ABOUT THE TOUR
From southeast to southwest across this country’s huge canvas, this captivating journey combines the historical legacy of China, with its extraordinary cultural and ethnic diversity, and the spectacular beauty of its landscape.
This remarkable journey starts in the vibrant city of Shanghai, where the Old Quarter and the grand 1920s and 30s architecture of the Bund sit alongside today’s glass towers. We take a high-speed train to Hangzhou capital of China’s Zhejiang province, renowned for its beautiful West Lake – with willow-lined causeways, arched bridges, and iconic pagodas – and its Longjing Tea.
From here we fly to Yunnan Province where we begin in Dali, situated between the majestic Cangshan Mountains and the shores of Lake Erhai, a city is famous for its rich Bai ethnic culture and a major stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road. We continue to the enchanting town of Lijiang with its spectacular alpine backdrop, inhabited primarily by the Naxi ethnic minority. From here we drive on via Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Yangtze – one of the deepest canyons in the world – through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery imaginable to Shangri-La, bordering Tibet, renowned for its vibrant Tibetan culture, ancient town and the impressive golden-roofed Songzanlin Monastery.
We then fly to Lhasa, the traditional capital and cultural heart of Tibet, situated in a high-altitude valley of the Himalayas. Known as the ‘Place of the Gods’, it is one of the world’s most profoundly spiritual and visually stunning ancient cities. A highlight of the trip will be a visit to the Potala Palace, the iconic, towering winter residence of successive Dalai Lamas.
There is also an optional post-tour extension to Xi’an and Beijing. Xi’an marked the eastern end of the Silk Road and has an impressive Imperial legacy of monuments, archaeological sites and, most notably, the 2000-year-old Terracotta Army. This is followed by the capital, Beijing, with its equally remarkable Imperial landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and of course the Great Wall.
TOUR LEADER
Nick Van Gruisen
17 days from £8,480 per person
TOUR DATE: 8 – 24 OCTOBER 2027
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £1,960
Price Includes
- High speed train Shanghai / Hangzhou
- Economy class flights Hangzhou / Dali, Shangri- La / Lhasa and Lhasa / Shanghai
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast daily; 11 lunches; 7 dinners
- Group arrival and departure transfers and transportation as per the itinerary
- All entrance fees, visits and excursions
- Gratuities in restaurants for included meals; porterage
- Gratuities to driver/s; gratuities to guide/s
- Local English-speaking guide/s
- The services of your tour leader throughout
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals indicated as ‘under own arrangements’
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls / laundry etc.)
- Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 22/07/26
7 days from £3,280 per person*
EXTENTION TOUR DATE: 23 – 29 OCTOBER 2027
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £765
*Dependent on the size of the group
Price Includes
- Economy class flight Lhasa / Xi’an
- High speed train Xi’an / Beijing and Beijing / Shanghai
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast daily; 2 lunches; 3 dinners
- All entrance fees, visits, excursions and transportation as per the itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide/s
Price Excludes
- Travel insurance
- Meals ‘under own arrangements’
- Visa
- The services of your tour leader
- Gratuities in restaurants for included meals; porterage
- Gratuities to driver/s and guides
- Items of personal expenditure (e.g. telephone calls government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 22/07/26
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