookery lesson. The more energetic can even try bamboo rafting. In the evening, you can enjoy a riverside lightshow illuminating the karst scenery, designed by the director of the 2008 Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony.

Day 9 : Longji

This morning leave Yangshuo behind and take a three hour private transfer to the village of Longji. Cosseted among ancient rice terraces, a visit to Longji is a great way of getting a sense of rural China. Your private guide may lead you on walks to rice terraces to nearby villages, or you can simply visit various viewing platforms to admire this agricultural landscape.

Day 10 : Shanghai

A morning of walking and further exploring the rice terraces with your guide. In the afternoon, travel one and a half hours to Guilin's airport via private transfer. From Guilin, catch your one and a half hour flight to Shanghai.There you're met by a private guide and driver and taken to your hotel by private transfer.

Day 11 : Shanghai

A day at leisure exploring China's second city independently. We suggest visiting the Jade Buddha temple, one of the few working monasteries in the city, and the colonial waterfront of the Bund, where you can look across at the ultra-modern skyscrapers of the Pudong district. The French concession, a leafy residential district, is also a pleasant place to wander around, as are the Yu Gardens.

Day 12 : Shanghai

Continue to explore Shanghai under your own steam. Today you may wish to take a river cruise or explore the excellent Shanghai Museum.

Day 13 : International return flight

Today you're taken to the airport by private transfer in time for your return flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.