Classic China tour with Trafalgar – Save $1,230 per couple*

DAY 1 – SAY NI HAO to CHINA

Transfer to your Beijing hotel where you’ll meet your Travel Director and Small Group for dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Novotel Beijing Peace

Meals: Dinner

Iconic Experience (included) – Dinner at a local restaurant

DAY 2 – DISCOVER THE ICONS OF BEIJING

Delve into Beijing’s imperial heritage, beginning at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public space. Enter the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City through the south gate, once the home of emperors and their households for over 600 years. Discover its ancient traditions and history before enjoying time at leisure for lunch. Later, visit the serene Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO-listed site, where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for harvests and guidance. This evening, you’ll enjoy a Regional Dinner featuring Beijing’s iconic Peking Duck.

Accommodation: Novotel Beijing Peace

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Iconic Experience (included) – Peking Duck Dinner

DAY 3 – JOURNEY TO THE GREAT WALL

Leave Beijing behind and walk in the footsteps of emperors along the Great Wall of China at Juyongguan, a monumental structure first built in the 5th century BC and stretching thousands of miles across the north. Take in sweeping views from its ancient ramparts before continuing to the Sacred Way, where stone guardians line the path to the Ming Tombs, burial site of 13 Ming emperors. Later, visit a jade workshop and watch skilled artisans carve this revered stone into intricate designs. This evening, choose an Optional Experience to witness a thrilling Kung Fu performance, blending age-old martial arts with modern stagecraft.

Iconic Experience (included) – Visit the Great Wall or The Sacred Way or Jade Workshop Visit.

Iconic Experience (additional cost) – Legend of Kung Fu Show.

DAY 4 – EXPLORE BEIJING

Ease into the day with a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Beijing’s traditional Hutong neighbourhoods. Join a local family for a home-cooked lunch and gain a deeper insight into the everyday lives of the locals. Then, visit a tea house to see the traditions and techniques behind Chinese tea-making. This afternoon, fly to Xi’an, where you may choose to explore the vibrant night food market and emerging craft beer scene, or opt for a dumpling dinner, complete with a demonstration revealing the skill behind these regional favourites.

Accommodation: Novotel Beijing Peace

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Iconic Experience (included) – Meet a local family for lunch in one of Beijing’s hutongs.

Iconic Experience (additional cost) – Dumpling Dinner with Demonstration or Discover Xi’an’s Beer Scene.

DAY 5 – UNCOVER XI’AN’S TREASURES

Kick off your morning by marvelling at one of China’s greatest archaeological discoveries, the Terracotta Warriors with your Travel Director. Explore the vast underground army built to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife. For lunch, enjoy a traditional noodle meal packed with regional flavours. Later, visit a local village to explore the unique cave dwellings still used by some residents today – a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that offers a rare insight into rural life. This evening is yours to enjoy as you wish. Perhaps choose to attend a Tang Dynasty performance, complete with dinner and historic pageantry.

Accommodation: Wyndham Grand Xi’an South

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Iconic Experience (included) – Terracota Army and the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang or Traditional Noodle Lunch Experience or Visit Yaodong Cave Dwelling and learn how families are preserving these homes.

Iconic Experience (additional cost) – Tang Dynasty Show with Dinner.

DAY 6 – ONWARDS TO SHANGHAI

Start your day by joining a Local Specialist for a peaceful morning Tai Chi lesson and gaining insight into this graceful martial art. Later, step inside a local home for a Small Group Exclusive, hands-on dumpling-making experience where you’ll learn traditional techniques before sitting down to enjoy your creations over lunch. This afternoon, fly to Shanghai and check into your Stays with Stories hotel. The evening is yours to explore the city at your leisure.

Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing An Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Iconic Experience (included) – Morning Tai Chi with a Local Specialist or Dumpling Making with a Local Family or Overnight at The Kunlun Beijing, Shanghai’s first Chinese-designed five-star hotel.

DAY 7 – EXPERIENCE SHANGHAI

Take in the sights of Shanghai on a morning city tour with your Travel Director, beginning with a stroll along the iconic Bund, known for its colonial elegance and striking modern design. Next, visit a local silk factory to learn about this ancient craft, then enjoy free time in the Old Town to explore its bustling laneways and savour lunch at your own pace. Later, ascend 88 floors to the top of Jin Mao Tower and take in panoramic views of the glittering city skyline before returning to your hotel to unwind, or opt for an out-of-this-world dining experience at the futuristic Spacelab restaurant. This evening, be captivated by the jaw-dropping artistry of the Shanghai Acrobatic Show – a thrilling finale to your day.

Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing An Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast

Iconic Experience (included) – Shanghai City Tour or Ascend Jin Mao Tower or Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe Show.

Iconic Experience (additional cost) – Dinner at Spacelab

DAY 8 – SHANGHAI YOUR WAY

Enjoy a free day in Shanghai with the option to explore more of the city’s rich cultural layers. You may choose to visit the acclaimed Shanghai Museum and learn about the city’s Jewish heritage in the former Ghetto. Alternatively, discover the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao – often called the ‘Venice of Shanghai’ – with its winding canals, stone bridges and charming shops, followed by lunch. You might also explore the classical beauty of Yu Garden alongside the museum’s fascinating exhibits. This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a final dinner, savouring a delicious menu as you reflect on your journey through China.

Accommodation: The Kunlun Jing An Shanghai

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Iconic Experience (included) – Dinner in Shanghai.

Iconic Experience (additional cost) – Half-Day Zhujiajiao Experience with Lunch or Visit Yu Gardens and Shanghai Museum or Evening Huangpu River Cruise.

DAY 9 – FAREWELL SHANGHAI

Your journey through China comes to an end today. Enjoy a smooth departure with airport transfers arranged according to your flight details.

Meals: Breakfast