Day 1London
Depart the UK today for your overnight flight to Beijing.
On arrival you will be met by your guide for the drive into the city. Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City have starkly contrasting histories and architectural styles and we suggest visiting both today.
This morning you'll visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven and perhaps see some locals performing T'ai-chi before taking in the superb grounds of the Summer Palace, on the outskirts of the city.
You'll leave the city today to see one of China's iconic sites - The Great Wall. You'll be taken a few hours out of the city in order to escape the crowds and see the wall at its best.
This morning you'll see the Hutongs of Beijing and the traditional way of life that remains within this network of lanes before flying on to Xian. Here you'll be met by your guide for the drive to your hotel.
This morning head out to Xian's star attraction - the Terracotta Warriors. Even if you've read about them nothing can prepare you for the sheer scale and number of warriors found - not to mention the Herculean effort it must have taken to produce them. Have the rest of the day at leisure.
You'll drive to the airport today via the lesser-known Hanyangling Tombs, smaller but no less interesting than their counterpart. Today you fly to Lijiang, where you will be met and driven to your centrally located hotel.
Today you explore Lijiang Old Town and the picturesque Black Dragon Pond Park with your guide, with the almost constant view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain looming in the background.
You leave the town today and escape the crowds by visiting the nearby Mount Wenbi and its small monastery.
Today you leave Lijiang and drive to Zhongdian, via the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge.
This morning you visit the staggering Songzanlin Monastery, before trekking through Zhongdian's fantastic scenery with your guide.
You fly from Zhongdian to Guilin today, via Kunming.
This morning you'll be taken on a relaxing cruise down the River Li, to drink in Guilin's justifiably famous limestone scenery. Arriving into Yangshuo at lunchtime you'll be met and taken to your hotel. Yangshuo is a small town set right amongst the pretty limestone karst scenery.
You have today at your leisure to explore the beautiful countryside by yourselves.
From Yangshuo, you will be driven north to the picturesque rice terraces at Longji, arriving early afternoon. Spend the rest of the day exploring some of the best view points with your guide.
This morning, you'll be accompanied by your guide for a walk amongst the rice terraces. On the way you may see local people at work on the terraces.
Afterwards you'll return to Guilin airport for your flight to Hong Kong.
Today is free for you to explore this vibrant, cosmopolitan city at your own pace before your late evening flight back to London.
Day 18London
You arrive home early this morning.