Our intrepid adventure begins in the bustling capital Beijing. We will receive a warm welcome from our guide at the airport before transferring to the hotel. We then have the rest of the day at leisure to settle into our new surroundings.

Discover Beijing’s rich heritage as we step back in time to an era when mystery and incredible power reigned. We start at Tiananmen Square and get an overview of China’s communist history on a tour of the vast array of halls and monuments. This is the symbolic heart of China and it can accommodate one million people. Next, we visit the Imperial Ancestral Temple, within the Imperial City. We then embark on an in-depth exploration of the Forbidden City, the power base of Chinese emperors for centuries. This contains the Imperial Palace Museum which details the history of each dynasty, represented in four palatial halls with antiques and treasures from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. This was the ceremonial and political centre of government for almost 500 years. In the afternoon, we take a 40 minute transfer to the Summer Palace, with the possibility to enjoy an optional 30 minute boat ride on the Empress Cixi Waterway. Breakfast is at the hotel. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Soak up the stunning natural beauty that surrounds the historic Great Wall of China. From the hotel, we embark on a 90 minute scenic drive to the Mutianyu section of the wall, which is less visited than the famous Badaling stretch. Mutianyu is more rugged and covered in expansive greenery. Built as a form of defence by millions of soldiers and peasants, the wall is a remarkable feat of engineering and archaeologists estimate that it once spanned nearly 10,000 km. Construction continued over the centuries, with the most impressive portions built during the Ming Dynasty. The Mutianyu section holds a prominent place in Chinese military history and this area is now equipped with cable cars to offer a different perspective (surcharge applies) of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

We soak up more of Beijing’s iconic attractions, ahead of catching a high-speed train to Xi’an. Our last morning in Beijing takes us to the Temple of Heaven which was founded in the 15th century. This features a complex of fine buildings set in gardens, surrounded by pine woods. The layout and the individual buildings symbolize the relationship between heaven and earth – the god’s world and the human world – and the special role played by emperors within this association. The temple provides a unique opportunity to see the capital’s past and present exist in cohesion side-by-side. We then explore the finer points of tea under guided instruction at a dedicated facility. In the afternoon, we head to the train station and embark on a five-hour-plus train journey from Beijing to Xi'an, travelling in second class. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

We explore Xi'an’s ancient historic past that dates back over 3,000 years, as we visit the cultural village of Banpo; marvel at the army of Terracotta Warriors; and discover Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum. The Banpo Neolithic Village houses the remains of an ancient village that a matriarchal clan community once resided in. A highlight of the tour is the acclaimed site of the Terracotta Warriors which consists of 8,000 figures built under the order of the emperor to accompany him to the afterlife. We also explore Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum, the world’s largest underground tomb. In the afternoon, we visit a terracotta replication factory to observe how craftsmen replicate the iconic statues at the UNESCO listed site. Breakfast is at the hotel. Lunch is at a local restaurant

Discover Shanghai’s rich treasure chest of architectural styles in China’s most dynamic city. We board a flight from Xi’an and on arrival transfer to the hotel for check-in, with the rest of the day at leisure to explore this pulsating metropolis. Shanghai is China’s largest city and its main financial hub. At its heart is the Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with European-style buildings. Across the Huangpu River is Pudong’s ultramodern skyline, including the 632-metre high Shanghai Tower. For culture, Yu Garden has traditional pavilions and ponds. This is a destination that radiates affluence with glitzy shopping malls, high-end hotels and prestigious art centres, all serviced by the world’s longest subway system. Exploration will reveal celebrity restaurants, designer flagship stores and a wealth of leisure opportunities.

Starting early, we head to Shanghai Old Street. Next, we visit Yu Garden which is a prime example of a classical Chinese garden that dates back to 1559. This tranquil world of bamboo groves, koi-filled ponds and Ming Dynasty pavilions remains a serene sanctuary in contemporary times. We then enjoy tea in a close-by facility. We then proceed to the famous Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with European-style buildings. In the afternoon, we visit the Shanghai Museum which is home to fascinating ancient Chinese art. After this cultural exploration we head to Tianzifang, a network of alleyways filled with cafes, bars and boutiques. We round the day off with a stroll past the European style villas and buildings of the Former French Concession. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

All good things must come to an end and today sees our eight-day adventure draw to a close. Before transferring to the airport for our onward flight, we may have time to embark on some, independent, solo sight-seeing.