- ✓ Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City, hutongs, temples, and the Great Wall
- ✓ Discover Xi’an’s Terracotta Army and the city’s imperial heritage
- ✓ Visit Chengdu’s giant pandas and relax in Sichuan teahouses
- ✓ Cycle and raft through Yangshuo’s stunning mountain scenery
Take to the rails on an epic train journey from Shanghai to Hong Kong, stopping to meet giant pandas, sail between Karst mountains and explore rice paddies. You’ll take cyber-quick bullet trains and traditional sleeper trains between destinations, giving you a great window into Chinese life. Along the way you’ll meet the local people and stay in authentic hotels packed with character.
Days 1-3 – Shanghai: Back to the future
Explore Shanghai, crammed with skyscrapers and exploding with variety. From 19th century alleyways to swanky bars and art-deco buildings, there’s nowhere like it. With twice as many skyscrapers as Manhattan, Shanghai is a sleek modern sprawl that seems to go on forever. You will stay in a colonial style hotel close to the Bund and your time is free to explore the city at your own pace.
Days 4-6 – Temples and hutongs of Beijing
Today you’ll travel from Shanghai to Beijing on the high speed bullet train, a fascinating journey of around five hours. You’ll spend three nights soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of Beijing, an intoxicating clutter of history and modern-day ambition. Wander through the atmospheric hutongs, visit the Forbidden City and take a breather from the madness of the city at the Temple of Heavenly Peace. Top off your time in Beijing with a trip along the twisting Great Wall, one of the world’s most staggering sights.
Days 7-9 – Raise the red lantern
Late this afternoon you’ll be transferred to the train station to take the 12 hour night train to Pingyao. Once on board you’ll fall asleep easily to the rhythmic sound of the train rolling over the tracks. As your arrival in Pingyao the next morning is at around 5am, if you would like to arrange early check-in please make sure to mention this to your Travel Specialist.
Explore Pingyao, a fascinating walled town packed with atmospheric cobbled alleyways, friendly locals and glowing lanterns. A curious maze of traditional courtyards, small teahouses and Buddhist temples, it’s somewhere to soak up the spirit of ancient China. Discover hidden alleyways and tea houses in the tangle of cobbled streets, all bathed in the soft red light reflected from the lanterns.
Days 10 & 11 – Terracotta Army and Drum Towers
At the end of the afternoon, you’ll be transferred back to the train station, where you’ll catch the overnight train to Xi’an. We’ll pre-arrange hard-sleeper tickets for you on this 10 hour train journey. On arrival in Xi’an you’ll be transferred from the station to your hotel. Since you’ll arrive before 7am, if you’d like to check in early into your hotel, please make sure to let your Travel Specialist know in advance.
Marvel at the soldiers of the ancient Terracotta Army and wander around the Bell Tower in Xi’an. A modern city with an imperial past, it’s an eye-opening window into Chinese culture. Drenched in history and jam-packed with fascinating places to explore. You’ll spend two nights in China’s past Imperial Capital, soaking up the atmosphere and visiting the impressive Terracotta Army.
Days 12 & 13 – Teddy bears and tea houses
In the early afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the train station. Today you’ll travel by bullet train from Xi’an to Chengdu. With mouth-watering food and teahouse culture, Chengdu is a winner. You’ll spend 2 nights here, ambling amongst old shops, sampling Sichuan dishes and slowing to the relaxed pace of life. On the second day, you’ll visit the giant pandas that have roamed these parts for 2 million years. Now residents of the ethically run Breeding Research Centre, you’ll be bowled over by their quiet beauty and sheer size.
Days 14-16 – Bamboo sailing through Karst Mountains
In the evening, you’ll be transferred back to the local train station, where you’ll catch the bullet train to Guilin. Cycle between Karst Mountains and drift lazily downstream aboard a bamboo raft through the gorgeous scenery of Yangshuo near Guilin. Cycling between forested hills and a patchwork of rice paddies is a sure-fire way to feel the spirit of rural China. You’ll spend three nights in the a countryside hotel and take a trip along the river by bike and bamboo raft.
Days 17 & 18 – Skyscrapers of Hong Kong
Today, you’ll be transferred to the train station, a drive of 1.5 hours. When you arrive, grab some snacks and drinks before boarding the bullet train to Guangzhou. You’ll arrive roughly 3 hours later and a transfer will be waiting to take you to the Guangzhou (Canton) East train station. You’ll then take the train to Kowloon in Hong Kong, a trip that will take another 2 hours. On arrival in Hong Kong you’ll make your own way to your comfortable hotel in the Kowloon district of the city.
Gaze out over the harbour in Hong Kong, a place packed with endless possibility. With tongue-tingling cuisine and thriving traditional culture, it’s bewitching. Stare down upon silver skyscrapers from Victoria Peak, wander around bird markets and share steaming dim sum. You’ll spend two nights in a Kowloon hotel and during your stay you’ll get to visit all the big highlights of the city, from Victoria Peak to the up and coming suburbs where designers and artists are flourishing.
At the end of your journey, you’ll make your own way to the airport to catch your international flight home.
Accommodation
