Day 1 – Arrive in Beijing
Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed at the airport 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 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. As well as the Wall, you’ll visit the Olympic Park, known as Bird’s Nest stadium and the Ming Dynasty tombs.
Day 4 – Train to Pingyao
Today, you’ll be whisked away to Beijing’s train station to catch your bullet train to Pingyao. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted at the train station and transferred directly to your traditional courtyard hotel. It’s a place packed with character, from tiny staircases to hidden nooks and sunny courtyards. You’ll spend two nights here, soaking up the sleepy vibe and taking in the sights of the ancient town.
Once you’re settled, you can take a walk through the small cobbled lanes of Pingyao. You’ll see temples, gates, gardens and tea houses are all decorated with red lanterns that sway in the breeze. If you’re keen to see a lot during your stay we recommend purchasing an ancient city ticket in the centre of town to gain access to several museums as well as the ancient city wall.
Day 5 – Temple tour & Qiao family compound
After breakfast this morning, your driver and guide will whisk you away through the Shanxi countryside. You’ll begin your morning soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the Zhenghuo Temple before exploring the maze of courtyards in the Qiao family compound, a fantastic example of Chinese culture and architecture. You’ll be back in time for lunch with a free afternoon to explore.
Day 6 – Train to Xi’an
This morning, you’ll be transferred back to the train station, where you’ll catch the bullet train to Xi’an, which takes around three hours. On arrival in Xi’an, you’ll be transferred from the station to your comfortable central hotel. The city is a big business hub, and the accommodation reflects this, but its central location makes up for its lack of small-scale charm. The rest of the day is yours for the taking. Wander around the lively Muslim Quarter, where the air is filled with the scented smoke of barbecued meats and spices or browse one of the huge mega-malls.
Day 7 – Visit the Terracotta Army
The following morning, 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.
The rest of your day here is your own; rent a bicycle and cycle along the city walls, or spend an afternoon people watching at the popular Big Goose Pagoda.
Day 8 – Ride the Himalaya Express train to Tibet
Today you’ll travel towards the ‘roof of the world’, starting with a bullet train to Xining in Qinghai Province, before boarding the world-famous Himalaya Express train to Lhasa. A journey on the world’s highest railway is an adventure in itself, taking you through snowy mountains, glistening lakes and vast grasslands over the next 20 hours. You’ll sleep in a simple, but comfortable cabin, shared with others, for an authentic experience through some of the most beautiful areas of China, entering Tibet the following day.
Day 9 – Arrive in Lhasa
Upon arrival in Lhasa, you’ll be collected by your Tibetan guide and driver and driven for around an hour to the old town, where you will be staying for the next four nights. Lhasa sits at 3,600 metres, which is actually the lowest point in Tibet. Due to the high altitude, many travellers experience headaches or mild altitude sickness when they arrive, so it’s important to make sure you drink lots of water (around three litres is recommended) on your first day. Your guide will hold onto your passport to register for your tickets to the Potala Palace the next day, and you should receive it back the same day or the next. Once you’re checked into your hotel, take a stroll or sit in one of the charming nearby restaurants around Barkhor Market.
Day 10 – Visit Potala Palace & Jokhang Temple
Today, you’ll visit two of Lhasa’s most iconic sites, the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple. You’ll most likely start at the Potala Palace, a 17th-century … that was once the seat of the Dalai Lama. Wander through the maze of chapels and grandly decorated halls, learning all about the rich history and its significance in Tibetan Buddhism. Later in the afternoon, you’ll visit the Jokhang Temple, known for the circular path(Barkhor kora) that surrounds it and draws pilgrims from all over Tibet. You’ll also find the Barkhor Bazaar here, where the streets are lined with vibrant stalls and shops selling prayer flags, incense and traditional Tibetan fabrics. Enjoy a tasty dinner at a local Tibetan restaurant and try the freshly made momo dumplings.
Day 11 & 12 – Visit Drepung & Sera Monastery and Norbulingka
This morning, you’ll visit Drepung Monastery, which was once the largest monastery in the world. Perched on the mountainside, just outside Lhasa, this 15th-century complex was home to thousands of monks, as well as being the residence of the Dalai Lama before the Potala Palace was built. Next, you’ll explore Norbilingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama. Wander through the beautiful palaces, colourful murals and willow tree gardens, and admire the intricate details of traditional Tibetan architecture. At Sera Monastery, you can witness a “debating session” with the monks (usually between 3-5 pm), where you can watch them engage in lively discussions and complex philosophical questions. The following day is free for you to explore as you wish.
Day 13 – Journey to Chengdu
Today, you’ll be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight to Chengdu. On arrival in Chengdu, you’ll be transferred to your charming hotel with lots of local flavour. Built in a courtyard style with a peaceful garden, it’s a brilliant place to come back to after exploring the sights. Once you’ve settled in, you can wander between souvenir stalls, grab a bite on ‘Snack Street’ or check out a traditional Tea House.
Day 14 – Visit the Panda Research Centre
The following day, you’ll travel to the Panda Research Centre for a close-up encounter with these gentle giants. Set in a bamboo-filled park, the pandas live in large enclosures. It’s maintained very responsibly with every care taken for the animals. Your guide will teach you about the breeding habits and heritage of the pandas.
The rest of the day is free for you to amble between traditional teahouses, get lost in cobbled streets and try the famous Sichuan hotpot. In the evening, lanterns reflect a soft red glow on the street, lending the whole city a touch of magic. After two nights in Chengdu, you’ll pack your things and hit the road again.
Day 15 – Train journey from Chengdu – Guilin
Today, you’ll travel south by bullet train, towards Guilin. We will arrange a transfer to collect you from your hotel and take you to the train station in Chengdu. If you’d prefer to take the overnight train, we can arrange this for you; just speak to your travel specialist for more information. On arrival in Guilin, our driver will be waiting for you and will take you to your hotel in Yangshuo. You’ll stay in a beautiful retreat tucked between the Karst Mountains, surrounded by rice paddies and farmland. It’s a hugely warm and friendly place. You can rent mountain bikes and kayaks, or simply explore the area on foot.
Day 16 – Cycling trip and bamboo rafting
Today you’ll set off on a cycling tour and a 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 17 – Time to relax in Yangshuo
We have deliberately built in some extra time in Yangshuo, allowing you to fully enjoy its relaxed atmosphere and breathtaking scenery. It is the perfect place to take a breather and soak up the charm of rural China. Start your day at a leisurely pace, savouring the calm surroundings and the gentle rhythm of village life. If you feel like some exercise, bikes are available to hire on site, offering a wonderful way to explore the area.
A ride to the Yulong River is particularly rewarding, as this stretch is even more scenic and less crowded than the famous Li River. Along the way, you will pass traditional villages, lush rice fields and dramatic karst peaks, providing countless photo opportunities. For another perspective, consider climbing to one of the viewpoints, where you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, taking in the rivers, mountains and terraces that make Yangshuo so enchanting.
Day 18 – Yangshuo – Ping’an
This morning, you’ll be collected and transferred north to the Longji Rice Terraces. To reach Ping’an, your driver will drop you off on the edge of the village, as it is only accessible on foot. From here, you’ll walk through the rice paddies until you reach traditional Ping’an. You’ll spend two nights in a friendly guesthouse with a large veranda with views of the rice terrace.
Although Ping’an has become increasingly popular with tourists, it retains its traditional charm, and in no time at all you’ll become accustomed to the Ping’an atmosphere. Once you’ve settled in, you can start to explore. The Ping’an territory is home to the Zhuang minority, who introduced the terraced irrigation system used for rice cultivation over 5,000 years ago.
Day 19 – Rice paddies hike & departure
Today you’ll set off on a guided hike into the patchwork of rice paddies, known as the Dragon’s Backbone or Longji. You’ll follow undulating mountain paths through forests, past rivers, into timeless villages and between the rice paddies. The villages here are remote, with houses perched high on poles. The length and pace of your hike is up to you, and your guide can tailor it to your needs.
Day 20 – Final stop Hong Kong
This morning, you can enjoy breakfast on the veranda and soak up the views over the mist-cloaked mountains. As the sun climbs, light will flood the paddies and the mist will magically clear. Afterwards, you’ll grab your bags and check out, as our driver will be waiting to take you back to Guilin train station, where you will board the high-speed train to Hong Kong. You will arrange your own transfer to your hotel, which is straightforward thanks to Hong Kong’s excellent public transport network. Alternatively, you can take a taxi; fares are reasonable and drivers usually speak English. You will stay in a mid-range hotel with all standard amenities, conveniently located near the Mong Kok district and Sung Wong Toi Gardens.
The rest of the day is free to explore. You might wander through the lively streets of Kowloon or sample traditional dim sum at a local restaurant. In the evening, a real highlight is the famous Symphony of Lights. At 8 p.m. sharp, the skyline along the waterfront promenade is transformed into a dazzling display of lasers and lights.
Day 21 – Exploring Hong Kong
Today, you have the freedom to explore Hong Kong at your own pace. There is plenty to see and do in the city itself, with Victoria Peak being a true highlight. From Kowloon, you can quickly reach Hong Kong Island on the inexpensive Star Ferry. From there, the famous Peak Tram will take you up to Victoria Peak, where on a clear day you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the skyline and harbour.
But Hong Kong is not just about skyscrapers. Beyond the city lies a green oasis with stunning beaches and islands. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle and experience more of China’s natural side, the surrounding area offers an almost tropical atmosphere, reminiscent of Southeast Asia. Sai Kung Island is enchanting, with its secluded bays and striking rock formations, while Cheung Chau, with its relaxed beaches and small fishing villages, has a wonderfully cosy charm. Both destinations are easily reached by public ferries.
Day 22 – Time to head home
Today marks the conclusion of your journey through China’s natural wonders. Depending on your schedule, you can take the metro or a taxi to the airport for your flight home. We will be happy to assist you in finding a suitable flight and can provide guidance on departure times to make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. Take a moment to reflect on the incredible landscapes, vibrant cultures and unforgettable experiences you have enjoyed throughout your trip before bidding farewell to China.
Accommodation
