Middle Kingdom Magic

Itinerary

Days 1-4 Beijing

Stand atop the Great Wall of China and ponder the might of the Middle Kingdom.

Days 5-7 Zhongwei/Yellow River

Get off the beaten track and head towards inner Mongolia. Situated on the Yellow River and surrounded by atmospheric desert, farmland and remnants of the Great Wall, visiting Zhongwei offers a chance to call in at the eclectic Gao Miao Temple. Later, jump on a camel and safari into the Tennger Desert to camp among the dunes.

Days 8-10 Xi'an

Wander through the Muslim Quarter in the walled city of Xi'an. The nearby Terracotta Warriors are testament to the glory of past ages.

Days 11-13 Chengdu

Take time out in a legendary teahouse, come face to face with a panda or take in a Sichuan cultural performance.

Day 14 Kunming

Modern Kunming has some excellent markets tucked away in its little back streets.

Days 15-16 Lijiang

Step back in time in the Old Quarter of Lijiang, where Naxi women sell their wares.

Days 17-18 Tiger Leaping Gorge

Pull on those walking boots to trek one of the world's deepest and most beautiful gorges. Stay in simple guesthouses by the banks of the Yangzi.

Days 19-20 Zhongdian

High on the Tibetan plateau sits China's self-proclaimed Shangri-La, a town where you can meet the monks at Ganden Sumtseling Gompa Monastery.

Days 21-22 Dali

Explore the early morning markets, where the Bai people sell their mix of weird and wonderful goods against a background of snow-capped mountains.

Days 23-24 Kunming

Learn about Kunming's 2,000 year history at the many museums or visit the Tang Dynasty pagodas.