Arrival in Beijing
Your first day in Beijing is all about acclimatising to your new environment. Once your English-speaking guide has transferred you from the airport to your hotel, the day is yours to spend as you wish. Personally, I always like to stay somewhere a bit plusher the first night and enjoy the hotel facilities as I shake off my jet lag.
Beijing & The Great Wall
Swap the skyscrapers and smog for mountain air and the Great Wall this morning as you head to one of the best sections of this ancient landmark. The Great Wall at Mutianyu is surrounded by rich green vegetation and with few crowds and such stunning vistas, you’ll be leaving inspired and refreshed as well as with a camera full of beautiful photos.
Beijing
This intimate and original tour of the Forbidden City is fascinating from start to finish, begging you to ask questions about the site’s history you perhaps may not have previously considered. Guided by Jerimiah, an American scholar who’s been based in Beijing since 2002, you’ll have one of the most knowledgeable sources of information with you too!
Things to do:
A stroll through the Forbidden City
Making new friends in the Beijing hutongs
Linking the past to the present at Beijing's Temple of Heaven
Exploring Beijing's politics & history
The Beijing craft beer crawl
Beijing & Xi'an
Hop on board one of China’s acclaimed high-speed trains as you travel south to Xi’an to explore another of China’s epic cities filled with ancient history.
Xi'an
Most people visit Xi’an to see the Terracotta Warriors and due to its popularity, it’s so important to plan ahead. On this excursion with a local insider, you’ll safely avoid the worst of the crowds while learning all there is to know about the site. In the afternoon, hop in your guide’s vintage jeep and explore the nearby countryside and mountains together.
Things to do:
Visiting the Terracotta Warriors
A wander through the Muslim quarter of Xi'an
Behind the scenes in the farming foothills of Xi'an
An evening of traditional Chinese dance in Xi’an
Xi'an & Chengdu
After a leisurely morning, head back to the train station in Xi’an for another exciting rail journey to the charming city of Chengdu. On first glace, Chengdu seems like any other Chinese city, but once you start meeting the locals, you’ll realise this is rather a special place.
Chengdu
This morning you have the truly special experience of visiting the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre. Imitating their natural habitat, the centre provides the best possible environment for these endangered bears to breed and rear their young. This is a day I can promise that will stay with you forever.
Things to do:
Explore the heart of Chengdu
Chengdu & Guilin
At this rate, you’ll be an expert in train travel throughout China as you travel further south through the picturesque countryside to Guilin by high speed rail. With its dramatic limestone karst hill landscape though, you’ll be glad you took the scenic route which is an experience in itself.
Guilin
One of my favourite ways to explore this region is with a local guide and his jeep on an off the beaten track tour. Away from the tourist attractions, head deeper into the valleys, meet the locals in the farming communities and discover ancient sites you didn’t even know existed.
Things to do:
Exploring the karst hills of Guilin by jeep
Guilin, Li River & Yangshuo
The Li River is one of the most peaceful places you can visit in China and cruising along on a boat with huge limestone cliffs surrounding you on each side is something you’ll remember forever. Upon arrival in Yangshuo have a stroll around West Street where you’ll find plenty of cute shops, bars and restaurants to explore.
Yangshuo, Hong Kong & Departure
Today this exciting adventure comes to an end as you transfer from Yangshou to Guilin train station where the high-speed train to Hong Kong awaits you.
