China Uncovered

Fly to Beijing, China's historical 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, where you will discover the magnificence of the Forbidden City and find a complex full of imperial treasures. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow alleys of the warren-like hutongs and learn more about living in this traditional area. In the evening, sit down to enjoy the local delicacy, 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 the sheer magnificence of the wall and the dramatic scenery that surrounds it. Visit a jade factory, where you will be able to buy a small handcrafted piece. Jade is revered throughout China and is said to bring fortune and prosperity to those who wear it. Spend the afternoon at the idyllic Summer Palace, strolling through traditional Chinese gardens and seeing the exquisite architecture.

Travel by bullet train to Xian, China's ancient former capital. Take a walking tour of the narrow and winding streets of the lively Muslim Quarter, a street food haven, and gain an insight into the city's fascinating culture and significance as the start of the Silk Road. In the evening, enjoy a dumpling feast and Tang Dynasty dancing show.

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 these life-size warriors and visit the Xian Art Ceramics and Lacquer Workshop. Later, take a stroll on the beautifully preserved ancient city walls that enclose Xian's old town, and stop by a local brewery to quench your thirst with some beer tastings.

Fly to the scenic city of Guilin and later, discover the colourful stalagmites and stalactites of the Reed Flute Cave.

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 peaks loom over rural scenes of lush greenery, grazing buffalo and local fishermen.

Yangshuo sits in an exquisite rural location, surrounded by landscapes of emerald-green paddy fields and dramatic limestone karsts. Start the morning with a Tai Chi lesson followed by a tour of the countryside. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Take a bullet train to Chongqing, a futuristic city where tradition meets innovation. Spend the afternoon at one of the city's top hot spring resorts, relaxing in the naturally heated pools. Alternatively, explore the bustling Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, home to department stores, designer boutiques, street food stalls, and entertainment.

Travel to Dazu, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dazu Rock Carvings. Here, you'll find thousands of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist idols and symbols carved into rock faces over 70 sites. Made between the 9th and 13th centuries, they are some of the best preserved in China. In the evening, watch the Glamorous Drone Show, where over 5,000 drones illuminate the city and night sky in a dazzling display of colour and precision.

Start the day seeing one of China's most beloved icons, the Giant Panda, at Chongqing Zoo's Panda House. Next, wander the charming cobble stone streets of Ciqikou, lined with teahouses, craft shops and tempting snacks. Continue to Liziba Intersection, where metro trains famously glide straight through a residential high-rise – a striking example of the city's creative blend of innovation and urban design. Later, board your Yangtze River Cruise, home for the next three nights.

Cruise along the mighty Yangtze River. Relax onboard or disembark to explore the elegant pavilions of Mount Shuanggui and view the impressive cliff brush writings by Song Dynasty calligraphers.

Prepare for breathtaking vistas as you enter the Three Gorges and pass through Wu and Qutang gorges. Wu gorge is known for its quiet beauty, forest-covered mountains, and sheer cliffs, while Qutang Gorge is the shortest, narrowest, and most dramatic gorge. Take a relaxing cruise along the Goddess Stream in a smaller vessel.

Visit the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Appreciate the scale of this hydroelectric project from the viewing area and visit the small museum. Disembark your Yangtze River Cruise and drive to Zhangjiajie where you will spend the next three days exploring this incredible UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Begin the day with a ride in the remarkable Bailong glass elevator. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in as little as two minutes! Soak up the amazing views of the 'First Bridge under the Sun' and Hallelujah Mountain. Continue to Emperor Mountain and Helong Park before taking a cable car down. End the day aboard a sightseeing train through the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery, a scenic route winding beneath the sandstone pillars.

Discover Zhangjiajie’s breathtaking Grand Canyon today. Prepare for an exhilarating walk across the iconic Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge spanning 430 metres over the canyon below. Then, cruise through the turquoise waters along the base of the gorge at Rainbow Lake, a peaceful contrast to the thrill of the bridge. This evening, see the 72 Strange Buildings of Qilou.

Soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain in China's longest cable car, a 7-kilometre journey taking approximately 40-minutes. Atop the Mountain, marvel at Tianmen Cave, nicknamed 'Heaven's Door', standing proudly at the top of 999 steep steps and take a thrilling walk along a glass skywalk, aptly named the 'Walk of Faith'. Then transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Shanghai.

Today we visit the peaceful Yu Gardens and the atmospheric alleys of the old town. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the historical waterfront Bund, before visiting a silk mill. Next, head to the top of Jin Mao tower for incredible views of the city. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise and get a taste for Shanghainese cuisine at your farewell dinner.

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