Essential China
21 days
from Beijing to Hong Kong
From
$ 3699
Duration21 days
Encounter the essence of China in all its wonderful diversity — climb the Great Wall and stare down the Terracotta Warriors before heading down south on this three-week tour of China's cultural and natural highlights. Rest your gaze on the giant Buddha of Leshan and explore ancient mountainside monasteries at Emei Shan, then float down the world-famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River before stepping out to experience the vibrant rural life and stunning scenery of Yangshuo. With your accommodation and transport arranged by our expert Chief Experience Officers, this adventure offers up a great combination of must-see highlights and free time to explore on your own.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 21 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: BeijingPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: Hong KongAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing
Start place: Beijing
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.
End place: Beijing
Day 2: Beijing
Start place: Beijing
Travel north to the Great Wall. One of the most iconic sights in all of China, spend the better part of the day exploring and taking photos, soaking in the atmopshere.
Head out to discover the wonders of the Great Wall of China.
End place: Beijing
Day 3: Beijing
Start place: Beijing
Explore the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Use free time to shop in the various markets scattered throughout the city, take a tour of the ancient hutongs (alleyways) in Beijing's old city or visit the Tibetan Monastery.
Opt to pre-book the Beijing Kung Fu Show on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Opt to pre-book the Beijing Kung Fu Show on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Explore bustling Beijing including the famous Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City.
End place: Beijing
Day 4: Beijing/Shanghai
Start place: Beijing
Enjoy a free morning before catching a bullet train to vibrant Shanghai.
End place: Shanghai
Day 5: Shanghai
Start place: Shanghai
Opt to see a show, pre-book the Shanghai Acrobatic Performance on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Take an orientation walk down one of the city’s most famous streets, Nanjing Road, ending at the Shanghai Museum, one of the best in the country.
End place: Shanghai
Day 6: Shanghai/Xi'an
Start place: Shanghai
Temples, markets, gardens and colonial enclaves are around every corner. Spend some time exploring the Yuyuan Gardens or the old alleyways.
Enjoy free time before boarding an overnight train to Xi’an.
End place: Xi'an
Day 7: Xi'an
Start place: Xi'an
Arrive in Xi'an in the morning and, after checking into the hotel, opt to visit one of Xi’an’s most fascinating areas – the Muslim Quarter. Tour the lovely and unusual Great Mosque, a wonderfully serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, bargain at souvenir stalls and enjoy some of the best street food in China. The remaining city walls are a great place to watch the sunset or join the locals for ballroom dancing or tai chi in the early morning.
Arrive early and opt to cycle along the ancient city walls, visit the Great Mosque or walk through the bustling Muslim Quarter.
End place: Xi'an
Day 8: Xi'an
Start place: Xi'an
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. This evening, opt for dumpling banquet.
End place: Xi'an
Day 9: Chengdu/Emei Shan
Start place: Chengdu
Enjoy the morning free before catching the train to Emei Shan. Continue to the monastery, home for the next 2 nights.
End place: Emei Shan
Day 10: Chengdu
Start place: Chengdu
Want to immerse yourself fully into the culture of Chengdu or feeling hungry for some local delicacies? Pre-book both the Chengdu City Culture tour and/or 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.
See the famous giant pandas up close at the Panda Breeding Centre. Enjoy a free afternoon then opt to catch a performance at the Sichuan Opera.
End place: Chengdu
Day 11: Emei Shan
Start place: Emei Shan
Spend a full day exploring the monasteries, and hiking around the stunning sites of Mt Emei – one of China's sacred Buddhist peaks.
End place: Emei Shan
Day 12: Emei Shan/Yangtze River
Start place: Emei Shan
Visit the Giant Buddha in the morning. Take the bullet train from Leshan to Chongqing. In the evening embark on the Chinese-style boat to cruise down the mighty Yangtze River through the Three Gorges.
Day 13: Xi'an/Chengdu
Start place: Xi'an
Hotpot is a very local way to have a meal. We sit around a table with a pot built in the middle – the pot is divided into 2 halves (spicy vs. non-spicy usually). The restaurants flavoured soup is added and brought to a boil, then we can start adding our food in the pot to cook ( including vegetable, meat or fish). The table also offers various sorts of herbs, spices, oil etc so you can make your own soup to taste.
Enjoy a free morning to explore in and around Xi'an. Later, board an bullet train to Chengdu and enjoy a Hotpot dinner this evening.
End place: Chengdu
Meals: D
Day 14: Yangtze River
Spend two days on board a basic boat traversing through the Three Gorges en route to Yichang. Along the way take the opportunity to visit some of the many attractions and towns.
There is the opportunity to leave the boat to take an early morning trip down a tributary of the Yangtze River.
There is the opportunity to leave the boat to take an early morning trip down a tributary of the Yangtze River.
Enjoy the views from the deck and embark on riverside excursions up stunning tributaries and to historic sites.
The cabins are clean, twin-share with private toilet and shower facilities, but not luxurious. There is basic Chinese food available in the restaurant on board.
Day 15: Yangtze River
Spend two days on board a basic boat traversing through the Three Gorges en route to Yichang. Along the way take the opportunity to visit some of the many attractions and towns.
There is the opportunity to leave the boat to take an early morning trip down a tributary of the Yangtze River.
There is the opportunity to leave the boat to take an early morning trip down a tributary of the Yangtze River.
Enjoy the views from the deck and embark on riverside excursions up stunning tributaries and to historic sites.
The cabins are clean, twin-share with private toilet and shower facilities, but not luxurious. There is basic Chinese food available in the restaurant on board.
Day 16: Yangtze River/Liujiang
Disembark in the morning and transfer to Yichang Train Station for an overnight train to Liujiang.
End place: Liujiang
Day 17: Liujiang/Yangshuo
Start place: Liujiang
Arrive in Liujiang and transfer to Yangshuo.
End place: Yangshuo
Day 18: Yangshuo
Start place: Yangshuo
Navigate the stunning Li River on a bamboo raft. 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 19: Yangshuo
Start place: Yangshuo
Enjoy free time for more activities and to explore this beautiful area.
Enjoy lunch with a local family.
End place: Yangshuo
Meals: L
Day 20: Yangshuo/Hong Kong
Start place: Yangshuo
Arrive by train to West Kowloon, cross the border and catch the metro into the heart of Hong Kong, arriving late afternoon.
Prepare for the change of pace as you enjoy your last night's dinner in the most dynamic city in Asia. Explore Stanley Market, shop, eat, go to the top of Victoria Peak or take a harbour cruise.
Prepare for the change of pace as you enjoy your last night's dinner in the most dynamic city in Asia. Explore Stanley Market, shop, eat, go to the top of Victoria Peak or take a harbour cruise.
Travel to Guilin for the fast train to West Kowloon, then cross the border into Hong Kong. Enjoy some free time to explore the city.
Day 21: Hong Kong
Depart at any time.
We highly recommend you book post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Jia Community Restaurant, Yangshuo Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Shanghai Your Discover Moment: Yangshuo
- Great Wall excursion
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City guided tour
- Shanghai Museum entrance
- Xi'an orientation walk
- Terracotta Warriors tour
- Emei Shan entrance
- Leshan Giant Buddha visit
- Visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Yangtze River boat trip through the Three Gorges with tributary excursion
- Li River bamboo raft ride
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Train, Local bus, Air-conditioned bus, Boat, Walking, Bicycle, Taxi -
Accommodation
Hotels (13 nts), Basic monastery (2 nts), Sleeper train (2 nts), Yangtze boat (3 nts)