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China by Train
3-Week China Train Itinerary - Shanghai to Hong Kong
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Prices from £2,058 pp
All prices exclude international flights at the start/end of your trip. Let us book flights for you.
18 days / 17 nights (flexible)
Daily
Shanghai - Beijing - Great Wall of China - Pingyao - Xian - Terracotta Army - Chengdu - Yangshuo - Hong Kong
Overview
Take to the rails on an epic train journey from the 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.
What's included
- Accommodation – price based on 2 people sharing
- Breakfast
- Transfers and train tickets as described
- Excursions as described
Our ready-made itineraries 1. Add your favourite itinerary to your travel plan 2. Send it our way 3.Our travel specialists will get planning and send you a quote
Location map
Your day-by-day itinerary
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.
Onward transfers
Today you’ll travel from Shanghai to Beijing on the high speed bullet train, a fascinating journey of around five hours.
Temples and Hutongs of Beijing
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.
Onward transfers
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.
Raise the Red Lantern
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.
Onward transfers
At the end of the afternoon, you’ll be transferred back to the train stain, 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.
Terracotta Army and Drum Towers
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.
Onward transfers
In the early afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the train station. Today you’ll travel by bullet train from Xi’an to Chengdu.
Teddy Bears and Tea Houses
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.
Onward transfers
In the evening, you’ll be transferred back to the local train station, where you’ll catch the bullet train to Guilin.
Bamboo Sailing through Karst Mountains
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.
Onward transfers
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.
Skyscrapers of Hong Kong
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.
Onward transfers
At the end of your journey, you’ll make your own way to the airport to catch your international flight home.
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