This exciting journey combines seeing the Terracotta Warriors along with some of China’s most famous sights with forays into more remote and beautiful regions - from the contrasting cities of Beijing & Shanghai and the awesome Great Wall to the stunning scenery of Yellow Mountain (Huang Shan), Longsheng’s impressive rice terraces, and more. Experience China’s immense history, cultural and geographic diversity and have a truly memorable journey around the People’s Republic.
Days 1 - 5 ~ Beijing
We start our journey to China in her most formidable city, Beijing, the historic and cultural heart of the Middle Kingdom. Arrive in Beijing and transfer to our hotel to meet our fellow travellers and tour leader for a briefing over drinks. We commence our exploration of Beijing with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, as well as the Underground City, the Ancient Observatory, and take an Imperial cruise (summer only) to the Summer Palace. We join a local family in their home for an authentic meal, and explore the classic lanes and hutong backstreets of the city by rickshaw. We see the beating of the drums at the old Drum Tower, enjoy an amazing acrobatic show, and walk through night food markets. We travel to the awesome Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, visit the dramatic Temple of Heaven and learn the art of Chinese water painting.
Days 6 - 7 ~ Xian & Terracotta Warriors
In Xian we explore the ancient fortified city walls, the iconic Wild Goose Pagoda, the Great Mosque and the colourful Muslim Quarter. We see Xian’s greatest treasure, the Terracotta Warriors, which were buried for over 2,000 years and unearthed only in the 1970’s. Enjoy some time in the city’s park areas watching locals practising their Tai Chi, calligraphy and classical singing before we fly to Hangzhou.
Days 8 - 12 ~ Hangzhou & Yellow Mountain
In Hangzhou we slow down the pace with a cruise on West Lake. We see famous Buddhist rock carvings, traditional temples and vast stretches of local tea plantations. From here we journey towards Tunxi, our starting point to visit fabled Yellow Mountain (Huang Shan), where we discover some of China’s most spectacular scenery and arguably her most beautiful mountain peaks. Spend one night on the mountain’s summit where we hike to various lookouts for some of the most inspiring views of dense pine forests and extraordinary rock formations. It is easy to understand why this area is so popular, but don’t be discouraged by all of the other visitors! We visit mid-week when crowds are at their lowest. Rise early for sunrise over the misty peaks and enjoy some time to explore at leisure before we depart for Tunxi and our flight to Shanghai.
Days 13 - 14 ~ Shanghai & Zhujiajiao
Shanghai is Asia’s most amazing modern city, with its soaring skyline dwarfing the grand colonial structures of old. Shanghai’s energy and momentum is unmatched, and we get a feel for that as we explore the Bund, the Shanghai Museum (China’s finest), the bustling Chinese Quarter and the Yu Garden and Bazaar. Using Shanghai as a base, we head out to explore the beautiful water town of Zhujiajiao where we enjoy a cruise through the ancient canals and a wander through the cobbled foot-traffic-only lanes - a welcome break from the frantic pace of ultracosmopolitan Shanghai.
Days 15 - 18 ~ Guiling, Longsheng, Li River & Yangshuo
Leaving contemporary China behind, we fly to Guangxi Province, an area that has inspired artists and poets for centuries with its unique natural beauty. Take in views of Guilin from the top of Fubo Hill, or enjoy a foot reflexology massage before we spend a full day out at Longsheng visiting an ethnic Yao minority village and admiring the spectacular Dragon’s Backbone rice terraces. We take a leisurely cruise along the Li River, renowned for its stunning limestone mountain scenery, to Yangshuo, where we take some time to absorb the enchanting atmosphere of the town. We take a cycling trip into the countryside for a glimpse into local village life as we pass rice paddies, lotus fields and spectacular rural scenery.
Days 19 - 20 ~ Kunming & Dali
Rise early this morning to learn Tai Chi from a local master before we fly on to Kunming, the gateway to the diverse and captivating province of Yunnan. Early the next morning we fly to Dali, an ancient town set at the foot of the spectacular Cangshan mountain range near the shores of Erhai Lake. We visit the Three Pagodas and take a stroll along the narrow streets of the old town. We take a cable car up the mountain for birds eye views of this idyllic area. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in one of the many cafés or shopping for ethnic minority arts and crafts.
Days 21 - 22 ~ Lijiang
We enjoy a beautiful scenic drive to Lijiang and take time to explore this enchanting town with its rich Naxi minority culture and maze of winding cobbled streets. We visit the Museum of Naxi Culture, the mountain home of botanist Joseph Rock and climb Lion Hill for great views over the old town. Outside of Lijiang we stroll through some classic Chinese villages and visit the peaceful Tibetan Yufeng Monastery.
Days 23 - 24 ~ Tiger Leaping Gorge & Zhongdian
From Lijiang we travel north by road into the mountains and visit the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge, where the mighty Yangtze has carved one of the world’s deepest chasms. We continue overland to Zhongdian, a town set high in the mountains on the remote Tibetan frontier. We spend some time exploring the backstreets of this fascinating town and appreciating the mysterious prayer halls and temples of its renowned 300 year-old Songzanlin Monastery.
Days 25 - 26 ~ Kunming
From Zhongdian it’s back to Kunming for further exploration of the city’s bird & flower market, ethnic minority museum and Green Lake before a farewell dinner to celebrate an incredible trip. On day 26 our journey ends with an airport transfer
