Itinerary
- Day 1
Hong Kong
You'll meet your leader at 6 pm to kick things off in Hong Kong. Before that, the day is completely open. Head to The Peak if you want views across the harbor (you can hike the trail or take the tram up), or try a harbour tour on the Star Ferry instead. The Hong Kong Science Museum is another option. Just ask your leader what might work best for what you're interested in.
- Start point
- Metropark Hotel Kowloon 九龍維景酒店, 75 Waterloo Rd, Hong Kong (Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place., 18:00 - 19:00)
Optional Activities
- Visit The Peak via hiking trails or tram
- Star Ferry Harbour Tour
- Hong Kong Science Museum
- Explore Hong Kong Island hiking trails
- Nightly Light Show
- The Story of Hong Kong Urban Adventure
- Old vs New Hong Kong Urban Adventure
- Around Kowloon in 8 Markets Urban Adventure
Landmarks/POIs The Peak Hong Kong Science Museum 
- Day 2
Hong Kong to Yangshuo
Today you're taking a high-speed train from Hong Kong to Guilin, then a private transfer about 2 hours to Yangshuo. This town sits in the middle of dramatic limestone karst mountains that inspired traditional Chinese paintings. Once you settle in, there's time to walk around and get a feel for the place. The cafe and bar scene here is really lively, so you'll have plenty to check out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Li River 
- Day 3
Yangshuo
A guided bike ride through the rural areas around Yangshuo takes up the morning. You'll see how people actually live and work here, then stop for lunch at a local friend's house where they cook with produce from their own garden. After you get back, the evening is free. Walk around the cafes and bars, and try some local dishes like pork stuffed tofu or beer fish if you're up for it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Locally grown produce at local friend's house)
Included Activities
- Guided countryside cycling tour through karst landscape
- Lunch at local friend's house with locally grown produce
- Bike rental
- Bicycle helmets
- Day 4
Yangshuo
This day is yours to plan. You could start with a tai chi or kung fu class in the morning, or try your hand at Chinese calligraphy. A relaxing cruise down the Li or Yulong River is another solid option, or head to the local market to walk around. If you're interested in cooking, Yangshuo Cooking School offers classes. An outdoor light show happens in the evening if that appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Morning Tai Chi class
- Morning Kung Fu lesson
- Chinese calligraphy class
- Li River cruise
- Yulong River cruise
- Market shopping with locals
- Cooking class at Yangshuo Cooking School
- Zhang Yimou's Impressions Show (outdoor light show)
Landmarks/POIs Yulong River - Day 5
Yangshuo to Chengdu
You'll travel by high-speed train to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. This place is famous for giant pandas and seriously spicy food. After arriving, your leader will take you on a walking tour through Tianfu Square and People's Park, one of China's liveliest parks. For dinner, you'll have Sichuan hotpot. Afterwards, check out the traditional tea houses to try local green and jasmine tea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Tianfu Square and People's Park
Optional Activities
- Sichuan Opera performance
- Wenshu Temple visit
- Cooking class
Landmarks/POIs Tianfu Square People's Park 
- Day 6
Chengdu
The morning is spent at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. There are over 80 giant and red pandas across 600 acres, and you'll watch them eat bamboo, play, and climb trees. If you're traveling between July and September, there might be newborns in the nursery to see. Your afternoon is free to explore downtown Chengdu on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base visit
Optional Activities
- Traditional Sichuan Opera performance
- Wenshu Temple visit
- Cooking class
Landmarks/POIs Giant Panda Breeding Research Base - Day 7
Chengdu to Xi'an
A high-speed train takes you to Xi'an, about 3.5 hours away. This ancient imperial capital marks the starting point of the historic Silk Road. Your leader will walk you through the Muslim Quarter with its narrow streets full of shops and lively markets. The City Walls and Gates are the most complete in China, worth seeing. Other options include the Bell and Drum Towers or night markets. Try local specialties like pao mo, hand-pulled noodles, and hotpot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Muslim Quarter
- City Walls and Gates viewing
Optional Activities
- Bell and Drum Towers visit
- Cycling on City Wall
- Small Wild Goose Pagoda
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- Great Mosque
Landmarks/POIs City Walls and Gates Bell and Drum Towers Small Wild Goose Pagoda Big Wild Goose Pagoda Great Mosque 
- Day 8
Xi'an
A private bus takes you about 1.5 hours out to the Terracotta Warriors. Farmers accidentally rediscovered these clay statues in 1976 after they'd been buried for 2000 years. Three main pits hold nearly 2000 individually sculpted warriors, horses, and chariots still standing in battle formation. Each statue is different, with unique costumes, heights, and facial expressions. You'll head back to Xi'an for your final evening there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Terracotta Warriors archaeological site visit
Landmarks/POIs Terracotta Warriors - Day 9
Xi'an to Luoyang
A high-speed train gets you to Luoyang, then you drive to the Longmen Grottoes. This UNESCO World Heritage site contains 2100 caves filled with over 100,000 Buddha statues dating back to the 4th century. The Buddhist rock carvings here are incredibly intricate. A local guide will help you navigate and understand the masterpieces. After exploring, you'll drive on to Shaolin Temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Longmen Grottoes guided exploration
Landmarks/POIs Longmen Grottoes 
- Day 10
Shaolin Temple
About 3 hours by private bus gets you to Shaolin Monastery, the birthplace of kung fu. You'll learn about the warrior monks and how martial arts developed over centuries. There's a kung fu performance to watch, then you'll explore the Pagoda Forest where respected monks have been entombed since AD791. Lunch is a vegetarian Buddhist feast at nearby Yongtai Temple. The afternoon and evening are yours in Luoyang before taking an overnight train to Beijing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Buddhist vegetarian feast at Yongtai Temple)
Included Activities
- Shaolin Monastery visit
- Shaolin Pagoda Forest exploration
- Kung Fu performance
- Buddhist vegetarian lunch at Yongtai Temple
Landmarks/POIs Shaolin Monastery Pagoda Forest Yongtai Temple 
- Day 11
Beijing
You'll arrive in Beijing in the morning. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is open. Your leader can suggest optional activities or point you toward restaurants that match what you're looking for.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Acrobat show
- Kung Fu show
- Lama Temple
- Summer Palace
- Temple of Heaven
Landmarks/POIs Lama Temple Summer Palace Temple of Heaven 
- Day 12
Beijing
Head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall today, about 1.5 to 2 hours by private bus. The guard towers here date back to the Ming dynasty. You can walk up to the wall or take a cable car. For coming back down, you have two choices: walk or ride a toboggan. Most people say the toboggan ride is worth it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mutianyu Great Wall visit
Landmarks/POIs Mutianyu Great Wall - Day 13
Beijing
Today you'll explore the Forbidden City, the former home of China's imperial rulers. Walk through its many palaces, gardens, and courtyards. Next, head to Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest downtown squares. You'll also wander through hutongs, the narrow streets and alleyways that show Beijing's ancient history beneath its modern surface. The day ends with a farewell dinner featuring Beijing Duck, the capital's most famous dish.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Beijing Duck)
Included Activities
- Forbidden City visit
- Tiananmen Square visit
- Hutong exploration
- Beijing Duck dinner
Landmarks/POIs Forbidden City Tiananmen Square - Day 14
Beijing to Suzhou
Take a high-speed train to Suzhou. Once there, grab a bicycle and explore this charming town. You'll pass by famous gardens and canals, and navigate through alleyways. In the evening, there's a traditional music, opera, and theatre performance happening among the trees and waterfalls of one of the gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Suzhou
- Exploring Classical Gardens
- Evening traditional music, opera and theatre performance
- Day 15
Suzhou to Shanghai
A fast train brings you to Shanghai this afternoon. Your leader will take you on a walking tour of historical Shanghai, starting at the Bund with its 1920s art deco buildings from when it was Asia's most important financial street. You'll explore the narrow winding lanes of old Shanghai and the French Concession with its tree-lined avenues and Tudor mansions. The evening is free for dining. Shanghai's restaurant scene is huge, and the street food scene is among China's most vibrant.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation Walking tour
- The Bund and Old Street Walking Tour
Optional Activities
- Rooftop bar drink at leader's suggestion
Landmarks/POIs The Bund French Concession 
- Day 16
Shanghai
Your leader takes you on a walking tour through historical Shanghai. At the Bund, you'll see 1920s architecture from the city's financial past. The efficient subway gets you to the Yuyuan Gardens, a classic example of traditional Chinese landscape design. Your afternoon is free to explore the narrow lanes of old Shanghai and the French Concession's shopping and dining on streets like Huaihai Road, or in places like Xintiandi and Tianzifang. Tonight you'll rejoin the group for dinner featuring Shanghai specialties.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Shanghai specialties)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of historical Shanghai
- The Bund visit
- Yuyuan Gardens visit
- Shanghai specialties dinner
Landmarks/POIs The Bund Yuyuan Gardens - Day 17
Shanghai
Your China tour ends this morning. There are no scheduled activities, so you can leave your accommodation whenever you're ready.
- Meals
- Breakfast
