China: 24th Sept – 14th Oct

by Amy | Sat Sep 24 2016 | #Itinerary

21 Days - Beijing to Hong Kong

Day 1 – Beijing

• Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting

Day 2 – Beijing

• Discover the wonders of the Great Wall of China.
• Climb the rolling hills of Huairou County at Mutianyu – one of the best preserved sections of the Great Wall.

Day 3 – Beijing

• Tiananmen Square – Explore one of the world’s largest public squares, home to the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Great Hall of the People.
• Forbidden City Tour.
• Free Time – Set out and explore this capital city.

Day 4 – Beijing to Shanghai

• Free Time – Enjoy a free morning.
• Bullet Train – Relax and enjoy a smooth ride at 300km per hour and scenery along the way.

Day 5 – Shanghai

• Orientation Walk of the Bund – Take a stroll along the Bund, a main road that follows the Huangpu River.
• Shanghai Museum – Home to a world-class collection of ancient Chinese art.
• Free Time – Enjoy free time in this bustling city.

Day 6 – Shanghai to Xi’an

• Carte Blanche – There’s plenty to see and do in Shanghai, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in.
• Overnight Train – Experience overnight travel like a local.

Day 7 – Xi’an

• Carte Blanche – Explore all the city as to offer.

Day 8 – Xi’an

• Full day exploration in Xi’an.

Day 9 – Xi’an to Emei Shan

• Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour – Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures.
• Overnight Train – Experience overnight travel like a local.

Day 10 – Emei Shan

• Settle in for a stay at the monastery – one of the highlights of the trip! Facilities are basic but the views and the experience will take your breath away.
• Orientation Walk.
• Free Time – Get outside and explore the area.

Day 11 – Emei Shan

• Emei Shan Hike – Spend a full day exploring the monasteries, stunning vistas and sites of Mt Emei – one of China’s sacred Buddhist peaks.

Day 12 – Emei Shan

• Leshan Giant Buddha Visit – See centuries-old Dafo, the largest Buddha in the world, from a number of viewpoints.

Day 13 – Emei Shan to Chengdu.

• Local Train – Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
• Free Time – Free exploration in this tea & spice loving city.

Day 14 – Chengdu to Yangtze River

• Giant Panda Breeding Centre – Learn about their life cycle and habitat and take memorable photographs of these iconic national treasures.
• Fast Train – Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
• Chinese-style boat – Float to your next destination in traditional style.

Day 15 & 16- Yangtze River

• Spend two days on board a boat traversing through the Three Gorges en route to Yichang.

Day 17 – Yangtze River to Liuzhou

• Overnight Train – Disembark in Yichang and board an overnight train to Liuzhou.

Day 18 – Liuzhou to Yangshuo

• Travel to the small countryside town of Yangshuo, where the Li River winds its way around thousands of limestone karst mountains.
• Orientation Walk – This backpacker town is full of things to do and see.
• Free Time – Head out and explore.

Day 19 – Yangshuo

• Yangshuo Guided Cycle Tour – Follow the guide and cycle over the flat(ish) landscape past rice paddies, local farmers, and water buffalo. Marvel at the limestone karsts and hear the legends of how they came to be.

Day 20 – Yangshuo to Hong Kong

• Border Crossing – Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
• Free Time – Start crossing a couple things off your list with some free time.

Day 21 – Hong Kong

• End of tour – Next tour to begin 16th October.

Accommodation

10 nights in Hotels, 3 nights in Monasteries, 4 nights on Sleeper trains, 3 nights on Yangtze boat.