China Highlights 2025 - 10 Days



Who is this trip for
Genders
- Female60%
- Male40%
Average age
Start / End
- Hong Kong
- Beijing
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 16Meals included
10Highlights
- A journey of discovery across China from Hong Kong to Beijing by train, boat and plane
- Relax in the stunning limestone landscapes of China's tranquil South
- Discover the amazing Terracotta Army and iconic Great Wall
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Summary
From the modern skyscrapers of Hong Kong to the imperial palaces of Beijing, our 10-day trip traverses the highlights of China. Catch the bullet train to Guilin, admire dramatic limestone scenery on a river cruise through paddy fields flanked by vast limestone stacks, visit the Terracotta Warriors and walk on the Great Wall.
Hong Kong - Explore this bustling metropolis, an interesting mixture of modern life and ancient traditions.
Xian - Visit the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi and admire the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
Beijing - Walk a section of the Great Wall and explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Li River cruise - Take a relaxing cruise along the River Li, passing rice paddy fields and jagged karst peaks.
Itinerary
Day 1
Join trip in Hong Kong
Our tour starts today in Hong Kong, where East meets West. Known for its glittering skyline and rich heritage, Hong Kong is where ancient culture and modern city life live in harmony. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6:30pm for a welcome meeting followed by the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers over dinner (not included). There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Hong Kong at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which is a 40-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up at 9am on day 2. If your flight arrives earlier in the day the options are endless but you could go by underground to the waterfront of Victoria Harbour, and then on to Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon.
Day 2
Discover Hong Kong's waterfront and the Li Yuen street market; optional ride on the Victoria Peak Tram
Situated in a dramatic setting, Hong Kong is a lively, sophisticated city and an important financial centre. We spend the morning exploring this remarkable city on an orientation tour by metro, ferry and on foot; taking in sites such as Kowloon Waterfront, the Star Ferry, the stock exchange, Des Voeux Road, Li Yuen St markets, Man Mo Temple and Bank of China. The afternoon is left free for optional excursions. Public transport is efficient and easy to use. You can take a funicular railway to Victoria Peak or a launch out to a floating restaurant in Aberdeen Harbour. Alternatively, explore the jade market or admire the latest sartorial and electronic fashions.
Day 3
Travel to Guilin by high speed train, free evening on arrival
After a relaxed breakfast, we'll transfer to Hong Kong West Kowloon station and board the high-speed train to Guilin. Our border formalities will be completed in Hong Kong and therefore we will need to be at the station a couple of hours before. The train journey will take three hours arriving into Guilin in the late afternoon. Guilin is known as the gateway to the stunning limestone scenery for which this part of China is known and was once an important transport hub of the Qin Dynasty thanks to the construction of the Ling Canal in 214 BC. After an orientation walk around Guilin it will be time for dinner.
Day 4
Li River cruise past dramatic limestone scenery to the relaxed town of Yangshuo
This morning, we head to MoPanShan Dock where we board our cruise to Yangshuo on the Li River passing paddy fields, villages and stunning limestone scenery along the way. Lunch is taken aboard the boat during the journey. An afternoon arrival into Yangshuo offers the opportunity to explore this laidback town - a contrast to the bustle of Hong Kong. During this free time, you may wish to take one of the optional bike rides or walks in the surrounding villages. Alternatively, you could head to one of the many limestone pinnacles around the town, the best known being Moon Hill. This evening you may choose to see an impressive sound and light show.
Day 5
Free time in the beautiful setting of Yangshuo
Yangshuo has a lot to offer so the day is free to explore at your own pace. You can walk into the surrounding karst summits, hire a bike, and cycle through country back lanes. Alternatively, you can soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful riverside town. You may wish to practice your bartering skills in the local market or try your hand at Tai Chi, cooking, or calligraphy.
Day 6
Discover Xian's Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the characterful Muslim Quarter
You will start early as you will travel approximately 1.5 hours to Guilin airport in time for your morning flight to Xi'an. Our stay in Xian reveals the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilization. Xian (Changan) served 11 dynasties and was the very starting point of the Silk Road connecting Asia with Europe. We spend the morning on a sightseeing tour visiting ancient monuments including the Big Wild Goose Pagoda - a 7-story, 64-metre-high structure with superb views over the city - and the wonderful 15th-century Great Mosque in the old Muslim Hui District . The afternoon is left free and you may consider a relaxed cycle along the city walls.
Day 7
Visit the impressive Terracotta Army, afternoon at leisure in Xi'an
After a relaxed morning, we drive to one of the highlights of any visit to China - the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses who guard the Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. There are literally thousands of life size warriors, dating from 200 BC. This dramatic find of the 1970s is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century. We should also have time to stop at the on-site factory to see how the warriors are made today. We will then head back to Xian where you will have the rest of the evening to relax or take part in the optional dumpling banquet and Tang Dynasty Show.
Day 8
Explore Beijing - the Forbidden City and walk through Tiananmen Square
This morning, we will take the bullet train to Beijing, which takes about 4hrs 30minutes. Upon arrival this afternoon we will store our luggage and freshen up before heading out for our afternoon tour of Beijing. Kublai Khan made Beijing the capital of his mighty Asian Empire in the late 1200s, and it has often played a central role since then. Nowadays, Beijing is China's capital and its political and cultural centre, and all clocks in this vast country are set by Beijing time despite the westernmost regions being some 5000 km away. This afternoon we plan to visit Tiananmen Square and the vast Forbidden City, the one-time home of the Ming and the Manchu (Qing) emperors and a treasure trove of eastern wares. The evening is left free and there is also the option of seeing an acrobatic performance in the evening. You may also want to seek out a place to try Peking Duck. Please be aware that the number of visitors allowed in the Forbidden City has been reduced following the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in fewer tickets being available. While we will strive to secure tickets for the Forbidden City in advance, if we are unable to do so for day 8, we will schedule our visit for day 9, following the tour of the Great Wall.
Day 9
Walk on the incredible Great Wall at the Mutianyu section
Today we visit a renovated part of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of the city. Began in the 3rd century BC by Shi Huangdi, thousands of conscripted workers laboured on it and many lie buried in its brick and stone ramparts. It is incredible to think that this wall spans the entire country! Here there is a 2-kilometre/1.2-mile section to walk along with watchtowers and views of the surrounding countryside. En route, we may also get to visit a cloisonné workshop where you can see examples of this ancient metal-working technique. We drive back to Beijing later this afternoon.
Day 10
Trip ends in Beijing
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Beijing. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from either Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) which is a 90-minute drive from our hotel or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) which is a one-hour 45-minute drive away.
What's Included
Accommodation
Comfortable
Meals
Breakfasts: 9, Lunches: 1, Dinners: 0
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Oct 25
from £1,697
- Save 19%Fri 10 Oct 2025 > Sun 19 Oct 2025Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 16 left£2,105Best offer£1,697
Customer reviews & ratings
The basic itinerary of the trip is excellent but exhausting in its current format. Be prepared for flights that get you to your hotel at 3am and a very basic overnight train. If the overnight train was replaced with the fast bullet train it would make the world of difference. Despite this there were plenty of highlights. The Li river was a highlight as was the cycling and rafting in Yangshuo. It was wonderful to experience some countryside as well as the big cities. Of course the Terra-cotta warriors, Tiananmen Square and walking the Great Wall were fantastic. And the light show and the best acrobatic show I have ever seen. We had a wonderful guide, Frank, who took us for some fantastic meals and got us to all the sights before the crowds. It was a fantastic trip with a great group of people but I would urge Explore! to tweak the itinerary to make the trip less exhausting.
Gemma VerifiedWe had a great time on the China Highlights trip. Frank the Explore leader was excellent. The Itinerary is a little rushed with one really incovinant internal flight. The Hotel in Hong Kong is too far out like visiting London and staying in Uxbridge, and the Hotel in Yangshuo is well below the standard expected (dirty)
Nicholas Verified
Essential trip information
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