Magnificent China

Fly to Beijing, China's historic capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

This morning, head to Beijing's symbolic heart, Tiananmen Square and stroll into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City to discover a complex full of imperial riches. Next, soak up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven. This evening, sit down to a traditional dinner of Peking duck.

This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. Visit a jade factory then spend the afternoon at the idyllic Summer Palace, wandering through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture.

This morning, enjoy a leisurely stroll in the warren-like hutongs where you will meet a local family. Later, take the bullet train to Xian, the ancient former capital.

After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-sized warriors and horses. Also visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop to see where the warriors are intricately recreated. Tonight, feast on traditional Shui Jiao dumplings and watch a Tang Dynasty dance show.

Visit the Little Wild Goose Pagoda and take a stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town. Later this afternoon, explore the narrow streets of the atmospheric Muslim Quarter, which are lined with Islamic food stalls. Here, you will gain an insight into the city’s fascinating culture and significance as the start of the Silk Road.

Board the bullet train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Tonight, there is an option to see a performance of Sichuan Opera, famous for 'face-changing'.

Visit Chengdu’s famous Panda Conservation Centre to see and learn about China’s celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. A look around the informative museum gives an overview of the reserve's breeding programme. Later, stroll through the vibrant People's Park with a stop at Matchmaker's Corner, where parents search for worthy suitors for their children. Also stop at a traditional tea house and wander through the Wide and Narrow Alleys. Tonight, dine on delicious Sichuanese food.

Board the bullet train to Yichang and board your Yangtze River cruise vessel, where you will stay for the next four nights.

Visit The Three Gorges Dam which showcases a massive feat of engineering. As you cruise upstream, nature takes over revealing some of the world’s most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next few days prepare for one breathtaking panorama after another. Enjoy a side trip to the attractive Shennong or Goddess Stream, as well as various shore excursions.

Disembark in Chongqing and then board the bullet train to the beautiful city of Guilin.

Take a relaxed cruise along the Li River to the charming town of Yangshuo. Around every river bend is a view to take your breath away as jagged karst peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalo and local fishermen.

Yangshuo sits in a beautiful rural location, surrounded by green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Spend the morning exploring the countryside and stop for a photo opportunity on the banks of the Li River to meet a cormorant fisherman. This afternoon is at leisure where you can choose from the many optional activities available including cycling, bamboo rafting and hiking.

Travel back to Guilin and enjoy a walk around Ronghu Lake and admire the Sun and Moon pagodas – two towering examples of traditional Chinese-Buddhist architecture. Discover the colourful stalagmites and stalactites of Reed Flute Cave and continue to the South China Pearl Factory to see the fascinating 1,700-year history of pearling in the South China Sea with displays and demonstrations.

Fly to the exuberant and cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, also known as the 'Paris of the East'. Later, spend some time in the city's Xintiandi area, a vibrant entertainment district made up of traditional 19th-century Shikumen architecture.

Travel to Suzhou. Suzhou is renowned for its gardens – visit one of its finest, the Humble Administrator's Garden. Cruise the Grand Canal before returning to Shanghai for a dinner of Shanghainese cuisine.

Shanghai is China's great metropolis, where east and west collide. Visit the Shanghai Museum, People's Square and admire the architecture on the Bund. Later, view the city from the Huangpu River on a cruise. The next day visit a silk factory, the classical Yu Garden and stop in the old town before exploring futuristic Pudong. Tonight, enjoy the ERA acrobatic show.

Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the same or following day.