Hong Kong to Beijing on a Shoestring
13 days
From $ 1349
Duration13 days

Soak in the vibrant pulse of China with others that share your appetite for adventure. Enjoy 13 days of access to China's major sights and out-of-the-way gems with the freedom to choose those that interest you. Get familiar with bustling Beijing, have close encounters with pandas in Chengdu, say hello to Leshan’s giant Buddha, and learn about kung fu at the Shaolin Temple. An experience so rich and incredible, you may not want to come back home.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 13 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Beijing
    Ages: 18+
Hong Kong to Beijing on a Shoestring - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Hong Kong
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Hong Kong/Yangshuo
Arrive in Guilin by train and transfer to the nearby village of Yangshuo, nestled among the limestone karsts jutting out of the Li River. One of the most scenic regions of China, 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.
Cross the border to Shenzhen and board a train to Guilin before transferring to scenic Yangshuo.

End place: Yangshuo

Day 3: 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.
Enjoy free time in Yangshuo. Opt for a tai chi lesson, visit a women-run Community Restaurant, take a cooking class, or cycling tour of the area.

End place: Yangshuo

Day 4: Yangshuo

Start place: Yangshuo

Continue to explore beautiful Yangshuo with a free day.

End place: Yangshuo

Day 5: Yangshuo/Chengdu

Start place: Yangshuo

Today, take the bullet train from Yangshuo to Chengdu. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of your day free to explore Chengdu.

End place: Chengdu

Day 6: Chengdu

Start place: Chengdu

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.
Enjoy a free day to explore Chengdu, known for its spicy local food and the Giant Panda Breeding Centre.

End place: Chengdu

Day 7: Chengdu

Start place: Chengdu

Want to immerse yourself fully into the culture of Chengdu? Pre-book both the Chengdu City Culture tour on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Opt to see the Giant Pandas or continue exploring the vibrant city of Chengdu.

End place: Chengdu

Day 8: Chengdu/Luoyang

Start place: Chengdu

Say goodbye to Chengdu and its Giant Pandas and travel to Luoyang.

End place: Luoyang

Day 9: Luoyang

Start place: Luoyang

Enjoy time in Luoyang located in central China’s Henan province, widely recognized as the region where Chinese civilization originated. The city was China's ancient capital and is home to many Temples, and close by the Longmen Grottoes which contain thousands of Buddhist rock carvings dating back to the 5th century.
Arrive in Luoyang and opt to visit the Longmen Grottoes.

End place: Luoyang

Day 10: Luoyang/Song Shan

Start place: Luoyang

Leave our large bags in storage and catch the public bus with an overnight pack to the Song Shan area. This beautiful Mountain area is best known as the home of the Shaolin Temple and birthplace of kung-fu.

Known as one of the five sacred Daoist Mountains of China, Dengfeng Shan, or Mount Song is a unique rock mountain containing many valleys, caves, pools, waterfalls, and steep cliffs. Recognized as an International Geological Park due to its unique landscape, its peaks can reach up to 1512 meters above sea level. Hike the surrounding areas and get a glimpse into this scared natural area.
Travel to the holy mountain of Song Shan and enjoy a hike in the surrounding countryside.

End place: Song Shan

Day 11: Song Shan/Beijing

Start place: Song Shan

Explore the Shaolin Temple, birth place of China Zen Buddhism and UNESCO World Heritage site. Established in 495 AD, martial arts have been practiced here for 1500 years as a way to practice Zen Buddhism.

We'll have some time upon return to Luoyang to pick our bags up from storage.
Visit the Shaolin Temple, the home of Kung Fu. Transfer by private vehicle to Luoyang then board the bullet train to Beijing.

End place: Beijing

Day 12: Beijing

Start place: Beijing

Arrive in bustling Beijing this morning and opt to visit the famous Great Wall with free time.

End place: Beijing

Day 13: Beijing

Start place: Beijing

Depart at anytime.

End place: Beijing

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Yangshuo Your Discover Moment: Beijing
  • Song Shan Hike
  • Shaolin Temple Visit
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Local bus, Train, Private vehicle
  • Accommodation

    Hotel (7 nts), Guesthouse (standard twin/single) (2 nts), Sleeper trains (3 nts)

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