Itinerary

USA winners and partners please check in at United Airlines counters

All Durban winners and partners check in at Safair check-in counters

USA group departs on flight UA 246 for San Francisco

Durban group flight FA411 departs for Johannesburg

Durban group arrives in Johannesburg. Please collect your luggage and head to Terminal A (International Departures), Cathay Pacific check-in counters.

USA winners and partners arrive in San Francisco

USA winners and partners depart San Francisco for Beijing

UK group to check in at China Airlines check-in counter

UK group departs on flight CA 856 from London Heathrow to Beijing

As each group arrives in Beijing, you will go through Passport Control, collect your luggage and proceed to the Arrivals Hall. You will be met by our local host team, holding a Star Awards sign. They will assist you to a coach, for a transfer to your first stop.

South Africa, Johannesburg Group
Flight CX 334 arrives Beijing

Light lunch at restaurant

South Africa Johannesburg Group:
We transfer to the iconic Peninsula Beijing, where timeless elegance, impeccable service, and a warm welcome await as we arrive for check-in and settle into our refined sanctuary in the heart of the capital.

South Africa Cape Town Group: Arrives at The Peninsula Beijing for check-in. We transfer to the iconic Peninsula Beijing, where timeless elegance, impeccable service, and a warm welcome await as we arrive for check-in and settle into our refined sanctuary in the heart of the capital.

UK and USA Group: Arrives at The Peninsula Beijing for check-in. We transfer to the iconic Peninsula Beijing, where timeless elegance, impeccable service, and a warm welcome await as we arrive for check-in and settle into our refined sanctuary in the heart of the capital.

Hotel Check-in: Passports will be collected and a photocopy will be taken for each traveller, where the entry stamp into China is required.

Meet us in the hotel lobby for a transfer to your dinner.

Please proceed to the coach/bus that is allocated to the colour of your lanyard.

Or, as Confucius might say: “Harmony is achieved when colours follow their place.” Follow your hue, trust the system and the journey continues.

Welcome Dinner at a renowned Restaurant.

🍽️ Quan Ju De (Quanjude)

Founded in 1864 during the Qing Dynasty, Quan Ju De is Beijing’s most iconic Peking Duck restaurant and a symbol of Chinese culinary heritage. Renowned for its traditional roasting technique and imperial roots, it offers a dining experience where history, craftsmanship, and celebration come together. Over the years, Quan Ju De has hosted state banquets and welcomed world leaders, dignitaries, and global guests, firmly establishing its reputation on the world stage – so only fitting for our Stars.

We head back to the hotel for some well-earned rest. Sweet dreams!

And before you drift off – a tiny but important reminder to have your passport ready for our departure tomorrow morning. We’ve got you covered on the ‘what to wear’ – Red and Gold Star Awards T-shirt and comfortable trainers/sneakers.

The Peninsula Beijing, 8 Jinyu Hu Tong, Dongcheng, Beijing – +86 10 8516 2888

Enjoy an early breakfast at our hotel – the Jing Restaurant and Bar Lower level (B1)
Xiǎngyòng zǎocān (Enjoy breakfast)

Hope you had sweet dreams of your passport and that it is really in hand/bag right now, with your Star Awards swag on.

Depart for The Great Wall of China (Mutianyu)

Please proceed to the coach/bus that is allocated to the colour of your lanyard.

Or, as Confucius might say: “Harmony is achieved when colours follow their place.” Follow your hue, trust the system and the journey continues.

Arrive at the Great Wall – an icon of human determination and wonder.
A short, steep walk gets the heart pumping before we glide skyward by cable car
(4 guests per cabin) because even great journeys deserve a little lift.

Time to explore the Great Wall at leisure, take it all in, snap the photos, and stand in awe. As Confucius might say: “A journey of a thousand miles … absolutely deserves this view.”

Meet at SUBWAY depart for lunch
A famous Chinese saying: ‘He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true hero.’
Congratulations on your newly found Hero status 😊

Depart for Lunch closer to our hotel.

Return to our hotel
Remainder of the afternoon at leisure
Now’s your moment to choose your own adventure. Wander the streets, explore at your own rhythm, people-watch from a café, or dive into the buzz of high-street shopping. Lose the map if you like (keep location settings on so that your travel buddy can find you 😂), follow curiosity instead, and collect moments that feel unmistakably yours.

This is your time, make it memorable, however you choose to spend it.

As the sun begins to dip, we head out for an evening above the city at a trendy rooftop venue, where the night unfolds with energy and intrigue.

We’ll raise a glass with welcome pre-dinner drinks, easing into the atmosphere as conversations spark and travel stories begin to intertwine. As the evening unfolds for dinner under open skies, a perfect setting to connect, laugh, and continue to get to know your fellow Stars from across the globe.

Tonight isn’t just about food or views it’s about shared moments, new connections, and the magic that happens when different worlds come together, shared with the same Values and one common Purpose.

Breakfast in Jing Restaurant and Bar Lower level (B1)

Meet in hotel lobby

We walk where emperors once ruled and then slip into winding hutongs where everyday life quietly unfolds. Grand to intimate, ancient to alive, this is Beijing in contrast.

As a wise voice might say: “To truly know a city, walk slowly and stay curious.” Today, curiosity is your guide.

Depart for Forbidden City Tour

Please proceed to the coach/bus that is allocated to the colour of your lanyard.

Depart Forbidden City for lunch

Depart for Hutong Area

Our group splits here for 2 enlightening activities.

Depart for our hotel.

Return to hotel

Have your big suitcase ready for collection.

Place the large suitcase/s outside your room for collection or just inside your hotel room door.

Do not place your cabin luggage anywhere close to this.

Luggage truck departs for Shanghai with all big suitcases.

Remainder of the evening at leisure

The evening is yours to explore and enjoy. Wander lantern-lit streets, follow the hum of the city, linger over a meal and drink while people-watching, or dive into the buzz of high-street shopping.

As Confucius might say: “Where curiosity leads, discovery follows”…

This is your time. Follow what calls you, savour the night, and turn small moments into memorable stories.

The Peninsula Beijing, 8 Jinyu Hu Tong, Dongcheng, Beijing – +86 10 8516 2888

Arrive at the train station.

Our guides will direct us to the correct train and platform. Please stay close together and pay close attention to our guides.

Train G15 to Shanghai

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Lunch packs will be handed out en route, because even great journeys are better fuelled.

Next stop: onward and upward to Shanghai.

Arrive Shanghai train station.

Proceed to bus parking – guides will direct the group.

We arrive at our spectacular hotel for a smooth group check-in, settling into one of Shanghai’s most iconic skyline landmarks. Rising high above the city, this sky-piercing hotel offers front-row views of a metropolis that never stops moving, a reminder that tonight, you’re right at the centre of it all.

Only fitting that the evening is yours to explore.
Dinner at leisure, with an allowance to sample whatever cuisine calls your name.
Shanghai is yours to experience.

We’ll meet in the hotel lobby (winners and travel partners), ready to step into a day of insight and inspiration.

We transfer to our Learning Experience that offers a window into innovation, leadership, and future-focused thinking, connecting bold ideas with the journeys we’re each on.
Come curious, leave inspired.

Dinner awaits us at a vibrant, atmospheric celebration of bold cuisine, shared plates, flowing conversation, and joyful moments.

Expect warmth, laughter, and a feast that’s as spirited as the company.

Tonight is about coming together, raising a glass, and making memories that linger long after the last bite.

Breakfast in the Grande Café 54^th

A full day at leisure, just as you asked.

Today is yours to explore, relax, shop, wander, or simply savour Shanghai at your own pace – with your lunch allowance to fuel wherever curiosity leads. Please be mindful of time for the Gala Dinner in the evening.

As evening approaches, we come together once more for a very special moment.

Tonight, we gather for an exquisite dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, where you are the guest of honour – a celebration of your achievement, excellence, and the journey you’ve earned.

Enjoy the freedom of the day, knowing an unforgettable evening awaits. Below are even some dress code ideas to explore.

Our final breakfast at the Grande Café 54^th

As Confucius might say: “Every journey ends… but the stories travel with you.” Safe travels as you head home or to another destination, may the memories linger long after the suitcases are unpacked.

UK group checks out and meets in the hotel lobby for your airport transfer in Bus 1

USA Group checks out and meets in hotel lobby for airport transfer in Bus 2

UK Group departs Shanghai on BA 168

USA Group departs Shanghai on UA 858 for San Francisco

SA Cape Town Group checks out, collects lunch packs from hotel and boards Bus 3 for the airport

SA Johannesburg Group checks out

SA Cape Town Group departs for airport

SA Johannesburg Group lunch at hotel before you depart

SA Johannesburg Group to meet in hotel lobby for airport transfer (3 buses)

SA Cape Town group departs Shanghai on flight SQ 833

SA Johannesburg group departs Shanghai on flight CX 381

SA Johannesburg group arrives in Hong Kong

Remain in transit and follow connection signs to your next flight

SA Cape Town group arrives in Singapore

Remain in transit and follow connection signs to your next flight