COX & KINGS

Cox & Kings

China: The Grand Tour

Prices checked 26 October 2026 · Cox & Kings · Supplier snapshot; confirmation required.

China: The Grand TourChoose your departure & see monthly prices →

This comprehensive tour of China visits the treasures of Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors at Xi'an, picturesque scenery between Guilin and Yangshuo and the pandas at Chengdu. Cruise the Yangtze River and visit the Three Gorges Dam, before ending the tour in cosmopolitan Shanghai.

Plan this tour with Kat & Simon Morgan — Personal Travel Consultants at Hays Travel. Call 0800 0662 694 for help comparing dates, departure points and room options.

Tour highlights

Further highlights

Your itinerary

In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.

Sample itinerary. Choose a departure for its exact itinerary and hotel plan.

Day 1 — Fly to Beijing

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Beijing.

Day 2 — Arrive Beijing

Arrive and transfer to the Novotel Beijing Peace (or similar) for 3 nights. Afternoon visit to the Temple of Heaven. Welcome dinner at a Peking duck restaurant.

Meals: dinner

Day 3 — Beijing

Morning visit to Tiananmen Square, then tour the Forbidden City with an expert guide. Stroll through the historic Liulichang district. Evening visit to the state acrobatics show.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 4 — Great Wall

Drive out of the city to the Great Wall at Jinshanling, a quiet and dramatic section of the wall.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 4.1 — Transfer: Beijing to Xi'an
Day 5 — Xi'an

Visit a hutong (narrow streets) area on a pedicab, then drive to the railway station to board a high-speed train to Xi’an, where you stay at the Grand New Century Hotel Xi’an for 2 nights.

Meals: breakfast

Day 6 — Terracotta Warriors - Xi'an

Morning excursion to the Terracotta Army and the Xi’an Museum, followed by a lesson in Chinese calligraphy. Afternoon visit to the Muslim quarter and Great Mosque.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 6.1 — Transfer: Xi'an to Chengdu
Day 7 — Train to Chengdu

Morning high-speed train journey to Chengdu, then transfer to the Kempinski Hotel Chengdu for 1 night. Evening excursion to enjoy a Sichuan Opera music performance.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 7.1 — Transfer: Chengdu to Guilin
Day 8 — Fly to Guilin

Early visit to the Giant Panda Research Base. Fly to Guilin and overnight at the Sheraton Guilin.

Meals: breakfast

Day 8.1 — Transfer: Guilin to Yangshuo
Day 9 — Yangshuo

Morning cruise down the Li River, past a dramatic landscape of limestone peaks. Arrive in Yangshuo and stroll along busy West Street, then transfer to the Lijing Resort for a 2-night stay.

Meals: breakfast

Day 10 — Yangshuo

Day at leisure to explore the Yangshuo region.

Meals: breakfast

Day 10.1 — Transfer: Yangshuo to Chongqing
Day 11 — Chongqing

Train journey to Chongqing, then transfer to the port to board the 5-star luxury Victoria Jenna (or similar) for a 3-night cruise to Yichang.

Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 11.1 — Transfer: Chongqing to Yichang
Day 12 — Yangtze River Cruise

Cruise through the striking Three Gorges section of the Yangtze, an area of towering cliffs and twisting canyons. Enjoy shore excursions to Fengdu’s Ghost City and to watch the Romance of the Three Kingdoms show.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12.1 — Transfer: Yichang to Shanghai
Day 13 — Yangtze River Cruise

Continue on the Yangtze River Cruise; a range of shore excursions are available, with entertainment provided in the evenings.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14 — Yichang - Train to Shanghai

Disembark in Yichang and visit the Three Gorges Dam, then take the train to Shanghai. Stay 2 nights at the Central Hotel.

Meals: breakfast

Day 15 — Shanghai

Morning tour of Jade Buddha Temple and Yu Garden, followed by tea tasting at the Huxinting Teahouse. Afternoon tour of the Shanghai Museum with an expert guide, then end the day with a walk along the historic Bund. Tonight, attend a farewell dinner.

Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 16 — Fly to London

Transfer to the airport and fly to London.

Meals: breakfast

Your accommodation

Planned hotels or ships as published by Cox & Kings. Alternatives of a similar standard may be used. Hotel options are grouped as supplied and are not necessarily all included in one departure.

Novotel Beijing Peace

The 4-star Novotel Peace Hotel is well located in the centre of Beijing, within walking distance of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and next to the Wanfujing shopping and entertainment district. All rooms have a range of modern facilities including satellite television, air conditioning, a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, and a hairdryer. The hotel is well equipped for leisure travellers with three restaurants, a swimming pool and fitness centre.

Grand New Century Hotel Xi'an

Situated in Xi’an’s dynamic urban district, the elegant Grand New Century Hotel offers easy access to the city’s historic heart and major attractions. Stylish interiors blend contemporary comfort with refined touches, creating a welcoming atmosphere for leisure travellers. Spacious rooms and suites provide a restful retreat after exploring ancient city walls, museums and vibrant markets. On-site dining, a relaxing spa, fitness facilities and a swimming pool invite you to unwind in comfort while enjoying all that Xi’an has to offer.

Kempinski Hotel Chengdu

The ultra-contemporary Kempinski Hotel Chengdu offers an oasis of light and airy calm in an otherwise busy city. With three restaurants to choose from, you can pick from Cantonese or flavourful Sichuan Chinese food, or in the Seasons Restaurant there are more Western options. Facilities include a luxury spa, a fitness centre with indoor pool and a concierge.

Sheraton Guilin Hotel

$2f

Lijing Resort

Nestled just 50 meters from the vibrant West Street, Lijing Resort offers a tranquil retreat in the heart of Yangshuo. Enjoy clean, cozy rooms adorned with classic wooden furnishings and equipped with modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi. The hotel is conveniently situated near Yangshuo Park and the scenic Lijiang River, making it an ideal base for exploring the area's natural beauty and cultural landmarks.

Victoria Jenna - Yangtze

The Victoria Jenna ship consists of 189 cabins, spread over five levels, all of which have private balconies. Facilities include two restaurants (a single-seating main dining room, and an a la carte restaurant on the top deck), a three-story atrium lobby, two lounges, three bars, a fitness centre, two full-sized lecture rooms, library, the Oasis beauty salon, artist corners and gift shop.

Grand Central Hotel Shanghai

The Grand Central Hotel is located in the heart of Shanghai, adjacent to the pedestrianised shopping area of Nanjing Road, and within walking distance of the Bund, People's Square and Shanghai Museum. The hotel offers well-appointed and tastefully designed guestrooms. Dining options include an authentic French restaurant and a traditional Cantonese restaurant.

What’s included

Dates & prices

Indicative supplier snapshot. Confirm price, room basis and availability before booking. Monthly estimates deduct a £250 deposit per person for Europe or £395 elsewhere, then divide by whole monthly payments ending no later than 42 days before departure. Rounded to the nearest pound; final payment adjusted.

London and Manchester departures available. Published tour fares are indicative and not airport-specific; confirm your selected airport and quote with Kat & Simon.

30 published departure and room-basis records. Standard prices are per person sharing; solo fares are labelled separately. Sold-out records are shown for reference.

DepartureDeparture pointDurationRoom basisPrice per personStatus
12 March 2027London16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £5,395
£5,245
Save £150 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
12 March 2027Manchester16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £5,395
£5,245
Save £150 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
3 September 2027London16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £5,745
£5,595
Save £150 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
3 September 2027London16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,240
£7,040
Save £200 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
3 September 2027Manchester16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £5,745
£5,595
Save £150 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
3 September 2027Manchester16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,240
£7,040
Save £200 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
8 October 2027London16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £5,645
£5,495
Save £150 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
8 October 2027London16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,140
£6,940
Save £200 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
8 October 2027Manchester16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £5,645
£5,495
Save £150 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
8 October 2027Manchester16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,140
£6,940
Save £200 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
22 October 2027London16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £5,745
£5,595
Save £150 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
22 October 2027London16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,240
£7,040
Save £200 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
22 October 2027Manchester16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £5,745
£5,595
Save £150 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
22 October 2027Manchester16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,240
£7,040
Save £200 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
10 March 2028London16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £6,095
£5,920
Save £175 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
10 March 2028London16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,740
£7,515
Save £225 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
10 March 2028Manchester16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £6,095
£5,920
Save £175 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
10 March 2028Manchester16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,740
£7,515
Save £225 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
1 September 2028London16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £6,195
£6,020
Save £175 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
1 September 2028London16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,840
£7,615
Save £225 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
1 September 2028Manchester16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £6,195
£6,020
Save £175 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
1 September 2028Manchester16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,840
£7,615
Save £225 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
6 October 2028London16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £6,095
£5,920
Save £175 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
6 October 2028London16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,740
£7,515
Save £225 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
6 October 2028Manchester16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £6,095
£5,920
Save £175 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
6 October 2028Manchester16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,740
£7,515
Save £225 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
20 October 2028London16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £6,195
£6,020
Save £175 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
20 October 2028London16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,840
£7,615
Save £225 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
20 October 2028Manchester16 daysTwo sharingSupplier price £6,195
£6,020
Save £175 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability
20 October 2028Manchester16 daysSoloSupplier price £7,840
£7,615
Save £225 pp · Book by 29 November 2026
Snapshot — confirm availability

Supplier source ↗

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Booking this tour with Kat & Simon

How do I book?

Call 0800 0662 694 with your preferred dates, departure point and party details. We’ll confirm the current fare and availability before booking. This page does not reserve a place.

Can I spread the cost?

The date selector shows monthly estimates where eligible. Deposit and balance dates are shown alongside each option; ask us to confirm the payment arrangement for your booking.

Will my itinerary vary?

Check the itinerary for your selected departure. Hotels, order of visits and included experiences can vary; optional activities may cost extra.

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