China Odyssey

Day 1 - Beijing Arrival

你們好 (Nimen Hao)! Welcome to China!

Upon you arrival in China meet your leader and driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel. After check-in follow your leader for a welcome meeting and a welcome dinner – Peking duck in a local Chinese restaurant.

Overnight in Beijing

Included Activities & Service

• Airport pick-up transfer in private bus

• Welcome dinner – Peking Duck!

Day 2 Great Wall – Beijing

This morning, get ready to tick one of the Wonders of the World off your list – the Great Wall of China, of course!

By the way, we are heading to the Great Wall during THE MOST beautiful period of the year, golden month!

We’ll visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and spend some time exploring, taking photos and learning the history of this mighty sight. An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km west from Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from invaders from the north and continues to be one of the country's most remarkable achievements and a worldwide icon.

The Mutianyu section is one of the best preserved and has a high density of watch towers dotted along the wall. (There is also the option to ride a toboggan down the hills near the Great Wall too, if you’re after a bit of a thrill!)

After, head to a local guest house for a dumpling making demonstration, tucking into the delicious favourites for lunch with your hosts.

Return to Beijing for a free afternoon and evening in this incredible world-class city!

Overnight in Beijing

Included Activities & Service

• Great Wall - Dumpling making demonstration

• Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 - Deep dive in to Beijing

Visit the symbolic power centre of China this moring – Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Mao's Mausoleum and the Great Hall of the People, it's a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it to be the heart of their nation.

Cross the Golden Water bridge north to the square and enter the grounds of the enormous Forbidden City, which was built more than 600 years ago and has been off limits to commoners for almost all that time.

Despite the transformation of the city around it, the Forbidden City looks much like it always has. Explore the halls and courtyards and appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Then, we’ll have a free afternoon to maybe explore the Hutong area in the old part of the city, which originated from Yuan Dynasty when the Mongols were in control of China.

Now, the Hutong’s are local neighbourhoods that truly represent the spirit of old Beijing.

Overnight in Beijing

Included Activities & Service

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Beijing – Forbidden City

• Beijing – Tiananmen Square

Day 4 - Beijing to Xi’an

This morning after breakfast transfer to Beijing West Station for a high-speed (aka bullet) train to the ancient capital of China, and once end point of the Silk Road, Xi’an!

We will arrive Xi’an in the afternoon. Upon arrival we’ll journey outside of Xi’an to what is undoubtedly one of the man-made wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. The scale of this place is unfathomable, and it honestly moved us almost to tears when we first visited.

We will learn all about this incredible archaeological find, which was discovered after being buried for 2000 years. These clay statues depicting soldiers, horses and chariots were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huang as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC. We will see over 1000 warriors, each individually sculpted from clay and with a different costume, height and facial expression, after visiting return to Xi’an and refresh.

The rest of the day is free time, to relax and to get acquainted with this ancient city.

Overnight in Xi’an

Included Activities & Service

• Meals included: Breakfast

• High-speed train from Beijing to Xi’an on 2nd class seat

• Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour - leader led

Day 5 - Xi’an, the heart of China

This morning, after breakfast, we are free to explore Xi’an. Within the ancient city walls (where we will be staying), this city is very walkable!

For a different perspective, we can head up on, and walk along, the ancient city walls.

However, this morning is your time to do and see whatever you like in Xi’an! Maybe visit the Bell Tower, which according to legend was built to restrain dragons that were causing earthquakes, or the Drum Tower, which is full of instruments once used to mark time and warn the population in emergencies. Maybe see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its squares, which now is a popular hotspot in the city for the locals – music, fountains, dancing, and lots of food!

In the afternoon, we will head out on a walking tour of what was once the start of the Silk Road. We will be introduced to the Muslim Quarter of Xi’an, and the Silk Road history of the city.

The Muslim Quarter in the very heart of the old city is home to an exciting mixture of cultures, especially found in its food – Muslim dishes are a specialty here! For tonight's dinner, you'll get to try a range of different snacks to get a real sense of the passion for food the locals have – maybe try some lamb kebabs, persimmon cake, cold noodles, fried rice with pickles or a varied range of dried fruits. Honestly, the possibilities are endless!

Overnight in Xi’an

Included Activities & Services

• Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

• Xi'an - Leader-led Muslim Quarter snack crawl

Day 6 - Xi’an to Chengdu (Mt. Qingcheng)

Today we’ll take the bullet train towards Chengdu. On the way, we have the incredible opportunity to visit the Dujiangyan Panda Breeding Center to learn about how they are working hard to save these beautiful creatures, and introduce the pandas back into the wild after the breeding program, which battles against extinction.

After this, we will up in to the hills above Chengdu, and on to Mount Qingcheng!

This is where philosopher Zhang Ling founded the doctrine of Chinese Taoism in 142 AD. Most of the temples on the mountain represent the main teachings of Taoism, having been built in the Jin and Tang dynasties.

We will explore the ancient town at the foot of the mountain with our guide, wander the old streets lined with houses that were built hundreds of years ago and soak in the scenery.

Tonight, in town, we’ll enjoy a Sichuan special - hotpot (spicy bubbling broth cooking fresh meat and vegetables).

Overnight near Mt. Qingcheng

Included Activities & Services

• Train tickets

• Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

• Dujiangyan - Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base

• Mt. Qingcheng - Tai'an Ancient Town visit

Day 7 - Welcome to Chengdu

This morning, we will continue to explore stunning Mt Qingcheng with our guide.

We will take the cable car up the mountain for some incredible panoramic views of Sichuan province, then take the easy walk back down.

Whilst walking through the ancient forest, listen to the chimes of old temples and maybe find our own meditative state within the trees!

After descending we will take a private transfer to Chengdu.

Here, we’ll head out on a walking tour through Tianfu Square (spot the giant statue of Chairman Mao!) and the People’s Park. After the walking tour, we will have some free time to enjoy a traditional tea house or grab a beer!

By the way, Chengdu was actually listed a ‘City of Gastronomy’ by UNESCO, so needless-to-say the food offerings here, are going to be insane!

Overnight in Chengdu

Included Activities & Services

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Mt. Qingcheng - Cable Car

• Chengdu - guide-led walking tour

• Chengdu - People's Park & Tianfu Square

Day 8 - Across China by train! - Chengdu to Guilin

Today we will embark on a journey across China, from Chengdu to Guilin, by a high-speed train!

Modern and comfortable, the train is an experience in itself, and this journey of well over 1000km’s should take around 6 hours! We will pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, as we head from Sichuan province to Guangxi province in the south-east.

Once we will arrive in Guilin, we will check in to our hotel, relax, and then then grab dinner in a restaurant of our choice.

Overnight in Guilin

Included Activities & Services

• Meals included: Breakfast

• High-speed train Chengdu to Guilin (2nd class seat)

Day 9 - Guilin to Yangshuo (Li River Cruise)

This morning, we will take a private bus to the pier and board the Li River Cruise to Yangshuo soaking up the stunning and uniquely Chinese scenery en route.

A buffet lunch is included on the cruise. We will arrive in Yangshuo in the afternoon.

Once we arrive, the afternoon and evening is free for us to explore Yangshuo’s lively restaurant and bar scene, so perhaps grab ourselves some pork stuffed tofu or ‘beer fish’ (a regional specialty of fish simmered in a fragrant broth).

Overnight in Yangshuo

Included Activities & Services

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

• Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo

Day 10 - Beautiful Yangshuo

In the morning, after breakfast, we will partake in a cooking class to learn how to cook local food from Yangshuo and the surrounding region.

In the afternoon, after the river cruise, we have a few choices of what we can do.

We can opt for a slower afternoon in one of China’s most gorgeous settings, and soak up the atmosphere of Yangshuo stroll its streets, and grab some food along the way.

Or, you can book some optional activities (we will let you know what these are nearer the time)

Overnight in Yangshuo

Included Activities & Services

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

• Yangshuo Cooking Class

Day 11 - Yangshuo to Hong Kong

After breakfast in Yangshuo, we will take a private bus to the train station, then board a bullet train to Hong Kong, our last bullet train in China!

When we arrive in the beautiful, bustling city of Hong Kong, we will check in to our hotel, then head out for walk.

Hong Kong's cityscape is spectacular, and its modern fast-paced life is only minutes from picturesque islands and beaches.

Hong Konger’s are very proud of their city. It is an electric mix of Cantonese culture, food and history. And being that it was a part of the British Empire until 1997, Hong Kong has a culture like nowhere else on Earth.

This evening, we will enjoy a final farewell dinner, to sample some of the best Cantonese dishes, and reminisce on an incredible couple of weeks together!

Overnight in Hong Kong

Included Activities & Services

• Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

• High-speed train from Guilin to HK on 2nd class seat

• Hong Kong - Guide led Sightseeing Walk

• Hong Kong - Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant

Day 12 - Hong Kong

It’s the final day :(

As they say, all good things come to an end, and for now, our time together in China is over.

After an incredible trip together across the entirety of China, we will say an emotional goodbye.

Whether you are flying home today, or onwards somewhere else, then a driver will pick you up at a pre-arranged time and transfer you to airport for your departure flight. (If you are staying on in Hong Kong, we can also arrange a transfer to your next hotel).

Included Activities & Service

• Meals included: Breakfast

• Airport drop off transfer in a private car