Tour overview

This 15-day tour covers China's great sights by high-speed train and river cruise, with return flights, a tour director and local guides. You stay thirteen nights in hotels and on board a Yangtze cruise ship, with a mix of included meals, many featuring local dishes.

In Beijing you visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, walk the Great Wall at Badaling and enjoy a tea ceremony at the Summer Palace. A high-speed train takes you to Xi'an for the Terracotta Army and a walk on the city wall.

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In Chengdu you meet the pandas at a research centre and sip tea in People's Park, then board a cruise down the Yangtze through the Three Gorges, with a boat trip on the Goddess Stream and a visit to the Three Gorges Dam. Suzhou's gardens and canals and Shanghai's Bund round off the trip.

The physical rating is medium. This tour suits first-time visitors who want China's highlights with everything arranged.

Trip highlights

  • The Forbidden City (Day 3)
  • The Great Wall (Day 4)
  • The Terracotta Army (Day 6)
  • Giant pandas in Chengdu (Day 8)
  • The Three Gorges by cruise ship (Days 9–11)
  • Shanghai's Bund (Day 14)

Your route

9 stops from Beijing to Shanghai

15-day route: Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu – Yangtze River – Suzhou – Shanghai
  1. Beijing Days 1–4
  2. Great Wall of China Day 4
  3. Xi'an Days 5–6
  4. Chengdu Days 7–8
  5. Chongqing Day 9
  6. Fengdu Day 10
  7. Three Gorges Dam Day 11
  8. Suzhou Day 12
  9. Shanghai Days 13–15

Why choose this tour

Flights, trains and a river cruise included. China's main sights in one trip.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to China
  • History lovers
  • Travellers who prefer everything arranged
  • Solo travellers
The Forbidden City in Beijing from above

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Beijing, China to Shanghai, China

  1. Day 1 · UK Fly to China

    Fly to Beijing.

    Hotel
    Overnight flight
  2. Day 2 · Beijing Beijing

    Welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven Beijing

    Imperial Beijing.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Great Wall at Badaling, Qianmen Street Beijing

    The Great Wall.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Summer Palace, Xi'an Xi'an

    Tea and a fast train.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Terracotta Army, Muslim Quarter Xi'an

    The Terracotta Army.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Xi'an City Wall, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Chengdu Chengdu

    The city wall.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Panda Research Centre, People's Park, Kuanzhai Alley Chengdu

    Pandas and tea.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Wenshu Temple, Chongqing Yangtze River

    Board the cruise.

    Hotel
    River cruise ship
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Mount Shuanggui, Fengdu Yangtze River

    On the Yangtze.

    Hotel
    River cruise ship
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Three Gorges, Goddess Stream Yangtze River

    The Three Gorges.

    Hotel
    River cruise ship
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · Three Gorges Dam, Suzhou Suzhou

    The dam and Suzhou.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  13. Day 13 · Lingering Garden, Suzhou canals, Shanghai Shanghai

    Gardens and canals.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  14. Day 14 · Oriental Pearl Tower, The Bund, Nanjing Road Shanghai

    Shanghai.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  15. Day 15 · Shanghai Fly home

    Fly home.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an

Where you stay

  • Beijing (3 nights) Hotel
  • Xi'an (2 nights) Hotel
  • Chengdu (2 nights) Hotel
  • Yangtze River (3 nights) River cruise ship
  • Suzhou (1 night) Hotel
  • Shanghai (2 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Return flights from the UK
  • Accommodation 10 hotel nights and 3 nights on board
  • Meals 13 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners
  • Four high-speed train journeys
  • Three-night Yangtze cruise with excursions
  • Great Wall, Terracotta Army and panda centre
  • Tour director and local guides

Not included

  • Meals not included 5 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Optional excursions and shows
  • Drinks beyond one with included meals
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Cruise ships on the Yangtze near the Three Gorges Dam

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a small group
  • You want free time to wander
  • You dislike early starts
  • You want an active holiday

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 3–15 · Lunch: Days 3, 5, 7–8, 10 and 12–14 · Dinner: Days 2–3, 5 and 7–11
A giant panda resting in Chengdu

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,572 per person, including flights. 47 upcoming departures.

Flights from UK airports.

12 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,622pp
Flights from UK airports
02 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,854pp
Flights from UK airports
03 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,572pp
Flights from UK airports
06 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,662pp
Flights from UK airports
07 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,662pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,662pp
Flights from UK airports
14 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,662pp
Flights from UK airports
20 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,662pp
Flights from UK airports
21 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,662pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Sept 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,991pp
Flights from UK airports
01 Nov 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,955pp
Flights from UK airports
08 Nov 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,955pp
Flights from UK airports
08 May 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,499pp
Flights from UK airports
14 May 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,588pp
Flights from UK airports
15 May 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,499pp
Flights from UK airports
22 May 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,499pp
Flights from UK airports
28 May 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,454pp
Flights from UK airports
10 Sept 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,454pp
Flights from UK airports
17 Sept 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,454pp
Flights from UK airports
08 Oct 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,499pp
Flights from UK airports
22 Oct 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,588pp
Flights from UK airports
29 Oct 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,454pp
Flights from UK airports
05 Nov 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,467pp
Flights from UK airports
12 Nov 2028 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,337pp
Flights from UK airports
08 Apr 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
09 Apr 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
16 Apr 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
06 May 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
07 May 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
13 May 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
14 May 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
20 May 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
27 May 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
28 May 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
03 Jun 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,859pp
Flights from UK airports
04 Jun 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,859pp
Flights from UK airports
11 Jun 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,859pp
Flights from UK airports
17 Jun 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,778pp
Flights from UK airports
18 Jun 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,778pp
Flights from UK airports
02 Sept 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
09 Sept 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
10 Sept 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
07 Oct 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
14 Oct 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
28 Oct 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,994pp
Flights from UK airports
04 Nov 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,859pp
Flights from UK airports
11 Nov 2029 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£4,778pp
Flights from UK airports

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for China?

UK citizens can currently visit China visa-free for short stays; check the latest rules before travel.

Are flights included?

Yes, return flights from the UK to Beijing and from Shanghai.

How does the group travel?

By high-speed train, coach and a three-night Yangtze cruise.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast daily plus several lunches and dinners, many of them local specialities.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement may be available; otherwise solo travellers share with someone of the same gender.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From, incl. flights £3,572
See dates & prices