The Grand Tour of China
including a 3-night Yangtze cruise
Book Now and Save 5% on this 14 night escorted tour run by Cox and Kings
 This is a luxury tour staying in superior or luxury hotels, and visiting the most interesting cities and sights in China.
As part of the trip, you will travel down the Yangtze River on the elegant Victoria Katarina and see the Three Gorges Dam. There is an option to extend your holiday at the end for some nights in Hong Kong.
See the best of The Grand Tour of China
including a 3-night Yangtze cruise...
- The Great Wall of China - Jinshanling Pass, a relatively quiet and dramatic section of the wall.
- Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Forbidden City
- Terracotta warriors in Xian
- Yangtze river cruise - 3 nights
- Extraordinary scenery of Guilin - on a Li River cruise
- Old Town Shanghai
Why this tour is such good value…
- See all the main sights in China
- All entrance fees are included in the price
- Superior and Luxury hotels
- Enough time in each place so that your tour is not rushed!
- Elegant Yangtze River cruise boat
- Fully escorted
- Can be done as a private tour on any day of the year (please enquire for costs)
Beijing (3 nights)
Day 1  Fly to Beijing on an overnight flight with British Airways. We can organise low cost airport car parking and an airport lounge for you - please ask for details and prices.
Day 2 You will be met at Beijing Airport in the arrivals hall by tour leader, and transferred to your hotel for a 3 night stay. There is an afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven.
Day 3 Sightseeing today includes visit to Tiananmen Square, past Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum to the treasure-filled Forbidden City, which has the largest and best preserved collection of ancient buildings in China. You will also have a pedicab tour of the hutong (back streets of Beijing).
Breakfast & Lunch
Day 4 A full day excursion to the Great Wall of China at a section called Jinshanling Pass, a relatively quiet and dramatic part of the wall.
Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation 3 nights
Superior option - Novotel
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 including satellite TV, air conditioning, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities and a hairdryer. The hotel is well equipped for leisure travellers with 3 restaurants, a swimming pool and fitness centre.
Luxury Option - Raffles
Raffles Beijing occupies one of Beijing's most historic buildings, with an enviable location minutes from Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the popular Wangfujing district. In true Raffles style, the hotel is elegantly decorated throughout to create an Oriental ambience of a bygone era, with 171 exclusive guest rooms and suites. The hotel offers contemporary French cuisine at Jaan restaurant or pan-Asian at East 33, traditional high tea at La Vie cafe and a luxurious selection of drinks and snacks in the graceful surroundings of the Writers bar. Leisure facilities include a well-equipped fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool.
Xian (2 nights)
Day 5  After breakfast, enjoy a visit to the Summer Palace , and to the Olympic Green (optional entry to the stadium payable locally). Then fly to the former ancient capital of Xian and transfer to your hotel for a 2 night stay. The highlight will be a visit to the Terracotta Warriors.
Breakfast & Lunch
Day 6 In the morning, visit the Terracotta Warriors. There is an afternoon tour of the Muslim Quarter and the Grand Mosque. In the evening, there is an optional performance of Tang Dynasty music and dance with dinner (payable locally).
Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation 2 nights
Superior option - Grand New World
The Grand New World Hotel Xian is a 4-star hotel located within the ancient city walls of Xian. It has 476 well-decorated rooms and suites. Dining options include the Coffee Shop which serves international cuisines and Dynasty Restaurant which offers a Cantonese menu. The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and a tennis court.
Luxury Option - Sofitel
Sofitel Xian is favourably located on the historic Renmin Square in the heart of the old town, ringed by the 14th century city walls. Each of the 432 rooms is luxuriously furnished with warm tones using local designs, and comes equipped with a host of modern facilities. The hotel offers a selection of restaurants serving Asian, European and Muslim cuisine and two bars. For relaxation there is an indoor heated pool, fitness centre, jacuzzi and sauna.
Guilin (2 nights)
Day 7  In the morning, visit the city wall, Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shaanxi History Museum. Afternoon visit to Hanyang Tombs. Then fly to Guilin and stay for 2 nights.
Breakfast & Lunch
Day 8 Full day excursion to the rice terraces of Longsheng.
Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation 2 nights
Superior option - Sheraton
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 and central Guilin.
Luxury Option - Shangri La
Located on the banks of the picturesque Li River, the Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin is within easy reach of the city's pedestrianised tourist street, Die Cai Mountain and the airport. The hotel is set in lush landscaped gardens and comprises 449 elegantly decorated guest rooms fitted with modern amenities. There are 2 restaurants offering a variety of international and Chinese cuisines. Recreational facilities include a fully-equipped health club, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a beauty salon.
Chengdu (2 nights)
Day 9  Take a cruise down the Li River, past Guilin's landscape of green limestone hills, fishing villages and rice fields. Late evening flight to Chengdu and transfer to your hotel for 2 nights.
Breakfast & Lunch
Day 10 Morning at leisure. Afternoon visit to the Giant Panda Research Base and Jinli Street. Optional evening performance of Sichuan Opera (payable locally).
Breakfast
Accommodation 2 nights
Superior option - Sheraton
The Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel is conveniently located in the centre of Chengdu's commercial and entertainment districts, just 30 minutes drive from Shuangliu International Airport and 10 minutes from the train station. The hotel is modern in style with 402 rooms and suites, each decorated in soft colours and featuring Chinese art pieces. Club Level rooms offer additional amenities, as well as access to the Club Lounge. Dining options include the Side Walk Lounge & Deli, the Nova Café & Grill, or the Celestial Court restaurant. The Fontana Bar features live entertainment. Leisure facilities include a sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, fitness centre, massage parlour, hair salon, and indoor swimming pool. There is also a garden on the 5th floor offering views of the Chengdu Stadium and the city.
Luxury Option - Shangri La
Located near the centre of Chengdu, the Shangri La Hotel enjoys spectacular views of the Jinjiang River, and the beautiful gardens of Hejiang Pavilion along the riverside. It is approximately 25 minutes drive from Shuangliu International Airport and close to the city's elegant shopping districts. The hotel consists of 593 well-appointed and spacious guestrooms and suites, each offering a luxurious ambiance complete with relaxing colours, modern furnishings and state of the art technological amenities. Horizon Club rooms offer an enhanced level of service and convenience including late check-out and complimentary broadband Internet access. Dining options include Shang Palace, which serves authentic Cantonese and Sichuanese dishes, and Cafe Z, which offers international cuisines from South America, Middle East, Asia and China. Leisure facilities include a well-equipped fitness centre which has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, whirlpool, and massage facilities. The Chi Spa is an ideal place to relax and indulge after a day's sightseeing.
Yangtze River Cruise (3 nights)
Day 11  This morning transfer by train to Conqing on the Yangtze River. Board your ship for a 3 night cruise to Yichang.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12 Full day cruising the upper reaches of the Yangtze with a morning excursion to Fengdu or Wanzhou.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13 Full day passing through the Three Gorges, with an excursion up the tributary of Shennong Stream. The cliffs here reach up to 1,200 metres and even after the dam they remain hugely impressive. This evening pass through the ship locks.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation 3 nights
Superior option - Victoria Star
The award winning Victoria Cruises is an American managed operation whose boats are regularly refurbished and maintained to the highest standards. Decor throughout is elegant, with generous outdoor space. The cabins and suites are all stylishly decorated and cabins on most boats in the fleet have private outdoor balconies for viewing the spectacular Yangtze Gorges.
Luxury Option - Century Sky
Century Cruises offer a high level of service and standards for a Yangtze cruise. Facilities include an observation lounge bar with live entertainment, sun deck, gym, sauna, elevators and shops. Cabins are luxuriously equipped with hotel style beds and have private balconies. Western chefs manage the excellent restaurant on board serving a variety of international cuisine.
Shanghai (2 nights)
Day 14  Morning visit to the vast Three Gorges Dam. Disembark and fly to Shanghai for a 2 nights stay.
Breakfast
Day 15 Full day tour of Shanghai including Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Bund & a visit to Jin Mao Tower. Optional evening visit to the state acrobatics show (payable locally)
Breakfast & Lunch
Day 16 Morning transfer to the airport and fly back to London with British Airways. Accommodation 2 nights
Superior option - Howard Johnson Plaza
The Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel is superbly located in the heart of Shanghai's shopping, entertainment and business districts, and within walking distance of the Bund and other attractions. The hotel offers 358 comfortable rooms and suites. There are four restaurants serving a variety of cuisine and a lobby lounge. Leisure facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool and a fitness centre.
Luxury Option - Peninsula
The Peninsula Shanghai is superbly located on the Bund, Shanghai's historic waterfront, with spectacular views of Huang Pu River, Pudong and former British consulate gardens. The hotel offers 235 luxuriously furnished rooms and suites inspired by the Art Deco period and the "Golden Age" when Shanghai was Paris of the East. The hotel features a collection of 5 restaurants and bars offering a variety of cuisines and styles. The Peninsula Spa by ESPA is an ideal retreat for relaxation and indulging the senses.
Tour Extensions
Hong Kong 3 nights from £525
Sanya 4 nights from £645
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