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Discover China – Exclusively Solos Tour

Home Icon 17-day Discover China from £4,495 £4,295pp

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.

Save £200 per person on China tours departing from September 2025, when you book by 30th November 2024.

Day 1

Depart UK

Discover China Day 1

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

Discover China Day 2

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

Discover China Day 3

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

Discover China Day 4

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

Discover China Day 5

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

Discover China Day 6

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

Discover China Day 7

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

Discover China Day 8

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

Discover China Day 9

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.

We Recommend – Evening Lakes and Rivers Cruise
Discover the beautiful city of Guilin and its stunning landscapes by night with the Guilin night cruise.

Included meals:

Breakfast, boxed lunch and dinner

Day 10

Longsheng Rice Terraces

Discover China Day 10

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

Discover China Day 11

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

Discover China Day 12

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

Discover China Day 13

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

Discover China Day 14

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

Discover China Day 15

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

Discover China Day 16

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

Discover China Day 17

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 China tours departing from September 2025, when you book by 30th November 2024.

Departure date Price (pp) Availability Offer
2025
11 September£4,495 £4,295JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £200 per person
09 October£4,495 £4,295JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £200 per person
2026
09 April£4,695 £4,495JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £200 per person
21 May£4,695 £4,495JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £200 per person
10 September£4,795 £4,595JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £200 per person
08 October£4,795 £4,595JUST LAUNCHEDSAVE £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.

So much included

Our escorted holidays to China are designed to offer superb value for money and our Discover China tour is no exception. So much of what you will do and see is already included in the price. That’s all your scheduled international flights, overseas transfers, expertly chosen hotels, daily breakfast and many more meals, experienced Tour Managers, and many amazing excursions, already paid for.

Flights with leading scheduled airlines

  • Return economy flights with Cathay Pacific from London Heathrow or Manchester, and any domestic flights within China
  • 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
  • All airport charges, security charges and any applicable fuel surcharges
  • UK Air Passenger Duty

Carefully selected hotels

  • Carefully selected hotels in great locations
  • All hotel porterage
  • Applicable hotel taxes

Many meals worth £420

  • Daily breakfast
  • Twelve lunches
  • Seven dinners

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

On the ground

  • Services of an experienced Tour Manager
  • All overseas transfers
  • Modern, air-conditioned coaches throughout
  • All domestic rail travel in Standard Class carriages

100% confidence

  • Your holiday is covered by our Price Promise
  • Your holiday 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 >
  • Star-Rating-4
  •   Official rating
  • Star-Rating-4
  •   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 >
  • Star-Rating-4
  •   Official rating
  • Star-Rating-4
  •   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 >
  • Star-Rating-5
  •   Official rating
  • Star-Rating-4
  •   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 >
  • Star-Rating-5
  •   Official rating
  • Star-Rating-4
  •   Distant Journeys rating

Yangshuo – Green Lotus Hotel

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 >
  • Star-Rating-4
  •   Official rating
  • Star-Rating-4
  •   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 >
  • Star-Rating-5
  •   Official rating
  • Star-Rating-4
  •   Distant Journeys rating

Beijing: Acrobatic Show

Chinese acrobatics is a pearl in the treasure house and ranks among the best arts in the world. The history of acrobatic show has been existent for more than two thousand years. Since the middle of this century, great efforts to foster and develop national arts and acrobatics have gained a new life.

From RMB 280 (approx. GBP £31) Read More >

Beijing: Rickshaw ride through the Hutongs of Beijing

Discover the real Beijing with this excellent Beijing hutong tour, which takes you on a rickshaw ride through the streets of Beijing before exploring the city’s famous hutongs on foot. This wonderful sightseeing tour can be booked as an extra optional excursion during your time in Beijing on one of our escorted tours of China.

From RMB 230 (approx. GBP £26) Read More >

Beijing: Chinese Kung-Fu show in Beijing

Behold the ancient Chinese martial art of Kung Fu with this amazing Chinese Kung Fu show, hosted at the Red Theatre in Beijing. The Legend of Kung Fu Show first...

RMB 280 / GBP £33 Read More >
ancient ming qing street Pingyao China

Pingyao: Shuanglin Temple tour

The little-known city of Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and China’s best-preserved ancient town, is one of the highlights of our Very Best of China tour, with its fine temples, ancient courtyards, impressive watchtowers, government buildings and towering town walls.

From RMB 200 (approx. GBP £22) Read More >
Xi'an Tang Dynasty dinner and show red yellow traditional chinese dragons parade

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 of the Tang dynasty from its rise to its fall through a song and dance spectacular.

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

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 dialect, customs, folk music and dances. Today’s Sichuan opera is a relatively recent synthesis of 5 historic melodic styles.

From RMB 320 (approx. GBP £36) Read More >
China Guilin Li River panorama landscape tropical forest scenic cloudy misty mountains

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 stunning landscapes by night with the Guilin night cruise: one of the best ways to take in the city’s different scenic areas.

From RMB 315 (approx. GBP £35) Read More >
Guilin

Guilin: Cormorant fishing show at the Li River

Cormorant fishing is an ancient Chinese practice that has been carried out for decades, and is a must-see during your time exploring Guilin and the Li River. The art of...

RMB 150 / GBP £18 Read More >

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 rock formations acting as an epic backdrop for this dazzling show.

From RMB 320 (approx. GBP £36) Read More >
chinese food plate

Yangshuo: Cookery class

Chinese cuisine is one of the world’s favorite cuisines, with restaurants and takeaways having sprouted up in every corner of the world. In this Chinese cooking class, you’ll get to learn how to prepare some of the cuisine’s most delicious dishes, as well as learning about China’s many regional cuisines and how to prepare dishes from the local Guangxi cuisine.

From RMB 300 (approx. GBP £33) Read More >
Li River - Gullin, China

Yangshuo: Bamboo rafting on the Li River

Over 40 kilometres long, the Yulong River is the largest branch of the magnificent Li River. Flowing through several towns and villages, including Yangshuo, it is often nicknamed the Little Li River, matching the original Li River in its beauty.

From RMB 280 (approx. GBP £31) Read More >
Yangshuo, Cycling in the countryside

Yangshuo: Cycling in the countryside

Nestled in lush Chinese countryside, the charming town of Yangshuo sits on the banks of the tranquil Yulong River, and is famous for its surrounding landscapes punctuated by huge karst mountains. Its flat terrain and incredible sights make Yangshuo the perfect place to explore by bike.

From RMB 180 (approx. GBP £20) Read More >
Shanghai, Walking tour of Shanghai’s former French Concession Area

Shanghai: Walking tour of Shanghai’s former French Concession Area

You may imagine Shanghai as a vast metropolis filled with towering, illuminated skyscrapers, but there is more to the city than meets the eye, and in the French Concession Area, the French quarter of Shanghai, you’ll feel as if you’re in a totally different world. One of the best places to observe the city’s colonial legacy, Shanghai’s French Concession Area has a characteristic European style, lined with villa-style buildings and structures combining both European and Chinese influences.

From RMB 180 (approx. GBP £20) Read More >
Shanghai, 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 the impressive cityscapes either side of the river, but a Huangpu river cruise is even more impressive, giving you a 360-degree view of this vast metropolis stretching back from the river shores. At night, the views are even more scenic, the towering buildings lit up as far as the eye can see.

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

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!

Discover China – Exclusively Solos Tour Discover China Map 2025-26 map

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