Welcome to China's capital city. Hotel rooms are available for check-in mid afternoon.

Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China's Great Emperors. Nearby is Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world spanning 100 acres. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples and galleries set amongst beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening's special Chinese Welcome Dinner features delectable Peking Duck. (B,L,D)

The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,828 kilometres (3,000 miles) across China's barren northern terrain from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. After lunch in a local restaurant, you'll visit the MINGTOMBS, burial site for 13 of the 16 Ming emperors. Tonight, you may decide on the optional tour of the Peking Opera with its various forms of drama and music dating back to the late 13th century. (B,L)

This morning is free. Time permitting, you may wish to take our optional rickshaw ride through Beijing's Hutongs, the city's ancient alleys, or visit the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of 15th-century architecture. A short flight brings you to the city of Xi'an in central China where you spend the next two nights. Look forward to this evening's highlight, "The Tang Dynasty" dinner show featuring a colourful assemblage of classical music and dance performances.(B,D)

One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi'an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. Sightseeing begins with a visit to the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 A.D. In 1974 the enormous TOMB of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of terra-cotta warriors that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. (B,L)

Fly to Hangzhou, with its beautiful gardens and picturesque surroundings. Sightseeing includes visits to the PAGODA OF SIX HARMONIES and LINGYIN TEMPLE. (B,L,D)

A leisurely morning cruise on the West Lake, a collection of ancient bridges, causeways, temples and palaces, with well-manicured gardens, woods and rock sculptures lining its bank. View Three Moon Reflection Island, prior to travelling by coach to Wuzhen, a 1,000 year old town with ancient residential houses, workshops, and stores still standing on the banks of the rivers. Continue on to Suzhou, renowned for its silk factories. (B,L,D)

This morning's sightseeing includes a visit to the GARDEN OF THE MASTER'S FISHING NET, designed during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), most impressive because of its use of space which creates the illusion of an area that is much greater than its actual size. Even more than the architectural achievement is the mood of tranquility and harmony that this humble garden embodies. Then enjoy a boat ride on the OLD CANAL. Also visit a SILK REELING FACTORY with wonderful examples of silk printing and dyeing. Continue by coach to Shanghai, China's most populous city and centre of trade and industry. Tonight there will be plenty of time to enjoy the city, shop some of the 400 stores on Nanjing Road and the famous Friendship Store on the Bund, or be amazed at the fabulous acrobatic show optional tour. (B,L)

Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city's riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings housing banks and trade houses. You'll visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN'S PALACE, one of China's famous kindergartens. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special Farewell Dinner. (B,L)

Your tour finishes today after breakfast. (B)

Standard Features BEIJING: Sightseeing with local guide; visit the forbidden city, Imperial Palace, Tian'anmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, cloisonne workshop, Ming Tombs; Hutongs tour by richshaw; enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner XI'AN: Sightseeing with local guide, visit the Dayan Pagoda and terra-cotta warriors, noodle-making demonstration; enjoy "The Tang Dynasty" dinner show HANGZHOU: Sightseeing with local guide, visit the Pagoda of Six Harmonies and Lingyin Temple, cruise on West Lake SUZHOU: Sightseeing with local guide, visit the Garden of the Master's Fishing Net and a silk reeling factory, boat ride on the Old Canal SHANGHAI: Sightseeing with local guide; visit the Shanghai Museum, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children's Palace, the Bund Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable INCLUDED MEALS: 9 breakfast (B);7 lunches (L); 5 dinners (D), including a Farewell Dinner in Shanghai ALL INTRA-TOUR FLIGHTS: Included while on tour