Day 1: To Beijing - Fly to Beijing.

Day 2: Beijing - Morning arrival and transfer to the Bamboo Garden Hotel, set in a traditional Beijing courtyard close to the Drum Tower and historic alleyways of the city. En route visit Tiananmen Square or the Temple of Heaven, and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure to unwind after the flight.

Day 3: Beijing & the Forbidden City - Spend the day exploring the majestic historical treasures of Beijing, including the Forbidden City and the ancient hutong alleys behind.

Day 4: Summer Palace - Morning walk around Kunming Lake to the impressive buildings of the Imperial Summer Palace, the former royal retreat from the city.  Visit the Lama Temple and this evening see an acrobatic show with dinner.

Day 5: Great Wall - Travel north of the city to the Great Wall of China, one of the world’s most breathtaking sights. Walk on the Simatai section of the wall, somewhat quieter than other sections and one of its most spectacular parts, where it snakes over the mountains and stretches into the distance.

Day 6: To Xian - Short flight to Xian, the ancient Tang Dynasty capital, with a cosmopolitan history stretching back to the days of the Silk Road. Stay for 2 nights at the Grand New World Hotel, walk on the city wall and enjoy a traditional dumpling dinner this evening.

Day 7: Terracotta Warriors - Visit the famous Terracotta Warriors, the vast army made to protect the tomb of Emperor Qin, one of the world’s most amazing archaeological finds.  This afternoon walk in the Muslim quarter and visit the huge Bell Tower. This evening see a Tang Dynasty music and dance show with dinner.

Day 8: To Lijiang- Fly via Kunming to Lijiang in the south west Yunnan province. Lijiang is the capital of the old Naxi kingdom, in the foothills of the Himalayas. Stay for 2 nights at the Wangfu hotel.

Day 9: Lijiang - Walk around the old centre of Lijiang, a town of cobbled streets, small fast-flowing canals and intricately tiled roofs. Visit Black Dragon Pool park where there may be views of the Jade Dragon Snow mountain.

Day 10: Tiger Leaping Gorge - Travel north to Tiger Leaping Gorge for one of the world’s most spectacular walks, where the Yangtze river surges through one of the world’s deepest gorges, just 25m wide at its narrowest point. Walk on a series of switchbacks and stay overnight in the gorge at the atmospheric Tea Horse Guesthouse.

 Day 11: Tiger Leaping Gorge & to Lijiang - Wake to wonderful views of the gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and walk further down the gorge, stopping at Halfway Inn for elevenses. Drive back to Lijiang for 1 night.

Day 12: To Guilin - Fly via Kunming to Guilin, with its mystical landscape of limestone karst hills, and stay for 2 nights at the Guilin Bravo Hotel.

Day 13: Longji - A morning drive to the Longji rice terraces which climb hundreds of metres up the sides of the steep hills. They are possibly the most dramatic rice terraces in the world. We take scenic walks in the mountains to some of the minority villages of the region.

Day 14: To Yangshou - Take a relaxing cruise down the Li River, for a wonderful perspective on the hills rising directly from the valley floor. Arrive in the small town of Yangshou on the banks of the river for a 2 night stay, and take an afternoon walk to Moon Hill for great views. Optional evening performance of Liu San Jie light and sound show (weather permitting).

Day 15: Yangshuo - Escape into the countryside to Yulong Bridge for a lovely walk alongside the Yulong River, following the trail through to the Outside Inn café for lunch. After lunch, follow the trail to the road at the village of Yima.

Day 16: To Hong Kong - Morning visit to a green tea farm. Transfer to Guilin and fly to Hong Kong for a 2 night stay on Hong Kong Island at the Metropark Hotel.

Day 17: Hong Kong - Take the Peak Tram for glorious views from Victoria Peak, and then walk down through Pok Fu Lam country park to the busy port of Aberdeen. This evening cross over to Kowloon to see the harbour laser show and stroll the city streets.

Day 18: Dragon’s Back Trail & departure - Walk on the Dragon’s Back Trail on Hong Kong Island, high above the city, described by Time Magazine as ‘the city’s finest and most surprising ramble’. Transfer to the airport for a flight home