Fly overnight to China’s history-filled capital, Beijing. On arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on timings, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Head right into the heart of the city and stroll across the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square, passing Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, to enter the treasure-filled Forbidden City. The Imperial Palace from 1420 to 1912, the Forbidden City was once the centre of the Chinese universe as the seat of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasty – today you’ll explore it as the largest and best-preserved collection of historic buildings in China. Later, visit the exquisite Temple of Heaven, a perfect example of Confucian design. This evening, soak up the sights, smells and delicious tastes on a tour of the Wangfujing street food market. (B,L,D)

China’s most iconic sight, the Great Wall stretches across the stark, northern reaches of the country tracing the southern end of Inner Mongolia. An often quoted saying in Beijing is ‘you have not been to China until you have climbed the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall’ – and this is exactly how you’ll spend today. One of the best-preserved sections of the wall, its dense concentration of watchtowers making it particularly of note, the wall here is surrounded by thick woodland and features a cable car and toboggan ride. Return to Beijing via a jade factory and explore the Summer Palace, once the imperial family’s summer escape, and its wonderfully landscaped gardens. (B,L)

Transfer to the station and board a bullet train to be whooshed off to Xian. A city that can boast a truly illustrious past, Xian is one of China’s most famous cities and has been for millennia. A terminus of the fabled Silk Road, Xian was imperial capital for 2,000 and 11 dynasties, it is best known as the gateway to the Terracotta Army. This evening, tuck into a delicious Shui Jiao dumpling feast and enjoy an exuberant performance of Tang Dynasty music and dance. (B,D)

One of the world’s greatest archaeological finds, the Terracotta Army was buried in battle formation for 2,000 years, until they were uncovered by farmers in 1974. Spend the morning discovering their history and purpose and studying each warrior’s distinctive facial features. Return to Xian via a fascinating workshop to see where the warriors are intricately recreated in the style of their ancient counterparts. Then, stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian’s old town before a street food tour of all the delicious eats available in the atmospheric Muslim Quarter. (B,L,D)

Transfer to the station and board a bullet train, which will whisk you off to the laidback, Sichuan city of Chengdu. Home of the beloved giant pandas, this afternoon you’ll visit the famous Panda Conservation Centre to see and learn about China’s celebrated bears up close in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat. (B,L)

Transfer to the airport and board a flight to one of China’s most spectacular natural treasures, Zhangjiajie National Park. (B)

A scenic area of over 3,000 sandstone pillars, rising from misty folds of subtropical forest and cloaked in vibrant green vegetation, Zhangjiajie is a triumph of nature. Begin your explorations with a ride up the remarkable Bailong glass elevator. Embedded into the mountain, the elevator soars up the mountain side to a towering height of 326 metres in just two minutes. Soak up the amazing views from the top before taking a cable car back down to earth. Later, visit the Ten-Mile Natural Gallery with a ride on the scenic train. End the day with a scenic sampan cruise on Lake Baofeng, a turquoise expanse of water amongst picturesque karst scenery. (B,L)

Explore the colourful stalagmites and stalactites of the Huanglong Cave. Then, brace yourself for an exhilarating walk across Zhangjiajie’s Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge stretching 430-metres over the Grand Canyon. (B,L)

Soar up the heights of Tianmen Mountain by cable car which, at seven kilometres, is China’s longest. At the summit, marvel at Tianmen Cave, nicknamed ‘Heaven’s Door’, reached by 999 steep steps and take a thrilling walk along a glass skywalk, aptly named the ‘Walk of Faith’. Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Shanghai. (B,L)

Today, visit the peaceful Yu Garden, walk through the atmospheric alleys of the old town and explore the Xintiandi area with its 1920’s-style shikumen buildings. Admire the magnificent colonial architecture with a stroll along the historical waterfront Bund, before visiting a silk factory. This evening, view the city from the Huangpu River on a panoramic cruise – the skyscrapers and glimmering lights are a sight to behold and make Shanghai unlike any other city in the world. (B,L)

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day. (B)