Your day begins with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world. From Tiananmen Square, visitors enter the gates of the Forbidden City, home to 24 Chinese emperors between 1420 and 1924. This massive complex was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties. With almost 10,000 rooms, this remarkable, well-preserved imperial palace is the largest palace in the world. Later take a trishaw ride around the Hutongs, which are ancient city alleyways. Lunch is at the home of a Chinese family to experience the life of the local people. Dinner is at a local restaurant, then transfer back to the hotel.

Today visit the Great Wall of China. This is the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is one of the most amazing man-made structures. After climbing the Great Wall, head off to the 2008 Beijing Olympic venues of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube for a photo stop. Then visit the Summer Palace, which is the largest and best preserved of all the imperial palace gardens and boasts such delights as the "Marble Boat" and the ornately painted "Long Corridor". Dinner tonight is the famous Beijing Duck Banquet.

This morning is at leisure. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the magnificent Temple of Heaven, a Ming Temple where the Emperors performed annual rites essential for the wellbeing of their land before fly to Xian in late afternoon, the most historic city in China and the capital of ancient China for 11 dynasties.

Today’s tour is to the legendary army of "Terracotta Warriors". They are found at an archaeological site which so far has yielded some 8000 ancient terra cotta soldiers and horses, each a unique, finely detailed sculpture. Next is a visit to the famous ancient City Gate and city wall, followed by a delicious dumpling banquet and a stage show at the Tang Dynasty Theatre.

Following breakfast, a morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Jiayuguan. Upon arrival, an afternoon tour of the Jiayuguan Fortress, an impenetrable fortress surrounded by 3 inner and outer walls and several lines of defense then a visit to the Great Wall Museum. Stay one night in Jiayuguan.

This morning, travel by coach to Dunhuang, a strategic staging post on the Silk Road with a history of more than 2,000 years. Also visit Mingsha Hill and Crescent Moon Lake which is set in an amphitheatre of sand dunes. Stay one night in Dunhuang.

Today’s sightseeing begins with a visit to Dunhuang’s most famous monument - The Mogao Grottoes. These grottoes are popularly known as the ‘Thousand Buddha Caves’, and have a history of over 1600 years. The walls of the caves are lined with Buddhist frescoes, Scriptures, murals and sculptured figures.  Afternoon flight to Urumqi.  Stay 3 nights in Urumqi.

Today wander through the streets of the ruined city of Gaochang. Next head to the "Flaming Mountain", made famous by Master Xuan Zang, an eminent monk and Buddhist scholar on his pilgrimage to India, then to the Thousand Buddha Cave. This afternoon a journey on the coach through the Gobi desert to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Province. After dinner enjoy the Uygur Dance show.

Your day begins with a cruise on Heavenly Lake, a deep blue lake surrounded by the snow capped Heavenly Mountain (Tianshan), Followed by a visit to the Museum of Minorities and History.

This morning is at leisure; take flight to Kashgar, Kashgar is an ancient oasis city at a strategic point dominating the ancient trade routes in far western China. Stay 2 nights in Kashgar.

After breakfast, visit to the Moore Buddha Pagoda, then onto a Uygur village. Next stop is the Id Kah Mosque.

In the morning visit the Abak Hoja (Fragrant Concubine) Tomb and the Sunday Bazaar. Later, take an afternoon flight to Shanghai via Urumqi. Met and transferred to the hotel for one night.

This morning is at leisure, in the afternoon your tour guide will accompany you on the Shanghai Maglev, the fastest train in the world, to the airport for the flight back to Australia.

Arrive in Australia in the morning.