Highlights of China - Hong Kong to Beijing — Trip Notes (2027)

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Highlights of China - Hong Kong to Beijing

From the modern skyscrapers of Hong Kong to the imperial palaces of Beijing, our 10-day trip traverses the highlights of China. Catch the bullet train to Guilin, admire dramatic limestone scenery on a river cruise through local villages flanked by vast limestone stacks, visit the Terracotta Warriors and walk on the Great Wall.

Trip highlights

Hong KongExplore this bustling metropolis, an interesting mixture of modern life and ancient traditions.

XianVisit the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi and admire the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

BeijingWalk a section of the Great Wall and explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Li River cruiseTake a relaxing cruise along the River Li, passing local villages and jagged karst peaks.

Itinerary

Itinerary option: 2027

1Day 1Join trip in Hong Kong

Our tour starts today in Hong Kong, where East meets West. Known for its glittering skyline and rich heritage, Hong Kong is where ancient culture and modern city life live in harmony. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6.30pm for a welcome meeting, followed by the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers over dinner (not included). There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Hong Kong at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which is a 40-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up at 9am on day 2. There's plenty to see and do in Hong Kong. If you\ d like to visit the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) on Lantau Island, or embark on one of the many hikes surrounding the city, we recommend booking an additional night before your tour starts. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, the options are endless, but you could take the underground to the waterfront of Victoria Harbour, and then on to Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon.

Panda Hotel (or similar) · Tsuen Wan, Hong KongComfortable · Hotel

2Day 2Discover Hong Kong's waterfront and the Li Yuen street market; optional ride on the Victoria Peak Tram

Hong Kong is a modern metropolis (and important financial centre), known for its iconic skyline of skyscrapers, world-class culinary scene and ancient heritage. This morning, we'll head out to explore on an orientation tour by metro, ferry and on foot, taking in sites such as Kowloon Waterfront, the Star Ferry, the Stock Exchange, Des Voeux Road, Li Yuen Street markets, Man Mo Temple and the Bank of China. The afternoon is free for you to explore more at your own pace. Public transport is quick and easy to use, letting you get to the city's must-see sights. You can take a funicular railway to Victoria Peak or a launch out to a floating restaurant in Aberdeen Harbour. Alternatively, seek out a traditional cha chaan teng (local tea restaurants that combine eastern and western flavours) for pineapple buns and milk tea, admire the latest sartorial and electronic fashions, or splurge on an afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Panda Hotel (or similar) · Tsuen Wan, Hong KongComfortable · Hotel

3Day 3Travel to Guilin by high speed train

After a relaxed breakfast, we'll transfer to Hong Kong West Kowloon station and board the high-speed train to Guilin. We'll need to be at the station a couple of hours early to complete border formalities before we board. The train journey takes three hours arriving into Guilin in the late afternoon. Guilin is known as the gateway to the stunning limestone scenery for which this part of China is known and was once an important transport hub of the Qin Dynasty thanks to the construction of the Ling Canal in 214 BC. After checking into our hotel, we'll head out for dinner before going on an orientation walk around Guilin later this evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Guilin Grand Hotel (or similar) · Guanxi, ChinaComfortable · Hotel

4Day 4Li River cruise past dramatic limestone scenery to the relaxed town of Yangshuo

This morning, we head to MoPanShan Dock where we board our cruise to Yangshuo on the Li River passing paddy fields, villages and stunning limestone scenery along the way. We'll have lunch onboard the boat during the journey. Arriving into Yangshuo in the afternoon, we'll have the chance to explore this laidback town. A haven for nature lovers, Yangshuo is a real contrast to the bustle of Hong Kong. This evening, you have the option to head out and see the outdoor sound and light show that brings together dance, colourful costumes and traditional folk songs. Please note, if weather is bad, the show might be moved to tomorrow evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

The West Street Hotel Grand Rezen (or similar) · Yangshuo, ChinaComfortable · Hotel

5Day 5Free time in the beautiful setting of Yangshuo

Yangshuo has so much to offer and today is free for you to explore at your own pace. You can walk among the surrounding karst summits (the surreal limestone peaks surrounding the town), explore the town on foot, or hire a bike and cycle through the country back lanes. Today, you also have the option to join a half-day bike ride that takes you out of the main town, where you can explore the smaller country back lanes. Alternatively, if you\ re not in the mood for a cycle, there's the option to your hand at Chinese cooking or calligraphy.

Included Meals: Breakfast

The West Street Hotel Grand Rezen (or similar) · Yangshuo, ChinaComfortable · Hotel

6Day 6Discover Xian's Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the characterful Muslim Quarter

We have an early start this morning as we head to Guilin Airport to catch our flight to Xi\ an. The journey to the airport takes around 90 minutes and the flight time is just under two hours, non-stop. During our stay in Xi'an we'll learn about the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilisation. Xi'an (Changan) served 11 dynasties and was the very starting point of the Silk Road connecting Asia with Europe. This morning, we'll have a sightseeing tour to see the ancient monuments, including the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (a seven-storey, 64-metre-high structure with superb views over the city), and the 15th-century Great Mosque in the old Muslim Hui District. Our accommodation in Xi'an is a traditional Chinese hotel located close to the northern section of Xi'an's city walls, and is a short walk from the Muslim Quarter.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Jinyuan Furun Hotel (or similar)Comfortable · Hotel

7Day 7Visit the impressive Terracotta Army and afternoon at leisure in Xi'an

After a relaxed morning, we drive to 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 life-size warriors dating from 200 BC. Uncovered in the 1970s, the site is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century. Depending on the group's interest, we'll have the option to stop at the on-site factory to see how the warriors are made today. The Terracotta Army is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is visited by thousands of people every day. It's worth noting that it can be very crowded at times. It's advisable to bring a hat and sun protection as there may be long queues to enter.

After lunch, we'll head back to Xi'an, where we'll take a walk along the city walls. Later this evening, you can explore more at your own pace, or there's the option to take part in the dumpling banquet and Tang Dynasty Show.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Jinyuan Furun Hotel (or similar)Comfortable · Hotel

8Day 8Explore Beijing - the Forbidden City and walk through Tiananmen Square

This morning, we have an early start as we catch the bullet train from Xi'an to Beijing, which takes around five-and-a-half hours. We'll arrive in Beijing in the afternoon and head out on a tour of the city. Kublai Khan made Beijing the capital of his mighty Asian empire in the late 1200s, and it has played a central role since then. Nowadays, Beijing is China's capital and its political and cultural centre - all clocks in this vast country are set to Beijing time, despite the westernmost regions being some 5,000 kilometres away. This afternoon, we plan to visit the vast Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the one-time home of the Ming and Manchu (Qing) emperors, and a treasure trove of eastern wares. The evening is free for you to relax after a busy day exploring. Please note, following the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of visitors to the Forbidden City has been restricted and tickets are limited. If we\ re unable to visit today, we'll move our visit to tomorrow after our tour of the Great Wall. In the rare instance that a delegate is visiting, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square has been known to close at short notice.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Xiao Xiang Hotel (or similar) · Beijing, ChinaComfortable · Hotel

9Day 9Walk on the incredible Great Wall at the Mutianyu section

Today, we visit a renovated part of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of the city. Begun in the 3rd century BC by Shi Huangdi, thousands of conscripted workers laboured on it, and many lie buried within its brick and stone ramparts. It's incredible to think that this wall spans the entire country. Here, there's a 2-kilometre/1.2-mile section to walk along, complete with watchtowers and views of the surrounding countryside. We'll drive back to Beijing later this afternoon. For our final evening, there's the option to see an acrobatic performance. We also recommend seeking out a traditional restaurant to try Peking duck for dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Xiao Xiang Hotel (or similar) · Beijing, ChinaComfortable · Hotel

10Day 10Trip ends in Beijing

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Beijing. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from either Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) which is a 90-minute drive from our hotel or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) which is a one-hour 45-minute drive away.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Trip map

Trip pace

Trip pace: Full On

Packing & equipment

Clothing

Lightweight raingear is required all year round. For winter departures warm sweaters, gloves, scarf, hat, warm coat, thermal underwear will be required.

Equipment

Earplugs and an eye mask for sleeping are always a good idea for travel. A small torch and a water bottle for day-to-day use are advisable. Public toilets, which are commonly squat toilets, often lack toilet roll and soap so it is a good idea to bring some tissues, wet wipes and hand sanitiser.

If you're thinking of doing the optional cycling tour in Yangshuo, cycling helmets will be available to hire locally from a reputable supplier. Most insurance providers require helmets to be worn whilst cycling, so in the event of an accident, it is likely that any insurance claim will be invalidated if you are not wearing a helmet.

For domestic flights in China, such as the internal flight from Guilin to Xian, all power banks must have a visible CCC (China Compulsory Certification) mark. In addition to this, power banks that have a capacity of over 160Wh are typically prohibited. All power banks must be kept in carry-on luggage, not luggage in the hold. If either the capacity is over the limit or the 3Cs are not visible, security may confiscate your power bank.

E-cigarettes, vapes or vape accessories (e-liquids etc) are strictly prohibited in Hong Kong, even for personal use.

We strongly recommend downloading an e-SIM for your trip to China. Many widely-used apps, such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Gmail, are blocked due to the "Great Firewall" of China. These apps and websites cannot be accessed using local Wi-Fi; therefore, to access these services, an e-SIM is required. It's also worth mentioning that internet on your phone is required to be able to use the payment apps, such as Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Footwear

Comfortable shoes with good grip for the Great Wall and our sight seeing and orientation walks. Plus something comfortable such as sandals for downtime.

Luggage on tour

One main piece of lockable baggage and a shoulder bag. Remember, you are expected to carry your
own baggage - so don't overload yourself and a suitcase with wheels will make life easier especially when using public transport.

What's included

Meals

9 breakfasts
1 lunches

Staff

Local Guide(s), Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s)

Transport

Bus
Flight
Boat
Train

Accommodation

9 nights Comfortable Hotel

Is this the trip for you?

We've graded this tour as full-on and we'll be travelling at a fast pace to pack in the highlights. Expect a busy itinerary with some downtime to relax or explore solo.
Our itinerary includes a fair amount of walking and we'll be spending a lot of time on our feet. We recommend a decent level of fitness to take part.
Smoking is officially prohibited in hotel rooms and lobbies. However, smoking is very prevalent and the hotel management finds it hard to enforce this rule. Please speak with the tour leader in case you encounter this problem to see if anything can be done.
Your passport is your gateway into many of the key attractions and trains in this itinerary. You will need to carry it with you on most days in this itinerary. Failing to do so would mean being refused entry at the site.
Our itinerary includes the highlights of Beijing and Xian. These bucket - list sites, such as the Terracotta Warriors, Forbidden City and Great Wall of China, are incredibly popular, so you should expect them to be busy and crowded.
Your time in Beijing is limited; if you want to explore the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, or simply have more time to go at your own pace, we'd recommend booking an extra night post-tour.
Both mainland China and Hong Kong are predominantly cashless. Please see the budgeting section for more advice on how to pay in China and Hong Kong.
It's strongly recommended that you download an e-SIM for your trip to China. Please see the equipment section for more information.
It can get incredibly hot during the summer months, particularly in July and August. If you're travelling during these dates, we recommend sun protection and carrying water at all times.