DAY 1: Depart UK.

DAY 2: Arrive Shanghai.
On arrival in Shanghai you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. (D)

DAY 3: Shanghai - Luzhi - Suzhou.
This morning visit the splendid Shanghai Museum, which houses thousands of exquisite Chinese archaeological and artistic exhibits. After lunch drive to Luzhi, a 2000 year old 'watertown' with many small canals and bridges. Experience the life of local people living along the canals, before continuing on to Suzhou. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Suzhou.
Suzhou is famed for its silk industry and was dubbed the Venice of the East because of its many ancient canals and bridges. Your memorable time here begins with a visit to Tiger Hill, on the summit of which stands the Pagoda of Yunyan, before a short cruise along the Grand Canal. After lunch visit a silk factory, followed by a rickshaw ride along the canal banks to the Garden of the Couples. This evening, musicians with classical Chinese instruments, folk singers and dancers will entertain you in Suzhou's scenic Garden of the Master of the Nets. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Suzhou - Nanjing.
A morning's train ride takes you to Nanjing, a delightful walled city on the Yangtze with a rich Ming history. After lunch, soak up the breathtaking views from the Yangtze River Bridge and Zhonghua City Gate, China's greatest ancient city gate, followed by a stroll around the lively Confucius Temple area with its Ming-style shops. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Nanjing - Beijing.
A great morning's sightseeing at the Mausoleum of Dr Sun Yat-Sen, the pioneer of the Chinese Revolution, before an afternoon flight to Beijing for three nights in China's fascinating capital. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Beijing.
Beijing holds many wonders for the visitor, from the historic to the enigmatic and stirring. Highlights include the legendary, vast Tiananmen Square, home to the imposing city museum, and the magnificent Forbidden City, the palace complex that was home to successive Emperors for over 500 years. Afterwards, we continue to the glorious Summer Palace, with its exquisite gardens and landscapes. (B, L)

DAY 8: Beijing and Great Wall of China.
An unforgettable day travelling to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which criss-crosses forested mountain tops (return cable-car rides are included). One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Wall stretches approximately 4,000 miles and is a spectacular sight you'll be sure never to forget. Your day ends with a traditional Peking Duck dinner in Beijing. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Beijing - Wuhan.
After a morning visit to Beijing's Temple of Heaven, fly to Wuhan for one night. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Wuhan - Yichang - Yangtze River.
Your day starts at Wuhan's Provincial Museum to view its fine art collections, followed by lunch and a drive to Yichang, where after dinner, you will board the President No. 1, for your exciting four night Yangtze River cruise journey upstream. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Yangtze River.
Set sail this morning and watch endless dramatic vistas unfold before you as your ship passes through the serenely beautiful Xiling Gorge, the Yangtze's longest. After a shore excursion to the incredible Three Gorges Dam, the world's biggest, you'll then sail through the Three Gorges Dam Five Stage Ship Lock. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Yangtze River.
Today experience the swift, crystal waters of the Shennong Stream - a Yangtze tributary - or alternatively the Lesser Three Gorges. Both trips travel through mystical, fairytale landscapes that are unlike anywhere else in the world. Later you will pass through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Yangtze River.
Today, visit either Shibaozhai, an ancient pagoda known as the shining pearl on the Yangtze, or Fengdu Ghost City. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Yangtze River - Chongqing - Xian.
Disembark your cruise in Chongqing and enjoy a short city tour around the atmospheric Old Town and the city zoo, which is home to some of China's famous giant pandas. Later, continue to the airport for your flight to Xian for a two night stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Xian and Terracotta Warriors.
Yet another highlight of your tour, the remarkable Terracotta Warriors, built in around 250 BC to guard an Imperial Tomb and comprising thousands of full-size, hand-carved clay soldiers, chariots and horses. Next, visit the Grand Mosque followed by a stroll along the city's ancient walls. In the evening, enjoy dinner with the Tang Era music and dance show. (B, L, D)

DAY 16: Xian - Guilin.
After a morning visit to Xian's Wild Goose Pagoda, a revered Buddhist pagoda built around 600 AD, fly to Guilin. (B, L, D)

DAY 17: Guilin - Shanghai.
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruise along the picturesque Li River, which snakes through limestone pinnacles and rice fields. After lunch on board and returning to Guilin, visit the Reed Flute Caves - a vast cavern pitted with stalagmites and stalactites, named after the nearby reeds that were used to make flutes. Evening flight to Shanghai. (B, L, D)

DAY 18: Shanghai.
Once dubbed the 'Paris of the Orient', cosmopolitan and exhilarating Shanghai still retains much of the sophistication and ebullience of yesteryear. Your included sightseeing tour features the famous Yu Yuan Garden, the atmospheric old town and the stunning Jade Buddha Temple. The afternoon is at leisure to explore 'The Bund' riverside boulevard and Nanjing Road. In the evening, enjoy an exciting acrobatics show. (B, L, D)

DAY 19: Shanghai - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)