Enjoy an action-packed introduction to China as we travel from the skyscrapers of Hong Kong to the imperial palaces of Beijing. We take a cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo, passing vast paddy fields and beautiful limestone scenery. We also visit the incredible Army of Terracotta Warriors in Xian and walk along the Great Wall in Mutianyu.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Hong Kong
Arrive Hong Kong and check into hotel.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Day 2:
In Hong Kong
Situated in a dramatic setting, Hong Kong is a lively, sophisticated city and the world’s third largest financial centre. We start with an orientation walk and leave the afternoon free for optional excursions. Public transport is efficient and easy to use. You can take a funicular railway to Victoria Peak or a launch out to a floating restaurant in Aberdeen Harbour. Alternatively explore the jade market or admire the latest sartorial and electronic fashions.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
In Hong Kong ; overnight train to Guilin
This morning will be left free to explore Hong Kong further. In the late afternoon we transfer by coach to the Sheng Shui train station close to the Chinese border. From Sheng Shui we then take a train to reach the pedestrian only border at Lu Wu. As we cross on foot and porters are not available please make sure you can comfortably carry your own luggage. After clearing immigration and customs we walk the short distance to nearby Shenzhen station from where we take an overnight train to Guilin.
Overnight Train (U)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4:
Boat on Li River to Yangshuo
On arrival in Guilin we will make a quick stop at a local hotel for breakfast before we head to the Bamboo Reed Dock where we board our boat on the Li River and cruise to Yangshuo. Lunch is taken aboard the boat during the journey as we pass along the most scenic stretch of the river. We will pass paddy fields, villages and stunning limestone scenery en route. An afternoon arrival in Yangshuo offers the opportunity to explore this laid back town – a contrast to the bustle of Hong Kong. During this free time you may wish to take one of the optional bike rides or walks in the surrounding villages. Alternatively you could head to one of the many limestone pinnacles around the town, the best known being the Moon Hill.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5:
In Yangshuo; fly Xian
Yangshuo has a lot to offer so most of the day is left free for you to explore at your own pace. You can walk into the surrounding karst summits or hire a bike and cycle through country back lanes. Alternatively, you can soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful riverside town. You may want to practice your bartering skills in the local market – here art students from Guilin sell their batiks, silk paintings, Tai Chi, cooking, calligraphy, mahjong, or you may be tempted to buy a ‘Little Red Book’. Later on today we fly to Xian. Perhaps stopping at the Chinese Medical Research Centre enroute to the airport.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6:
In Xian
Our stay in Xian reveals the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilisation. Xian (Changan) served 11 dynasties and was the very starting point of the Silk Road between Central Asia and Europe. Its ancient monuments include, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (64m, a 7-storey high structure with a superb overview of the city) and the Great Mosque, a wonderful 15th century working mosque within the old muslim Hui District, which we include in our sightseeing tour. The afternoon is free but highly recommended is an optional visit to the Shaanxi National Museum which takes us through a million years of Chinese history.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7:
Visit Terracotta Warriors; Overnight train to Beijing
Today we visit one of the highlights of any visit to China – the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses who guard the Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. There are literally thousands of lifesize warriors, dating from 200BC. This dramatic find of the 1970s is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century. We should have time to stop at the on-site factory to see how the warriors are made today. Later this afternoon we take an overnight train to Beijing.
Overnight Train (U)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8:
Arrive in Beijing; city tour
Beijing is China’s capital and its political and cultural centre. The city has been the capital for most of the period since Kublai Khan made it the capital of his mighty Asian Empire in the late 1200s. All clocks in this vast country are set by Beijing time despite the westernmost regions being some 5000kms away. During our stay we shall visit the Forbidden City, the one-time home of the Ming and the Manchu (Qing) emperors and a treasure trove of eastern wares. There is the option to visit the Summer Palace an old and very extensive imperial garden complex with a large boating lake and impressive palace buildings. There is also the possibility of seeing a Beijing opera in the evening, or perhaps an acrobatic performance (optional). The opera in Beijing is considered to be the best in China.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9:
Visit Great Wall at Mutianyu
Today we drive out to a renovated part of the Great Wall at Mutianyu, situated 90km north of the city. Began in the 3rd century BC by Shi Huangdi, thousands of conscripted workers laboured on it and many lie buried in its brick and stone ramparts. It is incredible to think that this wall spans the entire country! Here there is a 2km section to walk along with watchtowers and views of the surrounding countryside. En route we may also get to visit a cloisonné workshop where you can see examples of this ancient metal-working technique.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10:
Tour ends Beijing
Included meals: Breakfast
