Day 1 – Arrive in Beijing
Upon arrival at the airport, your family will be warmly welcomed by an English-speaking member of our partner agency holding a sign with your name. They can assist with exchanging money, withdrawing cash, or answering any initial questions before escorting you to your comfortable hotel in the heart of Beijing’s Old Town. During the transfer, enjoy helpful tips and fascinating insights to begin your family adventure in China with ease.
Day 2 – Beijing city tour
Today, you’ll set off with a private guide to explore Beijing. First, you’ll visit the Lama Temple of Tibetan Lama Buddhism, a sacred space filled with curling incense smoke and the scent of sandalwood. After this, you’ll head for the Temple of Heavenly Peace, set within a city park packed with pine trees before taking a break for lunch near Tian’anmen Square.
After a bite to eat, you’ll visit Tian’anmen itself. With a name meaning Gate of Heavenly Peace, it’s the largest urban square in the world, bordered by parliament buildings and the mausoleum of Mao Zhedong. The last stop is the The Forbidden City, the secluded home of China’s emperors for many centuries. Almost like stepping into a living museum, it’s really quite something to behold.
Day 3 – Visit The Great Wall
You’ll be collected from your hotel early this morning for your drive to Jinshanling, a quieter part of the Great Wall of China. Here, without the large tourist throngs, you’ll follow the undulating path for about 8km, soaking up the magnificent scenery as you walk. It’s the ultimate China experience and something that is likely to stick with you forever.
If this is a little more than you can handle, you can try our Mutianyu trip instead. On this section of the Great Wall, you can take a cable car up to the very top and scoot down on a toboggan.
Day 4 – Train to Xi’an
This morning, you’ll be collected and driven to the train station in Beijing. From here, you’ll catch the high-speed train to Xi’an, known for its Terracotta Army, which takes around six hours. One of our friendly drivers will meet you at the train station and take you to your centrally located hotel. The city is a major business hub, and its accommodation reflects this, but its central location makes up for its lack of small-scale charm. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy.
Day 5 – Terracotta Army
Today, you’ll set off from your hotel to the Terracotta Army, one of China’s most staggering and curious sights. Here, you will buy your ticket and amble at your own pace between rows upon rows of Terracotta Warriors. When you’ve finished looking around this impressive site, your driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Xi’an.
Day 6 – Xi’an food tour
Today you’ll experience a feast for all the senses with a food tour through the lively Muslim quarter in Xi’an. You’ll pass through the streets filled with colourful lights and fragrant food stalls thick with the scented smoke of barbecued meats and spices. Along the way, you’ll sample snacks like spicy cold noodles, roujiamo (a Chinese burger), yangrou paomo (lamb soup with chunks of bread), and freshly grilled kebabs. Your guide will take you to the best stalls, telling you all about the history of each dish. You’ll also get to experience how sweets are pulled by hand or pasta is artfully swung, which is a fascinating sight for all the family.
Day 7 – Onto Yangshuo
This morning, you’ll be taken to the train station in Xi’an, where you’ll catch a high-speed train to Guilin. The journey takes around ten hours, and we will reserve a second-class seat for you. One of our friendly local drivers will meet you at the station in Guilin and take you to your riverfront hotel, which is located around 20 minutes outside of of Yangshuo. Spend some time relaxing after your journey, before heading out to explore the nearby restaurants for dinner.
Day 8 – Cycling and bamboo rafting
Today you’ll set off on a cycling tour and bamboo rafting trip with a local guide. The scenery here is extraordinary, with forest-topped Karst Mountains and small rippling rivers snaking through bright green paddies. You’ll cycle to the river with your guide, starting off on the main roads but you’ll soon leave these behind and pedal through farmland and rice paddies.
Next you’ll hop on a traditional bamboo raft and drift downstream, soaking up the scenery and lazing in the sunshine. After the boat trip, you’ll get back on your bike and cycle to Moon Hill, with gorgeous views from its peak. When you return to the hotel, you can relax with a cold beer on the terrace and watch the sun sink between the Karst Mountains.
Day 9 – Jingdi River rafting
This morning, after a tasty breakfast, you’ll be hitting the water for a rafting experience on the Jingdi River. After around 30 minutes, you’ll arrive for a safety briefing, before boarding your raft for an action-packed adventure. Drifting around 4.5km along the scenic river, you and your family will pass towering limestone peaks and peaceful rural landscapes. Along the way, you’ll pass other rafters with water guns, so expect some splashes and some light-hearted fun.
Once you are back on land, enjoy a warm cup of tea to warm up and reflect on your experience together as a family, before heading back to the hotel. The rest of your day is free for you to spend as you wish, relaxing by the river, taking a stroll through the countryside or just sitting by the pool.
Day 10 – Free time in Yangshuo
After all the action in Yangshuo, today you’ll have some time to recharge by the pool, or you could take a trip along the Yulong River, which is a beautifully scenic experience. One of the best things you can do here is rent bicycles and cycle to the Yulong River yourself, passing rice fields, karst mountains and traditional villages, allowing you to really slow down and soak in the natural surroundings together.
Alternatively, you could rent kayaks or go for a scenic hike in the hills. And, if you want to end the day with a special experience, every evening there is a spectacular light show on the water in Yangshuo – just speak to your travel specialist for more information.
Day 11 – Train to Hong Kong
Today you will travel to the last stop on your family trip. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Guilin by a private driver. A high-speed train will take you from Guilin directly to Hong Kong (West Kowloon) in 3.5 hours. The ride is comfortable and once again offers beautiful views of the southern Chinese countryside before you dive into the vibrant cosmopolitan city.
When you arrive in Hong Kong, you’ll hop in a taxi to your hotel in Kowloon with striking views across the harbour, including the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island. Once you’ve settled in, you can begin to explore this vibrant city. Stretched along the south China coastline and scattered with a number of islands east of the Pearl River Delta, it really is a showstopper.
Day 12 – Disneyland Hong Kong
A magical day awaits your family today, as you’ll be heading to Disneyland Hong Kong, located just outside the city and easily accessed by MTR. Seven themed areas await you in the park, from futuristic worlds in Tomorrowland to classic Disney magic in Fantasyland and thrilling adventures in Adventureland. Whether you’re riding fast-paced roller coasters, watching interactive shows or spotting popular Disney characters, there’s something for all ages.
Day 13 – Free time in Hong Kong
Your last day in Hong Kong is yours to spend as you wish. The city offers a fascinating mix of modern architecture and lush green hills, with beaches and coastal walking trails easily reached by ferry. You could head to the island of Lantau, which is home to one of the quietest and most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong: Cheung Sha Beach. Here, you can stroll along the soft sands, take a dip in the clear waters and spend some time soaking up the sunshine together. If you want to experience some culture in between, you can visit the famous Bronze Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery, and enjoy a peaceful moment away from the buzz of Hong Kong.
Day 14 – Departure from China
It’s time to say goodbye to China, as your family holiday comes to an end and you get a taxi to the airport to catch your international flight back home.
Accommodation
