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
13 Aug 2026
All departure dates
Dates refer to scheduled group departures; year 2026 where applicable — confirm at booking.
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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.
Group departures from New Zealand (dates as published). Contact us to reserve a seat or request a private departure.
signature · China
signature · China
signature · China
signature · China
discovery · China
discovery · China
discovery · China
discovery · China
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
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Peking Duck Banquet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Dumpling Banquet)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Tibetan Dinner with Cultural Show)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Shanghai Local Cuisine)
Meals: Breakfast
Schematic route for planning — not a geographic map. City order is derived from your itinerary text.
Interested in China Signature — Legacy of China? We'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Margaret & John Patterson
Auckland, NZ
“An absolutely magical experience! Baker arranged a private tai chi session on the Great Wall at sunrise. We have travelled extensively, but this trip was in a class of its own.”
Sarah & Tom Williams
Christchurch, NZ
“We were nervous about travelling to China for the first time, but CTS made everything seamless. The hotels were beautiful, the guides were knowledgeable, and the itinerary was perfectly paced.”
Paul & Linda Foster
Dunedin, NZ
“This was our 50th wedding anniversary trip and CTS made it truly special. From the surprise dinner at a courtyard restaurant in Beijing to the private calligraphy lesson, every moment was thoughtfully curated.”
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