Classic Hong Kong to Beijing Adventure
20 days from Hong Kong to Beijing
From $ 3199
Duration20 days
book now

There may be two sides to every coin, but there sure are a heck of a lot more to China. This staggering adventure gets you to as many of those sides as we can possibly fit into 20 days (wow!). Bright-lights-big-city Hong Kong? Check. Terracotta warrior staring contest? Check. Giant panda ogling? Remote village cycling? Mountain monasteries and Forbidden City? Oh yes and so much more. Don't just get to China; get inside what makes it drive the 21st century, starting right here, right now.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 20 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Hong Kong
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Beijing
    Ages: 12+
Classic Hong Kong to Beijing Adventure - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Hong Kong
Arrive at any time.
 Peak season notice: Golden Week falls between October 1st and 7th, 2019/2020/2021. Please note that Golden Week is a semi-annual 7-day or 8-day national holiday for the people of China. This is a very busy time of the year for domestic tourists, so expect some crowding at major attractions. We recommend booking these dates well in advance as accommodations and transportation availability is extremely limited.
Day 2: Hong Kong/Yangshuo
Arrive to Guilin by train and transfer to the nearby village of Yangshuo. One of China's most scenic regions, this beautiful backpacker town is a haven for activities, cultural immersion, and relaxing at cafés.

The Li River and the limestone karst mountains interspersed with picturesque riverside villages and markets make this area perhaps the best known scenic attraction in the region.
Catch the bullet train to Guilin, then transfer to Yangshuo, nestled amongst the limestone karsts jutting out of the Li River.

End place: Yangshuo

Day 3: Yangshuo

Start place: Yangshuo

Float along a tributary of the stunning Li River on a local boat. After, enjoy a traditional lunch at a G Adventures supported restaurant where rural women are working to create new opportunities for their families.

End place: Yangshuo

Meals: L
Day 4: Yangshuo

Start place: Yangshuo

Try your hand at cooking local fare at a boutique cooking school and pre-book the Central Chinese Cooking Class by adding it to your checkout page, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Full free day in Yangshuo. Opt to go biking or take a cooking class.

End place: Yangshuo

Day 5: Lijiang/Dali

Start place: Lijiang

Enjoy free time in Dali with optional activities like visiting the old town, taking a boat around Lake Erhai, and riding a bike to Xizhou. Choose to spend some time wandering the local markets.
Cath an express bus to Dali. Take an orientation walk then explore the old town on our own.

End place: Dali

Day 6: Dali

Start place: Dali

Enjoy a free day to explore this scenic town. Opt to rent a bike to visit Lake Erhai and explore the Villages along the lake.

End place: Dali

Day 7: Yangshuo/Lijiang

Start place: Yangshuo

Catch a flight to Lijiang and take an orientation walk through the old town.

End place: Lijiang

Day 8: Lijiang/Yongsheng County

Start place: Lijiang

In the heart of Yunnan province, the fast-flowing Yangtze has cut a dramatic gorge so narrow that legend has it a tiger once escaped capture by jumping across it.

This area rivals the well-known Three Gorges as the most spectacular scenery along the Yangtze River and hiking the route is surely the best way to experience the landscape.
Travel to Tiger Leaping Gorge and start on the famous hike. The route follows the stunning scenery of the Yangtze as it cuts through the gorge.
Day 9: Yongsheng County/Lijiang
Continue the hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge. After completing the trek, drive back to Lijiang.

End place: Lijiang

Day 10: Lijiang

Start place: Lijiang

Enjoy a day to discover Lijiang. Opt to explore the UNESCO Heritage-listed Old Town or visit the Black Dragon Pool Park.

End place: Lijiang

Day 11: Dali/Chengdu

Start place: Dali

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is a city of almost 12 million people, which still manages to retain some of its older characteristics and traditions.

One of these traditions is the Sichuan Opera. The singing, comedy, puppetry, and incredible 'changing faces' act performed as part of the opera are a feast for the eyes.

Feeling hungry? Pre-book the Evening Foodie tour by Tuk-Tuk on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Fly from Dali to the vibrant, modern city of Chengdu.

End place: Chengdu

Meals: D
Day 12: Chengdu/Xi'an

Start place: Chengdu

Visit the Panda Breeding Centre for an up-close experience with these gentle giants. Board a bullet train to Xi'an.

End place: Xi'an

Day 13: Xi'an

Start place: Xi'an

Full day to see Xi'an. Xi'an (translating to Peace in the West) was once the east end of the Silk Road and home to 13 emperors. From The Great Mosque to the Terracotta Warriors, this city is a must-see!

End place: Xi'an

Day 14: Xi'an/Pingyao

Start place: Xi'an

Board a morning fast train to the ancient city of Pingyao. On arrival, get hands-on with a paper cutting class.

End place: Pingyao

Day 15: Pingyao/Datong

Start place: Pingyao

Datong is famous for its temples, pagodas, and other Buddhist structures in the area. The Huayan Monastery and Nine-Dragon Screen are excellent examples of the treasures found in the middle of the city.
Hop on a train to Datong after a free morning in Pingyao.

End place: Datong

Meals: B
Day 16: Datong/Datong

Start place: Datong

The Hanging Monastery (or Hanging Temple) is a wooden structure built into a cliff at the foot of a mountain more than 1,500 years ago. It includes Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements.

Further afield are the Yungang Grottoes; there are currently 53 grottoes with 51,000 statues of the Buddha remaining. Enjoy a guided visit to the grottoes to marvel at them in person. Beyond that is Mt Hengshan, one of the five sacred mountains of China.

Opt to check out Datong's six remaining pagodas, which gave the city the nickname "City of Pagodas".
Set eyes on the gorgeous Hanging Monastery and visit the Yungang Grottoes to see the thousands of Buddha statues.

End place: Datong

Meals: B
Day 17: Datong/Beijing

Start place: Datong

Take a final morning to explore Datong. Later, board a local train to Beijing and arrive in the evening.

End place: Beijing

Meals: B
Day 18: Beijing

Start place: Beijing

Enjoy a visit to the famed Forbidden City then take the rest of the day to explore on your own.

End place: Beijing

Meals: B
Day 19: Beijing

Start place: Beijing

Head out of town to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and enjoy time to wander around, take photos, and pick up souvenirs.

Opt to pre-book the Beijing Kung Fu Show and/or the Beijing Acrobatics Performance on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall.

End place: Beijing

Day 20: Beijing

Start place: Beijing

Depart at any time.

End place: Beijing

Download brochure

Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Jia Community Restaurant, Yangshuo Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Hands-On Moment: Traditional Paper-Cut Class, Pingyao
  • Li River boat ride
  • Orientation walk in Lijiang and Dali
  • Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek (2 days)
  • Panda Breeding Centre visit
  • Calligraphy class
  • Forbidden City visit and Great Wall Mutianyu excursion
  • Hanging Temple visit
  • Yungang Grottoes visit
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Train, Local bus, Private vehicle, Plane

  • Accommodation

    Hotels (14 nts), Guesthouses (4 nts), Sleeper train (1 nts)

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