Today your journey to China begins with your flight to Shanghai.

Welcome to the vibrant metropolis of Shanghai! After landing, your guide gives you a warm welcome and helps you get your bearings and buy metro tickets. You then travel to the hotel by public transport – easy and usually the quickest way to dive straight into city life. Alternatively, taxis are available, or you can book a private airport transfer through us in advance. Depending on your arrival time, an early check-in is a good idea so that you can move straight into your room (optional, bookable in advance). In the evening at 7 pm, you meet your guide and fellow travellers at reception for dinner together and a chance to get to know each other. If you arrive at the hotel after 9 pm, your programme starts the next morning with a hearty breakfast. 3 nights in Shanghai. (D)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast In the lively area around the historic Jing’an Temple, Holiday Inn Shanghai Jing’an awaits you. The hotel is very centrally located near well-known shopping centres, restaurants and venues; Jing’an Temple is within walking distance. Besides its lively surroundings, it impresses with modern facilities and architecture, and the breakfast buffet offers Chinese and international specialities. The 118 stylish, modern rooms each have a private bathroom with a large shower, air conditioning, TV and free Wi-Fi.

Today you explore Shanghai, a metropolis between modernity and tradition, authentically by public transport – a quick and easy way to get around the city. Your first destination takes you high up: the Shanghai Tower is China’s tallest skyscraper and an architectural marvel. From the observation deck, you enjoy an impressive view of the city’s enormous size. You then discover historic Shanghai on a walk through the French Concession, which still exudes the charm of bygone times while embracing modern influences. Magnificent colonial-style buildings line the streets, interspersed with small boutiques, galleries and cafés full of the creative energy of young China. In a stylish, modern teahouse in the heart of the French Concession, you take a tea break and discover the world of tea in a refreshingly contemporary way – with an authentic tea ceremony and high-quality tea. This also gives you an insight into the modern tea culture of young China. Afterwards, the old town awaits with traditional wooden houses and winding lanes, small shops full of crafts and calligraphy, and tea rooms. On a walk together along the Bund, you get a first impression of the city of millions: the famous promenade offers a breathtaking view of the Huangpu River and modern Shanghai and impresses above all with its many magnificent colonial buildings. The crowning finale of the day is a visit to a modern rooftop bar on the Bund, where you enjoy a well-earned sundowner above the rooftops of the city. (B) (Distance: approx. 56 km; driving time: approx. 1.5 hrs)

One day in Shanghai is simply not enough! Today you have time for your own activities to get to know the metropolis better and revisit places you particularly liked the day before. Your guide will be happy to help you find your way and suggest more places worth seeing – but you are in charge of the programme. Would you like to stroll through the old town again at your leisure or browse galleries and small boutiques in the Tianzifang artists’ quarter? Art lovers should also visit the M50 art district. The Xintiandi district, which combines tradition and modernity and offers countless places to shop, eat and go out, is also well worth a visit. Or would you rather spend more time on the Bund and soak up everyday Chinese life? Agree on plans as a group or set off on your own – just as you like. If you would rather explore the quieter surroundings than the bustle of the city, you can join an optional day trip to Suzhou and the nearby water village of Luzhi (bookable locally). (B)

Today it’s “welcome aboard!”: from Shanghai, a modern high-speed train (approx. 7.5 hrs) takes you to Yichang, from where you travel by bus to Maoping Pier. On the banks of the mighty Yangtze, your comfortable cruise ship is already waiting – your home for the next four nights. A cabin upgrade to an Executive Suite can be requested on board for a surcharge (optional, approx. €370 per person in a double cabin or approx. €790 in a single cabin). 4 nights on the cruise ship. (B) (Travel time: approx. 10 hrs, of which approx. 7.5 hrs by train and approx. 2.5 hrs by bus)

Today you visit the gigantic Three Gorges Dam. Well over a million people had to be resettled for this controversial project. On a shore excursion including the exhibition hall, you form your own impression of one of the most important construction projects in China’s recent history. (B/L/D)

Today you switch to smaller boats to explore one of the Yangtze’s tributaries (the Shennong or Daning River) up close – getting in touch with the unique nature in the heart of China! Back on the cruise ship, you pass two more spectacular gorges of the Yangtze. The Wu Gorge, around 44 km long and the middle of the three gorges, is often called the “Witches’ Gorge”: the sun rarely reaches its depths, mist forms over the water, and the passage feels mysterious and adventurous. The Qutang Gorge is probably the most striking of the three: here the mighty Yangtze narrows in places to just a few dozen metres, and the cliffs on both sides rise steeply up to 350 m. Passing through the two gorges is a truly impressive experience. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, another excursion awaits: Xiao Guan Shan Folk Culture Park is known for relocating and rebuilding architectural and cultural relics affected by the rise in water level caused by the Three Gorges project. With historic houses, courtyards, temples, wood carvings and city gates, the park offers an insight into old Chinese life, along with performances such as Sichuan opera, acrobatics, folk music and puppetry – a great place to experience traditional Chinese culture and history. You enjoy lunch and dinner on board as the ship glides leisurely along the river. (B/L/D)

Today your river cruise comes to an end. After disembarking, you continue by high-speed train to the old imperial city of Xi’an. After freshening up at the hotel, your guide invites you in the evening to explore the smells and flavours of Xi’an on a food tour of the night market in the Muslim Quarter of the old town. At the many food stalls, your guide shows and explains local delicacies, so you can try and share lots of small dishes. 2 nights in Xi’an. (B/S) (Distance: approx. 45 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs; train: approx. 5–6 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast Jinling Purple Mountain Hotel is located right next to the historic city wall in Lianhu District and combines modernity with the cultural atmosphere of the old imperial city. A stylish lobby, a teahouse and a bar invite you to linger, and the generous breakfast offers Chinese, Western and local dishes. There is also a gym and free Wi-Fi. The rooms have air conditioning, minibar and private bathroom; high-quality bedding and a calm design make them a pleasant retreat after a day in Xi’an’s lively old town.

You start the day with a stroll through a local market, watching people go about their daily routine. Your guide will point out the many local products that may seem unusual to you. Afterwards, you explore the vast mausoleum of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, with its Terracotta Army (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage). For more than 2,000 years, thousands of warriors, horse handlers and archers stood guard over the emperor’s soul in battle formation – each figure individually designed. The view into the excavation pits is truly impressive. Back in Xi’an, you enjoy the local speciality Biang Biang noodles in a local restaurant – a simple yet refined noodle dish. You then take time for the square with the Bell and Drum Towers and stop at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. This Tang dynasty landmark was built in the early 8th century and served to store Buddhist scriptures safely. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 90 km; driving time: approx. 3 hrs)

Before saying goodbye to Xi’an, you take a morning stroll through the City Wall Park, popular with locals and visitors alike, and watch people practising tai chi, for example. You then walk a stretch of the ancient city wall which, as the longest surviving city wall in China, measures around twelve kilometres and encircles the entire old town. Then it’s on to the capital: you travel by high-speed train from Xi’an to Beijing. 3 nights in Beijing. (B) (Train: approx. 5.5 hrs)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast Sunworld Hotel is located in central Beijing in Dongcheng District on Dengshikou Street, just minutes from Wangfujing shopping street, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City – an easy base for exploring both historic and modern Beijing. The hotel has a restaurant serving local specialities and international cuisine, a bar and a wellness area with spa treatments and traditional Chinese massages. There is also a 24-hour reception, luggage storage, room service and free Wi-Fi. The rooms have a double bed or two single beds as well as a private bathroom, air conditioning, TV, fridge, safe and tea and coffee making facilities.

Your day begins with a visit to the Temple of Heaven (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), which, like the imperial palace, was built under Emperor Yongle and completed in 1420. The temple stands in extensive gardens, reflects the symbolism of heaven and earth in every detail and is one of the city’s most important landmarks. You then stroll through the hutongs, the narrow lanes of Beijing’s historic old town, which will enchant you with their unique charm. In these completely preserved quarters without concrete buildings, you immerse yourself in old, traditional Beijing. Specifically, you visit Dashilan hutong behind Tiananmen Square with its colourful mix of small markets, everyday shops, modern cafés and food stalls. A visit to a woman who lives here rounds off the experience: over a cup of tea, you gain a deeper insight into life in the hutongs. Afterwards, you have some free time to have a coffee, grab a bite to eat or simply stroll through the hutong – your guide will be happy to give you tips. On the onward journey by bus, a snack is handed out that you can eat straight away or take with you onto the Great Wall of China (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) – because this very special highlight, one of the most visited sights in the world, is next on the programme. You experience the impressive structure in the early evening at sunset, when most visitors have already returned to their hotels. (B/S) Please note: the order of the programme on this day may vary; the services included remain the same.

Straight after breakfast, you visit Tiananmen Square, considered one of the largest public squares in the world and of great historical importance. The Gate of Heavenly Peace, where the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949, forms the entrance to the “Forbidden City” (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage). The imperial palace got its name because ordinary people were once denied access. Marvel at this architectural masterpiece, where the emperors lived and ruled until the end of the imperial era. During the exterior visit, your guide explains its origins, history and present-day significance. Next, you visit Coal Hill in Jingshan Park. The hill was created from the earth excavated for the palace moat and offers a spectacular panoramic view of the red roofs of the Forbidden City. Afterwards, you have some free time until you meet in the evening for a farewell dinner together, looking back on the journey over classic Peking duck. (B/D) Please note: the order of the programme on this day may vary; the services included remain the same.

After breakfast, you set off on your journey home and land back home the same day. You make your own way to the airport by public transport or taxi, or conveniently book a private transfer through us. (B)