Flying on British Airways depart from London Heathrow early this afternoon on a direct overnight flight to Beijing (11 hours).

Arriving in the Chinese capital this morning, transfer to the Prime Hotel, located on the famous Wangfujing Avenue. This afternoon there is an option to explore the fascinating Hutongs of Old Peking by pedicab.

This morning visit the incomparable grandeur of the Forbidden City, the once beating heart of the city whose expansive halls and pavilions were home to the all powerful Ming and Qing dynasties. Covering an area of some 720,000 square metres, in imperial days this fabulous enclave was strictly off-limits to the Emperor’s subjects under pain of death. It presents us with one of the most remarkable collections of Chinese imperial majesty anywhere, with some 800 buildings spread across the city, that are filled with a vast array of artefacts from the Ming and Manchu eras. The afternoon is taken up with a visit to the glorious Temple of Heaven, a true masterpiece of 15th century design and for many the high point of Ming architecture, which for over half a millennia was the centre of the ceremonial and cultural workings of the court of the Chinese emperors. This evening enjoy a traditional dinner of Peking Duck.

One of the highlights of the journey is a visit to the magnificent Great Wall of China at Mu Tian Yu, surely one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites and one of China’s most iconic and enduring treasures. Covering some 5,000 kilometres and spanning some 2,000 years, this incredible structure stretches from China’s eastern coast into the inhospitable landscapes of the Gobi Desert, its very walls infused with the rich history of this fascinating land. Less commercialised than other sections of the wall, Mu Tian Yu affords the opportunity of experiencing one of the true wonders of the ages as it snakes across a timeless landscape of plunging valleys and purple hills, its superbly preserved walls and imposing watchtowers offering a true glimpse of the dominating splendour of the Ming emperors that built it.

This morning pay a visit to the UNESCO site of the Summer Palace, where successive dynasties created a haven of Chinese Gardens and ornate pavilions, around the tranquil waters of Kunming Lake. Once the summer retreat of the emperors, it is a haven of serenity and includes the ornate marble boat that was commissioned by the Empress Dowager Cixi, apparently utilising funds originally intended for the Chinese navy. This afternoon fly to Xi’an (1 hour 45 minutes), for 2 nights at the Shangri-La Golden Flower Hotel.

Xi’an was the ancient capital of China that served 11 different dynasties and was traditionally the starting point of the famous Silk Road that ran to the very borders of Europe. Its fame today though lies in it being the home of the astonishing Army of Terracotta Warriors of the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, considered by many to be the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World. A visit to the tombs today, with its 8,000 life-size Terracotta Warriors, bronze chariots and collection of antique weaponry, is without doubt one of the cultural high points of our trip. There will be an opportunity to take in the expansive wonders of this spectacular setting with a local guide, before returning to Xi’an later this afternoon, where you will visit the Big Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower, before attending a traditional dance performance and dinner.

After a morning visit to the Hang Yan Ling tombs, board the flight to Chengdu (55 minutes) and transfer to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for 2 nights. The provincial capital of Sichuan, Chengdu dates back to the 4th century BC and today provides visitors with a fascinating mix of lively backstreets, teahouses and artisans. This afternoon visit the superbly preserved 7th century Wenshu Monastery, a temple dedicated to the Buddhist god of wisdom whose history hails from the Tang Dynasty.

Today enjoy a full day excursion to the Bifengxia Panda Base at Ya’an, the world’s largest giant panda eco-park, located some 150 km from Chengdu. Native to the central western and southwestern regions of China, pandas have long been the iconic symbol of conservation worldwide. Occupying the mountain ranges of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu there are only around 1600 panda left in the wild, with some 160 living in zoos and breeding centres throughout China.

Morning visit to Dazu (approximately 2½ hours), famed for its extraordinary cave sculptures dating from the 9th century and numbering some 50,000. Lying to the north west of Chongqing, the cave sculptures of Dazu are amongst the most comprehensive in China, spanning some 400 years and incorporating Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian influences. Encompassing thousands of sculptures and carvings, the main sites at Bei Shan and Baoding Shan are rich repositories of work dating back to the 9th century. Continue to Chongqing (approximately 2½ hours), and embark the Century Star cruise ship, where we will spend the next 3 nights.

Cruising along the mighty Yangtze spend the next three days admiring the extraordinary beauty of the stunning ‘Three Gorges’. Traversing a landscape that has been the inspiration of artists for centuries, enjoy the rare tranquility of one of the most breathtaking settings on the planet, including the dramatic Wu Xia Gorge and its twelve ‘Fairy Peaks’. Passing a timeless tableau of rural China we visit the imposing spectacle of the huge Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project, whose completion will change the face of this landscape forever.

Continue to cruise on the Century Star to explore the 'Three Gorges' admiring its beauty, as you take advantage of all of the on-board facilities.

Disembarking in Yichang, fly to Shanghai (1 hour 15 minutes), a vibrant mix of modern style and colonial heritage and one of China’s most dynamic cities. Two nights at the Mayfair Hotel.

A tour of Old Shanghai, taking in the impressive Shanghai Museum, with its fine collection of Ming ceramics, and the elegance of the Yu Garden, is followed by a chance to stroll along the famous ‘Bund’, Shanghai’s renowned waterfront. The rest of the day is free for further exploration of the city that was once dubbed the ‘Paris of the Orient’ at your own pace. Alternatively, you may prefer to spend some time shopping along Nanjing Road before returning to the hotel.

Today take a flight to the classic landscapes of Guilin (2 hours 15 minutes), a spectacular vision of karst mountain landscapes and seemingly endless rivers that have been captured on Chinese scrolls for millennia. On arrival transfer to the Sheraton Hotel for a 2 night stay.

A morning cruise along the picturesque Li River takes us through some of Guilin’s most majestic scenery, passing an ever changing landscape of limestone outcrops and enchanting fishing villages as you travel to the bustling market town of Yangshuo. These spectacular limestone landscapes are amongst some of the most beautiful anywhere in China, where buffalo and cormorant fishermen share the vistas with a seemingly endless series of karst pinnacles that rise up from the lush, green valleys that hug the course of the Li’s meandering journey. After visiting the town return to Guilin for the evening.

At leisure, with an option to take a trip out to the extraordinary geological formations of the Reed Flute Caves and the summit of Fupo Hill, for a panoramic view across Guilin’s unique vistas. This evening fly to Hong Kong (1 hour 25 minutes) and connect with the British Airways flight back to London (13 hours).

Arrive London Heathrow in the early morning.