- ✓ Be captivated by the diverse natural wonders of China
- ✓ Hike along the shimmering lakes of Jiuzhaigou and otherworldly peaks of Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains
- ✓ Cycle through the karst mountains of Yangshuo and hike the rice terraces of Ping’an
Discover the Middle Kingdom away from the cities and be enchanted by China’s natural wonders. Hike secluded stretches of the Great Wall, explore the Avatar Mountains and shimmering lakes, wander Yangshuo’s karst landscapes, and admire endless rice terraces. Along the way, experience authentic China through encounters with local people.
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 – Explore Beijing and get your bearings
Today is yours to explore the Chinese capital at your leisure. The easiest way to get around is by metro or taxi, or for a more active experience you can hire a bike from one of the many rental stations and see the city on two wheels. Highlights include the magnificent Lama Temple, the Summer Palace, the vast Tiananmen Square and the impressive Forbidden City. Equally rewarding is a stroll through the Hutongs, the narrow alleys of the old town lined with traditional houses, where you can experience everyday life and authentic local culture. Beijing’s spacious parks offer a perfect spot to rest, with blooming gardens, artistic sculptures and glimpses into the daily lives of residents. If you wish, we can arrange a private guided tour of the city’s highlights or a bike tour through the Hutongs, just let us know.
Day 3 – Travel to Jiankou on the Great Wall
There is still time in the morning to explore more of Beijing. You could take an early stroll through Jingshan Park, perched on a hill north of the Forbidden City. From here, you will enjoy sweeping views of the Forbidden City and beyond, including the modern district to the east.
In the afternoon, you will be collected from your hotel and driven for around two hours into the mountains to Jiankou. This quieter section of the Great Wall is known for its dramatic scenery. Your host, Mr Zhao, will give you a warm welcome. You will stay overnight in his simple guesthouse, with a private room and bathroom. Over a carefully prepared dinner, you can discuss the next day’s hike and toast the adventure ahead. Although Mr Zhao does not speak English, communication works well through gestures and a translation app.
Day 4 – Hiking on the Great Wall
Today promises an exciting adventure. You’ll head out with Mr Zhao, climbing uphill along narrow gravel paths, through bushes and over clay soil, until you reach the Great Wall. Once at the top, the breathtaking views of the Wall stretch endlessly across the wooded hills, disappearing into the distance. You’ll walk along it for a while before heading back the same way. The first section is fairly easy, but it soon becomes steeper and more challenging. Since this part of the Wall hasn’t been restored, it feels wonderfully wild and untouched. In places, you might even need to use your hands to climb ladders or navigate uneven terrain. It’s worth the effort, as the views are spectacular, and you’ll often have this incredible wonder almost to yourself.
Sturdy hiking boots are a must and will come in handy on other parts of the trip, too. If this hike sounds a bit too tough, we can plan a gentler alternative near Jinshanling. After this unforgettable experience, you’ll head back to Beijing and return to your hotel, ready to relax and enjoy a refreshing shower.
Day 5 – Fly to Huanglong, visit the limestone terraces & continue to Jiuzhaigou
Today, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to Beijing Airport for a flight of around two and a half hours to Jiuzhaigou. A driver will be waiting to take you straight to Huanglong. Throughout the tour, we’ll arrange all transfers from hotels to train stations or airports, making your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible (except in Hong Kong, see below).
In Huanglong, you’ll visit the famous limestone terraces (entrance fee around 200 yen / £25 per person). We recommend taking the cable car (about 100 yen / €12.50 per person) up the mountain. From the top, you’ll start your hike back down. At roughly 3,100 metres, the trail winds past snow-white limestone terraces filled with turquoise pools that flow from one to the next a truly otherworldly sight. The high altitude can be tiring, so bring plenty of water and take your time. After around two hours, you’ll reach the entrance again. Your driver will then take you to Jiuzhaigou, about a two-hour drive, where you’ll spend the night in a simple hotel. The town is popular with Chinese visitors, so it’s rarely quiet here.
Day 6 - Hike to the lakes and waterfalls Jiuzhaigou National Park
Today you’ll spend a full day exploring Jiuzhaigou National Park, and it’s best to set off early with a packed breakfast to make the most out of your day. Take a taxi to the park entrance, where you’ll transfer to one of the park’s shuttle buses. Depending on visitor numbers, you’ll start either at Long Lake or the Primeval Forest, both of which offer stunning views and make perfect starting points for your hike.
The trails are well maintained, with wooden walkways and paths leading from one deep-blue lake to the next, past tranquil ponds and cascading waterfalls. Signs are in both Chinese and English, and the shuttle buses make it easy to take shortcuts whenever you wish. Wander slightly off the main paths and you’ll find quieter spots, allowing you to enjoy the scenery even more.
There are stalls selling drinks and snacks, as well as a simple restaurant. A picnic along the way is a real treat. Pick up some supplies the day before and find a spot overlooking a turquoise lake for an unforgettable moment.
Day 7 – Travel to Chengdu
During the day, you will be picked up from your hotel and travel for around two hours to Huanglong-Jiuzhai Station. From there, you will take the high-speed train to Chengdu. A driver will be waiting at the station to take you to your charming, centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Chengdu at your own pace.
Chengdu has earned the title of “UNESCO City of Gastronomy” for good reason. The city is full of restaurants and teahouses, and a visit to a traditional teahouse is a must. For the Chinese, it serves the same role that a pub does for the English: a lively place to meet friends, catch up on the latest news and escape the everyday. The best way to experience the famous spicy Sichuan cuisine is with a hot pot, where fresh ingredients are cooked right at your table in a rich, spicy broth.
Day 8 - Panda Research Centre
Today 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.
Day 9 – Travel to Zhangjiajie
During the day, you will travel by high-speed train to Zhangjiajie City. A private driver will meet you and take you on a one hour drive to Wulingyuan, where you will spend the next three nights in a simple but comfortable hotel.
The town of Wulingyuan is an ideal base for exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Everything in the centre is within walking distance, the eastern entrance to the park is just a few minutes away, and you will find all you need for daily essentials. There are plenty of restaurants, small shops and banks. While the town is geared towards tourists, it still retains a sense of local life. The small morning market is particularly charming, with meat and vegetable vendors preparing their goods and individual sellers sitting by the roadside with their baskets. Take a stroll through the side streets and you may see locals making sticky rice with giant wooden pestles, a fascinating sight.
Day 10 – Marvel at the Avatar Mountains in Forest Park
Today you will explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park with a private guide. From your hotel, you will head to the east entrance, then continue into the heart of this natural wonder using the park’s shuttle buses. From there, you can either take the comfortable bus or the impressive Bailong Elevator to the top, or if you are feeling fit, climb up on foot. A must-see destination in the park is Yuanjiajie, home to the striking floating mountains that inspired James Cameron’s film Avatar. From the large viewing platform, you will enjoy a stunning view of the unusual karst formations. A detour to Tianzi Mountain is also worth considering, where the rock needles have poetic names such as Imperial Brush Peak and Goddess Peak.
Day 11 – Explore Zhangjiajie independently
We deliberately included this extra day, as there is still so much to see in and around Zhangjiajie. Hiking enthusiasts may wish to return to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. While you likely visited the most famous viewpoints yesterday, today’s excursion to Huangshi Zhai comes highly recommended. This area, in the west of the park, is less crowded and offers beautiful, sometimes slightly challenging, trails.
For a different kind of adventure, a real highlight awaits close to Wulingyuan: the Grand Canyon with its famous glass bridge. Those who dare to walk across the thrilling structure will be rewarded with spectacular views. In the evening, you may also enjoy the impressive Charm of Xiangxi show, a vibrant display of dance, song and regional traditions.
Day 12 – Travel to Ping’an
After several eventful days in Zhangjiajie, it is time to move on to new adventures. You have a longer day of travel ahead, but by the evening you will reach one of China’s next natural wonders: the Longsheng Rice Terraces. Also known as Longji, or Dragon’s Back, these terraces are among the highest in the world, alongside those of Banaue in the Philippines.
We will arrange a private transfer from Wulingyuan to Zhangjiajie City and a high-speed train to Guilin. A driver will meet you there and take you to the village of Ping’an in about two hours. You will stay for the next two nights in a comfortable guesthouse on the edge of the village, with views over the rice terraces. Your hosts speak English, are happy to chat, and have plenty of local tips to share.
Day 13 – Guided hike through the rice terraces of Ping’an
After breakfast, you will set off with a local guide for a full hike through the impressive Longsheng Rice Terraces. The trail winds up and down through varied landscapes, past viewpoints with spectacular vistas, over small rivers with wooden waterwheels, and through fields where farmers of the colourfully dressed Zhuang minority still work with ox-drawn teams. The intricate terrace and irrigation system, developed around 5,000 years ago, is still in use today and is a marvel to see along the way.
You will stop at a village for a break around lunchtime. The hike takes around five hours in total. Your guide will arrange the return transfer to Ping’an, which you pay the driver for directly. The tour is suitable for those with average fitness, but you will certainly work up a sweat. If you prefer a shorter route, just let your guide know. Even in rain or fog, they will find alternative, more pleasant paths.
Day 14 – Transfer to the karst mountains of Yangshuo
Today, you will leave the rice terraces and head to the karst mountains of Yangshuo, one of China’s most picturesque landscapes. Towering steeply from the plains like something from a storybook, the karst peaks are interspersed with rivers that meander through the lush green valleys.
A private driver will take you from Ping’an directly to your hotel near Yangshuo, a journey of around three hours. You will spend the next three nights in a charming hotel just outside the town, where tranquillity and a welcoming atmosphere await. Your hosts speak excellent English. You can enjoy a delicious meal in the hotel restaurant and rent bicycles on site to explore the surrounding countryside.
Day 15 – Cycling tour and lunch with a local family
Today, you will enjoy a relaxing bike ride through the stunning landscape of Yangshuo with a local guide, immersing yourself in authentic rural life. During the approximately five-hour tour, you will cycle through small villages and past expansive rice fields, spot traditional houses, and, with a little luck, watch farmers at work.
At lunchtime, you will have a truly authentic experience. Join a farming family to harvest fresh vegetables, cook together, and enjoy a simple, delicious meal. Meeting the elders and children of the household adds a particularly memorable touch. This excursion offers a rich insight into the heart and soul of Yangshuo. The tour starts around 8:30 a.m. and finishes around 2:00 p.m., leaving the afternoon free to relax or explore at your own pace.
Day 16 – 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 17 – Final stop Hong Kong
During the day, a driver will 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 18 – 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 19 – 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
