Our absolute best tour of China. With the top hotels in each destination, a private guide, driver and luxury vehicle throughout.

Begin your journey in Beijing where you will stay at the Pangu 7 Star hotel. On your first full day embark on a tour of Tiananmen Square, the Hutongs, and the Forbidden City, where a multiple course dinner will be prepared for you by students of Mr Cheng Ruming (chef to Chairman Mao Zedong). On your second day in Beijing visit the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, where you will enjoy a private boat ride around Kunming Lake. In the evening take in a performance of the Peking Opera with VIP seating. Head to the Great Wall for a day, and overnight in the opulent Aman at the Summer Palace.

Fly first class to Xian, and on your first evening have dinner at your hotel, the Shangri La. Rest up for the following day, when you will be visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors. You will be given special access into pit #1 to stand side by side with the Warriors, and see excavators at work. Enjoy a private lecture from local experts at the nearby museum. Tonight, you will have VIP seats at the Tang Dynasty show.

Next, fly to Lijiang, home to one of Asia's finest properties, the Banyan Tree. Stay 2 nights here in a deluxe pool villa, and enjoy dinner in the hotels acclaimed restaurant. During the day visit local sights such as Black Dragon Pool and the Naxi Museum.

Finish your Elite tour of China in Shanghai, where the EXPO is being held between May and October. Stay in a suite at the Four Seasons and enjoy a night out for dinner at Elong Courg restaurant. The next day, take a private guided tour of major city sights including the Shanghai Museum, City Planning Hall, River Cruise, Bund and Yuyuan Gardens. Your final day in China is dedicated to the EXPO, where a guide will help you explore the many international exhibits. Finish with dinner in one of Shanghai's most luxurious dining establishments: 100 Century Avenue Restaurant. Located on the top floors of one of the city's tallest buildings, from here you can see stunning views of the night skyline.

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.

Enjoy a deluxe Peking Duck dinner at DaDong restaurant. Voted by locals as the best Peking Duck in Beijing. Next visit the Huguanghuiguan Peking Opera House where you will have VIP seating for the performance.

Fairmont Beijing Hotel is within a short driving distance to Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square, the Embassy District, Oriental Plaza or Wangfujing, and China World Trade Centre. The hotel offers natural-lit rooms with floor-to-ceiling-windows that are furnished in contemporary Chinese style. The gate-form architecture showcases natural light-filled interiors accented by contemporary Chinese artworks, creating a sense of space and luxury living in the heart of China.

Overnight at Fairmont Beijing Hotel .

Full day private guided tour of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven with a deluxe lunch (is included). Tiananmen Square was built in 1417 during the Ming Dynasty and stretches a vast 440,000 square meters. The Forbidden City is the world's largest palace complex with 9,999 buildings. The Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. Fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty reigned here until 1924. The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 AD during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifice to Heaven.

Enjoy a dinner designed by Chairman Mao Zedong's chef - Mr. Cheng Ruming, and prepared by his students. Mr. Cheng Ruming has been selected as the National culinary master consultant for the Palace Museum and Imperial Kitchen. His guests have included Mao Zedong, state leaders, heads of state along with many important foreign guests. This restaurant is located in a private courtyard near the Forbidden City, and is not opened to public.

Overnight at Fairmont Beijing Hotel .

Full day private guided city tour. Begin with a morning exploring the hutongs – Beijing traditional neighbourhood of winding laneways and courtyard homes. Stop for lunch with a local family where your family can get engaged by watching and helping prepare Jaozi – the traditional dumplings of Northern China. Next travel to the Summer Palace – an impressive fusion of classical Chinese architecture, garden design and construction and enjoy a boat trip (not private) on the palace’s Kunming Lake.

Aman at Summer Palace, offers a variety of accommodation which pays homage to the traditional architecture of the Summer Palace, celebrating its courtyard architectural style. The hotel is located near major attractions such as the National Stadium, Beihai Park, The National Grand Theatre and Tian’anmen Square and approximately 35km from Beijing Capital International Airport. Suites surround an internal courtyard featuring an intricate latticework of pathways, separating formal gardens and trees. The aesthetic architectural references draw upon traditional materials and the architecture and design of the Ming Dynasty period.

Overnight at Aman at Summer Palace.

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 Aman at Summer Palace.

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

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

Direct flight from Beijing to Xi'an.

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

Enjoy a dinner buffet at the beautiful Shangri La hotel.

Shangri-La Hotel Xian has the very best of the city right on its doorstep such as the finest in shopping and entertainment. The hotel is just a 30-minute drive from Xian International Airport, and is within easy reach of many top tourist attractions. The hotel’s 386 guest rooms and suites set a new standard for deluxe accommodation in Xian and offer four trendsetting designer restaurants. With luxurious spa treatments and a fully equipped health club with heated pool, it's the perfect place to soothe mind, body and soul. Whether you're traveling for pleasure, Shangri-La Hotel, Xian offers exceptional levels of hospitality to further enhance your enjoyment of this magnificent city.

Overnight at Shangri La .

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.

Enjoy special access to the Terra Cotta Warriors Pit # 1. This is the restoration area, where you will be allowed to stand side by side with the Warriors.

A local museum expert will give you a 30 minute lecture on the Terra Cotta Warriors at Pit Number 1.

Overnight at Shangri La .

The cool mountain climate in Lijiang makes the intimate town of stone, tile and swift canals, a great place to unwind. Home of the Naxi people, it has a history of more than 800 years as a nexus of trading activities among Yunnan, Tibet and India. The streets of the Old Town reflect this prosperity with flourishing traditional houses and shops with fancy and superb collections of handicrafts. Another attraction in the area is the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. About 100km northwest of Lijiang is Tiger Leaping Gorge. From the top of the gorge you can look down the sheer mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands River 700 feet below.

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

Fly from Xi'an to Lijiang via Kunming or Chengdu.

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

Enjoy an authentic Chinese dinner at the luxurious Banyan Tree hotel.

Set amidst the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, The Banyan Tree Lijiang (5*) is the first luxury resort in Lijiang, with its stunning architecture and luxurious villas reflecting the rich fabric of its surroundings through its design and furnishings. Enjoy a delightful array of international cuisine at the indoor and outdoor café, offering buffet-style dining, following a nightcap at the hotel bar. Rejuvenate at the Banyan Tree Spa, gym, and sauna and take a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, enveloped in the beauty of the surrounding region.

Overnight at Banyan Tree Lijiang (5*).

Experience a full day private guided tour of Old Town, Black Dragon Pool and Naxi Museum with a deluxe lunch. The Old Town was built in the late Song Dynasty and the early Yuan Dynasty and has a history of more than 800 years. Since Kublai Khan set his reign here, the first Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, Lijiang has been the nexus of trading activities among Yunnan, Tibet and India. The streets of Old Town reflect this prosperity with flourishing traditional houses and shops with fancy and superb collections of handicrafts. Naxi people are famed for their artists and poets. Great talents in the areas of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music have all come from this rich and captivating culture, featured in the Naxi Museum.

Overnight at Banyan Tree Lijiang (5*).

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.

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

Direct flight from Lijiang to Shanghai.

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

Located at the center of The Bund, a city boulevard which runs alongside the Huangpu River and one of the most photographed postcard scenes of city, the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund mixes the history and culture of the surrounding district with a taste for 21st century sophistication. The hotel comprises 269 guest rooms and suites across two buildings. A newly built modern tower connects to an all-suite heritage building - The Waldorf Astoria Club, once the legendary Shanghai Club and one of the few remaining heritage structures in Shanghai. This neo-classical architectural gem built in 1911, is painstakingly restored using archival photographs and records whilst equipping it with contemporary luxuries for modern-day travel experiences. This Shanghai luxury hotel can truly stake its claim as the place to be for the well-heeled global traveler.

Overnight at Waldorf Astoria.

Full day private guided tour of Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple, and Yu Garden with deluxe lunch. Shanghai 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 Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most popular sights in Shanghai containing rare white jade Buddhas brought from Burma in the nineteenth century. Yuyuan Garden is the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The garden has six areas, each with its own style, the most popular being the Grand Rockery in the center.

Walking along the famous Nanjing Road and fabulous Bund area, listening to your expert local tour guide explaining the history and development of China's most cosmopolitan city.

Overnight at Waldorf Astoria.

Hangzhou, the southern terminus of the Grand Canal, is located on the lower reaches of the Qiantang River in southeast China, a superior position in the Yangtze Delta and only 180 kilometers from Shanghai. It's most famous attraction it the West Lake, noted for the scenic beauty that blends naturally with many famous historical and cultural sites. Solitary Hill, the Mausoleum of General Yue Fei, the Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Ling Yin Temple are probably the most frequently visited attractions.

Transfer between Shanghai's domestic airport and train station.

Transfer between Shanghai and Hangzhou by bullet train.

Transfer from hotel to train station or vice versa, with private vehicle and guide to assist.

Hidden in a picturesque valley, Amanfayun enjoys a serene setting surrounded by tea fields, natural forest, quaint villages and a pilgrimage circuit of five significant Buddhist temples. Established during the Tang Dynasty, the property is comprised of 47 dwellings that originally housed villagers who tended the nearby tea fields. This secluded retreat is only a 20-minute drive along bamboo and tree-lined avenues from the centre of the bustling city of Hangzhou. Once described by Marco Polo as “The city of heaven”, Hangzhou is still today regarded as the most beautiful city in China due to its tranquil West Lake, countless pagodas, historic temples, botanical gardens and vast wetland areas.

Overnight at Amanfayun (5*).

Cruise on the West Lake which is situated on the west edge of Hangzhou city. West Lake is the symbol of Hangzhou as well as one of the most beautiful sights in China. Next stop is the Lingyin Temple/ Monastery of the Hidden Souls. Lingyin Temple is one of the ten most famous ancient Buddhist temples in China. It also houses various Buddhist literature and treasures situated in front of Lingyin Temple. It is famous for its more than 470 stone carvings of Buddhist figures, which dated from the 10th to 14th centuries. And finally the Dragon Well Tea Plantation. It is one of the most famous brand in China, in this Tea Plantation, you can try to pick the tea leaves, taste a nice cup of tea and learn the history and processing procedure of tea. Private vehicle, lunch and driver included.

Overnight at Amanfayun (5*).

Hong Kong is a place with multiple personalities, as a result of being Cantonese Chinese with a long-time British influence. Today, the former British colony is a major tourism destination for China’s increasingly affluent population. It is also an important hub in the Chinese diaspora with global connections to many of the world’s cities. It is a unique destination that has absorbed people and cultural influences from places as diverse as Vietnam and Vancouver.

Includes lunch at a local restaurant with your guide.

Direct flight from Hangzhou to Hongkong.

Transfer between the airport and your Kowloon hotel.

The Peninsula Hong Kong offers a blend of the best of Eastern and Western hospitality in an atmosphere of unmatched classical grandeur and timeless elegance. Hotel is located in the heart of Kowloon's business and entertainment district, overlooking the Victoria Harbour. Three of Hong Kong's most important cultural attractions such as the Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum are close by. Each one of the hotel's opulent guest rooms is comfortable and stylish and equipped with advanced technology for the convenience of hotel guests - underlined, of course, by the world-famous Peninsula service.

Overnight at Kowloon Peninsula Hong Kong (5*).

Enjoy a half day private tour boasting a spectacular view of the city from the famous “Victoria Peak”.  You will travel along the winding road uphill to the top of "The Peak" where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. Driving downhill we come to the famous fishing village ‘Aberdeen’ by passing the two most popular summer resorts of the locals - Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay. When we arrive in Aberdeen, you have the opportunity to take a glimpse at the floating population whose lifestyle has not changed much since the early days. An optional 20 minutes ride in a sampan gives you the chance to explore and take a close up look at the interesting environment: Victoria Peak - The highest mountain on Hong Kong Island and one of the most popular places for tourists to visit. Repulse Bay/Deep Water Bay - The two most visited beaches in town and summer escapade for swimmers. Aberdeen - Here you can experience the lifestyle of old fishing community. Modernized yachts and Chinese junks can be seen on the inner harbour avails at your own expenses. Then a visit to a jeweller in the nearby area. Aqua Luna is a stunning 28 meter traditional red sailed wooden junk. The ultimate Hong Kong experience. Aqua Luna sailings, enjoy a complimentary 15-minute journey to Central, where the 45-minute sailing around Victoria Harbour begins. The journey will conclude at Pier 4 in Tsimshatsui.

Enjoy a traditional Chinese Dim Sum lunch as part of your Hong Kong Island Tour.

Overnight at Kowloon Peninsula Hong Kong (5*).

Transfer between the airport and your Kowloon hotel.

Depart from Hong Kong international airport - end of itinerary

Overnight at Depart .