Adventure from Beijing to Hong Kong (12 locations)

Hao Nimen! Greetings from China. At 6 p.m., there is a welcoming meeting in Beijing to kick off your journey. Before meeting with your group and leader, spend some time getting to see Beijing on your own if you arrive early. After that, you can go to an optional welcome meal. When you first arrive in the nation, consider ordering Peking duck for dinner. The skin is carved and served in pancakes, and the remaining meat is diced and boiled in soup. Delicious!

Prepare to cross the Great Wall of China—one of the Wonders of the World—off your list this morning! You will spend some time exploring, taking pictures, and learning about the history of this magnificent sight when you visit the Mutianyu portion of the Great Wall. The wall, which is 6000 kilometres west of Beijing, is an amazing feat of engineering. Originally built to defend Chinese empires against northern invaders, it remains one of the nation’s most impressive accomplishments and a global symbol. There are a lot of watch towers scattered around the wall in the Mutianyu sector, which is among the best-preserved.If you want a little more excitement, you can also take a toboggan ride down the hills close to the Great Wall! After that, join your hosts for lunch at a nearby guest house where you may watch a demonstration of preparing dumplings. Go back to Beijing and spend the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

See Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, China’s symbolic power core, this morning. It is a destination for Chinese tourists who view it as the centre of their country, framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Mao’s Mausoleum, and the Great Hall of the People. Enter the grounds of the massive Forbidden City, which was constructed more than 600 years ago and has been off-limits to commoners for nearly all of that period, by crossing the Golden Water bridge north to the square. The Forbidden City appears largely unchanged, even though the surrounding city has changed.Discover the power and splendour of the Imperial Chinese court throughout the Ming and Qing eras by exploring the halls and grounds. After that, you’ll have a free afternoon to perhaps tour the Hutong neighbourhood in the city’s historic district, which dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, when China was ruled by the Mongols. It is now a neighbourhood that embodies the essence of historic Beijing. Take an overnight train to Xi’an in the early evening.

When you arrive this morning, you will go outside of Xi’an to see the Terracotta Warriors, who are without a doubt one of the world’s man-made wonders. Discover everything there is to know about this amazing archaeological discovery that was made after two millennia of burial. Following his accession to power in 264 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang commissioned these clay statues of soldiers, horses, and chariots to be included in his mausoleum. View more than a thousand soldiers, each one uniquely crafted from clay and distinguished by their unique attire, stature, and expressions. Come back to Xi’an in the afternoon and rest.You will have a walking tour of the area that was once the beginning of the Silk Road in the late afternoon. The Muslim Quarter will be shown to you by your commander. Because of its Silk Road past, Xi’an boasts a diverse population, particularly in its cuisine, which specialises in Muslim fare. You can sample a variety of appetisers for supper tonight to truly understand the residents’ love of food. You could sample some lamb kebabs, persimmon cake, cold noodles, fried rice with pickles, or a variety of dried fruits.

You are free to take your time exploring Xi’an today. This city is relatively walkable within the old city walls! For a different viewpoint, you might also mount a bike atop the city wall. Perhaps head to the Drum Tower, which is filled with instruments that were formerly used to record time and alert the populace to emergencies, or the Bell Tower, which was supposedly constructed to tame dragons that were creating earthquakes. Perhaps visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its squares, which are now a well-liked city attraction for the locals—there’s dancing, music, fountains, and a tonne of food!

To go to Mt. Qingcheng, use the bullet train to Chengdu. While travelling, make a stop to the Dujiangyan Panda Breeding Centre to discover how they fight extinction by reintroducing the pandas into the wild following the breeding program. Next, proceed to Mount Qingcheng, where in 142 AD the philosopher Zhang Ling established the Chinese Taoist ideology. Constructed throughout the Jin and Tang dynasties, the majority of the temples on the mountain embody the core principles of Taoism. With your guide, explore the historic village at the base of the mountain. Take in the sights as you stroll down the historic streets dotted with homes that date back hundreds of years.You’ll have a hotpot meal in town tonight, which consists of fresh meat and veggies cooked in a spicy, bubbling broth.

You and your leader will resume your exploration of Mount Qingcheng this morning. For some amazing sweeping views, ride the cable car up the mountain and then return via a short walk. You may discover your own meditative state among the trees as you stroll through the old woodland and listen to the chimes of ancient temples. After that, travel to Chengdu by private transfer. Here, you will take a walking tour of the People’s Park and Tianfu Square, where you can see the enormous statue of Chairman Mao. Maybe use your leisure time this afternoon to sit down in a typical tea establishment.Make the most of Chengdu’s supper options tonight; you’re in for a treat because Chengdu was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy!

Enjoy a full day of travel today as you go from Chengdu to Yangshuo. From Chengdu, take a high-speed train to Guilin, and then continue on to your Yangshuo hotel. Yangshuo, which is surrounded by limestone karsts, is a well-liked destination for both domestic and foreign travellers who wish to experience China’s natural side. To gain a sense of the landscape, stroll with your leader through the town and down to the Li River. As the Tang dynasty poet Han Yu once put it, “the river winds like a green silk ribbon, while the hills are like jade hairpins.” This scene has been captured in several paintings.

Put on your trainers this morning and head out for a bike ride across the breathtaking scenery. You’ll travel to the countryside and acquire a genuine understanding of Chinese rural life. Visit a local home to enjoy a delectable lunch prepared from ingredients that are harvested nearby. Helmets and bike rental are included, and a guide will accompany you on the journey. You may spend the remainder of the afternoon and evening exploring Yangshuo’s vibrant restaurant and bar scene, so maybe treat yourself to some ‘beer fish’, which is a local speciality of fish stewed in a fragrant broth, or pork-stuffed tofu.

There are many extra activities available today, which is as clear as Yangshuo’s spring. You may start the day with a kung-fu or tai chi class to focus your mind and body. Consider taking a leisurely trip down the Li or Yulong River or trying your hand at Chinese calligraphy. Perhaps take a cooking lesson at the Yangshuo Cooking School using the newfound knowledge you gain from shopping with the locals at the market and getting a sense of the local products. Later, you can reserve a spot to see the Liu San Jie Impression Light Show, which is presented every night by Zhang Yimou, the director of the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.To guarantee a great viewing experience and to enjoy the performance from the designated seating area, it is best to purchase tickets in advance.

Board a bullet train to Hong Kong after arriving at the train station on a private bus. Follow your guide on an orientation stroll close to your hotel when you get there. Beautiful islands and beaches are just a short distance from Hong Kong’s sophisticated, fast-paced downtown. Get off the major streets and away from the retail malls to explore a different side of the city, where the inhabitants take great pride in their Cantonese history and culture. Savour some of the greatest Cantonese cuisine at the optional final farewell dinner this evening.

You are free to depart at any moment as there are no events scheduled for today. In order to fully experience Hong Kong, it is strongly advised that you stay a few more days. Simply contact your booking agent in advance if you would like to reserve additional lodging.