Epic China Journey From Great Wall to Li River

Welcome to China! Upon your arrival in Beijing, we will ensure your smooth transfer to the hotel. In the early evening, we'll head to Wangfujing Street, a lively pedestrian avenue abuzz with vibrant energy, diverse eateries, and a variety of shops. This introduction will offer a wonderful chance to familiarise yourself with the city's unique character. Dinner is included, and afterwards, we'll return to the hotel to unwind. Please keep in mind that the tour may have travellers joining or departing at different points along the route; however, the group size will always comply with the maximum limits. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

We'll embark on a thrilling exploration of Beijing, the dynamic heart of China. Our day begins with a visit to the renowned Forbidden City, the grand Chinese Imperial Palace that served as the seat of power for 24 emperors over nearly 500 years. Following this, we'll experience the serenity of Jingshan Park, where Coal Hill offers stunning views of the Forbidden Cityweather permitting. Our journey continues with a walk across Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares globally, offering vistas of the impressive Great National Theatre, also known as the Beijing Opera House. A delightful lunch awaits as we continue our exploration.Next, we'll delve into the elegance of the Summer Palace, a cherished retreat of the Qing Dynasty, celebrated for its beautiful gardens and tranquil lakes. In the afternoon, we'll truly immerse ourselves in traditional Beijing with a tricycle tour through the historic Hutong neighbourhoods. Here, you'll witness the rich cultural tapestry of the city, explore traditional shops, and experience a Siheyuan, a classical courtyard house showcasing Beijing's architectural allure.We conclude with an overnight stay at our hotel. Please note: Due to preservation efforts and safety protocols, access to the Forbidden City may be limited. In such cases, we'll explore the Confucius Temple and the Lama Temple, both steeped in Chinese history and culture, as alternative sites.

Today, we'll embark on an inspiring visit to one of the world's most iconic marvelsthe Great Wall of China at the Mutianyu section. A testament to centuries of architectural prowess, this section offers sweeping views amidst stunning mountain landscapes. We'll ascend and descend via cable car, ensuring you enjoy the surrounding scenery in comfort.Returning to Beijing, we'll explore the vibrant 798 Art Districtonce a military factory, now transformed into a bustling art haven filled with galleries, studios, and creative spaces.Our journey continues to the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's most significant sacred complexes. Once the spiritual heart of imperial worship, the temple echoes a rich history. As evening approaches, you'll rejuvenate with a calming foot massage, followed by an engaging Tai Chi class. This profound blend of relaxation and cultural immersion promises to end the day on a perfect note.To round off our time in Beijing, we'll savour a dinner of lacquered duckan iconic local dish that encapsulates the city's culinary tradition. With its flavours lingering, you'll carry with you a taste of Beijing to cherish.

Following breakfast, we will head to the train station to catch a high-speed train, one of China's most advanced, which will whisk us to Taian in just two hours at a speed of 300 km/h. This city, steeped in history, nestles at the base of Mount Taishan the most sacred of China's mountains and a focal point for pilgrims over the centuries. Our visit begins at the Dai Temple, an impressive Taoist complex that dates back to the 11th century and serves as the starting point for the time-honoured pilgrimage to Mount Taishans peak. Lunch will be provided before we take a cable car up to the celebrated 'Gates of Heaven' on Mount Taishan. We'll tackle the final ascent on foot, climbing the steep steps alongside numerous devoted pilgrims, in an experience rich in historical and spiritual value. As our day concludes, we will travel by bus to Qufu, the birthplace of the philosopher Confucius.

Today, you will delve into the rich history and cultural heritage of Qufu, known as the birthplace of Confucius, the esteemed philosopher and founder of Confucianism. We will start our exploration with a visit to the Confucius Mansion and the Confucius Temple. These remarkable sites offer a deep insight into his enduring influence on Chinese culture and thought.After appreciating the legacy of Confucius, we will journey onward to Xuzhou. During our time here, lunch will be provided before we head to the fascinating underground Mausoleum of the Han Emperor. This captivating archaeological site houses a terracotta army reminiscent of the famous warriors of Xian, though on a smaller scale.As we proceed towards our hotel, you will enjoy a scenic drive past Lake Yunlong, a picturesque body of water in the heart of Xuzhou. We will spend the night in Xuzhou, allowing you some time to unwind and reflect on the days cultural discoveries.

We set off from Xuzhou early in the morning as we journey towards Nanjing, a city of approximately eight million people, celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and rich history. Our anticipated arrival around 12:30 p.m. offers us the chance to immerse ourselves in the energy of this bustling metropolis, known for its lively commercial scene. Our exploration begins at Purple Mountain, where we will visit the grand Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, a majestic tribute to the founding father of modern China. Additionally, we will explore the serene Linggu Temple, a Buddhist site steeped in historical significance and surrounded by lush landscapes. Following our guided visits, you will have the afternoon free to independently discover the city's diverse attractions and vibrant streets at your own pace. The day's adventure concludes with an overnight stay in Nanjing, giving you time to reflect on the day's experiences.

Today, we depart early in the morning for Suzhou, a city celebrated for its stunning classical gardens, which have earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Historically, Suzhou held the title of the world's foremost silk producer and remains synonymous with beauty and grace. Our visit here includes entry to the Garden of the Humble Administrator, the largest and most renowned garden in Suzhou. This enchanting space offers an intricate design with meandering pathways, serene ponds, and lush greenery, forming a quintessential example of traditional Chinese landscape architecture.After our garden visit, youll have the opportunity to wander through Pingjiang Road at your own pace. This charming old street is adorned with canals, traditional teahouses, and artisan shops, offering a glimpse into the city's rich cultural heritage. We'll gather for lunch before continuing our journey to Tongli in the afternoon.In Tongli, you'll be captivated by the idyllic scenery of this quaint water town. As we glide through its tranquil canals on a scenic boat ride, the town's narrow waterways, stone bridges, and traditional homes provide a window into ancient China's enduring charm.Following our time in Tongli, we will make our way to Shanghai to check in for the evening.

Our exploration of Shanghai unveils its most iconic landmarks, starting with Pudong, the city's modern financial district across the Huangpu River, home to towering skyscrapers like the famous Pearl Tower. From here, we take a scenic ferry ride offering stunning views of both the historic and contemporary sides of Shanghai. Our stroll through the Old City leads us to the tranquil Yuyuan Garden, a beautifully preserved example of a private garden from the Ming Dynasty. Here, we engage in a traditional tea ceremony, a practice deeply embedded in China's cultural heritage. Our journey continues through Xintiandi, a vibrant area known for its chic boutiques and lively cafs. After a leisurely lunch, we delve into Tianzifang, a creative hub with maze-like alleys brimming with craft shops and galleries. We end the day with a walk along The Bund, where the grand colonial-era architecture reveals the rich European influence in Shanghai. The afternoon is yours to explore further perhaps take a memorable boat trip to witness Shanghai's splendour by night.

Transfer to the train station to board a high-speed train (scheduled departure at 07:17 a.m.). In just over five hours, we’ll travel 1,000 km through picturesque landscapes, passing through beautiful stretches of countryside before arriving in Luoyang.Lunch will be included.Our visit will begin at the awe-inspiring Longmen Buddhist Caves, an extraordinary complex stretching over a kilometer along the rocky cliffs of the river. Here, more than 100,000 Buddha statues and carvings have been sculpted into the stone, creating one of China’s most remarkable archaeological sites. To fully appreciate the grandeur of this site, we’ll also enjoy a scenic boat ride along the river.Afterward, we’ll transfer to the ancient city of Luoyang, where we’ll pass through its imposing walls and immerse ourselves in the lively atmosphere of its illuminated streets, filled with traditional charm and vibrant local activity.

In the early morning, on the outskirts of Luoyang, we’ll visit the White Horse Buddhist Monastery, a vast and historic center of Buddhist learning that welcomes scholars and practitioners from around the world.We’ll then continue our journey to Sanmenxia, a city rich in history. Here, we’ll admire the mighty Yellow River and visit the Baolun Temple, known for its striking tall pagoda. We’ll also explore the renowned Guo Museum, considered one of the finest in China, where we’ll see the ancient funeral carriages of the former State of Guo, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past.Lunch will be included.Our journey eastward will take us past the sacred Mount Hua, one of China’s holiest mountains, known for its dramatic peaks and spiritual significance.By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Xian, where our day will come to an end.

We have arrived in Xian, the fascinating city where the ancient Silk Road began.In the morning, we’ll visit the legendary Terracotta Army, an astonishing archaeological site where thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, hidden underground for centuries, stand guard over the tomb of China’s first emperor.Afterward, we’ll return to Xian to visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a beautiful Buddhist structure that has stood for over a thousand years.Next, we’ll explore the city’s historic walled center, passing through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, where we’ll visit the Great Mosque. This unique site reflects the rich blend of cultures and religions that have shaped China over the centuries.Our tour also includes entrance to the Drum Tower, where we’ll enjoy a short performance of traditional Chinese music played on ancient instruments.Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace.

We leave Xian in a very modern high-speed train, and in just over three hours we cover the 700 km that separate us from CHENGDU. On arrival we will go to the Panda Bear research and breeding centre, a reserve where 120 giant pandas and 76 red pandas live. Lunch included. In the afternoon we will take a stroll through the People´s Park, with its small lake, the local people doing Taichi, and its tea houses.-

Today we include full-day tour of Sichuan Province, with its pleasant landscapes and traditional villages. In DUJIANGYAN we see the traditional irrigation system, which has been working for more than 2000 years and is a world heritage site. QUINGCHENG SHAN, “mountain of the green city” is a Taoist holy mountain. Its paths through the forests show us caves, pavilions and centuries-old wooden temples, lunch included. Finally, we will visit the ancient city of JIEZI with its alleys with over a thousand years of history. Return to CHENGDU.

We will travel by train, we get up early (our train leaves at 7.38 hrs), and we have to do almost a thousand kilometres in just over five and a half hours amidst magnificent mountain scenery (picnic lunch on the train). On arrival in Congjiang, we are in a magnificent and unknown area of China inhabited by ethnic minorities. We see the BASHA MIAO Village in the forest, with its wooden houses. This is the only ethnic group authorised to carry firearms, as they were traditional bear hunters. We continue to ZHAOXING, the most important town of the Dong minority, a beautiful place with its more than 800 traditional homes; many say that it is the most beautiful town in China. Accommodation.

Today you will do one of the most beautiful and exciting stages of your trip. GUANGXIAO, among amazing villages of the Dong ethnic group with its beautiful wooden architecture, this charming town frozen in time is little visited by international tourism; we will see its suspension bridge, the drum tower and the opera house. We also stop at CHENGYANG, with its magnificent “wind and rain bridge”. Lunch included. In LONGSHENG we will go to the LONJI rice fields, a World Heritage Site. A small bus will take us to the viewpoints and you can walk down a sector along paths between rice paddies and wonderful scenery. After that we continue to GUILIN -Arrival at the end of the afternoon-

A full day in GUILIN, one of the most popular cities in China with a very pleasant atmosphere on the banks of its lake, next to the river Li, and with its busy shopping streets in the centre. We include a visit to the Cane Flutes Grotto, a magnificent cave in which there are numerous fantastically shaped stalactites and stalagmites lit up in beautiful colours, creating a spectacular world in the bowels of the earth. Afternoon free, we recommend you visit the Jingjiang Palace, the “miniature forbidden city”. Accommodation.Note: The order of visits in Guilin as well as the day of the Li River Cruise may be adjusted without altering the overall tiinerary.

We will leave Guilin by boat and take a cruise on the Li river. The countryside is spectacular with its green mountains, the villages on the banks, the amazing rocks and its mountain peaks in amazing shapes. Lunch included. We come to YANGSHUO, a very lively tourist city. A stroll before continuing through central China to the rural HUANGYAO; this ancient city is magnificently preserved with its small streets, old buildings, temples. The life and activity of its inhabitants will also take us to another time. Time for a stroll. We continue on our way to GUANGZHOU -Arrival at the end of the day-

Guangzhou, we include a two-hour tour of this thriving metropolis of southern China; we will walk along Shangiaxju Street with its traditional market, see the House of the Chen Clan from the end of the 19th century and we will explore the riverside area. Free time and lunch included.Our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories. Please check your flight time in case you require an additional night. While the departure transfer to the airport is not included, our guide will provide recommendations for the best public transportation options to suit your journey.