Day 1: This evening depart London Heathrow on the Air China flight to Beijing, flying overnight.
Day 2: Following your arrival you will be met and transferred to the 4* Golden Palace Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 3: Visit the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) built between 1406 and 1420. This served as the residence of the 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Before entering the Forbidden city complex you will visit Tiananmen Square, the scene of many political rallies and the place where Mao's Mausoleum is located. After lunch you will see the Summer Palace located on the outskirts of Beijing. En route a brief stop will be made to visit the zoo and see one of China’s recognised symbols, the Panda. This evening you will be taken to see an acrobatic show. Chinese acrobats are famous the world over for their stunning tumbling and daring aerial feats. Overnight Golden Palace Hotel. (Breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: To the northwest and north of Beijing, a huge, serrated wall zigzags its way to the east and west along the undulating mountains. This is the Great Wall, which is said to be visible from the moon. This morning drive to Huangyaguan (approx. 2.5hrs) and on arrival check in to your hotel. In the afternoon walk along the eastern section of the Great Wall (approx. 2 hrs). Overnight Huangya Guesthouse. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 5: After breakfast walk along a section of the west wall at Huangyaguan (approx. 3hrs). After lunch drive to drive to Gubeikou (approx. 2.5hrs). Overnight Gubeikou Longevity Guesthouse. (Breakfast, lunch - packed, dinner).
Day 6: A full day walk lies ahead. You will walk from Gubeikou to Jinshanling (approx 6 hrs). On arrival in Jinshanling check in to the Jinshanling Guesthouse. Jinshanling Jinshanling has 67 watchtowers along 11 kms of the Great Wall, with each watchtower serving as an example of different architecture. (Breakfast, lunch – packed, dinner).
Day 7: Another full day walk from Jinshanling to Simatai (approx. 5hrs). On arrival check in to the Simatai Guesthouse. Simata.To the east of the Jinshanling stretch of the Great Wall lays the quiet and remote Simatai section. The ruinous state of this part of the Wall gives it an air of authenticity that has earned it the reputation of being the most beautiful section of the Great Wall. The local people are proud of this monument and proclaim that it was as a consequence of visiting Simatai that UNESCO was convinced the wall should be listed as a World Heritage site. You can end the day with a “thrill ride” taking the zip wire across the gorge to end your days walk in a dramatic fashion. (Breakfast, lunch – packed, dinner).
Day 8: Today continue with a half-day walk on the eastern section of the Great Wall at Simatai (approx. 3.5 hrs). In the afternoon drive to Huariou County (approx 1.5 hrs). The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure or you can visit a nearby cloisonné factory or a local supermarket accompanied by your guides. Overnight Green Lake Hotel. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 9: After breakfast depart for Mutianyu (approx. 30 min). Following your arrival walk along the Mutianyu section of the wall (3 hrs walking of which 1.5 hrs is on the wall). Mutianyu Great Wall According to textual research, Mutianyu Great Wall located in Huairou County of Beijing was built on the remains of the Great Wall from Northern Qi under the superintendence of Xu Da (a general under Zhu Yuanzhang) in the beginning years of Ming Dynasty. It was appraised as one of the “New 16 Scenes of Beijing” in 1987, and one of the “Beijing Tourist Scenes Incomparable in the World” in 1992. On completion of your walk return to Beijing (approx 1.5 hrs) and transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Xian, travelling in shared 4 berth 1st Class Soft sleeper compartments. Train Z19 departs at 20.25. (Breakfast, lunch – packed, dinner - packed).
Day 10: Following your early morning arrival in Xian (07.58) you will be met and transferred to the 4* Tang Cheng Hotel. After breakfast at the hotel begin a walk along the city wall (approx. 3 hrs). Few cities in China still have city walls. This walk will provide a bird’s eye view of old and new Xian. Looking down into ancient courtyards is a fascinating experience. A stop at the Farmers Painting Gallery will be made. Also visit the Wild Goose Pagoda. . (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 11: After breakfast you will travel outside the city to see some of China's, and the world's, most important sites. Qin Shihuang was the first emperor of the Chinese people. A mound of earth protects his tomb and it is believed to be studded with precious stones. When Qin Shihuang died, so the story goes, he wanted to be buried along with his entire army and entourage of servants who were of course still alive. He was persuaded instead to create life-like clay figures of them all, the famed Terracotta Warriors, and today they stand with their horses guarding his tomb as they have done for 2000 years. Widely acclaimed as the eighth wonder of the world, here the underground battle formation comprising 6,000 life-size pottery warriors and horses buried with the dead emperor can be viewed. In the afternoon you will be taken to a pottery factory where you will learn how pottery is created and see demonstrations of pottery making including it is hoped copies of the Terracotta Warriors. Overnight Tang Cheng Hotel. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Day 12: The morning is at leisure. Xian is a great place to wander around. After lunch visit a calligraphy school located in the Forest of Steles Museum. Here you can learn about the traditional art of calligraphy. Following a demonstration by a calligraphy expert you will also be able to write some Chinese on a piece of fine straw paper using a hair brush and ink. Also visit the Great Mosque and walk around the Muslim neighbourhood, slightly different to other sections of Chinese towns inhabited by the Han China, the predominant clan. Later this evening you will be transferred to the railway station for the overnight train journey to Beijing, again travelling in shared 4 berths 1st Class Soft sleeper compartments.
Day 13: Following your morning arrival in Beijing you will be transferred to your hotel, the 4* Golden Palace Hotel. After breakfast you will be given a tour of old Beijing by rickshaw. You will travel through the narrow lanes (hutongs) of the residential part of the city see the old one story grey tiled houses and small shops. This evening enjoy a farewell Peking Duck dinner. Peking roast duck is one of China’s most renowned food specialties.
Day 14: This evening depart London Heathrow on the Air China flight to Beijing, flying overnight.