Hong Kong to Beijing - 18 Days

Upon your arrival in vibrant Hong Kong, make your own way to the hostel. At 16:30pm you'll meet your tour leader and group for a trip briefing.

Your tour leader will then take the group to Victoria Peak for incredible panoramic views of the city below, and a chance to watch the sunset over the skyline. Afterwards, head to Tsim Sha Tsui, where you’ll watch the ‘Symphony of Light’ show from the Avenue of Stars.

Conclude your first day with a visit to Temple Street Night Market. This bustling market has plenty of options to choose from, and your tour leader can help with the best recommendations for a late dinner!

Hong Kong - Guilin - Yangshuo. This morning, we meet for a short briefing before boarding the high-speed train to Guilin. From there, we continue by private coach to the charming town of Yangshuo, surrounded by spectacular limestone peaks.

After checking in, take a little time to relax and settle into your new surroundings. As evening arrives, you may like to join your fellow travellers for dinner and a first taste of authentic Chinese cuisine, marking the official beginning of our journey together.

You have the day free to enjoy Yangshuo in your own way. You might like to join a local cooking class where you can prepare and enjoy a traditional Chinese meal using regional ingredients. Later, perhaps take to the water on an optional kayaking trip along the Li River, gliding between the area’s striking karst hills, or opt for a soothing hot cupping session, an ancient therapy designed to ease tension and restore balance.

Today, we head out to explore Yangshuo’s peaceful countryside by bike, passing through quiet villages and rice fields framed by karst peaks. We then drift along the Yulong River on traditional bamboo rafts, enjoying the calm of the water and the scenery that makes this region so distinctive.

In the afternoon, you may choose to join an optional visit to Moon Hill and a nearby cave complex, where you can experience natural mud baths and hot springs. Later, you might like to round off the day with a karaoke session or night out in town with your group.

Today is free for you to shape as you wish. You could try rock climbing against the dramatic limestone cliffs that make Yangshuo one of China’s top climbing spots, or take part in an optional visit to a nearby farming village hosted by one of our Adventure Leaders to gain an insight into daily rural life.

Yangshuo - Guilin - Chongqing. We depart from Yangshuo after greeting our Tour Leader, first making our way to Guilin to catch the train to Chongqing.

On arrival, we check in and prepare for an evening on the water with a scenic Yangtze River cruise, offering views of the city’s skyline lit up against the night.

Afterwards, we visit Hongya Cave, an atmospheric complex filled with glowing lanterns, narrow walkways and tempting street food stalls overlooking the river. It’s the perfect spot to explore and enjoy dinner before returning to our hotel for the night.

This morning, you may wish to begin your day with a visit to Liziba Station, where the city’s monorail runs directly through a residential building, an impressive feat of urban engineering. You can also choose to join an optional city tour to uncover more of Chongqing’s history and architecture.

Later, we explore the Chaotianmen Dock area, where the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers meet, before walking up to Eling Park for sweeping city views. As evening falls, you might like to head to the Guanyinqiao district, known for its lively nightlife and excellent restaurants.

Chongqing - Chengdu. Today, we say farewell to Chongqing and travel by train to Chengdu, where we meet our new Tour Leader.

After checking in, the rest of the afternoon is yours to relax or explore at your own pace. You may wish to join an optional city tour or take a leisurely walk-through People’s Park. Later, we head to Kuanzhai Alley to discover its narrow streets, traditional courtyards, and inviting street food stalls.

We visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the world’s leading centre for the conservation and study of these remarkable animals. We watch the pandas as they feed, play, and interact in their carefully protected habitats.

In the afternoon, we join our Tour Leader for a Mandarin lesson, learning useful words and phrases for the rest of our journey. This evening, you might like to experience the famous Sichuan Opera, a lively performance of music, storytelling and the region’s unique face-changing art.

Today is yours to discover Chengdu at your own pace. You may wish to join an optional excursion to the Leshan Giant Buddha, an awe-inspiring 71-metre-tall statue carved into a cliff overlooking the river.

Back in Chengdu, you could experience a traditional hotpot dinner, famous for its bold flavours and rich spices, before heading out to enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Chengdu - Xi'án. We wave goodbye to our Tour Leader in Chengdu and board the train to Xi’an, one of China’s most historic cities. After checking in, the afternoon is free for you to explore. You might choose to cycle along the ancient Ming Dynasty City Walls for a unique view of the city or wander through the Muslim Quarter, known for its lively markets, traditional architecture and delicious street food.

This morning we visit the Terracotta Warriors, one of China’s most remarkable archaeological sites. Thousands of life-sized soldiers stand guard over the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, each one uniquely detailed and restored to its original splendour.

In the afternoon, you may like to continue exploring Xi’an independently, perhaps visiting the Big Goose Pagoda and staying to watch the evening light and music show that illuminates the surrounding square.

Xián - Dengfeng. This morning, we travel to Dengfeng for a hands-on experience at the legendary Shaolin Temple. We take part in a Kung Fu lesson led by a local master before watching a live performance that showcases the strength and precision of this ancient martial art.

Later, we join our Tour Leader for another Mandarin lesson to build on what we have already learned. In the evening, we bring the group together for a friendly pub quiz, a fun way to round off the day.

Dengfeng - Xi'an. Today you can choose from several optional excursions. You may wish to return to the Shaolin Temple for more time among its ancient courtyards and statues, or take a scenic walk up to Dharma Cave, a peaceful spot overlooking the temple complex.

Alternatively, visit the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with thousands of carved Buddha figures dating back over a thousand years. The evening is free for you to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s journey.

Xi'an - Beijing. We board the bullet train to Beijing and continue to one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the Great Wall of China. After a hike along a quieter, partially unrestored section of the wall, we set up camp on a remote stretch where we spend the night under the stars. As evening falls, we gather for a relaxed Mandarin lesson around the campfire.

Please note: that before the end of April and after September, due to colder conditions, we stay in a local guest house near the wall instead of camping.

We rise early to watch the sunrise over the Great Wall, a truly unforgettable moment as the morning light reveals the surrounding mountains.

After returning to Beijing, the rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace. You might like to visit the 798 Art District, known for its contemporary galleries and creative atmosphere, or spend a quiet afternoon in the gardens of the Summer Palace.

Today, you can choose to join an optional visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, once home to the emperors of China and still one of the country’s most impressive cultural sites.

Afterwards, you can climb Jingshan Park for panoramic views across the palace rooftops. This evening, you may wish to experience a thrilling acrobatics show or sit down to a traditional Peking Duck dinner, a dish once reserved for royalty and still a local favourite.

You have the day free to enjoy Beijing before your onward journey. You may wish to explore one of the city’s lively markets, visit the Temple of Heaven, or wander through the Nanluo district with its narrow hutongs, courtyards and local cafés. Later, we gather for a final farewell, marking the end of our adventure through China.