Beijing to Hong Kong Adventure - 12 Days

Nimen hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins in Beijing with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe get acquainted with Beijing on your own before joining your group and leader for the meeting, then head out for an optional welcome dinner. Consider ordering Peking duck for your first meal in the country – first, the skin is carved and served in pancakes, then the rest is chopped and cooked into a soup. Yum!

This morning, get ready to tick one of the Seven Wonders of the World off your list – the Great Wall of China. You’ll visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and spend some time exploring, taking photos and learning the history of this mighty site. 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. The Mutianyu section is one of the best-preserved and has a high density of watch towers dotted along the wall. There’s also the option to ride a toboggan down the hills near the Great Wall, if you’re after a bit of a thrill! After, head to a local guest house for a dumpling making demonstration and tuck into these delicious parcels for lunch with your hosts. Return to Beijing for a free afternoon and evening to spend as you wish.

Visit the symbolic power centre of China this morning – 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 the public for almost all that time. Explore the halls and courtyards, soaking in the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Then, you’ll have a free afternoon. Maybe explore the Hutong area in the old part of the city – a local neighbourhood that represents the spirit of old Beijing. In the early evening, you’ll board an overnight train to Xi’an.

Disembark your train and journey outside of Xi’an to what’s undoubtedly one of the unofficial wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. 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. See over 1000 warriors, each with a different costume, height and facial expression. In the late afternoon, return to Xi’an for a walking tour. Xi’an’s Silk Road history means it has 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 snacks to get a sense of the local passion for food – think lamb kebabs, persimmon cake, cold noodles, fried rice with pickles and dried fruits.

Today is a free day to explore Xi’an at your own pace. Within the ancient city walls, this city is very walkable! You could also rent a bike for a ride along the city wall for a different perspective. 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 is a hotspot for the locals, full of music, fountains, dancing and lots of food!

Take the bullet train to Chengdu and transfer to Mt Qingcheng. On the way, stop for a visit to the Dujiangyan Panda Breeding Center to learn about their breeding program and how they introduce pandas back into the wild. Then, head to Mt Qingcheng, where philosopher Zhang Ling founded the doctrine of Chinese Taoism in AD142. Most of the temples on the mountain are Taoist and were built in the Jin and Tang dynasties. Explore the ancient town at the foot of the mountain with your leader, wander the old streets lined with houses built hundreds of years ago and soak in the scenery. Tonight, you’ll join your group for a hotpot dinner in town (fresh meat and vegetables cooked at your table in a spicy bubbling broth).

This morning, you’ll continue to explore Mt Qingcheng with your leader. Take the cable car up the mountain for panoramic views, then take an easy hike back down. As you walk through the ancient forest, listen to the chimes of old temples and maybe find your own meditative state within the trees. After, take a private transfer to Chengdu. Here, you’ll go on a walking tour through Tianfu Square (spot the giant statue of Chairman Mao!) and the People’s Park. Maybe take the chance to sit down in a traditional teahouse during your free time this afternoon. Tonight, make the most of Chengdu’s culinary offerings for dinner – Chengdu was listed a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, so you know you’re in for a treat!

Embrace a full day of travelling from Chengdu to Yangshuo today. Hop on a high-speed train from Chengdu to Guilin, then transfer to your hotel in Yangshuo. Surrounded by limestone karsts, Yangshuo is popular with both international and local tourists and has become a hub for those wanting to see the best of China’s natural scenery. Take a walk through town with your leader and head down to the Li River to get a feel for the landscape, which has been immortalised in many paintings and captured by the words of Han Yu, a Tang dynasty poet – ‘the river winds like a green silk ribbon, while the hills are like jade hairpins.’

This morning, get active with a bike ride through the striking natural landscape. You’ll head into the countryside and gain a true insight into rural Chinese life. Stop by a local house for a delicious home-cooked meal made using locally grown produce. You’ll be joined by a guide during the ride, and helmets and bike rental are included. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to explore Yangshuo’s lively restaurant and bar scene, so maybe grab yourself some pork-stuffed tofu or ‘beer fish’ (a regional specialty of fish simmered in a fragrant broth).

Today is as clear as Yangshuo’s spring, and there are plenty of optional activities to choose from. You could begin the day by focusing your body and mind with a morning tai chi or kung fu class. Maybe try your hand at Chinese calligraphy, or kick back on a relaxing cruise down the Li or Yulong River. You could also visit the market to shop with the locals and get a feel for the regional produce, then put this new knowledge to use in a cooking class at the Yangshuo Cooking School. Later, you could book in to watch the Liu San Jie Impression Light Show, which runs every night and is directed by 2008 Beijing Olympics’ Opening Ceremony director and filmmaker, Zhang Yimou. It’s best to book tickets in advance to ensure you get to see the show from the official seating area.

Take a private bus to the train station, then board a bullet train to Hong Kong. When you arrive, follow your leader on an orientation walk near your hotel. Hong Kong's cityscape is spectacular, and its modern fast-paced life is only minutes from picturesque islands and beaches. The locals are very proud of their Cantonese culture and history, so step out of the shopping malls and off the main streets to discover another side of the city. This evening, enjoy an optional farewell dinner to sample some of the best Cantonese dishes.

There are no activities planned for today, and your trip comes to an end. It’s highly recommended that you spend a couple of extra days here so that you can make the most of Hong Kong. If you would like to book additional accommodation, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.