Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Shanghai.

Upon arrival into Shanghai you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel. Following dinner, experience your first taste of this fast-paced metropolis with a visit to the Bund, Shanghai's riverside architectural showcase, followed by a stroll along Nanjing Road to observe a neon-illuminated bustle of the world's busiest shopping street.

• Dinner

Following breakfast embark on a morning tour of Shanghai, which includes a meander through the pond-dwelling pavilions of Yuyuan Gardens and past the French Concession's charming tree-lined avenues. After lunch, tour the affluent district of Xintiandi to admire Shikumen housing of old Shanghai, much of which conceals contemporary interiors that make up international galleries, quaint cafes and upmarket boutiques.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Discover treasures of the Shanghai Museum, which hosts an astonishing collection of paintings, calligraphy and sculptures representing a complex tapestry of dynasties. Continue to the Pudong area and peer up at the gargantuan skyscrapers that dominate the city's skyline, including the striking Oriental Pearl Tower's protruding spheres. Later in the morning, enjoy a scenic coach journey to the ancient city of Zhujiajiao for a tour of its winding waterways, delicate bridges and Ming Dynasty suburbs.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning take a short flight to the city of Guilin. Your sightseeing tour begins at Fubo Hill, a rock edifice that protrudes through the river. Explore its network of caves that display intricate Buddha statues before ascending a sweeping staircase that'll lead you to a viewing platform to admire stunning vistas across Guilin. Spend some time at leisure this afternoon beside the striking Elephant Hill, whose trunk appears to be drinking from the Taohua River.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin today with a peaceful cruise along the winding Li River to witness enormous karsts behind each corner, water buffalo patrolling the fields and the famous cormorant fisherman upon bamboo rafts. Having observed this charming rural landscape arrive at Yangshuo, arguably one of China's most beautiful cities. Following lunch, explore West Street at leisure to savour all the cultural nuances this diverse hub has to offer including stalls decorated with vibrant local crafts and a myriad of freshly caught fish from the Li River.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today explore Yangshuo at your own pace, in which you can revisit West Street, wonder at the enigmatic Moon Hill or take a scenic bike ride to Xingping Town for an encounter with a quaint fishing community.

• Breakfast

Return to Guilin where you will catch your flight to the city of Xi'an. In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour that will lead you through 3,000 years of history concluding at the Xi'an City Wall, one of the largest ancient defence structures in the world, crowned by elaborate guard towers indicative of fourteenth century Ming architecture.

• Breakfast & Dinner

Behold over 7,000 soldiers, horses and chariots crafted to protect the first Emperor of China, during your visit to the magnificent Terracotta Warriors, considered by many to be the 'Eight Wonder of the World'. After admiring this tour highlight, visit the Wild Goose Pagoda to marvel at this 197ft ancient structure surrounded by pilgrims lighting aromatic incense, followed by a meander through the Muslim Quarter's marketplace, alive with the scent of steamed Jiasan buns. This evening witness a breath-taking artistic performance during a colourful Tang Dynasty Show.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast take a flight to China's capital, Beijing. Your half-day tour begins at the grand Temple of Heaven, an oasis of pristine garden space interrupted by lavish Confucian monuments, including the Temple itself that once served as a vast stage for the emperor. After spending time strolling through the Wang Fujing area, savour a delicious Peking duck dinner, for a traditional taste of fine Chinese cuisine.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Your day tour of Beijing includes a visit to Tiananmen Square, one of China's most infamous political landmarks and the world's largest public square. Having marvelled at this symbolic centre of the Chinese universe overlooked by a portrait of Chairman Mao, gaze at the largest palace complex in the world, the Forbidden City. Continue to the Summer Palace, for a stroll through the royal gardens that once acted as a retreat for emperors, before visiting a tea house to be part of an ancient ceremony involving the preparation and serving of oolong tea.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today's sightseeing tour will begin at the iconic Great Wall of China. Winding over 5,500 miles across vast deserts, grasslands and mountains, the Wall was constructed over 2,000 years ago to guard the Chinese Empire against Mongol invaders from the north. We have included a cable car trip to a viewing point, ensuring you get the most from this gargantuan landmark. In the afternoon, stop off at the eye-catching Bird's Nest stadium used for the 2008 Olympic games. After dinner relax and take-in a spellbinding Chinese Acrobatic show.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Your last full day in Beijing commences with a rickshaw tour of the city's hutong alleys, a network of ornate houses and elegant courtyards. Before lunch explore the Lama Temple, China's most perfectly preserved lamasery whose Hall of Harmony houses three enormous bronze Buddha statues. Following an afternoon of perusing Liulichang's antique street, spend this evening witnessing a traditional Peking Opera performance, a quintessence of China and mesmerising way to end your tour.

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Transfer to Beijing airport for your flight back to the UK via Shanghai.