Essentials - 17 days

Day 1 Arrive Beijing

Arrival private transfer to hotel.

Days 2-4 Beijing

During in-depth private touring in Beijing, explore the splendours of the imperial palaces- Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven;  Travel by rickshaw down the narrow hutongs (lanes) of a traditional residential neighbourhood. See lesser-known temples, and venture to a little-visited hilltop park for panoramic views over the rooftops of the Forbidden City.

One day, take an excursion to a stunning section of the Great Wall with a stop for lunch at Commune by the Great Wall.

Dine on traditional specialties at favourite family-run restaurants, and enjoy reservations at Beijing's most acclaimed restaurants. Visit markets specializing in pearls, silk, food and furniture, and, if desired, explore new art gallery districts that showcase the city's burgeoning contemporary art scene.

Days 5-6  Xian

Private transfer and flight to Xian for 2 nights.

The ancient capital of Xian is a major stop on the Silk Road. See the famed Terracotta Warriors and the massive city walls. Explore a local night market and the lively streets of the Muslim Quarter. Dine on dumplings, a local specialty. Visit the important Big and Small Goose Pagodas. Tour the impressive Shaanxi Provincial History Museum and the Forest of Stele, a fascinating library of tall stone tablets.

Days 7-9 Lijiang

Continue to China’s rural, southwestern Yunnan Province. Spend 3 nights at a luxury resort in Lijiang—one of China’s best-preserved traditional towns, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. Tour the cultural and scenic highlights of the region: Visit minority villages, see ancient Buddhist frescoes, attend a Naxi musical concert, browse the shops and charming streetslining canals in town, and visit monasteries and beautiful parks at the base of the mountains.

Days 10-11 Guilin

Next, fly to Guilin, home to some of China's most breathtaking scenery. Cruise the Li River to Yangshuo, China’s most beautiful river journey—passing through a storied landscape of limestone peaks and rice paddies. From Yangshuo, take a motorized rickshaw tour along the backroads of this picturesque region, exploring local villages with your private guide and driver.

Days 12-13 Hangzhou

Fly to serene Hangzhou and enjoy private touring around beautiful West Lake, local tea plantations, Buddhist caves and other cultural highlights.

Days 14-16 Shanghai

Next, visit Shanghai, stopping en route in Xitang, a picture-perfect "water town" of narrow canals and traditional architecture. In Shanghai, tour the riverfront Bund, the chic French Concession, the excellent Shanghai Museum and Yu Yuan Garden, and the city's leading art and shopping district

Day 17 Depart Shanghai

Depart private transfer to the airport.