A value tour with premium destinations this itinerary serves as the perfect basis to create a tailor-made China tour. Discover one of human history's most enduring and fascinating cultures, this tour will explore the highlights of China. Start in Beijing at the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings, the Forbidden City was home to 24 successive emperors. Centuries of royalty has endowed treasures like the Temple of Heaven, Ming Tombs, and the spectacular Great Wall of China. Explore the marvelous Summer Palace and archtectural wonder of the Temple of Heaven admist a culturally vibrant park. Transfer to Xian by overnight express train on comfy sleeper bed to experience the ancient first capital of the empire with the magnificent terracotta army protecting the tomb of the emperor. Fly to Guilin and cruise the Li as it winds through the thousands of local limestone mountains (Karsts) to the village of Yangshuo. Finish in the vibrant city of Shanghai, a symbol of the modern economic emergence of the world's largest nation. Includes internal airfare, deluxe lunches per itinerary, private vehicle transfers, expert English-speaking guides, activities and entrance fees.

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary uses normal Soft Sleeper trains. Ask about an upgrade to a private 2-person berth.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

The Holiday Inn EXPRESS Temple of Heaven has a great location near historic landmarks such as the Temple of Heaven, Liulichang Antiques street and Huguang Guild Hall (for Peking Opera). It is about 5 minutes to the nearest subway station and only 10 minutes to both Tiananmen Square and the Wangfujing shopping street. Opened in late 2007 this simple but modern hotel boasts clean well designed rooms with amenities such as 32-inch LCD televisions and free WI-FI, a great choice for the savvy traveler.

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.

Full day guided tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven with a deluxe lunch (is in the price included). Tiananmen Square was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and stretches a vast 440,000 square meters. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. The Summer Palace occupies an area of 294 hectares (726.5 acres), three quarters of which is water. Classically designed as an archetypal Chinese garden, it is ranked amongst the most noted gardens of the world and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1998. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Overnight at Holiday Inn Express Temple of Heaven.

Full day guided tour of the Great Wall at Badaling, about 50 miles north of Beijing at the highest point of Guan'gou gorge. The wall of Badaling has a total length of 3,741 meters with an average height of 8 meters. The top of the wall can permit five horses to be ridden abreast. Includes lunch at local restaurant. Drive to the Ming Tombs - the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums and necropolis are notable for their palatial architecture. Originally built as the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di and his empresses; The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built closely nearby in a grand complex. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy a transfer to/from train station with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Board your overnight train bound for Xi'an. Choose either the standard soft sleeper, which is a cabin of 4 berths (two upper bunks, two lower bunks) or opt for the private 2 person berth (two lower bunks only). Comfortable bedding and good quality pillows are provided. Each bunk is equipped with a small reading lamp. Temperature controls are installed alongside the door. Generally speaking, the facilities include a clothes rack, slippers, clothes brush, stainless steel thermos, fine porcelain teacup, a trash can and wall socket. Travel time is roughly 11-13 hours.

Train station to hotel or hotel to train station transfer by private car with professional tour guide. Enjoy a full day private guided city tour with the first stop on as the Terra Cotta Army. Discovered accidentally in 1974, this incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin's tomb since 210BC. Each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits which are protected inside huge hangars. Continuing with the tour is another visit to the Ancient City Wall. The walls, ramparts, gates and watchtowers from one of the oldest and most complete city defences are still around. Built in the 13th century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city centre you can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 14km circuit, with great views of the city on either side. The last leg of the tour is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. A major Buddhist site, the simple, elegant brick Pagoda stands in the grounds of the attractive Da Ci'en Temple. The Pagoda was built in the 7th century to house the Buddhist materials that Xuanzang (Tripitaka) brought back from his epic journey to India. The Temple complex has several large halls with some great Buddhist statues and murals.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price).

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.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide. Relax on your late afternoon direct flight to Guilin. Avail of an organised Airport transfer by private car with a professional tour guide in Guilin.

Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel is a local landmark and 5-star hotel in Guilin that we would call the current 2nd best hotel in the city and a reasonable 4-star property. It has a waterfall that rushes down the exterior each evening and is located in the heart of one of Guilin's better dining and walking areas. The hotel features 646 rooms, Chinese restaurant, Western restaurant, Japanese-Korean restaurant, Four-season hotpot restaurant, and 20 private dining rooms. A stable-temperature indoor swimming pool, roof-top garden fitness center, and a set of sauna rooms.

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.

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). Overnight at Lijiang Waterfall Hotel.

Avail of an organised Airport transfer by private car with a professional tour guide in Guilin. Enjoy a direct flight between Guilin and Shanghai. Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide.

The Marriot run Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan (5*) is a modern and luxurious property located adjacent to the Yuyuan Gardens and old quarter of downtown Shanghai. With a top-notch spa, 340 contemporary rooms and suites offering breathtaking views across the Shanghai city skyline and a central location within reasonable distance both to Shanghai's traditional attractions and the EXPO 2010 site this hotels offers a great luxury to value proposition well-suited to any trip.

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.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel. Overnight at Renaissance Shanghai Yuyuan (5*).

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). Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from Shanghai international airport - end of itinerary.