From
$4,644
NZ $4,180

26-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond

26 days
Start and end in Hong Kong
4.6
24 traveler reviews

26-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond

26 days
Start and end in Hong Kong
4.6
24 traveler reviews
From
$4,644
-10%
NZ $4,180
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $224 now + easy payments of $327 Learn More

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Plan your adventure:
In-depth Cultural
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Guided in English, Chinese
Group Size 2 - 20
Age range 18 to 55
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Roundhouse visit & bike tour
  • Bamboo raft river cruise
  • Terracotta Warriors
  • Panda Visit
  • Camp/Walk on the Great Wall

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Enjoy a night in Hong Kong
  2. Day 2 Travel to Yangshuo
  3. Day 3 Free time in Yanshuo
  4. Day 4 Yangshuo
  5. Day 5 Rural China Experience
  6. Day 6 Travel to Chengdu
  7. Day 7 See Giant Pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center
  8. Day 8 Free time in Chengdu
  9. Day 9 Travel to Xi'an
  10. Day 10 Visit the Muslim Quarter in Xi'an
  11. Day 11 See the Terracotta Warriors
  12. Day 12 Travel to Shaolin
  13. Day 13 Free Time in Xi'an to visit Shaolin Temple or Longmen Grottoes
  14. Day 14 Camping on The Great Wall of China
  15. Day 15 Sunrise over The Great Wall and Beijing Walking Tour
  16. Day 16 Free time in Beijing
  17. Day 17 Travel to Hangzhou
  18. Day 18 West Lake Boat tour and hike to Jiuyao Mountain
  19. Day 19 Hike to Nine Creeks and Travel to Shanghai
  20. Day 20 Mandarin Lesson and Optional Activities in Shanghai
  21. Day 21 Free Time In Shanghai
  22. Day 22 Huangpu River Night Cruise
  23. Day 23 Travel to Fujian and Visit a Traditional Mud Roundhouse
  24. Day 24 See the Rice Fields in Fujian Tulou
  25. Day 25 Cycling Trip in Rural Fujian
  26. Day 26 Say goodbye to your fellow dragons!
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Meals
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Customer Photos

Operated by

The Dragon Trip

Number of tours

44

Age Range

7 to 75 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

100%

We are The Dragon Trip. We expand minds through transformative experiences....

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Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.6
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.6
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.3
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.5
  • 4.6
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • CB
    · June 20th, 2025
    Here is twenty characters... Why am I forced to write this?
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Hey there. Thanks for completing the review. I hope you had a fantastic time and will join us again on another adventure in the future!
    Trip date: May 2025
  • 26-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond reviewer 2
    · November 26th, 2024
    Joining this tour was one of the best decisions I've ever made! The itinerary was well designed and thought out with a balance of activities and downtime to do what I wanted, I never felt I had too much or too little to do during the trip. My highlights were probably The Great Wall of China, seeing the shaolin monks and exploring Shanghai. Although there were some long journeys, the views from out of the window never made you feel like you travelling for too long because there was always something interesting, beautiful or unusual to see. The tour guides were all very friendly and informative and knew so much about their country! As a solo traveller I was nervous to begin with, but having a good group of people really made me feel welcome.
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    So glad to hear you had such an amazing time! The Great Wall, Shaolin monks, and Shanghai? What a lineup of highlights! It’s awesome that the itinerary gave you the perfect balance of activities and downtime—and that those long journeys flew by with... Show more
    Trip date: November 2024
  • 26-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond reviewer 3
    · September 20th, 2024
    ! I took 26 days trip with The Dragon Trip company. It’s amazing trip ever ! So organized program , all leaders are very knowledgeable and helpful! The trip is goes so smooth and very well done job!
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you so much for your amazing feedback! We're thrilled to hear that your 26-day China Loop adventure was such a fantastic experience. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed the tour and felt it was well-organised too. Thank you also for sharing... Show more
    26-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond customer review photo 126-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond customer review photo 226-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond customer review photo 326-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond customer review photo 426-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond customer review photo 526-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond customer review photo 6
    Trip date: August 2024
  • HS
    · June 14th, 2024
    My daughter just finished the 26 day China tour. From day 1, even before she left for the trip, the communication was great. We knew exactly where she's going to stay and her daily activities. From the people she met, the places she visited and the food, everything was amazing. Everything the tour guide recommended was reasonable and something she would've never experienced traveling by herself. We were so happy that she had this experience. We highly recommend this tour.
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you for your review! It's great to hear they had such an amazing experience. We hope we can see both of you on another tour soon!
    Trip date: May 2024
  • E
    · March 14th, 2024
    This tour gave me the opportunity to really see a lot of China in a relatively short time. Yangshuo was beautiful and all the activities there were breathtaking. I was traveling during the national holidays, so it was really crowded everywhere, but everything still went well. It was also good to always have a guide with you, as otherwise you really had difficulties with communication. The guide in each city changed and some were less motivated than others. There were also days that were a bit stressful. My highlights definitely included Yangshuo, Beijing and Xi'an. The time in Shanghai could have been shortened, in my opinion there wasn't that much to see there.
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    It's clear you had an action-packed journey through China! Thanks for sharing your highlights!
    Trip date: September 2023
  • T
    · October 25th, 2023
    I had the best time on this tour! It was well organised throughout and the activities we did were amazing! The group was lovely and the guides were super friendly and passionate. I felt completely safe during this trip and would definitely recommend the 25 day tour in China rather than the shorter tours so that you can see everywhere (Yangzhou was incredible!) and get to know the group better. Just make sure to factor in spending money into your budget. I spent an extra £700 which I felt was necessary to get the most out of optional activities, great food and souvenirs etc.. so worth it though!
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Thank you very much for this review! It's brilliant to hear you had such an amazing time with us in China. Your detailed response is very much appreciated and we hope to see you again in the future. Our destinations and travel dates are always evolving... Show more
    Trip date: September 2023
  • MB
    · October 22nd, 2023
    At lot to see. At times the trip felt rushed, but overall it was a great experience. Really liked Xi´an and would have liked to stay longer there. Fujian was a bit long considering that there was really nothing to do there. All in all great value to start your exploration of china. To really get a feeling for China this trip is to short. But with Visa Issues that is not really a problem that the operator can fix. A great first look at China which sets you up to plan your own further exploration of China.
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    We're thrilled you had a great overall experience exploring China with us! Your feedback is valuable, and we appreciate your understanding regarding time constraints due to visa issues! I hope we can welcome you on another adventure soon!
    Trip date: June 2023
  • DB
    · June 4th, 2018
    There are some flaws in having a new guide in each city because the quality of them is not consistent. One or two are well below par. However, the itinerary covers the big hitters in China of the Great Wall (and camping there!), Pandas, terracotta, shanghai and Beijing. For the full 25 tour I really felt I had seen so much of China and its culture. Not every place is worth a visit, such as moganshan (pointless) and for some Shaolin (though I enjoyed it). The appalling WiFi, toilets and spitting in China are the real downers of this wonderful country but the rest was a pure joy to me. The food was amazing and I much preferred it to the awful seafood I endured in Japan. The people who organise the camping at the Great Wall need to be told how to run a campsite. There was no firewood, the rain we were told is that it was raining (tarpaulin maybe!), filth and rubbish everywhere. Poor quality tents and sleeping bags. To make things easier for them they made us carry half of the sleeping bags up the steep slope during a downpour and put the waterproofed tents in the back of a mule, covered from the elements. The result was that the sleeping bags were all sodden and 18 people abandoned the campsite to go a guesthouse. Some of the crappy tents blew over in the wind at night. Not good. For those that braved the elements the walk on the wall next morning was spectacular. Great value trip though. I spent about another £1000 on top in food and trips.
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Hi David, thank you for much for taking the time to give your feedback! :)
    Trip date: May 2018
  • 26-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond reviewer 9
    · January 12th, 2017
    Perfect for students and young people, as well as active families. On the China tour, one of the most unique experiences of my life! The dragon trip give an experience not achieved, in my view, by the regular traveller, whilst also providing the freedom felt by travellers. They have an impressive itinerary of unmissable and optional activities, masterfully fit into 4 weeks. The tour guides are all knowledgable, fun and friendly! I met some wonderful people and was granted great experiences, all thanks to dragon trip! Shanghai by far my favourite place, it has been everything it was made out to be! However, the truly unique experience of camping beside the great wall of China was definitely up there on the list of top activities.
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Hi Owen, we love that we were able to provide you a unique, wonderful experience! Thank you so much for your review.
    26-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond customer review photo 1
    Trip date: August 2016
  • 26-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond reviewer 10
    · November 26th, 2016
    The Dragon Trip tour of China was an incredible experience. I went by myself but made so many friends along the way. I did the Hong Kong - Hong Kong tour so was there for the whole month but those that were taking part in shorter trips integrated into the group so well. As a whole the trip was a great mix of culture and fun and was really good value for money. We travelled on public transport which cuts down the cost but is also a great way to really understand China. The accommodation was simple, hostels and one night camping on the Great Wall (an unforgettable experience) but was always clean and met all requirements. The itinerary was jam packed and we were always doing something but its extremely flexible meaning you can choose which activities you want to pay for and take part in, leaving you time to explore alone if you want to. The tour guides were mostly local with unfaultable English and incredible knowledge as well as being so friendly and a lot of fun! I would recommend this to anyone who wants to see and learn a lot about China, wants to have a good time and wants great value for money!
    Show more
    The Dragon Trip commented on this review
    Hi Charlotte, we are so happy that you had such a wonderful experience. We hope to you see you again in the future :)
    Trip date: July 2015

Dates & Availability

26 days
26-Day China Loop: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu and Beyond
From Hong Kong to Hong Kong

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    • Rated excellent on
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    • Earn $50 in travel credits
    • Free eSim with every purchase

    To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Australia, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

More benefits
Select a departure month
  • Upcoming departures
  • July 2025
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  • March 2026
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  • October 2026
Select The Travel Month

Upcoming departures
Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!
Ends on 1 Jul, 2025
  • From Sunday
    6 Jul, 2025
    To Thursday
    31 Jul, 2025
    English
    Check the availability with the operator
    Departure on request
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    From:
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  • -10%
    From Sunday
    13 Jul, 2025
    To Thursday
    7 Aug, 2025
    English, Chinese
    Check the availability with the operator
    Departure on request
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    From:
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    NZ $4,180
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    20 Jul, 2025
    To Thursday
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    English
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    Departure on request
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    From:
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    NZ $4,180
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    3 Aug, 2025
    To Thursday
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    To Thursday
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    To Thursday
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    To Thursday
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    NZ $4,486
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    From:
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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • R

    Roger

    Asked on April 30th, 2025

    Could you let us know how many people are currently booked on this tour for the dates in June 2025?

    Group size
    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten May 2025

      There are currently 6 travellers booked on this adventure. 1 person is in their late teens, 1 in their 20s and 4 are in their 30s.

    • R

      Roger

      TravelerWritten May 2025

      Would it be possible to let us know where they are from? Is there anyone from the UK?

    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten May 2025

      Currently we have 6 travellers for this departure date. They are from Austria, US, UK and Norway.

    • R
      2 more answers
  • K

    Kim

    Asked on March 25th, 2025

    Do you provide airport transfers from airport to hotel and hotel to airport?

    Flights / Transfers
    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten March 2025

      We don't organize airport transfers in Hong Kong.

  • P

    Petra

    Asked on March 3rd, 2025

    Where can I get a tourist visa for my trip to China?

    Visa
    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten March 2025

      You can obtain a tourist visa for China by applying through a Visa Office at Chinese embassies or consulates, or via China Visa Application Service Centers. Ensure to check the latest travel requirements which might change.

  • M

    Merlijne

    Asked on December 29th, 2024

    Are there specific vaccinations required for travel to China?

    Other
    Travel Support
    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten December 2024

      Currently, no specific vaccinations are required for travel to China, but it's advised to consult a travel clinic to check if any vaccinations are recommended.

  • N

    Nina

    Asked on December 24th, 2024

    How likely is the Great Wall camping to go ahead for this date? What is the name of the starting hostel in Hong Kong/ first hostel we stay at?

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten December 2024

      The Great Wall Camping usually starts after the end of April, due to the colder weather. The group will still visit the great wall and stay at a guesthouse nearby (for the earlier April dates). The Hong Kong Hostel is planned to be Yess Inn.

  • B

    Ben

    Asked on December 5th, 2024

    How much is a single supplement additionally to the tour price?

    Price / Availability
    Single supplement
    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten December 2024

      For this tour, a single room upgrade is available for an additional £875.

  • M

    Mike

    Asked on October 19th, 2024

    Is there any age limit?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten October 2024

      Unfortunately, the maximum age limit for this tour is 55. We use youth hostels and the tour will mostly have travellers in their 20s and 30s. We do have a great alternative - our China Premium tour. This tour will use hotels instead.

  • T

    Toni

    Asked on October 13th, 2024

    What are the currency and payment options in China?

    Payments
    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten October 2024

      A mix of cash and cards is recommended in China. Major cities accept cards, while smaller spots might only take cash. It's advisable to have both for convenience.

  • B

    Bianca

    Asked on September 20th, 2024

    Is this tour suitable for travellers with some limited mobility?

    Tour Details
    Travel Support
    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten September 2024

      There is quite a lot of walking on the tours & not all locations have the infrastructure for mobility impairments (i.e the accommodations don't have lifts, the walking routes are uneven, etc.) Could you provide more details on your limited mobility and we can check if this trip would be suitable for you with our team in China?

    • B

      Bianca

      TravelerWritten September 2024

      I had an operation on my right knee and I can walk at normal speed. For long walking distances I can use walking sticks. I can't run and make movements which involve high impact like football. As for hills with a low gradient, I can climb slowly. The same with stairs. I can climb slowly.

    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten September 2024

      There are some hikes included during the tour (including to the Great Wall) but we'd love to welcome you on this adventure. Once your booking is created we can send over a tour suitability form and your adventure leaders can advise you on the duration of the walks so you can make a decision on day by day basis.

    • B
      2 more answers
  • N

    Natasha

    Asked on August 3rd, 2024

    What months of the year are typically best for this trip itself? Does the composition of fellow travelers vary at all my time of year (or anything else)?

    Tour Details
    • N

      Natasha

      TravelerWritten August 2024

      Once in Hong Kong, roughly how much should we budget for additional costs during the trip for each main area, such as all of the optional activities, food, guide tips, as well as anything else material I might be missing?

    • N

      Natasha

      TravelerWritten August 2024

      Do you ever offer discounts? If so, how can we hear about them?

    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten August 2024

      I would personally recommend late spring or autumn dates - the weather will be it's best - neither too hot or cold. The group composition does really vary from tour to tour - if you have a date in mind we can advise how it's looking (or if it's for the end of 2025 how similar departures looked this year).

    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten August 2024

      Meals and activities in China are generally very affordable but prices will vary and be higher in the larger cities. We recommend budgeting 100-150 RMB per day for food. I'm also attaching a list of all optional activities and their prices. Please note that this is subject to change.

    • The Dragon TripOperatorWritten August 2024

      We do offer discounts from time to time. You can follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date.

    • N
      4 more answers
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at The Dragon Trip with your enquiry, they usually respond within 1 day.
From
$4,644
-10%
NZ $4,180
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $224 now + easy payments of $327 Learn More

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Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 88261

  • Currency
    ¥
    Yuan Renminbi
    China
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from New Zealand you will need an adaptor for type G.

    Type G
    China
    Type I
    China
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for China. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for China. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Cholera - Recommended for China. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for China. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for China. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Rabies - Recommended for China. Ideally 1 month before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for China. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for China. Ideally 1 month before travel.
    • Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for China. Ideally 6 months before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before September 10th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after September 10th, 2025, a minimum payment of 5% is required to confirm your booking with The Dragon Trip. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and The Dragon Trip will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "The Dragon Trip" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Video

The Dragon Trip China Adventures