Cox and Kings China: The Grand Tour

• International flights (and domestic flights if applicable)
• UK departure and overseas airport taxes
• 4* accommodation
• Selected meals: 14 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
• Welcome dinner
• Local Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Fully escorted by an English-speaking guide throughout
• Entrance fees unless otherwise stated
• 3-night cruise on the Yangtze River from Chongqing to Yichang

• Discover historic Beijing in the Liulichang district
• Visit the Terracotta warriors
• Tea tasting at the Huxinting Teahouse
• Private expert-led tour of the Shanghai museum

Day 1: Fly to Beijing
Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) direct to Beijing
(No meals)

Day 2: Beijing
Arrive and transfer to the Novotel Peace Hotel or the Park Plaza (or similar) for 3 nights. Afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven. Welcome dinner at a Peking duck restaurant.
(Dinner)

Day 3: Beijing
Morning visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then stroll through historic Liulichang district and the hutongs (narrows streets). In the evening, enjoy a acrobatic performance at the Red Theatre. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 4: Great Wall
Morning drive out to the Great Wall at Jinshanling.
(Breakfast and lunch)

Day 5: Xian
Morning visit to a hutong (narrow streets) area, then drive to the station to board a high-speed train to Xian and stay at the Grand Noble Xian for 2 nights.(Breakfast)

Day 6: Terracotta Warriors • Xian
Morning excursion to the Terracotta Warriors, the Tang Bo Art Museum, followed by a lesson in Chinese calligraphy. Afternoon visit to the Muslim quarter and Grand Mosque.
(Breakfast and lunch)

Day 7: Train to Chengdu
Morning high-speed train journey to Chengdu, then transfer to the Kempinski Hotel for 1 night. This evening, visit one of the city’s traditional tea houses for a Sichuan opera perfomance.(Breakfast and lunch)

Day 8: Fly to Guilin
Visit the Giant Panda Research Based in the morning, before flying to Guilin.
(Breakfast)

Day 9: Yangshuo
Morning cruise down the Li river, past a dramatic landscape of limestone peaks. Arrive in Yangshuo and stroll along busy West Street, then transfer to the Yangshuo Resort (or similar) for a 2-night stay.
(Breakfast)

Day 10: Yangshuo
Day at leisure
(Breakfast)

Day 11: Chongqing
Train journey to Chongqing, then transfer to the port to board the Victoria Jenna (or similar)* for a 3-night cruise to Yichang.
(Breakfast and dinner)

Days 12-13: Yangtze river cruise
Cruise through the striking Three Gorges section of the Yangtze, an area of towering cliffs and twisting canyons. A range of shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings.(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 14: Yichang • Train to Shanghai
Disembark in Yichang and visit the Three Gorges Dam, then take the train to Shanghai. Stay 2 nights at the Central Hotel (or similar)
(Breakfast)

Day 15: Shanghai
Morning tour of Jade Buddha temple and Yu garden, followed by tea tasting at the Huxinting Teahouse. Afternoon tour of the Shanghai Museum with an expert guide, then end the day with a walk along the historic Bund. A farewell dinner will be held tonight
(Breakfast and dinner)

Day 16: Fly to London
Transfer to the airport and fly back to London.(Breakfast)

Grand Noble Hotel, Xian
The Grand Noble Hotel is located in central Xian, within a 10-minute walk of the Bell Tower and Forest of Stone Steles Museum. Rooms and suites are spacious with contemporary decor, and there are a range of services and facilities.

Novotel Peace Hotel Beijing, Beijing
The 4-star Novotel Peace Hotel is well located in the centre of Beijing, within walking distance of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and next to the Wanfujing shopping and entertainment district. All rooms have a range of modern facilities.

Sheraton Hotel, Guilin
The Sheraton hotel has a choice of western and Chinese restaurants, coffee shop and bar, a health club and outside swimming pool. It is located on the banks of the Li River a short walk from Elephant Trunk hill.

The Central Hotel, Shanghai
The Central Hotel towers over the heart of Shanghai, adjacent to Century Square on the pedestrianised section of Nanjing Road, famed for its shopping and entertainment. The 317 spacious guestrooms are furnished in an elegant style, and come well equipped with a host of conveniences.

Yangshuo Resort, Yangshuo
The Yangshuo Resort is situated along the banks of the Yulong river, a 15-minute drive from the town of Yangshuo. The resort has pleasant gardens from which to enjoy views of the river and the striking scenery that makes the area so famous. Accommodation is available in a range of guestrooms, studios and suites, all spacious and well-appointed with beautiful river views.

Victoria Jenna, Chongqing
Inaugurated in 2009, the Victoria Jenna is one of the Yangtze’s newest and largest river cruise ships. The ship consists of 189 cabins, spread over five levels, all of which have private balconies. Facilities include two restaurants (a single-seating main dining room, and an a la carte restaurant on the top deck), a three-story atrium lobby, two lounges, three bars, a fitness centre, two full-sized lecture rooms, library, the Oasis beauty salon, artist corners and gift shop.