Classic China

Visit China

Day 1

Say Nĭ Hăo to China

Transfer to your Beijing hotel where you’ll meet your Travel Director and Small Group for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2

Discover the Icons of Beijing

Delve into Beijing’s imperial heritage, beginning at Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest public space.

Enter the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City through the south gate, once the home of emperors and their households for over 600 years. Discover its ancient traditions and history before enjoying time at leisure for lunch. Later, visit the serene Temple of Heaven, another UNESCO-listed site, where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for harvests and guidance. This evening, you’ll enjoy a Regional Dinner featuring Beijing’s iconic Peking Duck.

Day 3

Journey to the Great Wall

Leave Beijing behind and walk in the footsteps of emperors along the Great Wall of China at Juyongguan, a monumental structure first built in the 5th century BC and stretching thousands of miles across the north.

Take in sweeping views from its ancient ramparts before continuing to the Sacred Way, where stone guardians line the path to the Ming Tombs, burial site of 13 Ming emperors. Later, visit a jade workshop and watch skilled artisans carve this revered stone into intricate designs. This evening, choose an Optional Experience to witness a thrilling Kung Fu performance, blending age-old martial arts with modern stagecraft.

Day 4

Explore Beijing Connect with Locals Dive Into Culture

Ease into the day with a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Beijing’s traditional Hutong neighbourhoods.

Join a local family for a home-cooked lunch and gain a deeper insight into the everyday lives of the locals. Then, visit a tea house to see the traditions and techniques behind Chinese tea-making. This afternoon, fly to Xi’an, where you may choose to explore the vibrant night food market and emerging craft beer scene, or opt for a dumpling dinner, complete with a demonstration revealing the skill behind these regional favourites.

Day 5

Uncover Xi'an's Treasures

Kick off your morning by marvelling at one of China’s greatest archaeological discoveries, the Terracotta Warriors with your Travel Director.

Explore the vast underground army built to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife. For lunch, enjoy a traditional noodle meal packed with regional flavours. Later, visit a local village to explore the unique cave dwellings still used by some residents today – a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that offers a rare insight into rural life. This evening is yours to enjoy as you wish. Perhaps choose to attend a Tang Dynasty performance, complete with dinner and historic pageantry.

Day 6

Onwards to Shanghai Dive Into Culture Stays With Stories

Start your day by joining a Local Specialist for a peaceful morning Tai Chi lesson and gaining insight into this graceful martial art.

Later, step inside a local home for a Small Group Exclusive, hands-on dumpling-making experience where you’ll learn traditional techniques before sitting down to enjoy your creations over lunch. This afternoon, fly to Shanghai and check into your Stays with Stories hotel. The evening is yours to explore the city at your leisure.

Day 7

Experience Shanghai Stays With Stories

Take in the sights of Shanghai on a morning city tour with your Travel Director, beginning with a stroll along the iconic Bund, known for its colonial elegance and striking modern design.

Next, visit a local silk factory to learn about this ancient craft, then enjoy free time in the Old Town to explore its bustling laneways and savour lunch at your own pace. Later, ascend 88 floors to the top of Jin Mao Tower and take in panoramic views of the glittering city skyline before returning to your hotel to unwind, or opt for an out-of-this-world dining experience at the futuristic Spacelab restaurant. This evening, be captivated by the jaw-dropping artistry of the Shanghai Acrobatic Show – a thrilling finale to your day.

Day 8

Shanghai Your Way

Enjoy a free day in Shanghai with the option to explore more of the city’s rich cultural layers.

You may choose to visit the acclaimed Shanghai Museum and learn about the city’s Jewish heritage in the former Ghetto. Alternatively, discover the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao – often called the ‘Venice of Shanghai’ – with its winding canals, stone bridges and charming shops, followed by lunch. You might also explore the classical beauty of Yu Garden alongside the museum’s fascinating exhibits. This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a final dinner, savouring a delicious menu as you reflect on your journey through China.

Day 9

Farewell Shanghai

Your journey through China comes to an end today.

Enjoy a smooth departure with airport transfers arranged according to your flight details.

Dining Summary

3 Dinner (D)

8 Breakfast (B)

4 Lunch (L)

Iconic Experience

Beijing: Savour your first evening in China with a warm welcome dinner filled with bold regional flavours. Share a table with your fellow travellers as you enjoy dishes like fish-flavoured shredded pork, Kongpao chicken, and sweet and sour pork with pineapple. Vegetarian delights like fried eggplant and spicy cabbage offer something for every palate, served alongside classic sides including broccoli with garlic and shredded green beans.

Beijing: Indulge in Beijing’s iconic Peking Duck with delicate crepes and sweet sauce - complemented by local appetisers and hot dishes like crispy sea fish, shredded pork in soybean sauce, and spicy pickled cabbage with vermicelli.

Beijing: Walk along one of the world’s most iconic landmarks and take in panoramic views from the ancient ramparts. Learn how this remarkable feat of engineering was built and rebuilt over centuries to protect China’s northern frontier.

Beijing: Walk the tree-lined Sacred Way, once reserved for emperors, where carved stone warriors and mythical beasts have stood guard for centuries. With your Travel Director, follow this ceremonial path to the Ming Tombs, an imperial necropolis where 13 Ming dynasty emperors lie buried beneath grand domed chambers and peaceful hillsides.

Beijing: Discover the significance of jade in Chinese culture during a visit to a traditional workshop. You’ll learn to tell genuine jade from imitation, explore the stone’s cultural and mineral origins, and even watch skilled artisans at work. More than a jewellery stop, this experience offers insight into a tradition shaped by 2,500 years of history and Confucian values.

Beijing: Visit a traditional Hutong home and enjoy a Be My Guest lunch with a local family. Share stories over a home-cooked meal featuring a variety of regional dishes, including handmade dumplings, braised meats, seasonal vegetables and steamed rice.

Xi'an: Explore the vast underground tomb complex of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Stand before the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army, thousands of life-sized warriors, horses and chariots crafted over two millennia ago to guard the emperor in the afterlife. Each figure is unique, offering a powerful glimpse into ancient artistry and imperial ambition.

Xi'an: Tuck into a hearty lunch featuring regional noodle dishes and Chinese comfort food favourites. Choose from beef noodles, fried rice, Chinese hamburgers and seasonal stir-fries, with a spread of appetisers, fresh salads and sweet treats like sesame puffs, fruit cake and red bean pastries. A delicious glimpse into local cuisine.

Xi'an: Start your day with a calming Tai Chi session led by a Local Specialist. In a serene setting, learn the graceful movements and mindful breathing techniques of this ancient Chinese martial art, rooted in balance, harmony and energy flow.

Xi'an: Step inside a local family’s home for an authentic hands-on experience. You’ll learn to knead dough, pull wide noodles and shape delicate dumpling wrappers before sitting down to enjoy the meal you’ve helped prepare. This Small Group Exclusive experience offers a rare glimpse into traditional home cooking and everyday life in China.

Shanghai: Join a Local Specialist to uncover the contrasts of Shanghai, from its colonial past to modern marvels. Stroll along the historic Bund waterfront and wander through the tranquil classical pavilions and rockeries of Yu Garden.

Shanghai: Soar to the 88th floor of the striking Jin Mao Tower and take in sweeping views of Shanghai’s futuristic skyline, where skyscrapers rise above the Huangpu River in one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.

Shanghai: Witness a spellbinding performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, where precision, agility and imagination collide. From high-flying aerials to perfectly timed choreography, this world-class show celebrates the artistry and discipline of Chinese acrobatics with a modern twist.

Shanghai: Celebrate your final evening in China with a flavourful farewell feast featuring classic Shanghainese dishes. Highlights may include soy-braised pork, sizzling shredded eel, fried shrimp and steamed freshwater fish, along with local favourites like Xiaolongbao with crab, Shengjian Bao and Shanghai-style fried rice. A delicious end to an unforgettable journey.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Xi'an: Step inside 2,000-year-old Yaodong cave dwellings, built from naturally insulating, earthquake-resistant Loess earth. As modern homes replace them, your visit helps families restore their homes, keeping their heritage alive while embracing the future. Your visit also directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai

Visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall of China at Juyongguan, the Sacred Way in Beijing, Hutong residences, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, the Bund waterfront and the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai

See Local people practicing Tai Chi in the morning and the Shanghai Acrobats

Trafalgar Difference

Shanghai: Opened in 1988 as Shanghai’s first Chinese-designed five-star hotel, The Kunlun Jing An has hosted state leaders, dignitaries and international guests. Exceptionally located in the heart of the city’s fashionable Jing An district, it’s just a short walk from the iconic Jing An Temple and West Nanjing Road.

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