Bangkok to Beijing Itinerary

Jump straight into the action in flamboyant Bangkok.

Travel to the entertaining border city of Aranyaprathet.

Battambang is a real rural gem full of well-preserved villas and shop houses clustered around a lazy riverbank. Enjoy the slow pace of life here, and check out a nearby floating village before venturing onward to the capital.

Reflect on Cambodia's years of war at the Tuol Sleng Museum and head out to the notorious Killing Fields.

Travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap where a visit to the city’s old market is a must. Wander through the stalls and surrounding shops and haggle for bargains in the form of silks, sarongs, silver and statues. Marvel at the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, one of the most visited sights in South-East Asia. Be blown away by the sheer magnitude of these grand ruins, outlined against a bright orange sunset.

Head back across the border into Thailand.

Get a glimpse of the Thailand of old, a country where rice fields run on as far as the eye can see and discover that Thailand's classic hospitality and enthralling culture is very much alive and well here. Explore Phi Mai, one of the country's best surviving Khmer temples.

Farewell Thailand and travel into Laos. Come face-to-face with the fusion of Asia and Europe in Vientiane, a relaxed city with friendly inhabitants and plenty to see and do.

Chill out in Vang Vieng, enjoying the dramatic limestone surrounds. Mountain biking and cave exploring are two popular optional activities here; however, tubing in Vang Vieng has become somewhat of a pilgrimage for backpackers - and it's certainly a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Head north and absorb the air of quiet romance in Luang Prabang. This delightful city has plenty of well-preserved wats (temples) that are worth visiting, and climbing to the top of Phu Si at sunset is also well worth the effort.

Make tracks to Luang Nam Tha on the banks of Nam Tha River. While here, why not enjoy some optional outdoor pursuits including kayaking, rafting and trekking.

Make the jump into China and travel through remote villages and vast, dramatic landscapes. Spend a few nights bushcamping amid this rarely visited part of Asia.

Pay a visit to Shilin, known as China's 'Stone Forest', and discover an intriguing maze of towering limestone pillars.

Back in civilisation, explore the markets of Kunming and perhaps swing by the ancient Yuantong temple.

Head to the lakeside town of Dali and choose to explore this fascinating region by bike, boat or cable car.

Wander through the cobbled streets of picturesque Lijiang and learn about the Naxi people, who are descendants of Tibetan nomads. If feeling energetic, take an overnight trek to the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Camp out in Sichuan province.

Make the pilgrimage to Emei Shan and perhaps take the opportunity to hike up China’s holiest of mountains.

Stop to gaze up at the 71 m Buddha ‘Da Fo’ en route to Chengdu. Home to spicy hot pot cuisine, this bustling Sichuan city has plenty of food and culture on offer. While here, get up close and personal to giant pandas at the research base and breeding centre.

Travel onwards to Dazu. Admire the sleeping Buddha in the Bei Shan caves.

Head east from Dazu to Chongqing.

Get an insight into rural life along the Yangtze River. Be lulled to sleep at night by the gentle rocking of the boat.

With feet back on solid ground, set off to explore the picturesque town of Yichang. In free time, why not treat the feet to a traditional reflexology massage.

Explore the mountain reserve of Wudang Shan, the backdrop to the epic film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Arrive in Xi'an and visit the ancient Terracotta Warriors. Spend some time soaking up the city's garden culture and many temples.

Admire the view from atop the temple-studded Kongtong Mountain and enjoy the spoils of Gansu Province, which has a rich and colourful history as one of the important links on the ancient Silk Road.

The reward for a morning of travel is letting off steam in Shapotou, where daredevils will delight in the dune-sliding madness of this sandy wonderland.

After a pit stop at the grand temples of Zhongwei Gao Miao, enjoy fraternising with locals amid the ebb and flow of daily life in provincial China in the friendly city of Yinchuan.

Head to the Five Terrace Mountains, a focus for transnational pilgramage for Chinese, Tibetans, Mongols and Manchus alike. Many magnificent artworks are on show and powerful temples are scattered throughout the wilderness.

Marvel at the Hanging Monastery and explore the World Heritage-listed Yungang Grottoes.

Take a walk along the monumental Great Wall as it snakes its way through rolling hills as far as the eye can see.

Stroll through the lush Shanzhuang gardens in the footsteps of past Emperors who holidayed here. Take in the rich heritage of Chengde by bicycle or admire Mongolian and Tibetan influences in local temples and monasteries.

End the tour by joining the buzzing hive that is Beijing. Visit the Forbidden City to admire imperial architecture or the sprawling Summer Palace on the banks of Kunming Lake.