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Price Guide
14 Nights - £4,795pp

Flight Inclusive Price from UK

Tour Info
  • International flights from the UK
  • Domestic flights
  • All taxes
  • 14 nights accommodation
  • Breakfast & some other meals
  • All transfers
  • Tours with a private car, driver and guide
  • Shore excursions from cruise
  • Based on 2019 - 20 prices

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China in Style

Yangtze River

Yangtze River

City Walls at Xian

City Walls at Xian

Great Wall

Great Wall

Shanghai

Shanghai

Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Temple of Heaven, Beijing

 

China in Style

Enjoy an exciting luxury tour of China covering Beijing, the Great Wall, Xian and the Terracotta Warriors, a luxury Yangtze River Cruise, Hangzhou, Shanghai & Suzhou.

This China in Style itinerary is based on staying in some of the very best luxury boutique hotels in China with a lot included but also some time to slow the pace down, including a relaxing Yangtze cruise.

Begin in Beijing with the main sights plus a full day tour to a quieter section of the Great Wall.

From Beijing head to Xian at the start of the Silk Road and see the famous Terracotta Warriors and experience how Central Asia has influenced this region of China.

Experience cruising on the mighty Yangtze River aboard the luxurious and intimate Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer.

Finally head to Eastern China and discover Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou with their diverse distinctly Chinese attractions.

Excursions on this trip are all on a private basis with the exception of shore excursions from the Yangtze River Cruise.

As with all of our China holidays, this China in style journey can be customized to suit your interests, budget and preferred hotels.

Inclusions

  • International flights from the UK
  • Accommodation with breakfast
  • All airport transfers by private car
  • Private car, driver and guide on excursions
  • Entrance Fees

Accommodation

  • 3 nights Beijing
  • 2 nights Xian
  • 1 night Chongqing
  • 3 nights Sanctuary Yangtse Cruise
  • 2 nights Hangzhou
  • 3 nights Shanghai

Excursions

  • Full day tour Beijing - Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square
  • Full day tour Great Wall, Art  District
  • Full day tour Beijing - Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven
  • Full day tour Xian
  • Full day tour Terracotta Warriors
  • Full Day Hangzhou Tour
  • Full Day Shanghai Tour
  • Full Day Suzhou Tour

Day 1: Fly UK to Beijing

Overnight flight UK to Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel with the rest of the day at leisure in Beijing.

Overnight Beijing.

Day 3: Beijing

Enjoy a full day privately guided tour of Beijing.

Visit Tiananmen Square and prepare to be overwhelmed by the sheer size of one of the world’s largest public squares.

Pass several monuments, including Chairman Mao’s mausoleum on the way to the entrance the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City was completed in 1420, and was home to 24 emperors, the last of which left Beijing in 1924.

Stroll through what is arguably the best-preserved example of classical Chinese architecture in the world.

Enjoy an easy walk up Jingshan Hill, for a birds-eye view of the Forbidden City.

Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch, recapture the feeling of Beijing’s past from the wooden seat of a traditional rickshaw, and visit a local family’s courtyard home along the way during a tour of Beijing's traditional Hutong district.

Overnight Beijing. Breakfast & Lunch included.

Day 4: Beijing

Enjoy a full Day Tour to the Great Wall.

The Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world.

Explore the much quieter Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which was first begun in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557) and finished in the 17th century.

The 2.5-km stretch of the Wall allows you to walk along its storied length for over an hour and visit twenty-two watchtowers, should you so choose.

Also enjoy a cable car ride to the top.

Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

On the way back, pay a visit to this art district of Beijing where Maoist slogans still adorn the walls, to experience a different side of Beijing.

Once a complex that manufactured electronics, Factory Number 798 was divided, rented out, and converted into galleries, artist studios, design companies, restaurants and bars at the turn of the 20th century.

Overnight Beijing. Breakfast included.

Day 5: Beijing - Xian

Enjoy a morning tour to Beijing's Summer Palace.

The Summer Palace is one of the largest and most well-preserved imperial gardens in the world.

In the 18th century, Emperor Qianlong enlarged and embellished it, only to abandon it a few years later.

The grounds today are stunning, as is the lovely Kunming Lake, which occupies more than three quarters of the total area.

Enjoy a boat ride before walking the Long Corridor, a 728-metre  hall featuring 8,000 paintings collected by the Emperor during his travels around the country.

Return to your hotel to freshen up and have some lunch (not included). Check out of your hotel and enjoy an afternoon tour of the Temple of Heaven.

This tranquil park where the Temple of Heaven is located is a favourite stop for visitors to Beijing, as it provides an authentic look into local life - it's a great place to people watch.

On any given day, you're likely to see enthusiastic groups of Beijingers practicing Tai Chi, playing traditional instruments or singing Peking Opera.

The grounds consist of a sequence of buildings and altars set in beautiful groves of cypress trees.

Learn more about the fascinating history behind this massive, circular structure and see local life unfold before your eyes in this very special visit to the Temple of Heaven.

Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Xian, where you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Overnight Xian. Breakfast included.

Day 6: Xian

Enjoy a day tour to the Terracotta Warriors.

One of the world’s greatest archaeological finds, the Terracotta Warriors were discovered quite by chance in 1974 by a group of peasants digging a well outside of Xian.

These sculptures of soldiers, chariots and horses were funerary statues made to accompany China’s first emperor to the afterlife over 2,100 years ago.

Legend has it that it took 100,000 men 38 years to create the soldiers, which all vary in rank, posture, height, uniform and facial features. 

Spend the morning on a visit to the Terracotta Warriors and after lunch transfer back to Xian.

Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Chongqing where you will be met and  transferred to your chosen hotel.

Overnight: Chongqing
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 7: Xian

Today enjoy a full day tour of Old Xian.

The city walls of Xian are some of the oldest and best preserved in all of China, dating back to the 2nd century BC, when Xian was the capital of the country.

The existing walls were completed in 1370, and are about 14 km in length and are still surrounded by a deep moat to this day.

The Small Wild Goose Pagoda was built in 707 and was named after the already existing Big Wild Goose Pagoda, due to its remarkable likeness.

In the lower level of the pagoda, explore the precious artifacts and historical objects housed inside the Xian Museum.

Enjoy a traditional Dumpling lunch at De Fa Chang and head on to see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD during the Tang dynasty and housing some of the most important Buddhist figurines in China.

Xian's Hui ethnic group trace their roots back to Persian and Arabic traders, who settled here at the eastern end of the Silk Road.

Stroll through this unique and fascinating area of the city, and see how Central Asia has influenced the development of Mainland China.

Visit the Great Mosque and the 300-year-old Gaoyue Song Folk House where you can enjoy a local shadow puppet show.

Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Chongqing where you will be met and  transferred to your chosen hotel.

Overnight: Chongqing
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included

Day 8: Yangtze Cruise

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Chongqing before being transferred to board your Yangtze River Cruise on Sanctuary Cruises luxury Yangzi Explorer.

Sanctuary Cruises offer the highest level of luxury on the Yangtze with 38 deluxe cabins, 20 suites and 4 specialty suites, all with air con, en-suites and private balconies. Cabins are the largest on the river and the crew to passenger ratio is 1:1.

Carrying just 124 passengers, compared to the 300 plus accommodated on other Yangtze cruise ships, the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer offers the finest and most personalised service on the river.

On-board facilities include a-la-carte dining, a luxury spa, an observation deck, 24-hour room service, a two-floor theatre, library, and beauty and fitness facilities.

Set sail in the afternoon and maybe join your fellow guests in the Explorer Bar where large windows allow you to enjoy the night-time city-scape of Chongqing

Overnight: On Board
Meals: All Meals included

Day 9: Yangtze Cruise

Early risers can start each morning with  Tai Chi on the deck. This traditional martial art has been practiced for centuries and with proven health and well-being benefits it's the perfect way to start your day.

After breakfast visit the ancient river town of Fengdu where you’ll get a unique glimpse into some of China’s most remote communities. Choose between exploring the Ghost City's shrines, temples and monasteries or meet the residents of modern Fengdu, including a visit to a local market.

Back on board, take part in a range of demonstrations including Chinese reflexology, snuff bottle painting and a traditional tea ceremony. There will also be a selection of lectures: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese 101 and Pearls of the World.

This evening, join the Captain's welcome reception before enjoying a delicious a-la-carte dinner.

Overnight: On Board
Meals: All meals included

Day 10: Yangtze Cruise

Today is all about the striking Three Gorges; Qutang, Wu and Xiling. As the Yangzi Explorer sails through each gorge, head to the Explorer Deck to listen to commentary to discover the myths and facts that make each gorge unique.

Join this morning's lecture, The Magic of Silk Embroidery, followed by a unique ride along the Shennong Stream on a sampan - a traditional longboat rowed by expert Tujia boatmen.

Floating through this stunning riverine gorge flanked by verdant forest, you’ll see evidence of early settlements in the form of hanging coffins stowed high within the limestone cliffs.

This evening sail through the Three Gorges Dam Ship locks before a farewell dinner, 'A Taste of China'.

Overnight: On Board
Meals: All meals included

Day 11: Hangzhou

After breakfast, arrive at the Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Centre.

The dam is the largest and most expensive engineering project in the world.

While the dam's 32 generators will produce enough clean energy to reduce China's reliance on coal, the project has also caused much controversy.

During construction there was severe flooding, causing the submerging of 13 cities, 140 towns, 1,352 villages, over 600 industrial factories and more than 1,200 archaeological projects, as well as the resettling of 1.2 million people.

Disembark the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer at around midday and transfer to the airport for your late afternoon flight to Hangzhou where you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Overnight: Hangzhou
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 12: Hangzhou

In the morning visit Lingyin Temple, founded in 328 AD and one of the largest Buddhist temples in China.

Between the 10th and 14th centuries, monks carved over three hundred Buddha statues into the peak of the mountain in front of the temple.

Wind your way through the rocky crags and caves to explore the hundreds of stone statues dating back to the 10th through 14th centuries.

At the southwestern end of the West Lake lies the Dragon Well Village. See tea leaves at various stages of being processed; cut, sorted and dried, before being packaged to be shipped and sold as one of China’s finest green teas.

Enjoy lunch before taking a cruise on beautiful West Lake,  passing numerous temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, islands, and ornamental trees on this lake which has inspired artists and landscape designers over the centuries.

Overnight: Hangzhou
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 13: Hangzhou - Shanghai

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Hangzhou.

After lunch you will be collected in the early afternoon and transferred by private car from Hangzhou to your chosen hotel in Shanghai.

The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore a bit of Shanghai on your own if you prefer.

For the evening we suggest drinks and dinner in one of the hotels along the Bund to experience a bit of 'old-style' Shanghai.

Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 14: Shanghai

Enjoy a full day tour of Shanghai, visiting some of the most important landmarks and locations in Shanghai, including the Jade Buddha Temple, the Bund, Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai Old Street, the French Concession and Xintiandi.

The Jade Buddha Temple is an active temple, with 70 resident monks, and the centerpiece is a sitting Buddha carved out of white jade and encrusted with jewels, measuring over two meters tall and rumored to weigh over 1000 kilograms.

From the Jade Buddha, head over to the Yu Yuan Gardens, a classic creation of the Ming Dynasty. Nearby is Shanghai Old Street which had its origins in the Qing Dynasty.

After a Shanghainese lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Bund, Shanghai's waterfront, known for its grand display of colonial-era architecture and the wonderful views of both sides of the Huangpu River.

Visit Xintiandi, a stylish nightlife district with many boutiques, pubs, and restaurants and on to Shanghai's Art District. Xintiandi is a good place to return to for dinner this evening.

Finally visit the Shikumen Open House Museum, a well-preserved Shikumen house from the 1920's that displays furniture and articles for daily use during that time.

Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 15: Shanghai - Suzhou

Today enjoy a full day in Suzhou. You will be collected from your hotel by your driver and guide for a private excursion to Suzhou, one of China's famous water towns.

Visit the Garden of the Master of the Nets, the smallest of the Suzhou residential gardens, yet the most impressive because of its use of space and the feeling of tranquility and harmony that it instills on visitors.

After lunch visit the  Suzhou Institute of Embroidery and see some of the most valuable pieces of embroidery
ever made, including several priceless court gowns.

Finally visit the superb Suzhou Museum, itself an architectural masterpiece, containing over 15,000 ancient pieces in its collection, including paintings, ceramics & calligraphy.

Overnight: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included

Day 16: Shanghai - UK

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Day 17: UK

Arrive back in the UK.

The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer introduces a new standard of cruising in China - more intimate and luxurious.

With the largest cabins and suites on the river, all with private balconies, as well as the highest crew to passenger ratio on the river of 1:1, this is a Yangtze cruise unlike any other.

Carrying just 124 passengers, compared to the 300 plus accommodated on other cruise ships, the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer offers the finest and most personalised service on the river.

Onboard facilities include a la carte dining, a luxury spa, an observation deck, 24-hour room service, a two-floor theatre, library, and beauty and fitness facilities.

The ship also has the most spacious and indulgent spa on board any cruise vessel on the Yangtze.

The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer had a comprehensive refurbishment in 2018, to reflects a contemporary design whilst maintaining local Chinese influences.

  • Highest crew to passenger ratio on the river of 1:1
  • Largest cabins and suites on river, all with private balconies
  • Spacious spa with variety of treatments
  • Carefully planned itineraries with variety of on board activities and site visits
  • Personalised service due to smaller number of passengers than other boats

Cabins

The Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer has 38 deluxe cabins, 20 suite cabins and 4 specialty suites.

The new look cabins all offer a luxurious yet authentic feel.

The 20 suites and 38 deluxe cabins have all been upgraded in a contemporary Chinese style, with artwork, stylish textiles and soft furnishings and ‘silver-leaf’ wallpaper designs featuring a 'mudan', or peony, which is native to the Yangtze region.

The Celestial and Imperial Suites, which are the largest specialty suites have also been updated reflecting a Colonial Chinese design.

All cabins boast floor-to-ceiling windows providing access to private balconies with outdoor armchairs and coffee tables.

In addition to a choice of king or twin beds, connecting cabins are also available.

All cabins are equipped with private bathroom, hairdryer, safety deposit box, mini bar and LCD satellite television.

Deluxe Cabins (31 sq. m) are  the largest entry level cabins of their kind on the Yangtze River.

Each has its own private balcony. The deluxe cabin is fully equipped with LCD Satellite TV, electronic safe, mini bar and fridge.

Dining

Dining on board the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is your chance to savour traditional Chinese cooking at its finest.

With an a-la-carte menu and cooking lessons from our executive chef for all ages, you can enjoy and learn to cook local delicacies.

A team of internationally trained chefs and a well-stocked wine cellar ensure dining aboard the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is a superb experience.

Innovative a-la-carte menus featuring the finest of Chinese and continental cuisine, served with complimentary house wines, local beers and other refreshments at all lunches and dinners, are hallmarks of the Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer experience.

Is this a Private Tour or a Group Tour?

All of our China tours are private tailor made itineraries, customised for you - we can amend things to entirely suit you.

You will have your own private car, driver and English-speaking guide on excursions. Shore excursions from the Sanctuary Cruise are on a shared basis.

What are the departure dates?

Let us know your preferred dates of travel and we will find the best and most suitable flights to fit your itinerary.

As this is a private tour, there are no set departure dates other than those of the Sanctuary Yangzi Cruise. We can advise you on the best times of your to travel, and some times to avoid.

Which Airlines do you use?

We work with all the major airlines flying to China.

Typically for China, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Finnair and Air China would be airlines we often use.

However, just let us know your preferred airline if you have one. We can organise flights from any regional destination in the UK.

There are direct flights from the UK to a few destinations in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and of course Hong Kong.

Which Hotels do you use?

We're careful with our choice of hotels, but we're guided by our customers also. If you have some preferred hotels, just let us know.

We specialise in boutique hotels and so we will often suggest some of our favourite smaller hotels where we think these will be suitable.

China is a destination where large hotels predominate. These are geared for business and group travellers as the Chinese usually travel in groups. We try to suggest smaller more personal hotels where we can.

In China, staying in a traditional Courtyard style hotel for a night or two is a great option and something we recommend.

Bear in mind however that beds can sometimes be hard and comfort levels aren't always the same as they might be in a standard hotel.

We keep on top of hotel developments in China from our office in Vietnam and regularly inspect the hotels we use.

Do you cater for Solo Travellers & Families?

Yes, we have many solo travellers, and China is generally a very safe destination for those travelling alone.

China offers some great activities and sights for families, whatever the ages of the children.

How long have you been organising holidays to China?

We've been organising tailor made holidays to China and River Cruise Holidays to China for over 10 years.

Our team has a wealth of combined experience in the industry and our Director has been involved in organising holidays to China and beyond since the early 1990's.

Our partners on the ground in China have over 20 years experience in operating there. They are managed by a team of local people and expats, which we find is a combination which works very well indeed.

They understand China inside out and have a strong infrastructure of staff, guides and vehicles. We've had the same partnership in China for over 10 years.

How does your office in Vietnam help?

We have our own staff in Saigon, Vietnam which helps in many ways with our customers in the Far East.

It helps us to keep on top of any new hotel and travel developments in the region and forge stronger relationships with hotels and other partners.

We regularly do our own inspections of hotels and destinations in the region.

Should our clients need any assistance during a trip, we always have at least one of our own staff on the same time zone, and we're open 7 days a week in Saigon.

Deluxe Hotel Suggestions Beijing:

Opposite House
Peninsula
Hotel Eclat

Deluxe Hotel Suggestions Xian:

Sofitel on Renmin Square

Deluxe Hotel Suggestions Chonqing:

Westin Chongqing

Deluxe Hotel Suggestions Yangtze River:

Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer

Deluxe Hotel Suggestions Hangzhou:

Amanfayun
Banyan Tree HangzhouPark Hyatt

Deluxe Hotel Suggestions Shanghai:

88 Xintiandi
Indigo on the Bund
Peninsula
The Puli

14 nights China in Style - Deluxe:

  • Price from £4,795 pp

This is a guide price only, based on travel in low season.

Prices will vary according to choice of hotel and seasonal airfare and hotel surcharges. Please ask us for any current special offers.

All of our China Holidays are completely tailor-made and can be adjusted to suit your interests or budget.

Contact Us:

All of our China Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

Call us now to speak to a China holiday expert about your China holiday.

Call us now on 0333 7000 747

Click to enquire by email

We're open from 9 until 9 daily and our 0333 number is a local rate number included in most call packages.