Why I Love Being a Tour Manager
17/03/2025 · By Tim Hall
Hear from Tim Hall about his life as a Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and his expert tips on packing and arriving for the Eurostar at London St Pancras.
Read moreSave up to £500pp on Worldwide 2026 and selected 2025 holidays, when you book by 30th April 2025.
2025 Tour code: CYG25
About the tour
Uncover an incredible blend of breathtaking modernism and beautiful imperial history on a tour of China's ancient and modern wonders.
Step into history during visits to the iconic Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall of China while in Beijing. Travelling by high-speed rail, explore ancient Xi'an and its astonishing Terracotta Army before admiring gorgeous panda cubs in Chengdu.
A three-night cruise along the mighty Yangtze reveals the remarkable feat of engineering of the Three Gorges Dam, while Shanghai shimmers as a spectacular contrast between old and new.
Unforgettable Experiences
What’s included
Itinerary
Meeting our Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London Heathrow, we board an overnight flight to the Chinese capital, via Hong Kong, ready to discover the spectacular sights of this fascinating and ancient country.
Shrouded in myth, legend and warring dynasties, the history of China stretches back more than 4,000 years. This lengthy past has left indelible marks on this intriguing and often mysterious country in the form of its remarkable landmarks such as the Great Wall of China and Beijing's Forbidden City. Connected by ultramodern bullet trains, the country's gleaming cities reflect the recent rapid development, while the natural wonders still shine through, especially the towering limestone cliffs of the Three Gorges and its celebrated wildlife - including the adorable giant panda.
Meaning 'northern capital', Beijing has been the principal city of many dynasties throughout history - most notably the Ming and Qing from 1403 to 1644. As such, it brims with ancient marvels as well as being a shimmering, modern world city.
Please note - For departure 30th March our flight to China will be via Paris
For departure 14th September our flight to China will be via Dubai.
Additional information
Hotels
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Ship
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Reviews
4.8 / 5 · 23 reviews
Mrs Marit Jones
Submitted 22/Apr
This was a really great trip. The best I have been on with Great Rail Journeys. We were fortunate in that we had a very small group of just 11 (this is unusual - in the past 25-30 people ) and an excellent tour manager. All the local guides were good. The itinerary was interesting and well-paced without any of the crazy early starts you get with some other tours. Train travel was comfortable and there was not a great deal of coach travel. Provided meals were all very good. Getting the visa for China was a hassle and we didn't receive much help/guidance about that. But it was well worth it as China is a fascinating country with some great experiences on offer. Highly recommended.
Collected by Trustpilot
MR Michael Holcombe
Submitted 20/Apr
Ian the guide was excellent, the tour was well organised with good excursions.
Collected by Trustpilot
Martin Horton
Submitted 20/Apr
Make your own mind up about the pros and cons of this great country. Well organised with a busy schedule, this tour will appeal to the adventurous traveller who prefers the safety net of ever present English speaking guides.
Collected by Trustpilot
Mr C Bell
Submitted 05 Oct 2019
Great itinerary, fantastic tour manager.
Collected by Great Rail Journeys
Mrs P Battman
Submitted 01 Oct 2018
Full on but ticked all the 'China boxes'
Collected by Great Rail Journeys
Mr P Moore
Submitted 19 Jun 2018
We had a terrific time, with an excellent group of travellers. The tour was certainly full on and we managed to see all the major sights in China and many more besides. Travelling by bullet train meant no long delays at airports and lots of room to enjoy the relaxation. Most hotels were excellent and when there was a complaint our tour guide John dealt with the problem promptly. As usual a great experience we will certainly be travelling with Great Rail again in the future.
Collected by Great Rail Journeys