Based on the tour designed for actor Blair Underwood and his family and fine tuned for an outdoor enthusiasts, this adventure features the premiere four destinations of China with special family-friendly touches like Tai Chi lessons, Kung Fu shows, cooking classes, biking trips and even rock climbing on the famous mountains near the Li River.

Start in Beijing with the Forbidden City, once home to 24 successive emperors and the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings. Visit the historical treasures endowed to Beijing through centuries of royalty including the Temple of Heaven and the spectacular Great Wall of China. Wander the ancient alleys, hand cook lunch with a local family in a traditional home, explore the architectural wonder of the Olympic Green, modern creativity of the art district and start a morning off with Tai Chi under the Temple of Heaven.

From Beijing travel to the ancient capital Xian to witness the magnificent terracotta warriors protecting the tomb of the emperor, the marvelous neolithic site of Banpo and discover the Tang Dynasty through a dinner show before getting intimate with China's most intact city wall by circumnavigating it on bicycle.

Fly to Guilin to experience China's rural culture while you cruise the Li as it winds through the thousands of local limestone mountains (Karsts) to the village of Yangshuo. Watch the 500-person Liu San Jie evening performance, designed by Oscar winning Zhang Yi Mou as part of his Olympic preparations, and explore the otherwordly countryside together as a family by bike with opportunities to try rock climbing and preparing local fare in a boutique cooking school. From Yangshuo leave the road network behind exploring the rice terraces of the Longsheng highlands on ancient footpaths linking up Yao and Zhuang villages while resting at perhaps China's most unique boutique accommodation, the Li An Lodge.

Finish in the ecclectic and vibrant city of Shanghai, a symbol of the modern economic emergence of the world's largest nation and host of the 2010 World's Fair. A mix of old and new. Includes internal airfare, deluxe lunches per itinerary, private vehicle transfers, expert English-speaking guides, activities and entrance fees.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

The Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is a modern oasis, right in the heart of Beijing's bustling cultural, commercial, business and entertainment center. With its superb location, spacious facilities and personalized service, the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is the ideal choice for both business and leisure guests. All guestrooms feature Western décor, earth tone colors, dark wood-edge finishes, and are furnished with lounge chairs in sandstone colors, wooden desks, TV cabinets, and climate-controlled air-conditioning. The fitness center features panoramic views of the city and has a sauna, steam room, and massage facilities.

Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

Private full day tour to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the hutong areas with lunch (is in the price included). Tiananmen square is the biggest square in the world, its south is the Forbidden City, called Gu Gong in Chinese, was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now known as the Palace Museum, it is to the north of Tiananmen Square. Rectangular in shape, it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. Surrounded by a six meter deep moat and a ten meter high wall are 9,999 rooms. The word "hutong" originates from "hottog" which means "well" in Mongolian, and means a lane or alley - or in fact the passage formed by lines of siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard) where old Beijing residents live. Beijing's hutongs are inequable ranging from a few feet to over 30 feet wide. The longest has more than 20 turns, though most have a slant, half turn, or are cul-de-sacs "blind hutongs". The gray-tiled houses and identical criss-crossing deep alleys give you the impression of being in a maze - fun to walk through, but be careful not to get lost. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy a private deluxe dinner at a fine local restaurant, then settle into your VIP seats for the Legend of KongFu Show, featuring a group of the best Kung Fu practitioners of China. Overnight at Park Plaza (Wangfujing).

You will be picked up by private car and English speaking guide for a tour of the Great Wall at MuTianYu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. En route, pass by the site of the Olympic Green to view the grandeur of the site and architectural wonder of buildings like the "Cube" and the "Bird's Nest". The extent of access to the Olympic area depends on the status on post-Olympic development but currently includes access inside the buildings. Lunch is included Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Park Plaza (Wangfujing).

Enjoy the direct flight from Beijing to Xi'an. Combine ancient and modern creativity with this private guided tour of the Temple of heaven and Dashanzi Arts District. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. The most magnificent buildings are The Circular Mound Altar (Yuanqiutan), Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) - which are connected by a wide bridge called the Sacred Way. The temple is surrounded by a park which is a popular meeting point for local people to recreate (in every imaginable way every morning and is often considered a highlight of visiting the temple) - on this tour we join the locals through a private Tai Qi session. Drive to the Dashanzi Art District, home of Beijing's vibrant and emerging modern art community. Centred around the 1950's factory now known as Space 798, this area is a wonderful place to explore both for art lovers and those seeking to discover some of the modern creativity emerging in Beijing. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide. Enjoy your VIP seats at the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with private car transfers. At each performance there are over 100 artists who entertain with a colorful spectacle of dance and music symbolizing the splendor of the Tang Dynasty, regarded as the most progressive and prosperous era of Imperial China.

The Grand Mercure Xian on Renmin Square is housed in a low-rise heritage building built in 1957 on the sprawling grounds of Renmin Square Xian. With a Sino-Russian style façade fronting lush gardens, the structure is a charming blend of old, classic architecture and modern, sophisticated facilities including a stunning grand lobby. Complementing its charming ambience, Grand Mercure is a boutique hotel offering guests personalized service. Its rooms and suites are decked in contemporary Oriental décor in rich fabrics and are well equipped with complete amenities for a comfortable, convenient stay. It features a breakfast buffet restaurant and lounge; and guests have access to other facilities and services offered at its nearby sister hotel, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square.

Xi'an was the capital of China's first emperor whose tomb is guarded by the world famous terracotta warriors.

Train station to hotel or hotel to train station transfer by private car with professional tour guide. Take a full day private guided tour of the Terra Cotta Army, Banpo Museum and the Buddhist Wild Goose Pagoda with a deluxe lunch. China's greatest archaeological excavation - over 7,000 terra cotta life size warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty (246-209 BC). The Neolithic Banpo Village has nearly 10,000 production tools and the remains of 45 houses on display. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Grand Mercure on Renmin Square.

Relax on your late afternoon direct flight to Guilin. Half day private guided city tour. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre, experience the full 14km circuit of China's most intact city wall with great views of the city on either side. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Avail of an organised Airport transfer by private car with a professional tour guide in Guilin. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Ideally located alongside the Li River lies the five-star Sheraton Guilin Hotel. Guilin has been an inspiration to Chinese poets and artists throughout the centuries and the hotel sits in the heart of this enchanting city. The hotel includes 430 guest rooms, including 19 suites. Facilities at the hotel include a pool and fitness center, and there is a golf course nearby.

Guilin is situated in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery.

Your baggage will be transported separately from Guilin to Yangshuo while on you enjoy a cruise down the Li River. Relax on a full day Li River Cruise with a deluxe lunch (is in the price included). The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst peaks surprise and delight at each bend of the limpid river under the blue sky. Water buffalo patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. The river trip is over eighty kilometers (52 miles) long and is estimated to take seven to eight hours with lunch on board. The eye-feasting landscape and country scenery will never disappoint you. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the Li River is one of China's top destinations. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy a Deluxe local dinner followed by the Sister Liu Show (regular seats). This spectacle was created by the Oscar winning Zhang Yimou and presents the local culture through a cavalcade of lights and cast of 500 using a private bay as the theatre and local mountains as the backdrop.

The Li River Retreat is located about a 20 minute walk north of Yangshuo in an isolated location overlooking the Li River. While there are more conveniently located hotels in the area, this is in fact the absolute best located to enjoy a scenic panorama of the local topography while still being able to get to town. The rooms are simple yet spacious, clean and well appointed. The owners are some of the friendliest people in Yangshuo and serve some of the finest local and international fare in the area.

Yangshuo lies in the northeast of Guangxi Province and to the southeast of Guilin City along the banks of the scenic Li River. The special geography gives it breath-taking beauty while over 1,400 years of history bless it with a cultural diversity coupled with a modern day cosmopolitan style as an outdoor adventure mecca.

Experience the local karst scenery at your own pace while exploring the villages and rice farms of the Dragon River area by bike, stop en route to enjoy lunch next to one of the cliff in this world world-famous rock climbing destination. Get your adrenalin flowing and experience a different view of these unique rock formations under the expert supervision and instruction of internationally trained rock climbing guides. Finish the day at a charming rural farmhouse professionally converted into a gourmet cooking school where you will finish your lesson enjoying the fruits of your labour. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). Overnight at Rural: Li River Retreat .

Transfer to/from Longsheng for an overnight experience. Transfer includes private guided tour with a deluxe lunch on the way. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).

The Li-An lodge is a unique facility in a traditional Longsheng wooden building, perched on a mountain side. The Lodge is located in Long Sheng County and is about 50 miles northwest of Guilin; roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive. Due to the lodge’s exclusive location, a half-hour uphill hike is required before one can actually reach it. Porters are available to relieve some burden and sedans can provide one with a ride. Each of the 16 rooms is artistically unique and built in traditional Chinese architectural style, offering all the western amenities. Dine on Chinese specialties or western dishes and have a drink at the bar. Lounge around the hotel, enjoy a photography showing and embark on a guided walking tour, highlighting beautiful scenic spots.

The spectacularly terraced rice paddies 90km northwest of Guilin cling impossibly to sheer hillsides. The most famous section is called "Dragon's Backbone", with the terraced rice paddies like the shining scales of the dragon down the steep slopes. Lush bamboo groves and small hillside villages show off the rich culture of the Zhuang and Yao people.

Enjoy a direct flight between Guilin and Shanghai. Transfer to/from Longsheng for an overnight experience. Transfer includes private guided tour with a deluxe lunch on the way. The spectacularly terraced rice paddies 90km northwest of Guilin have become a popular destination. The most famous section is called "Dragon's Backbone", with the terraced rice paddies like the shining scales of the dragon down the steep slopes. Lush bamboo groves and small hillside villages show off the rich culture of the Zhuang and Yao people. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

The Astor House Hotel, also known as the Pujiang Hotel, opened in 1846 as China's first International Hotel. With an illustrious history serving guests such as Albert Einstein and hostong China's first use of electricity, this hotel offers a rare immersion in the history of Shanghai. Located right on the historic Bund, overlooking the river, the hotel has 130 luxurious guestrooms, including three types of suites with modern amenities. Though renovations have updated the amenities, the hotel maintains is original architecture. Richard restaurant serves international dishes and Shanghai specialties, while the bar is an ideal place to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail. Discover the exciting city of Shanghai, with the historic Astor House Hotel as your base.

Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

Experience a full day private guided tour of Shanghai taking in the Shanghai Museum, Urban Planning Museum, Nanjing Rd, Bund, a cruise on the Huangpu and the views from the Oriental Pearl Tower. The museum is a veritable treasure house of ancient Chinese art and houses 120,000 precious relics. Bronzes, pottery, paintings and calligraphies are distinctive features of the Museum's collection. The nearby Urban Planning Hall is a fun and informative introduction to the exciting city that Shanghai past and future. Strolling down Nanjing Rd, once listed as one of the most interesting in the world, you will arrive at the historic Bund. Enjoy a cruise on the Huangpud river that divides old Shanghai from the futuristic Pudong before venturing across the river for a trip up the Oriental Pearl Tower to view the city from above. Much of this tour is best done by foot. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Astor Hotel .

Transfer from central Shanghai with a driver, and English-speaking Guide to the Maglev station in Pudong from where you can complete your airport transfer in about 8 minutes at speeds of over 400 km/h. (Warning - involves a little walking).

Depart from Shanghai international airport - end of itinerary.