This premium tour offers quality hotels and private tours to the signature sights of China. Start in Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings and home to 24 successive emperors. Enjoy further private tours to treasures like the Temple of Heaven and the spectacular Great Wall of China. Fly to Xi'an, the ancient first capital of the Empire, and see the magnificent Terra Cotta Army before enjoying a special Tang Dynasty dinner show. Continue on to Chengdu and spend an evening at Mt. Emei, the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. Finish your journey in Shanghai, the symbol of the modern China and its economic emergence.

Beijing is China's foremost city and capital for twenty four successive emperors. Some of the major sights include: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall and Summer Palace. The complete range of Chinese cuisine can be found in the capital, and evening entertainment is superb.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

The Opposite House features 99 luxuriously appointed guest studios designed by the renowned Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma. Designed to provide a sense of space, warmth and comfort, studios start from 45/481 sqm/sqf, which are arguably some of the largest in Beijing. They come fitted with signature wooden floorings and oak tubs. Partnering with well-known Shanghai based Australian restaurateur David Laris and restaurant designers Neri & Hu, the hotel offers an intoxicating blend of restaurants and bars.

Overnight at The Opposite House.

Private full day tour to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the hutong areas with lunch (is in the price included). Tiananmen square is the biggest square in the world, its south is the Forbidden City, called Gu Gong in Chinese, was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now known as the Palace Museum, it is to the north of Tiananmen Square. Rectangular in shape, it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. Surrounded by a six meter deep moat and a ten meter high wall are 9,999 rooms. The word "hutong" originates from "hottog" which means "well" in Mongolian, and means a lane or alley - or in fact the passage formed by lines of siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard) where old Beijing residents live. Beijing's hutongs are inequable ranging from a few feet to over 30 feet wide. The longest has more than 20 turns, though most have a slant, half turn, or are cul-de-sacs "blind hutongs". The gray-tiled houses and identical criss-crossing deep alleys give you the impression of being in a maze - fun to walk through, but be careful not to get lost.

Enjoy a Peking Duck dinner at Da Dong restaurant. Voted by locals as the best Peking Duck in Beijing.

Overnight at The Opposite House.

Enjoy a full day private guided tour with lunch at the Great Wall at Mutianyu located 45 miles northeast of Beijing. This section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles. Construction was started in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577) and was restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Built mainly from granite with 8m walls and 5m wide at the top, it is notable for its 22 watchtowers. Lunch is included.

Overnight at The Opposite House.

Xi'an was the capital of China's first emperor whose tomb is guarded by the world famous terracotta warriors.

Combine ancient and modern creativity with this private guided tour of the Temple of heaven and Dashanzi Arts District. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven. The most magnificent buildings are The Circular Mound Altar (Yuanqiutan), Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) - which are connected by a wide bridge called the Sacred Way. The temple is surrounded by a park which is a popular meeting point for local people to recreate (in every imaginable way every morning and is often considered a highlight of visiting the temple). Drive to the Dashanzi Art District, home of Beijing's vibrant and emerging modern art community. Centred around the 1950's factory now known as Space 798, this area is a wonderful place to explore both for art lovers and those seeking to discover some of the modern creativity emerging in Beijing. Lunch is included.

Direct flight from Beijing to Xi'an.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Enjoy your VIP seats at the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with private car transfers. At each performance there are over 100 artists who entertain with a colorful spectacle of dance and music symbolizing the splendor of the Tang Dynasty, regarded as the most progressive and prosperous era of Imperial China.

Built to meet the elaborate standards of China's new platinum five-star hotel rating, the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is the ultimate accommodation facility in the ancient city of Xian. Its design is of astounding contemporary concept. With a full range of spacious and well-appointed rooms, suites and apartments, state-of-the-art business facilities and exquisite dining and recreational options, Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square is a perfect choice for the most astute of business and leisure travelers.

Overnight at Sofitel on Renmin Square .

Take a full day private guided tour of the Terra Cotta Army, Banpo Museum and the Buddhist Wild Goose Pagoda with a deluxe lunch. China's greatest archaeological excavation - over 7,000 terra cotta life size warriors and horses arranged in battle formations symbolically guard the Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin dynasty (246-209 BC). The Neolithic Banpo Village has nearly 10,000 production tools and the remains of 45 houses on display.

Overnight at Sofitel on Renmin Square .

Mt. Huashan, also called "the Great West Mountain" in the past, is one of China's five sacred mountains. It is the tallest among the five great mountains. The mountain flanked by the Yuntai (Cloud Terrace) and Yunu (Jade Maiden) peaks and fronting thirty-six minor peaks, has peculiar peaks, strange rocks, seas of clouds, purling springs as well as flying waterfalls. It is one of the famous mountains as well as a very beautiful scenic spot of China.

Overnight at Sofitel on Renmin Square .

Chengdu is noted rich culture, gateway to the Himalaya foothills and the famous Panda reserves. Some of the major sights include: The Bronze Museum contains over a thousand cultural relics unearthed from the Sanxingdui site. That was the catalyst to the discovery of a mysterious ancient kingdom of Shu, illuminating the bronze culture. Wolong Panda Reserve is a state natural reserve of 200,000 hectares created in 1963. Sixty-seven captive pandas are among 150 pandas in the Reserve managed by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.

Take an airport transfer by private car with an English-speaking guide.

Direct flight from Xi'an to Chengdu.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, guide, and driver.

Half day private guided tour to Panda Research Center with deluxe lunch (is included). Located just 10km (6miles) away, the Center has been created to imitate the pandas' natural habitat in order that they might have a the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. Giant pandas, lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks as well as over 20 species of rare animals are fed and bred there throughout the year. The Research Center covers 92 acres, 96% of which is verdure. Optional Activity: Enjoy the opportunity to hug a baby panda!

The Shangri-La Hotel is the pre-eminent international Chengdu luxury hotel situated in the cosmopolitan city centre, offering modern grandeur and legendary Shangri-La hospitality in the prosperous capital of Sichuan. Indulge in the lavish accommodation and dining options at this Chengdu hotel and enjoy the tranquillity that only Shangri-La can offer.

Overnight at Shangri-La Hotel.

Mount Emei is in Sichuan province of Western China. At 3,099 metres (10,167 ft), Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. Mt. Emei was make a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. This is the location of the first Buddhist temple built in China in the 1st century CE. The site has seventy-six Buddhist monasteries of the Ming and Qing period, most of them located near the mountain top. The monasteries demonstrate a flexible architectural style that adapts to the landscape. The fixed plans of Buddhist monasteries of earlier periods are modified or ignored in order to made full use of the natural scenery. 16th and 17th century sources allude to the practice of martial arts in the monasteries of Mount Emei, the earliest reference to the Shaolin Monastery as Chinese boxing's place of origin.

Transfer from Chengdu to Emei Mountain for an overnight stay. Visit Wannian Temple , Baoguo Temple, and take a round trip ride on the cable cars. Deluxe lunch included.

Sitting at the foot of the beautiful Mt. Emei, in Chang-Kai-Shek’s 1935 residence, Hong Zhu Shan Hotel is set amidst lush forests, mountains peaks, deep valleys and majestic lakes. Opened in 1958, and renovated in 2004, the hotel is located beside the Emeishan Mountain gateway, close to the Baoguo Temple. This five star hotel boasts well-appointed guest rooms with beautiful large windows that offer spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Three hotel restaurants serve international cuisine and Sichuan dishes; the Mandarin Cafe is one of the few restaurants in the region with a western menu. The hotel offers a tennis court and a health club, which are great leisurely options when not exploring the stunning scenery and nearby attractions.

Overnight at HongZhuShan Hotel.

Transfer from Mt. Emei back to Chengdu, and along the way visit the Leshan Giant Buddha. You will take a boat ride for a unique vantage point. Lunch will be eaten en route.

Sichuan province is of course the home of Szechuan cooking. Experience the burning fire of Sichuan's famous Hotpot dish at the Huang Cheng Lao Ma restaurant.

The Shangri-La Hotel is the pre-eminent international Chengdu luxury hotel situated in the cosmopolitan city centre, offering modern grandeur and legendary Shangri-La hospitality in the prosperous capital of Sichuan. Indulge in the lavish accommodation and dining options at this Chengdu hotel and enjoy the tranquillity that only Shangri-La can offer.

Overnight at Shangri-La Hotel.

Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, guide, and driver.

Direct flight from Chengdu to Shanghai.

Enjoy an airport transfer in Shanghai with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking Guide.

Enjoy a deluxe dinner and VIP seats at an Acrobatic Show with private car transfer. The spectacular acrobatic feats are barely believable but come from expert training starting as young as age six or seven. Most performers have a minimum of twenty years experience.

Relive the Golden Age of Old Shanghai in this dazzling, Art Deco jewel, infused with every “thoroughly modern” five-star luxury that today’s discerning travelers expect. Just steps from the famous People’s Square and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and a 10 minute stroll to the historical Bund. Every one of our guestroom and suites features a spacious bathroom with separate shower and bathtub, broadband internet and Wi-Fi access, IP Phone, iHome iPod docking station, DVD Player, 42” LCD-TV in bedroom and 19” LCD-TV in bathroom and a generously sized business desk. Many rooms feature a private balcony or terrace making the hotel indeed a rarity among Shanghai hotels.

Overnight at The Langham .

Experience a full day private guided tour of Shanghai taking in the Shanghai Museum, Urban Planning Museum, Nanjing Rd, Bund, a cruise on the Huangpu and the views from the Oriental Pearl Tower. The museum is a veritable treasure house of ancient Chinese art and houses 120,000 precious relics. Bronzes, pottery, paintings and calligraphies are distinctive features of the Museum's collection. The nearby Urban Planning Hall is a fun and informative introduction to the exciting city that Shanghai past and future. Strolling down Nanjing Rd, once listed as one of the most interesting in the world, you will arrive at the historic Bund. Enjoy a cruise on the Huangpud river that divides old Shanghai from the futuristic Pudong before venturing across the river for a trip up the Oriental Pearl Tower to view the city from above. Much of this tour is best done by foot.

Overnight at The Langham .

Transfer from central Shanghai with a driver, and English-speaking Guide to the Maglev station in Pudong from where you can complete your airport transfer in about 8 minutes at speeds of over 400 km/h. (Warning - involves a little walking).

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from Shanghai international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.