Jewels of China

Meet your guide, join a Tai Chi class at the Temple of Heaven and learn the turbulent history of Tiananmen Square, one of the largest city plazas in the world. The next day, ride the chairlift up to the Great Wall of China and take in the views with a glass of champagne. On the way back to the city, stop off at the Jade Museum, where you’ll have the opportunity to purchase some of this precious stone as a souvenir. In the evening, dine on succulent roast duck at Quanjude Restaurant.

Fly on to Xian and join an archaeologist for a guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors, over 2,000 years old and discovered by chance in 1974, buried under farmland. Meet the man who found them in the flesh and chat to him about this chance discovery. In the evening, you’ll watch a dumpling-making demonstration, where you’ll be shown how to create them and have the chance to make one yourself, and eat it afterwards.

Meet the cute and cuddly residents at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and join a resident panda expert to learn more about the conservation and breeding programmes of this national treasure. Look out too for the giant panda’s cousin, the red panda. Smaller and more energetic than the black and white variety, these loveable creatures closely resemble foxes, including the bushy tail. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a performance of Chengdu’s famous face-changing show, where colourfully costumed artists change from mask to mask in the blink of an eye.

Take the bullet train to Chongqing and cruise the Yangtze River for three nights, taking in the magnificent Three Gorges and the enormous Three Gorges Dam, a whopping 2,335 metres in length. You’ll pass by the dramatic cliffs of the Wu and Qutang Gorges and have the opportunity to disembark at Fengdu Ghost City and the Shibaozhai Temple, if water levels permit it. Upon leaving the cruise, you’ll be transferred to the airport.

Fly on to Shanghai and explore the ancient waterways, historic bridges and crumbling buildings of Zhujiajiao Water Town, built on an old canal system. In Shanghai itself, you’ll visit the historic Old Town and see the traditional Yu Garden, plus you’ll take a look around the Silk Museum and learn about the production of this traditional material. Do not miss taking a stroll along the atmospheric Bund to admire the colonial buildings and grand hotels.