A 17-day journey through China's greatest imperial and cultural treasures — from Beijing's Forbidden City and the Great Wall to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, a Yangtze River Three Gorges cruise, and the dazzling skyline of Shanghai.
Next Departure
28 May 2027
Returns 13 June 2027
All departure dates
Departs 28 May 2027
Returns 13 June 2027
+ NZD $2,410 single supplement
Departs 3 September 2027
Returns 19 September 2027
NZD $10,499per person
+ NZD $2,410 single supplement
Dates refer to scheduled group departures — confirm at booking.
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · speak to a real person, no form needed
I focus this Signature line on imperial Beijing and the great monuments — fewer hotel moves, more time inside the stories. If you want depth in the north before you add other regions, this is the spine I recommend.
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Amend dates or travellers at no fee until 60 days before departure.
NZ-based specialist team
Speak to a Kiwi consultant in Auckland — one team, enquiry to return.
Backed by CTS
CTS Tours NZ runs Kiwi-led tours from Auckland, backed by China Travel Service — hotels, guides, transport we run ourselves.
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Client funds held in a TAANZ-bonded trust — protected if travel plans are disrupted.
China Eastern Airlines flight to Beijing, capital of China.
A 17-day journey through China's greatest imperial and cultural treasures — from Beijing's Forbidden City and the Great Wall to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, a Yangtze River Three Gorges cruise, and the dazzling skyline of Shanghai.
Single supplement: NZD $2,410
Temple of Heaven with optional Tai Chi among locals; Tian'anmen Square and Forbidden City (see itinerary for Monday closure & ticket substitution)
Walk the Mutianyu Great Wall; jade craft workshop; Summer Palace gardens
High-speed train Beijing–Xi'an (G55, first class); Muslim Quarter; dumpling banquet with Tang Dynasty dance
Terracotta Warriors, ceramics and lacquerware workshop, Xi'an Ancient City Wall
Lhasa: Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery debates, Potala Palace, Norbulingka, Tibetan cultural dinner
Chengdu pandas; first-class rail to Chongqing; Victoria Cruises Yangtze Three Gorges (Shennü or Shennong Stream excursions)
Three Gorges Dam; evening flight to Shanghai; Yuyuan, silk factory, Bund, Huangpu River night cruise and Shanghai dinner
Leisure time in Shanghai before your return to New Zealand
Included meals (31)
14
Breakfasts
7
Lunches
10
Dinners
Accommodation (14 nights)
6 carefully selected properties
Sample hotels detailed below — final selection confirmed at booking.
Representative properties for this tour — actual hotels may vary by departure date and are confirmed at booking.
Beijing Qianyuan Hotel or similar (5-star)
Crowne Plaza Xi'an Weiyang (Guangcheng) or similar (5-star)
InterContinental Lhasa Paradise or similar (5-star)
Holiday Inn Chengdu Oriental Plaza or similar (5-star)
Victoria Yangtze River Cruise (Victoria Jenna or Victoria Katarina) — international 5-star cruise
HUALUXE Shanghai Changfeng Park or similar (5-star)
Interested in China Signature — Legacy of China? We'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Cherie Fairley
21 Jun 2026
“We went on a recent trip to Dali and Lijiang from 19th to 30th May 2026. Well, what amazing places they are. Plus the nearby city of Shangrila. We both had an amazing time walking and exploring with only our phone app to translate, since little or no English was spoken or written. Contrary to what the Lonely Planet guidebook said! Everything worked out well which is why we want to thank Baker at CTS personally for an awesome trip, the trip of a lifetime. If any other tours, guided or unguided come up please let us know. This is Mikes second time holidaying with CTS and we will certainly highly recommend your company to friends. Mike Brooker & Cherie Fairley”
GReview from GoogleMaryam Absh
6 Jul 2026
“The china journey was well‑organized, I actually enjoyed all the moments without worrying about anything. Highly recommend the tour of tale of two cities china”
GReview from GoogleMurray Middendorf
16 Jun 2026
“Just came back from a tour of Xinjiang and a stopover in Xian. We had a fantastic time, the culture and scenery in Xinjiang is stunning and the tour was led by an experienced guide with excellent English. Highly recommended.”
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Get to know the cities and landmarks along this route, with our guides to what to see and how to visit.
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Group departures from New Zealand (dates as published). Contact us to reserve a seat or request a private departure.
signature · China
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