Four of the most important cities in China, each destination reveals new insights into China’s long history and powerful culture. With the cities well-connected by rail and domestic flights, local residents communicate in Mandarin but speak with distinct local dialects, revealing the diversity of Chinese society.

Beijing is home to the Imperial buildings of the Forbidden City, the Communist landmark of Tiananmen Square and, the man-made wonder, the Great Wall of China. The important port city of Shanghai tells a different story of China’s past, revealing its historic connections with Europe and modern-day economic success in international business. The ancient city of Xian holds a 7000 strong Terracotta Army and Chengdu harbours the endangered Giant Panda.

Encourage your students to order seafood dumplings in Shanghai and spicy stir-fries in Chengdu. Tune their listening skills into the pure pronunciation in Beijing and the Cantonese dialect in Shanghai. Investigate Imperial rule in Beijing’s dynastic palaces and examine defence tactics in Xian and explore the impacts of the European influence in Shanghai. Add new vocabulary to your students repertoire as they find out about environmental conservation in Chengdu, and consider the economic value of their language skills as they tour the influential corporations in Shanghai’s business districts.

Our best value sample itinerary from £1380

9 Days to China

Day 1:
Travel overnight to Beijing by air.

Day 2:
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the local area. Overnight in Beijing.

Day 3:
In the morning visit the Forbidden City, the imperial palace where the court lived in luxury isolated from the outside world, and Tiananmen Square, the largest square in the world covering some 40 hectares. In the afternoon visit the Summer Palace of the imperial family just outside of Beijing. Overnight in Beijing.

Day 4:
Visit the Great Wall of China and walk along the steep pathway and see the watch towers. Continue to the Temple of Heaven, then onwards to a local craft factory. Take the overnight sleeper train to Xian.

Day 5:
Arrive in Xian. Visit the Wild Goose Pagoda within the Temple of Grace and the City wall. Overnight in Xian.

Day 6:
Visit the Terracotta Army Museum, built in pits over 2000 years ago to guard the tomb of the Emperor Qin and visit the local craft factory. Fly to Shanghai and transfer to Suzhou for overnight accommodation.

Day 7:
Visit Suzhou, one of the oldest towns in the Yangzi basin. Visit Wangshi Garden, the Silk Mill and Embroidery Institute. Enjoy a Grand Canal cruise. Transfer to Shanghai for overnight accommodation.

Day 8:
Visit Jade Buddha Temple, Yu Garden, the Bund and Nanjing Road. Overnight in Shanghai

Day 9:

Transfer to Shanghai airport for flight to UK arriving later the same day.