Legendary China highlights tour with Great Wall & pandas

Discover China’s cities by bullet train and hit incredible highlights like the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army and Chengdu’s pandas, with all travel

Day 1: UK/Ireland - Shanghai, China

Head to your chosen airport to embark on your overnight flight to Shanghai, where your once-in-a-lifetime China tour begins.

Days 2-4: Shanghai

Admire the dazzling Shanghai skyline from your plane window as you touch down in China’s largest city, a global financial hub known for its soaring futuristic skyscrapers, vibrant culture and top-notch culinary scene. Rest up after your journey or head out onto the city streets - the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.

On day three, your sightseeing begins after breakfast with a walking tour from vibrant Nanjing Road - the world’s longest shopping street - to The Bund, a spectacular waterfront promenade lined with colonial architecture. Next, you’ll visit an authentic silk showroom before heading to the bustling Old City Bazaar for a taste of local culture. In the afternoon, you can opt for a half-day city tour to the Shanghai Museum, the Pudong area and Jinmao Tower, then head to an optional Chinese acrobatic show for a real showstopper of an evening.

Spend your final day in Shanghai shopping, sightseeing and savouring street food at your leisure, or enjoy an optional tour of Suzhou Gardens - a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the ‘Venice of the East’. Top it off with an optional cruise down the Huangpu River for a magical evening with spellbinding city views.

Day 5: Shanghai - Beijing

Today, you’ll begin by slicing across the landscape in a bullet train as you depart for China’s bustling capital, Beijing. Undoubtedly one of the country’s cultural and historical hubs, the home of the Forbidden City has plenty to offer - why not start by sampling its world-renowned culinary specialty with a Peking duck dinner?

Days 6-8: Beijing

After breakfast, get a feel for the city with a tour of Beijing’s mesmerising Temple of Heaven, a stunning religious complex used by the emperors of the Qing and Ming dynasties. Watch as locals practise Tai Chi in the tranquil surroundings, before setting off to visit a local pearl factory for fascinating insights into the production of these precious jewels. In the afternoon, you may wish to hop on a rickshaw for an optional hutong tour, where you’ll stop by the Bell Tower, Drum Tower and a traditional Siheyuan courtyard house to learn about the ancient art of paper cutting, before ending your tour at Lama Temple, considered to be the largest and best-preserved Buddhist monastery in Beijing. Come evening, treat yourself to some tasty local fare or wander the bustling streets in search of souvenirs.

On day seven, get your camera and bucket-list ready - you’re headed to the legendary Wonder of the World that is the Great Wall of China. So long that it can be seen from space, you certainly won’t have to squint - though you may need to pinch yourself. On the way, admire the countryside and stop by an impressive jade workshop to see local artisans work wonders with this precious stone. Once arrived, you’ll have time to learn about the Wall’s impressive history and walk one of the best-preserved sections for yourself. On your way back to Beijing, you’ll visit a traditional Chinese medicine factory and stop by the famous Olympic Park. Come evening, opt for a Golden Mask show for a glimpse into Chinese legends and artistic traditions.

Your final day in Beijing is yours to spend as you wish, exploring traditional neighbourhoods, shopping in ultra-modern malls or feasting on Beijing cuisine. You could also add an optional tour of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace to your itinerary, and marvel at these historic places before a succulent Peking Duck dinner.

Day 9: Beijing - Xi’an

After breakfast, you’ll be transferring to the train station for another exciting bullet train journey to Xi’an. Once there, enjoy some free time to find your feet in the ancient city or join an optional evening tour of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Datang Everbright City, a pedestrian-friendly park that transports you back to the Tang Dynasty with lights, statues and stalls.

Day 10: Xi'an

Often described as the Eighth Wonder of the World, today’s bucket-list tour will take you to the iconic Terracotta Warriors Museum, home to some 8,000 uniquely-sculpted figures buried alongside China’s first Emperor. After marvelling at this vast artistic achievement, you’ll visit a terracotta workshop and learn about traditional crafting techniques, before heading to Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter to visit the Great Mosque and sample the world-famous street food. You can choose to end your evening with an immersive Tang Dynasty show of music and dancing and a delicious dumpling banquet.

Day 11: Xi’an - Chengdu

Today, you’ll be whisked away via bullet train to Chengdu, where you’ll be transferring straight to the Panda Base Center, the home of China’s iconic and elusive giant pandas. One of the world’s most endangered animal species, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures roaming their huge outdoor enclosures, while afterwards a trip to the Panda Museum will get you clued-up on all things panda. Up next is a visit to the Shu Embroidery Museum for some insight into one of China’s most prestigious artistic traditions, and in the evening you can opt for a colourful Sichuan Opera show full of vibrant masks and costumes.

Days 12-13: Chengdu

Explore Chengdu under your own steam today, whether it’s walking along the riverside, delving into the city’s fascinating history, or sampling local cuisine. Not sure where to start? Opt for a full-day excursion to Huanglongxi Ancient Town to step back in time over 1,700 years, and from there continue on to take a boat road past the awe-inspiring Leshan Giant Buddha, the world’s largest sitting stone Buddha at 71 metres high, carved right into the cliff face. This excursion ends with a delicious hot-pot dinner.

On day 13, spend the day at your leisure, relaxing or exploring Chengdu’s many art galleries, museums and historical monuments. Should you wish, you can embark on an exciting tour of the ancient Dujiangyan waterworks, an impressive feat of engineering that is still used today for flooding control and irrigation, before heading to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum where you’ll get to taste and cook classic dishes like the legendary Kung Pao chicken.

Day 14: Homeward bound

Today it’s time to transfer from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home - with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a camera roll full of panda snaps to show for your incredible adventures.