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Winding Waterways and Chinese Beaches

Itinerary

  • Itinerary:
    Beijing - Great Wall of China - Shanghai - Watertowns of Luzhi, Tongli and Suzhou - Putuoshan Island - Yangshuo - Ping'an - Hong Kong
  • Duration:
    17 days / 16 nights (flexible)
  • Price:
    From £ 2,835.- per person (excluding flights)
Explore the highlights China, taking tropical beach breaks along the way. Walk the Great Wall, amble between rice paddies and sail past Karst mountains. Mid-journey, you’ll head for the peaceful sands of spiritual Putuoshan Island and you’ll end the trip in bustling Hong Kong. This is a laid-back adventure that guarantees to get you home rested and ready for reality.
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Days 1-4 – 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.

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Days 7-10 – Putuoshan…The island that time forgot

Discover the hills and beaches of Putuoshan, a small Buddhist island marooned in the Sea of China. Meet monks in sacred temples, hike up to panoramic hilltops and stretch out on white sands. It’s worlds away from the buzzing cities on the mainland and a great place for a spiritual beach breather.

Taking the boat from Shanghai, you’ll spend three nights on Putuoshan Island, exploring the sights and hitting the sands. A tiny island with a gentle Buddhist vibe, it’s home to a handful of beautiful temples in the shadow of giant ginkgo trees. You can walk around the entire island in 2.5 hours, stopping on the beaches and watching pilgrims file up to the temples. It’s a very special place.

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Days 13-15 – Rice terraces and Zhuang villages

Next you’ll visit the village of Ping’an, home to some of the most picturesque rice terraces in Asia. You’ll spend the night in a modest guest house surrounded by mountains and rice terraces. As there are no roads in Ping’an there is a short walk up the rice paddies to reach your guest house. Next you’ll visit the village of Ping’an, home to some of the most picturesque rice terraces in Asia. You’ll spend the night in a modest guest house surrounded by mountains and rice terraces. As there are no roads in Ping’an there is a short walk up the rice paddies to reach your guest house.

Over the last few years, Ping’an has increased in popularity and has attracted more tourists. However, there are still plenty of quieter places that your guide will take you to. With your guide you will hike through rice paddies that stretch as far as the eye can see you’ll notice just how very special this part of China is.

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Winding Waterways and Chinese Beaches

Accommodation

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