The Forbidden Palace, Beijing
Caption: The Forbidden Palace, Beijing
Caption: The Great Wall of China
Caption: Chonqing at night
Caption: The Terracotta Army
Caption: Shanghai's iconic skyline
Caption: The Temple of Heaven, Beijing
Caption: China's famous stepped rice fields
Caption: Sailing the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River
Caption: The Yellow Mountains
Caption: Enjoy a traditional Chinese dance show
BEST VALUE
Journey Price from: $7,855
7,855 Points Applied: -$2,357
Cash Remainder: $5,499
Prices per person sharing a room. 30% @$0.30 per point. Premiere & Signature Members

 Deposit 20%.
Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing a cabin/room. Single room supplement $1,225.00.

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Book online or call Call us on:Toll Free US and Canada: 1.855.624.4386 Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 8:00pm, Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm (London time)

Book your journey

Choose from the list below to book your journey

Available journeys:

  • Cash Only Option 10 Oct - 23 Oct 2025 from $7,855 Book Now
  • Premiere & Signature Members
    Apply 7,855 points per person at US$0.30 per point leaving a cash remainder of US$5,499 per person.
    10 Oct - 23 Oct 2025 from $5,499 Book Now
Book online or call Toll Free US and Canada: 1.855.624.4386

Journey Snapshot

Activity level: Level 2 Requires moderate physical activity. You need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing steps and be comfortable with some periods of standing. Not suitable if you have limited mobility or require a wheelchair/mobility scooter.
Destination: SPLENDORS OF CHINA
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Flight information: Please arrange your flights to arrive Beijing Airport [PEK] on Day 1 and Depart from Shanghai Airport [PVG] on Day 14
Pickup location: Beijing Airport [PEK]

Overview

Oct 10 - 23, 2025

Join us as we head to China to discover the many splendours it has to offer. See the historic Forbidden Palace, Terracotta Warriors & Great Wall, discover modern Beijing and Shanghai and many natural wonders along the way!

China is a unique country of many contrasts and our carefully crafted tour will allow you to discover its many splendours as we work our way through the giant country.

Explore the hustle and bustle of some of the world's largest and most modern metropoli as we pass through Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an and we whizz through the vast countryside on high speed trains. We delve into China's history visting the Forbidden Palace, seeing the hordes of Terracotta Warriors, enjoying a traditional dance show and meals and of course visiting one of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China!

We'll also enjoy China's stunning scenery as we sail down the mighty Yangtze River to the Three Gorges Dam and head up into the Yellow Mountains for sights not to be missed. This journey is one not to be missed.

Itinerary

Itinerary summary: DAY 1 - Welcome to Beijing
DAY 2 - Exploring Beijing
DAY 3 - The Great Wall of China
DAY 4 - The Summer Palace & Train to Xi’an
DAY 5 - Terracotta Warriors & Traditional Dance Show
DAY 6 - Chongqing, Pandas & to the Yangtze River
DAY 7 - Cruising the Yangtze River
DAY 8 - Yangtze River Cruise
DAY 9 - The Mighty Three Gorges Dam
DAY 10 - The Yellow Mountains
DAY 11 - Huangshan & its Montains
DAY 12 - Discovering Shanghai
DAY 13 - Visiting Zhujiajiao & Xintiandi
DAY 14 - Goodbye to China and Home
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Full Itinerary

DAY 1 - Welcome to Beijing

You will be met on arrival at the airport in Beijing and transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is spent at leisure

This evening, we join together to enjoy a Welcome Dinner to meet your fellow tour members and your Big Journey Company Tour Director and learn about your adventure ahead.

Included meals: Dinner 
Accommodation: Gehua New Century Hotel, Beijing (or similar) 

DAY 2 - Exploring Beijing

We start our morning exploring some of Beijing, and China’s most famous sties.

The first stop of the morning is a visit to the Temple of Heaven, where past emperors performed rituals to ensure good harvests before passing on to the famous Tiananmen Square.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we continue on to the Forbidden City. This beautiful complex was the Imperial Palace of China's emperors for some 500 years!

This evening we enjoy a true Chinese and local food speciality, Peking Duck! We will enjoy this as part of a dinner in a typical courtyard restaurant.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Gehua New Century Hotel, Beijing (or similar) 

DAY 3 - The Great Wall of China

Today is one of the highlights of your tour - a full day excursion to see the Great Wall of China.

The famous wall – notably one of the few manmade structures visible from space - stretches over 3,915 miles across China. A huge defensive line, the wall was built in sections to protect the people against attacks from the north and is classed as one of the seven modern wonders of the world.

After lunch and visiting the wall, we return to Beijing for an evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: Gehua New Century Hotel, Beijing (or similar) 

DAY 4 - The Summer Palace & Train to Xi’an

This morning, we check out after breakfast and first head to the Emperor’s Summer Palace, located in the outskirts of Beijing.

This UNESCO world heritage site is a feast for the senses with open water and natural landscapes interspersed with palaces and pavilions. Our visit of the gardens and pavilions allows us time to take in the beauty and history of the place.

After lunch we will transfer to Beijing West Station for the high speed train to Xi'an. Whizzing our way through over 700 miles of Chinese countryside, we will relax in 1st class seats as we travel at top speed and marvel at the recent advances of travel in China as we head to Xi’an, formerly the capital of China.

Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel, passing by Xi'an's famous bell tower and drum tower.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: Grand Nobel Hotel, Xi'an (or similar) 

DAY 5 - Terracotta Warriors & Traditional Dance Show

Today we visit another of China’s most famous sites - an excursion to the famous Terracotta Warriors.

They numerous statues, depicting soldiers, as well as chariots, horses, officials, acrobats and musicians were individually created by China's first emperor in the 3rd century BC to guard his tomb for eternity. The figures were discovered in 1974 by local farmers. Varying in heigh depending on their rank, they are said to number some 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses. It really is a sigh to behold.

This afternoon, we will visit the old city wall of Xi'an, one of the oldest and most complete examples in China.

In the evening, we will enjoy a "Tang Dynasty" song and dance show, evoking the sights and sounds of the Tang Dynasty when Xi'an was capital of China.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Grand Nobel Hotel, Xi’an (or similar) 

DAY 6 - Chongqing, Pandas & to the Yangtze River

We check out after breakfast and enjoy a morning visit to the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’An. A famous Buddhist landmark, the pagoda was build around 648AD.

Afterwards, we continue on to Xi’An Airport for our flight to Chongqing.

Upon arrival in Chongqing, we will take you on a brief city tour, passing visiting sights such as the endangered and much loved pandas at the local zoo.

This evening, we will enjoy a sumptuous dinner based on Sichuan Cuisine before we travel to the pier to join our luxury 5-star floating hotel to cruise along the famous Yangtze River.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Goddess Series River Cruise (or similar) 

DAY 7 - Cruising the Yangtze River

Today, we get to spend a full day enjoying the stunning scenery of the Yangtze River.

We get the chance to relax and enjoy the luxury boat as we sail downstream through the Three Gorges. There will be shore excursions to enjoy together and plenty of meals board as we float along.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Goddess Series River Cruise (or similar) 

DAY 8 - Yangtze River Cruise

Another day enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Yangtze River as we sail towards the Three Gorges Dam.

The Yangtze River is the longest in Eurasia, the third-longest in the world, and the longest in the world to flow entirely within one country. It is China’s principal waterway, and its basin is China's great granary and contains nearly one-third of the national population

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Goddess Series River Cruise (or similar) 
Optional extras: White Emperor City excursion 

DAY 9 - The Mighty Three Gorges Dam

We awake and after breakfast it is time to disembark our cruise along the Yangtze River cruise as we head to the Three Gorges Dam.

Five times larger than the Hoover Dam at 1.4miles long, the Three Gorges Dam was completed in 2006 and is the largest hydroelectric plant in the world and building of the dam displaced some 4 million people.

The cruise will arrive in the city of Yichang around lunchtime and after disembarkation, we transfer to the local airport for our flight to Shanghai.

Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel where the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Ocean Hotel Shanghai (or similar) 

DAY 10 - The Yellow Mountains

We have an early breakfast today before we transfer to Shanghai’s HongQiao Station for our train to the Yellow Mountains.

China’s high-speed trains once again whisk us through the endless miles of countryside as we head to the city of Huangshan. Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, before we continue on to the foothills and take the gondola up the Yellow Mountains, also called Huangshan.

Here we will have some time at leisure to walk as much, or little as you'd like to, enjoying the sights and soaking up the atmosphere as we watch the sunset.

We have dinner together and some time at leisure at the hotel this evening.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Xi Hai Hotel (South Wing) Huangshang, (or similar) 

DAY 11 - Huangshan & its Montains

It is advised to rise early to enjoy the beautiful sunrise today as the rays peak over the Yellow Moutains.

We'll have breakfast at the hotel before a day exploring some of the peaks on the famous mountains.

Mid-afternoon, we head back down by gondola and transfer to Huangshan Town. Here we will visit the ancient street of Laojie before heading once again to the station for our fast train back to Shanghai in 1st class seating.

We will enjoy our dinner on the train as we head to the bright lights of the big city and on arrival in Shanghai, we will transfer to the hotel where we will be reunited with our large suitcases.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Central Hotel Shanghai (or similar) 

DAY 12 - Discovering Shanghai

Today we enjoy an amazing full day city tour around Shanghai. China’s largest city, one of the biggest global business hubs, Shanghai has it all!

Our tour will take in the modern and all the buzz, but also the old and slow. Our first stop is the Yu Garden and Shanghai old bazaar - a classic Chinese house and garden in the old town district. The picturesque garden will seem a million miles from the glass and skyscrapers nearby.

This evening, we will cruise along the Huangpu River that flows through Shanghai, giving you the best view of the city's modern iconic and illuminated skyline.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: Central Hotel Shanghai (or similar) 

DAY 13 - Visiting Zhujiajiao & Xintiandi

After breakfast, we travel out of bustling Shanghai to the small 'water town' of Zhujiajiao, now situated on the outskirts of Shanghai.

The visit here makes for a very interesting contrast with the yesterday’s exploration of the busy world of Shanghai city. Old buildings line the alleys and a maze of canals are criss-crossed by elegant bridges.

We return later to Shanghai to explore Xintiandi. This is the former French Concession, where old tenements have been transformed into a lively area of upmarket bars and boutiques.

We join together one final time this evening for dinner to round off our two weeks in China.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 
Accommodation: Central Hotel Shanghai (or similar) 

DAY 14 - Goodbye to China and Home

This morning, it is sadly time to check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport to meet your flights home

Included meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: none 

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More information

What's includedWhat's not includedImportant information

What's included

  • Meet & Greet at Beijing Airport [PEK] on arrival
  • Accommodation as detailed in the itinerary
  • Transport in an air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
  • Meals as detailed in the itinerary
  • One way economy flights: Xi’an [XIY] - Chongquing [CKG]; Yichang [YIH] -Shanghai [PVG]
  • High-speed trains in 1st class seating: Beijing-Xi’an; Shanghai-Huangshan; Huangshan-Shanghai
  • English speaking tour guide
  • All activities, visits and excursions as detailed in the itinerary
  • Tour Director from The Big Journey Company as well as the local tour guide (subject to minimum group size being reached.)

What's not included

  • International economy flights into Beijing Airport [PEK] on Day 1 and departing from Shanghai Airport [PVG] on Day 14
  • Drinks
  • Gratuities
  • All entrance fees to non-stipulated attractions
  • Visas, travel insurance
  • Any personal items and anything not mentioned under included in price above
  • Any meals not mentioned in itinerary
  • Any optional activities offered
  • Any COVID tests or related entry & exit requirements

Important information

  • US/EU/UK passport holders require a Visa to visit China. Please check if you need a visa prior to departure.
  • Please let The Big Journey Company know prior to travelling if you have any medical needs or take any medication that we need to be made aware of to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant tour.
  • Check in is after 2:00pm-3:00pm and check out is before 10am unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
  • Cancellation 90 – 0 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 100%. It is your responsibility to ensure the correct travel insurance in place to protect you against the need to cancel your holiday. Deposits are non-refundable.
  • A non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking. Full balance will be due 14 weeks prior to departure. Full cost of any flights purchased from us is required at the time of booking. 
  • Further terms and conditions apply and will be provided upon request or at the time of booking. The Big Journey Company reserves the right to withdraw any offer prior to accepting a reservation request. This does not affect your statutory rights.
Once in a lifetime

Book your journey

Choose from the list below to book your journey.

Available journeys:

  • Cash Only Option 10 Oct - 23 Oct 2025 from $7,855 Book Now
  • Premiere & Signature Members
    Apply 7,855 points per person at US$0.30 per point leaving a cash remainder of US$5,499 per person.
    10 Oct - 23 Oct 2025 from $5,499 Book Now
Book online or call Toll Free US and Canada: 1.855.624.4386

The big journey promise

The big journey company was set up with one goal in mind, to share our passion for inspirational cultures, destinations and experiences. Over the last 10 years we have had the privilege to escort thousands of travellers on awe inspiring and sometimes life changing journeys. Our promise to every guest who joins us is that we will do everything possible to make sure your journey not only exceeds expectations but delivers at least one moment of true amazement.

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Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282.

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