DAY 1: Depart UK.
Overnight flight to Beijing.

DAY 2: Beijing.
On arrival in Beijing you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for a three-night stay. The rest of the day is yours to sample China's historic capital. (D)

DAY 3: Beijing. Included sightseeing.
An enthralling day awaits today with a tour of Beijing's most famous sights. Witness vast Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square, wander around the exquisite Summer Palace, a sprawling imperial complex of temples and halls set in parkland, and retrace the steps of China's ancient emperors at the imperious Forbidden City. Tonight, the evening is free for you to enjoy Beijing's restaurants and nightlife. (B, L)

DAY 4: Beijing. Included Great Wall of China.
Another exciting day dawns as we travel to the Mutianyu section of China's Great Wall. This incredible structure extends for approximately 4,000 miles and was built around 2,600 years ago. Ride a cable car up, where you'll have time to photograph its awe-inspiring scale and stunning views. In the evening, savour a delicious Peking Duck dinner. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Beijing - Xian.
This morning, wonder at the splendour of Beijing's ornate, wooden Temple of Heaven, used by China's emperors for sacrificial rituals to ensure good harvests. After lunch, transfer to Beijing airport for your flight to Xian, dubbed the 'City of Eternal Peace'. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Xian. Included Terracotta Warriors.
Thrill at Xian's legendary Terracotta Warriors with our visit to the mausoleum of China's first emperor, Qin, to see the 8,000 life-size clay warriors and horses that were each handcrafted to provide the Emperor with an eternal imperial guard. Today's other highlights include the Wild Goose Pagoda and the city walls. This evening, why not join us on our optional Tang Palace dinner and show outing? (B, L)

DAY 7: Xian - Lhasa.
Today we fly to Lhasa, the 'City of the Gods' and Tibet's ancient Buddhist capital. Set beneath Mount Gephel, this magical place is one of the highest in the world at an altitude of 11,975 feet. This afternoon, there's time to acclimatise and acquaint yourself with this intriguing city. (B, D)

DAY 8: Lhasa. Included sightseeing.
Today starts with a memorable tour of Lhasa's Potala Palace, an immense 17th century fortress perched high above the capital. Admire its ornate palaces and well-preserved apartments, once the domain of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas, which provide an enthralling window into age-old Tibetan Buddhism. Later, visit the 15th century Sera Monastery before stopping to see the enchanting Summer Palace, which is laid out in lush parkland. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: Lhasa. Included sightseeing.
Today you'll visit Drepung Monastery, a grandiose edifice nestled beneath mountains and once home to 10,000 monks. Next it's on to legendary Jokhang Temple, which was consecrated in 647 AD and is known for its golden-topped pavilions and halls lined with prayer wheels. Afterwards, experience the colourful bustle of Barkhor Market, where open-air stalls hawk everything from food to Buddha statues. (B, L, D)

DAY 10: Lhasa - Gyangtse.
Set off by road to Gyangtse, an ancient Tibetan town. En-route marvel at Yangdrok Lake, a sacred lake ringed by snow-tipped peaks. In Gyangtse, stroll around the famous Palcho Monastery, a spectacular multi-storeyed temple crammed with Buddhist shrines. (B, L, D)

DAY 11: Gyangtse - Shigatse.
This morning continue on to Shigatse, Tibet's holiest city, where you'll see the breathtaking red, white and black Tashilunpo Monastery, known for its gigantic copper and gold Buddha. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Shigatse - Tsedang.
Today, travel to Tsedang, known as the cradle of Tibetan civilisation. (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Tsedang. Included sightseeing.
Experience some of Tibet's most spectacular sights, starting with Samye Monastery. Built in the 8th century AD, this magnificent shrine is a marriage of architectural styles and was one of Tibet's first monasteries. From there, we travel on to Yumbu Lakang, the country's first Royal Palace. This three-storeyed edifice perches on a hillcrest high above a river valley and dates back to the 2nd century BC. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Tsedang - Lhasa - Chengdu.
Fly from Gonggar airport (south of Lhasa) Lhasa to Chengdu, an ancient city in China's Sichuan province famed for its embroidery and brocades and once the gateway to the southern Silk Route. Explore its stunning traditional shopping street, the Jinli, before transferring to your hotel for an overnight stay. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Chengdu - Lijiang.
This morning another treat awaits, with a trip to view the magnificent Giant Pandas at the Panda Research Centre outside Chengdu. Next we call at the intriguing ancient irrigation system at Dujiangyan, the world's largest non-dam irrigation system, before your evening flight to Lijiang. (B, L, D)

DAY 16: Lijiang. Included sightseeing.
Built in the Song Dynasty, centuries-old Lijiang lies on China's Yunnan Plateau and boasts a beautifully preserved old town. Today starts with an unforgettable trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a 5,596-metre mountain with 13 soaring peaks replicating the shape of a dragon. Enjoy an exhilarating cable car ride up its slopes to the Yat Meadow viewpoint before visiting the Jade Summit Temple, the fresco-decorated village of Baisha and Yuhu village. (B, L, D)

DAY 17: Lijiang. Included sightseeing.
Our tour today takes you to breathtaking Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Jinsha River. The world's deepest gorge, this natural, steep-walled wonder is dotted with waterfalls and is said to have once been traversed by a jumping tiger. Other highlights include seeing the first bend of the Yangtze River and visiting Shigu, known as the 'Stone Drum' town. Later, there's time to soak up the charm and colour of Lijiang's atmospheric old town. (B, L, D)

DAY 18: Lijiang - Kunming.
This morning fly to Kunming, Yunnan's capital and visit the amazing Stone Forest. This remarkable natural phenomenon consists of bizarrely shaped rock pinnacles and cliffs crafted by the elements some 270 million years ago and will take your breath away with its surreal beauty. (B, L, D)

DAY 19: Kunming - Hong Kong.
Today begins with a trip to the stunning Western Hills, whose mist-wreathed mountains are peppered with mystical temples and plunge into Dianchi Lake. Visit Dragon Gate Temple, a fairytale pavilion teetering on a dizzying precipice and Huating Temple, famed for its Buddhist and Tao statues. After lunch transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong. (B, L)

DAY 20: Hong Kong - UK.
Transfer to Hong Kong airport for your flight to the UK. (B)