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Discover China

2025/26 savings: SAVE £100 per person

on China tours departing from September 2025 to August 2026. Book by 15th September 2025.

Early Booking Offers: SAVE £200 per person

on China tours departing from September 2026. Book by 30th November 2025.

Discover China – Exclusively Solos Tour

Home Icon 17-day Discover China from £4,495pp £4,395pp

China is a fascinating blend of modern cities, historic towns, dramatic landscapes, and ancient palaces and traditions, making it a truly exciting touring destination. From the cosmopolitan capital of Beijing to historic Xi’an and rural Yangshuo, we explore China’s different faces and see first-hand what makes it so special.

Travelling by high-speed bullet trains, air and roads, those with a love of history, culture and food will be in their element. Our varied 17-day itinerary takes in the major highlights of the Forbidden City, Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, visits the giant pandas of Chengdu, explores the renowned gardens of Suzhou, ventures to the stunning Longsheng Rice Terraces, and cruises through beautiful karst scenery on the Li River.

Immersing ourselves in the local culture, we take part in a Tai Chi session, try the art of calligraphy, learn how to cook authentic dishes and discover silk embroidery. Enjoy tea houses, local noodles, dumplings and Peking Duck as our taste buds are tantalised as well.

Travelling with our Tour Manager throughout and designed with the solo traveller in mind, join Distant Journeys on an adventure of a lifetime to discover the enchanting magic that China offers.

Take advantage of our Special Offers and save up to £200 per person.

Itinerary

Expand All Days
Day 1

Depart UK

Depart UK

Depart with Cathay Pacific from London Heathrow or Manchester via Hong Kong. No matter which airport you choose, there will be no additional cost.

Alternative Airline – Emirates

Should you prefer, fly with Emirates via Dubai from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow for a supplement, from £295 per person.

Included meals:

In-flight meals and drinks

Day 2

Beijing, 3 nights

Beijing, 3 nights

Arrive into the wonderful city of Beijing and transfer to the Park Plaza Wangfujing Hotel, conveniently located in central Beijing. Previously known as Peking, China’s capital city is a historical treasure trove, boasting over 3,000 years of tumultuous history. However, it’s not only this city’s ancient monuments that attracts visitors. Its imposing socialist monuments of the 1950s along with the explosive growth of modern buildings and infrastructure, make Beijing an unmissable showcase of China old and new. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with our Tour Manager and fellow travellers, to become acquainted and learn more about our adventure ahead.

Included meals:

In-flight meals and drinks, and welcome dinner

Day 3

Beijing

Beijing

Today, our sightseeing tour of Beijing begins in Tiananmen Square. Measuring around 440,000m2, it was here that Chairman Mao declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China. We continue to the nearby Forbidden City, the world’s largest palace complex and home to China’s best-preserved collection of ancient and ornate buildings. We have plenty of time to visit the Forbidden City, prior to lunch in a nearby restaurant.

In the afternoon, we explore the Temple of Heaven Park, the site where emperors prayed for a good harvest during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and participate in a Tai Chi class, a Chinese exercise using slow, smooth movements to achieve relaxation of body and soul. This evening, we enjoy a classic imperial dish from Beijing: Peking Duck, served with plum or garlic sauce, scallions and pancakes.

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4

The Great Wall

The Great Wall

Tour Highlight

China’s most iconic sight and greatest engineering triumph, the Great Wall weaves its way through 4,000 miles of northern China’s landscapes. This morning, we travel northeast from the city to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, famous for its Ming-era guard towers and the fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. We take a short cable car ride to the wall, and have ample time to stroll along part of it, taking in the spectacular landscapes.

Following our memorable visit and lunch, we return to Beijing to spend the afternoon exploring the halls, pavilions, temples, gardens, corridors and bridges of the Summer Palace, the former playground of the royal family as they escaped the suffocating heat of summer. We marvel at this masterpiece of traditional Chinese landscaping, designed according to the principles of feng shui.

Included meals:

Breakfast and lunch

Day 5

Xi'an, 2 nights

Xi'an, 2 nights

We say farewell to Beijing and board our ‘bullet train’ to Xi’an, one of China’s most famous cities with a long and fascinating history. A considerable amount of its ancient city has managed to survive alongside its modern developments. We make a stop to explore the magnificent city walls, which date back to the Ming dynasty around 1370, and enjoy incredible views of Xi’an old and new from our vantage point on top of the 12m-high wall.

We reach the Grand Noble Hotel later in the afternoon, our home for the next two nights. One of the delicacies in Xi’an is its fantastic dumplings, which are similar to dim sum. This evening, enjoy sampling a selection of dumplings – each are handmade into a variety of shapes and with a selection of delicious fillings.

Included meals:

Breakfast, boxed lunch and dinner

Day 6

The Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors

Tour Highlight

Discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers drilling a well, the Terracotta Army is one of the most famous and spectacular archaeological discoveries in the world. Today, we explore the pits containing the terracotta soldiers, which have stood guard since 246BC when Emperor Qin Shi Huang commissioned the work for his mausoleum. Each life-sized warrior has been crafted with individual facial features and clothing, and are arranged in battle formations alongside their horses and chariots. We also discover the equally fascinating Qin Shi Huang Emperor Tomb Artefact Exhibition Hall, which contains many artefacts including a pair of bronze chariots and horses, which are displayed with some of the original weaponry. After lunch, we visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda before joining a calligraphy class, where we learn about the basic tools used, along with writing skills to create our own works of art to take home as a cherished souvenir.

Included meals:

Breakfast and lunch

Day 7

Chengdu, 2 nights

Chengdu, 2 nights

After breakfast, we make our way to the train station to board our high-speed train to Chengdu, in the Sichuan Province. Chengdu is renowned for its teahouse culture and its most famous inhabitants – the Giant Pandas. On arrival early afternoon, we transfer to our hotel, the charming Xizang Hotel, where we stay for the next two nights. Later, we take a gentle stroll through Wangjianglou Park, which is often filled with dancing, song and Tai Chi. The park is also home to some of the city’s favourite teahouses, where we stop to sample the local brews and perhaps mix with the locals over a game of Mahjong.

Included meals:

Breakfast and boxed lunch

Day 8

Chengdu and Giant Pandas

Chengdu and Giant Pandas

Tour Highlight

With over 80% of the world’s Giant Panda population found in Sichuan Province, it’s little surprise to find the area taking the lead in conservation projects to save these endangered species. The panda is the national symbol of China, and today we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute, which is home to around 120 giant and 76 red pandas. The project allows us to see these loveable and rare creatures, at close quarters in a near-natural habitat setting. Following lunch at the Breeding Centre, we return to our hotel to relax and freshen up.

Later in the afternoon, we explore the bustling stalls and shops of the Wide and Narrow Alleys, two ancient streets restored in Ming and Qing architectural styles. We enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants serving traditional dishes, cooked with distinctive Sichuan flavours. Later, we recommend venturing to the Sichuan Opera for a one of a kind cultural performance, including acrobats, dancers, puppets and the amazing ‘face-changing’ mask spectacle.

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9

Guilin, 2 nights

Guilin, 2 nights

Following breakfast, we travel to Guilin by train. Upon arrival, our waiting coach will take us to the Bravo Hotel, ideally situated in central Guilin, where we spend the next two nights. This evening, we venture out to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Later, there is an opportunity to take an optional Lakes and Rivers cruise to discover Guilin’s stunning landscapes by night.

Included meals:

Breakfast, boxed lunch and dinner

We Recommend - Evening Lakes and Rivers Cruise

Discover the beautiful city of Guilin and its stunning landscapes by night with the Guilin night cruise.

Day 10

Longsheng Rice Terraces

Longsheng Rice Terraces

Tour Highlight

We visit the Longsheng Rice Terraces today, a chance to admire the ingenuity of past generations and take in the spectacular scenery. The terraces are known as the ‘Dragon’s Backbone’, due to the similarity in appearance to dragon scales. Construction of the rice terraces started back in the 13th century, during the Yuan Dynasty, and they rise to 1000m, offering beautiful views over local villages, where Zhuang and Yao minorities have lived for hundreds of years. We have lunch in a local restaurant before travelling back to Guilin this afternoon, stopping to see the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas on the edge of Shan Lake.

Included meals:

Breakfast and lunch

Day 11

Li River and Yangshuo, 2 nights

Li River and Yangshuo, 2 nights

The countryside through which the Li River flows is a photographer’s dream. During our morning cruise, we glide serenely between verdant hills, enjoying iconic scenes of wallowing water buffalo and farmers tending their crops against a backdrop of limestone peaks. Our cruise terminates in Yangshuo, and we head to the Green Lotus Hotel. Our home for the next two nights sits beside the Li River and is just a short walk from the bustling town centre.

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12

Yangshuo

Yangshuo

This morning, we enjoy a cookery class where we learn how to make a selection of delicious local dishes. We begin with a visit to the local market to select our fresh ingredients, before joining our skilled host in the kitchen. Once preparation and cooking are complete, we have the chance to taste the dishes we have created for lunch. This afternoon we take to the skies over Yangshuo as we ascend to Ruyi Peak by cable car, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape of limestone karst and winding rivers.

Included meals:

Breakfast and lunch

Day 13

Shanghai, 3 nights

Shanghai, 3 nights

After breakfast, we catch our flight to Shanghai and transfer to our hotel, Jin Jiang Tower Hotel, for our final three nights in China. We head out on a walking tour this afternoon to explore the enchanting former French Concession area, which to this day is still a beautiful residential and shopping district, renowned for its European architecture, buzzy cafes and tree-lined streets.

Included meals:

Breakfast

Day 14

Shanghai

Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s most glamourous and prosperous city, where Chinese and Western cultures sit side by side. This morning our sightseeing tour begins with a walk along the Bund, on the banks of the Huangpu River. The Bund perfectly encapsulates the diversity of Shanghai, with the grandiose Art Deco architecture of the city’s former banks and trading houses on one side of the river, and the futuristic skyline of Pudong on the other. We continue to the charming Old Town, which is the original centre of the city and retains many of its original temples, alleyways and buildings.

Our morning ends in Yuyuan Gardens. Built during the Ming dynasty and taking 18 years to complete, the gardens survived wars and rebellions, and today are a fine example of classically-styled Chinese Gardens. Following lunch, we explore the impressive collection of Chinese artefacts housed in the Shanghai Museum.

Included meals:

Breakfast and lunch

Day 15

Suzhou

Suzhou

Tour Highlight

We embark on a full-day tour to Suzhou, a city famed for its culture and elegance, and home to many artists and scholars, drawn to the city by its UNESCO-listed classical gardens. Our first stop is to explore one of China’s most famous gardens – the Humble Administrator’s Garden, with its bamboo islands, many ponds, humpback bridges and beautiful pavilions. Enjoy a relaxing cruise along the ancient canals of the old city before lunch.

In the afternoon, visit the Master of the Nets Garden, which is relatively small, but gives the impression of being much larger thanks to its ingenious use of space. Suzhou embroidery is considered to be one of the four major regional styles of Chinese embroidery, and our final stop of the day is a visit to a silk factory to see how incredible images are brought to life with fine, highly-detailed stitching.

Returning to Shanghai this evening, we indulge in a delicious farewell meal to mark the end of our incredible journey together.

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 16

Depart Shanghai

Depart Shanghai

Enjoy a leisurely morning until it’s time to depart for the airport. Our flights to the UK operate via Hong Kong.

Included meals:

Breakfast, and in-flight meals and drinks

Day 17

Arrive UK

Arrive UK

Today we arrive into our chosen airport bringing an end to our amazing adventure in China.

Included meals:

In-flight meals and drinks

Departure dates & prices

Save £200 per person on tours departing from September 2026 when you book by 30th November 2025, or take advantage of £100 per person savings on tours departing from September 2025 to August 2026 , when you book by 15th September 2025.

Departures

Date Price (Per Person) Offer Availability
11th September 2025 £4,495pp £4,395pp SAVE £100 per person 1 Room
9th October Fully Booked
  • 11th September 2025

    1 Room

    £4,495pp £4,395pp

    SAVE £100 per person
  • 9th October

    Fully Booked

2026 Departures

Date Price (Per Person) Offer Availability
9th April 2026 £4,695pp £4,595pp SAVE £100 per person 7 Rooms
21st May 2026 £4,695pp £4,595pp SAVE £100 per person Just Launched
10th September 2026 £4,795pp £4,595pp SAVE £200 per person Just Launched
8th October 2026 £4,795pp £4,595pp SAVE £200 per person Just Launched
  • 9th April 2026

    7 Rooms

    £4,695pp £4,595pp

    SAVE £100 per person
  • 21st May 2026

    Just Launched

    £4,695pp £4,595pp

    SAVE £100 per person
  • 10th September 2026

    Just Launched

    £4,795pp £4,595pp

    SAVE £200 per person
  • 8th October 2026

    Just Launched

    £4,795pp £4,595pp

    SAVE £200 per person

Prices
Prices are per person based on one person in a twin or double room. No single occupancy supplements apply.

Deposit
£1,000 per person if travelling Economy Class, £1,950 per person if travelling Premium Economy and £3,750 per person for Business Class.

Flight upgrades
Cathay Pacific upgrade to Premium Economy from £1,195 per person return, or Business Class from £3,895 per person return.

Emirates upgrade to Premium Economy* from £1,195 per person return, or Business Class from £4,145 per person return.
*Only available on certain flights.

Visa information
A valid China Tourist visa is required to travel to China. For more information on applying for your visa and the associated costs, please refer to our FAQ’s page.

Important information
Prices and flight upgrades are subject to fuel surcharges and the availability of flights. The correct price will be confirmed before you book.

For full terms and conditions see our booking conditions page.

Your holiday includes

  • Flights with leading scheduled airlines

    Flights with leading scheduled airlines

    Return economy flights with Cathay Pacific from London Heathrow or Manchester, and any domestic flights within China, inclusive of all airport charges, security charges, any applicable fuel surcharges and UK Air Passenger Duty. Alternatively, fly with Emirates from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow – a supplement, from £295 per person, will apply

  • Carefully selected hotels

    Carefully selected hotels

    Carefully selected hotels in great locations. Twin or double rooms with NO single occupancy supplement, all hotel porterage and applicable taxes

  • Meals worth £420 per person

    Meals worth £420 per person

    Meals worth £420 per person, with daily breakfast, twelve lunches and seven dinners

  • Unforgettable experiences

    Unforgettable experiences

    • Sightseeing tours in Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Shanghai and Suzhou
    • The Great Wall
    • Explore the Forbidden City and Summer Palace
    • View the Terracotta Warriors
    • Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute
    • Discover Longsheng Rice Terraces
    • Cruise on the Li River
    • Cooking experience in Yangshuo

  • Experienced Tour Manager

    Experienced Tour Manager

    Services of an experienced Tour Manager

  • On the ground

    On the ground

    All overseas transfers and modern, air-conditioned coaches throughout

  • ATOL protected

    ATOL protected

    Your holiday is covered by our Price Promise and is fully ATOL protected

Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing Hotel, Beijing

Offering 4-star comfort and a peaceful escape from the bustling city of Beijing, the Park Plaza Hotel Beijing boasts modern rooms, excellent facilities and a brilliant location. Set in the city’s Wangfujing district, the hotel has the district’s famous shopping… Find out more >
  • 4 Star Rating
  •   Official rating
  • 4 Star Rating
  •   Distant Journeys rating

Grand Noble Hotel, Xi’an

Situated in the bustling heart of Xi’an’s ancient city wall district, the Grand Noble Hotel offers a relaxing retreat amidst the hustle and bustle of this historic city. With the iconic Bell Tower and the historic Forest of Steles nearby,… Find out more >
  • 4 Star Rating
  •   Official rating
  • 4 Star Rating
  •   Distant Journeys rating

Xizang Hotel, Chengdu

Standing on the shore of the Jinjiang River in Chengdu, the Tibetan styled Xizang Hotel bears remarkable resemblances to Lhasa’s Potala Palace, making your stay here a truly enchanting experience. In fact, look beyond the hotel, and you can see… Find out more >
  • 5 Star Rating
  •   Official rating
  • 4 Star Rating
  •   Distant Journeys rating

Bravo Hotel, Guilin

Nestled in the scenic area of Guilin’s famous Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Bravo Hotel offers a peaceful escape amidst ancient trees, stone inscriptions and serene waters. Overlooking the tranquil Ronghu Lake, the hotel is ideally situated to explore the… Find out more >
  • 5 Star Rating
  •   Official rating
  • 4 Star Rating
  •   Distant Journeys rating

Green Lotus Hotel, Yangshuo

Green Lotus Hotel is nestled at the foot of Bilian Peak, alongside the serene banks of the Li River in Yangshuo. With stunning views of the river and surrounding landscape, the hotel provides an ideal base for exploring the area’s… Find out more >
  • 4 Star Rating
  •   Official rating
  • 4 Star Rating
  •   Distant Journeys rating

Jin Jiang Tower Hotel, Shanghai

Towering at 153 meters high, with 360° unobstructed panoramic views, the luxurious Shanghai Jin Jiang Hotel is the ideal base to explore Shanghai. Many consider Shanghai Jin Jiang Tower one of the most beautiful hotels in the city, thanks to… Find out more >
  • 5 Star Rating
  •   Official rating
  • 4 Star Rating
  •   Distant Journeys rating

Freedom days

Explore further during your free time with an optional excursion to enhance your experience. You don’t have to decide if you want to arrange anything before you go, your tour manager will happily arrange this for you while you are on tour.

Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show

Xi’an: Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show

Xi’an is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, once the centre of many Chinese dynasties. You can learn about one of these fascinating dynasties, the Tang Dynasty, during the legendary Tang Dynasty show, which tells the story...

From RMB 480 (approx. GBP £53) Read More >
Sichuan Opera

Chengdu: Sichuan Opera

Sichuan opera (Chuan Ju, Sichuanese Opera) is one of China’s oldest and most popular opera forms. Originated at the end of the Ming and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, different dramas were brought in to blend with the local...

From RMB 320 (approx. GBP £36) Read More >
Lakes and Rivers Night Cruise

Guilin: Lakes and Rivers Night Cruise

Guilin is a city in southern China famous for its natural scenery, including its clusters of limestone Karst hills and its beautiful still waterways, made up of four lakes and two rivers. Discover the beautiful city of Guilin and its...

From RMB 315 (approx. GBP £35) Read More >
Impression Liu Sanjie Light Show

Yangshuo: Impression Liu Sanjie Light Show

Carving through lush green countryside and surrounded by karst mountains, the Li River is one of China’s most stunning natural spectacles. The Impression Liu Sanjie light show proves that it is equally as magnificent by night, with the river and...

From RMB 320 (approx. GBP £36) Read More >
Evening cruise on the Huangpu River

Shanghai: Evening cruise on the Huangpu River

Nicknamed the Mother River of Shanghai, the Huangpu River acts as the backbone of the city, with its world-famous attractions, hotels and financial buildings lining its shore. Millions flock to The Bund, Shanghai’s riverfront district, each year to take in...

From RMB 270 (approx. GBP £30) Read More >

Offers

2025/26 savings: SAVE £100 per person on China tours departing from September 2025 to August 2026. Offer ends 15th September 2025.

Early Booking Offers: Save £200 per person on China tours departing from September 2026. Book by 30th November 2025.

Customer reviews  feefo logo

This is a brand-new tour with the inaugural departure in September 2025. This page will be updated with reviews as soon as our returning customers are contacted by the independent reviews company Feefo.

In the meantime, please feel free to look at the reviews for some of our other tours to China – we’re sure you will be impressed with the service our guests receive and the great reviews they kindly give us!

DID YOU KNOW

The Great Wall of China was listed in The Times article ‘25 of the Best Trips of a Lifetime’ and is China’s most iconic sight and greatest engineering triumph, weaving its way through 4,000 miles of northern China’s landscapes.

Exclusively for solo travellers

Discover China Map

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