North China bite-sized trips

Explore the old world alleyways, sleek high-rises and colourful pagodas of Beijing before taking a walk on the Great Wall of China that snakes through the hills. It’s a wonderful adventure in China, steeped in ancient culture, imperial grandeur and gorgeous rural scenery.

Explore Shanghai, crammed with skyscrapers and exploding with variety. It’s a place where the old crashes into the new and surprises are around every corner. From 19th century alleyways to swanky bars and art-deco buildings, there’s nowhere like it.

Drift through lantern-lined canals and swing by traditional tea houses on your way to sleek and glitzy Shanghai. It’s a trip of eye-opening extremes, pitting the old world against the new. You’ll get a taste of traditional China followed by a flash of neon drama in Shanghai, a city packed with skyscrapers.

Discover the peacefulness of Putuoshan, a small Buddhist island marooned in the Sea of China. Visit sacred temples, hike up to panoramic hilltops and stretch out on white sands.

Watch dawn break over craggy peaks and bamboo forests swirled in mist. With gnarled pine trees scattered across endless rock pinnacles, Huangshan is China at its most iconic.

Amble between 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 skyscrapers, it’s a fascinating place to explore.

Do you enjoy a challenge? Are you physically fit and, above all, not afraid of heights! Then this Great Wall bite-sized trip is definitely for you. We take you to a largely unrestored section of the Great Wall of China, where one surprise follows another. To complete the experience, you will spend the night at the home of a local guide, a lifelong resident of the village of Jiankou.

Meander through the UNESCO World Heritage temple and Yungang cave complex near to Datong – a great way to learn about the cultural history of northern China’s Shanxi province. You’ll walk through the temple structures and caves in the morning, soaking up the serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Melt into the teahouse culture and meet the pandas of laid-back Chengdu. With mouth-watering food, a lively scene and a bunch of friendly locals, it’s a winner. You’ll spend two nights in Chengdu, ambling amongst the old Chinese shop fronts, sampling traditional Sichuan dishes and slowing into the relaxed pace of life.

Explore Pingyao ancient city, a fascinating walled town packed with atmospheric cobbled alleyways, friendly locals and dangling lanterns. It’s a day dreamy step into bygone centuries. A curious maze of traditional courtyards, small teahouses and Buddhist temples, it’s somewhere to soak up the spirit of ancient China.

Take a deep breath of fresh mountain air in the valleys of China. Visit Buddhist monasteries, see clouds reflected in glassy highland lakes and watch yak herders at work on the vast grassy plains. It’s a beautiful hilltop world that feels totally lost in time.

Explore a remote mountain world of semi-nomadic villages, Tibetan monasteries and grazing yaks. It’s a peaceful journey into China’s sweeping grassy plains, full of space, fresh air and quiet beauty.

Nestled in the mountains around Songpan, you will discover spectacular natural wonders: the white limestone terraces of Huanglong and the enchanting blue lakes of Jiuzhaigou. The minerals in this region create a vivid palette of colours, which you can experience and enjoy while hiking.