Fly to Beijing, China's historical capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Visit Tiananmen Square and discover the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City before exploring Beijing's old hutongs where you can meet a local family and visit their home. This evening, eat traditional Peking duck. The next day, spend the morning taking a walk on the Great Wall and in the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the idyllic gardens of the Summer Palace.
Exploring Beijing's old hutongs where you can meet a local family and visit their home. Later, take the bullet train to Xian, the starting point of the fabled Silk Road.
Take a part in a calligraphy lesson before wandering around the narrow alleys of the Muslim Quarter. Tonight, feast on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings before a performance of Tang Dynasty dancing. The next day, view the enigmatic ranks of warriors that make up the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Later, stroll on Xian's beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls, then quench your thirst at a local brewery.
Fly to Yichang where you will board your Yangtze River cruise vessel.
The Three Gorges Dam may be an impressive feat of engineering but as you cruise upstream nature takes over, revealing some of the world's most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next three days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Take a side trip to the attractive Goddess or Shennong Stream and enjoy various shore excursions.
Disembark in Chongqing then explore old Ciqikou, whose narrow streets are perfect for a stroll to admire the traditional architecture. Transfer to Chengdu where tonight you will be served a traditional Sichuanese dinner with the option to watch a Sichuan Opera performance.
Visit Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre to see and learn about these celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. Later, fly to the charming city of Dali.
Dali offers a peek of the China of times-gone-by. Explore Xizhou village to browse around the local market, see the Yan Family House, cruise on Erhai Lake, visit the Golden Flower Tie Dye shop and explore Dali's quaint old quarter.
Enjoy some relaxed sightseeing around the symmetrical Three Pagodas before boarding the bullet train approximately 2.5-hours to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province.
Explore the fascinating limestone formations of the picturesque Stone Forest and tuck in to local delicacy, Across the Bridge Noodles, for dinner tonight.
Take a bullet train to beautiful city of Guilin. Stroll along Ronghu Lake past the Ancient Couth Gate and admire the Sun and Moon Pagodas.
Take a relaxed cruise along the Li River to charming Yangshuo. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged karst peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery and grazing buffalo.
Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of emerald-green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Begin with an invigorating Tai Chi class led by a local master, followed by a soothing Chinese reflexology massage. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Return to Guilin, stopping to discover the colourful stalagmites and stalactites at Reed Flute Cave.
Fly to Hangzhou. In the evening there is an optional Song Dynasty Show (time permitting, payable locally).
Today, visit the Temple of Inspired Seclusion and Xihu Tiandi, then enjoy a cruise on West Lake before continuing to Suzhou.
Suzhou's centre has managed to retain a sense of quaint charm. Renowned for its elegant gardens, visit one of the finest, the Humble Administrator's Garden '“ typical of the Chinese appreciation of balance and harmony. Also cruise on the Grand Canal.
Travel to the exuberant and cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. Visit People's Square, then stop by Matchmaker's Corner, where parents search for worthy suitors for their children. Take in sweeping views of glittering Shanghai from the Jin Mao Tower, then again from the water on a panoramic Huangpu River cruise. Tonight, enjoy classic Shanghainese cuisine.
Today, explore the classical Yu Garden, wander the old town, visit a silk mill, and enjoy time for shopping along the Bund and Nanjing Road. This evening, enjoy the thrilling ERA acrobatic show.
Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the same or following day.
