- China Private Tours
- Magnificent China - Private Tour
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Magnificent China - Private Tour
20 Day Private Tour
China, East Asia
55 Meals Included
19 Excursions
Intermediate Pace
Set amongst a backdrop of breathtaking natural splendour, delight in China's rich history and cultural heritage as you visit UNESCO-listed sights including the legendary Great Wall, Xi’an’s extraordinary Terracotta Warriors, and the politically-significant landmarks of Beijing. You’ll also encounter endearing giant pandas in Chengdu, cruise along the picturesque Yangtze River, and venture off the beaten path as you explore the unique earthen communal homes of Fujian.
Highlights
- City tours of Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai
- Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China
- Marvel at the 8,000-strong Terracotta Warriors
- Encounter the Giant Pandas at Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre
- Four-night Yangtze River Cruise sailing past the Three Gorges and Shennong Stream
- Get off the beaten track and visit the unique Nanjing and Chuxi Tulou clusters
Map Key
Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Itinerary
Day 1
Beijing
Upon arrival into Beijing you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Day 2
Beijing
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Delve into Beijing's rich history. Start at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest plaza, where you can take in the grandeur of this iconic site. From there, enter the vast Forbidden City, a sprawling complex with 9,999 rooms and chambers, filled with age-old relics and artifacts that offer a glimpse into China's imperial past. After lunch, you have the option to further immerse yourself in Chinese culture with an optional excursion to enjoy a Chinese acrobatics performance (payable locally). This captivating performance showcases the skill and artistry of traditional Chinese acrobatics, providing an entertaining and memorable experience. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay in Beijing.
Day 3
Beijing
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel to the Juyongguan portion of the Great Wall of China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built over 2,000 years ago as a final defence against marauding Mongol invaders. Stretching over 5,500 miles, stroll along the wall to admire panoramic views of mountain peaks and rolling grasslands. Later, stroll around the world's best preserved and also UNESCO Listed imperial gardens at the exquisite Summer Palace before navigating Silk Street's bustling market stalls, and feasting on a succulent Peking Duck dinner.
Day 4
Beijing to Xi'an
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, admire the 14th Century Temple of Heaven, an architectural masterpiece which is now also a popular meeting place for locals to perform their weekly exercise routines or partake in tai chi. Transfer to the train station for an afternoon bullet train to Xi'an, arriving in time for dinner.
Day 5
Xi'an
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Behold the vast underground vaults which boast the extraordinary 8,000-strong Terracotta warriors, known by many as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'. Later, witness the intricate process of producing smaller Terracotta replicas at the Art Ceramics and Lacquer Exhibition Centre, before enjoying a colourful evening of culture at a captivating Tang Dynasty Show.
Day 6
Xi'an to Chengdu
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A morning tour of Xi'an incorporates the chance to saunter along a fragment of the megalithic 14th century City Walls, followed by a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Before boarding this afternoon's bullet train to Chengdu, try your hand at the ancient art of calligraphy, learning to script iconic Chinese symbols.
Day 7
Chengdu
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre, where you will have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the city's most famous residents. Here, you can delight in watching the endearing giant pandas and Red Pandas as they snooze on treetops or snack on bamboo, offering a heartwarming and memorable experience. After your visit to the panda centre, you will explore People's Park, a vibrant public space where locals gather to relax, exercise, and socialize. The park offers a glimpse into daily life in Chengdu, with its beautiful gardens, teahouses, and lively atmosphere. Following a tasty dinner, you will take a leisurely stroll along Jinli's Ancient Street. This charming street is lined with elegant architecture, traditional shops, and vibrant stalls, providing a perfect blend of history and culture.
Day 8
Chengdu to Yangtze River Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Experience Chengdu's largest and bestpreserved Buddhist monastery with a visit to Wenshu Temple; greeted by the aromatic scents of burning incense, observe an assembly of local worshippers before boarding your bullet train to Yichang to embark on a four-night Yangtze River cruise.
Day 9
Yangtze River Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Cruise upstream, taking in the breathtaking panoramas of the river's scenic landscapes. The journey offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, lush greenery, and tranquil waters, creating a serene and picturesque experience. Your first excursion will be to the monumental Three Gorges Dam, one of the largest and most impressive engineering feats in the world. As you approach the dam, you'll be awed by its sheer size and the incredible scale of the project. During the visit, you'll learn about the dam's construction, its significance in flood control, and its role in generating hydroelectric power. After the excursion, you'll return to the ship, continuing to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Yangtze River.
Day 10
Yangtze River Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Take a side-trip to Shennong Stream, a zigzagging watercourse where local inhabitants line the shore. Sail to Wu Gorge, the prettiest of the Three Gorges followed by Qu Tang Gorge, the shortest, and in the afternoon, an optional tour of the White Emperor City explores this ancient temple, perched at the top of an island in the middle of the river.
Day 11
Yangtze River Cruise
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following an excursion at the Shibaozhai Temple, sail past the Fengdu Ghost City - the place where souls go to pass three tests before entering the afterlife, according to legend. Conclude this spellbinding cruise by sailing to the Fengdu Jade Emperor.
Day 12
Chongqing to Guilin
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Disembarking at Chongqing, board this morning's bullet train to China's most picturesque region, Guilin, and witness a striking natural phenomenon at Elephant Hill, whose distinctive appearance illustrates the trunk of an elephant drinking from the Taohua River. Please note, today's lunch will be in the form of a lunch box.
Day 13
Guilin to Yangshuo
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Relax in tranquillity on the Lijiang River's rippling waters. Following lunch on board, disembark in Yangshuo to explore its oldest avenue; West Street's bustling shopping district attracts visitors from all over the globe for its mesmerising combination of Eastern and international elements. Discover local heritage during an optional theatrical performance of The Impression of Liu Sanje this evening (payable locally).
Day 14
Yangshuo
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you will set out to explore the picturesque sights of this charming town. Visit a traditional farming house, where you can gain insight into the local agricultural practices and rural lifestyle. Following this enriching experience, you will have the afternoon at leisure to further explore Yangshuo at your own pace. You might choose to wander through the town's vibrant markets, take a leisurely bike ride through the stunning karst landscapes, or simply relax by the Li River, soaking in the serene beauty of the surroundings. The day concludes with dinner, allowing you to reflect on the day's discoveries and enjoy the tranquil ambiance of Yangshuo.
Day 15
Yangshuo to Xiamen
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
With a dramatic backdrop dominated by stunning karst formations and at the foot of Yao Mountain, visit Guilin Tea Science institute and Tea Gardens, delighting in the chance to sample traditional tea in incredible surroundings. Later, catch a flight to Xiamen and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure before dinner.
Day 16
Xiamen to Yongdong
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Journey to the historic town of Nan Jing in Fujian Province where you can delve into ancient Chinese history whilst exploring the unique 'earth buildings' of the Nan Jing Tulou clusters which are UNESCO listed buildings. Visit the characteristic Tianluokeng Cluster, the 'leaning building' of Yauchanlou, and ancient village of Taxia.
Day 17
Yongding to Xiamen
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, visit the Chuxi Tulou cluster. Catch a glimpse of the Jiqing Building, the oldest of the cluster, as well as the Gengqing, Shengqing, Gongqing and Shanqing buildings. Return to Xiamen after lunch and arrive in time to uncover the delicate architecture of Nanputuo Temple, an ancient Buddhist shrine, idyllically nestled in the foothills of Wulaofeng Mountains.
Day 18
Xiamen to Shanghai
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After arriving in Shanghai and checking into your hotel, you'll have the afternoon at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. You might choose to visit the Bund for a scenic stroll along the waterfront or explore the bustling Nanjing Road, known for its shopping and dining options. For a more cultural experience, consider visiting the tranquil Yu Garden or the Shanghai Museum. In the evening, you have the option to take a night cruise on the Huangpu River, offering stunning views of Shanghai's illuminated skyline (payable locally).
Day 19
Shanghai
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Commencing today's full-day tour in the heart of cosmopolitan Shanghai, discover two rare Buddhist relics, carved out of genuine white jade and housed within the generously embellished Jade Buddha Temple. Heading towards the Garden City of Suzhou, absorb the tranquil scenery of Pan Men Gardens, wander around Guangian Street, and learn about China's long-standing silk history at the Silk Museum and Factory. After dinner, return to Shanghai.
Day 20
Shanghai to UK
Breakfast
Today, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or onto your chosen extension.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
What's Included
Hand-picked Accommodation
55 Meals
19 Excursions
Expert Local Guides
All entrance fees
Overseas Transfers and Transport (as per itinerary)
ABTA & ATOL Protection
Your private tour of China is just a phone call away
Call our Travel Specialists today on 1800 804 006
Opening Times
Mon - Fri: 9.00am - 8.00pm, Saturday: 9.00am - 7.30pm, Sunday: 9.00am - 7.30pm, Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Your Next Adventure Awaits! We've been arranging award-winning, expertly crafted hoildays and tours since 1980. We're also ABTA protected and ATOL bonded for your total peace of mind. Call us today to book your next unforgettable holiday!
Your Cruise Ship
Goddess Cruise 8
4 nights
Yangtze, China
Accommodation
The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before you travel
The Landmark Hotel
3 nights
Beijing, China
Jianguo Hotel
2 nights
Xian, China
Extend Your Tour
Important Information
The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
Please note lighters and aerosol cans are not allowed planes, trains or sights of special interest, such as Tiananmen square, Forbidden city, The Temple of Heaven, Terracotta Warriors, Three Gorges Dam, and the Wild Goose Pagoda.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of €342.20pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
For all tours departing in 2026, no visa is required for British Passport Holders.
If you are departing in 2027 or later, you will require a visa to visit mainland China. We recommend you organise this 2 months before travel. If you’re 14 to 70 years old, you must apply for a visa in person at a visa application centre. If you’re aged 13 and under or aged 71 and over, you can only apply online.
You must provide biometric data (scanned fingerprints) for your application. There are visa application centres in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. The details of their opening hours are on their websites. The Chinese Embassy has further information on visa categories and how to apply. The application process takes approximately 4 – 10 working days and the cost depends on the visa and class you choose.
You will require extra documentation for your application that you can request from us from 2 months before departure. They may ask for the Agency Licence Number which is China International Travel Service Ltd: 911100001013930695. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. When calling the Travel Visa Company they will advise you of any changes to the fees or the procedure, they will also advise you of all the information they will require to apply for the visa.
We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding these.
You will need to fill in an arrival card online before travel for all travel dates. This can be done on the NIA’s official website https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/. To complete the form you will need to have your passport number and visa number. Once the form is complete you will either need to print out the QR code or have the QR code available on your phone.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in China is the Renminbi, known as RMB or CNY. It is often referred to as the Yuan. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you depart. US Dollars are widely accepted in China should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. Most major credit cards are accepted in hotels and shopping malls in China. Small shops and restaurants may not accept credit cards as well as street vendors, so it's strongly advised to have sufficient Chinese currency with you. ATM’s are readily available in big cities and most small towns.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £500 - £600 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.
It is customary to tip your national guide, local guide and driver CNY40 per person per day as well as a CNY150 tip for the river cruise. Your national guide will collect this for your convenience on the first day of your tour, approximately CNY990 per person for the total duration. Tips are collected in Chinese Yuan.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. For groups of less than 10, you will have a driver and be joined by a local guide at each location.
Please note the Bullet Train has restricted carry-ons: Aerosol spray cans containing hairspray, hair gel, styling mousse, insecticide and air freshener must be under 100 ml (3.5 fl oz)
Power banks without a 3C certification mark, spray cans of any form and lighters are not allowed on trains or planes.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and China. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. Unlike the western world, Chinese people do not normally pre-heat their plates and food can be presented at a variety of temperatures, which is a typical Chinese way of doing things.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. One bottle of water will be supplied per person per day on your tour.
If you are travelling within the below Chinese Public Holidays, please note that celebrations last for several days and during these times some businesses will be closed and coach, air and train travel may be affected. Tourist attractions will be open but may be crowded. Chinese New Year usually falls sometime between January 21 and February 20. Golden Week public holidays fall annually between 1st – 3rd of May and 1st – 7th of October.
On your arrival in Beijing, you will be met by a representative from our local agent will be in the terminal, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. Please exit from gate B of the airport and your guide will be waiting. The Mercury Holidays representative will show you to your transfer vehicle.
Please find below the emergency contact details for China Travel Service:
During Office Hours: 0086 10 85228340 / 0086 10 85228722
After Office Hours: Ms. Linda Liu (Mobile): 0086 13911043036
Ms. Starling Wang (Mobile): 0086 13810153047
Ms. Faith Guo (Mobile): 0086 13716796859
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Camera and charger
- Loo paper for public WCs
- Antibacterial hand gel
- Binoculars
- Personal first aid kit containing travel pills, rehydration powder, plasters, stomach settlers, antiseptic creams, aspirin etc
- Small day pack for excursions
- Waterproof, lightweight jacket
- Sunglasses, Sunscreen and hat in summer
- Lightweight clothing
- Sweater and jacket for the cooler months
- A travel plug adaptor as they use plug types A, C and I. The voltage in China is 220 Volts.
- Swimming cap
