Our history in China goes back to the early days of its reopening to the world, but we’ve found many new areas, and many new approaches to old areas, and we’re struck by the unending discoveries this vast country offers. This Private Departure, full of classics rediscovered and masterpieces re-explored, is the result of our constant search for ways to sidestep teeming paths and hunt out the most serene spots in both cities and countryside.

Classics of Eastern China begins with Beijing’s signature monuments (the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City) as well as the stunning, catapulting city itself. Leaving the capital behind, we’ll head to the Silk Road’s traditional jumping-off place, Xian, where we’ll commune with the haunting Terracotta Warriors, who appear ready to stream out of their cavernous home should a trumpet suddenly sound. Next we’ll fly south to Guilin for a river cruise through the stupendous limestone karst canyons of the Li River. After overnighting in the bustling little town of Yangshuo, it’s on to Longsheng and the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces before continuing to Hangzhou, home to lovely West Lake and the Longjing tea fields, which produce what many consider the world’s finest green teas. And before ending with city escapades in madly unslumbering Shanghai, we’ll visit the serene Lingyin monastery and temple complex near Hangzhou.

Day 1: arrive in Beijing • Day 2: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City • Day 3: the Great Wall • Day 4: Beijing to Xian • Day 5: Xian and the Terracotta Warriors • Day 6: Xian and Guilin • Day 7: Li River cruise • Day 8: Yangshuo to Longsheng • Day 9: Longsheng and Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces • Day 10: on to Hangzhou • Day 11: Hangzhou • Day 12: on to Shanghai • Days 13: exploring Shanghai • Day 14: depart Shanghai.

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