Beijing to Hong Kong Adventure

Nimen Hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins in Beijing with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe get acquainted with Beijing on your own before joining your group and leader for the meeting, then head out for an optional welcome dinner. Consider ordering Peking duck for your first meal in the country – first, the skin is carved and served in pancakes, then the rest is chopped and cooked into a soup. Yum!

This morning, get ready to tick one of the Wonders of the World off your list – the Great Wall of China, of course! You’ll visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and spend some time exploring, taking photos and learning the history of this mighty sight. An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km west from Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from invaders from the north and continues to be one of the country's most remarkable achievements and a worldwide icon. The Mutianyu section is one of the best-preserved and has a high density of watch towers dotted along the wall. There is also the option to ride a toboggan down the hills near the Great Wall too, if you’re after a bit of a thrill! After, head to a local guest house for a dumpling making demonstration, tucking into the delicious favourites for lunch with your hosts. Return to Beijing for a free afternoon and evening. (L)

Visit the symbolic power centre of China this moring – Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Mao's Mausoleum and the Great Hall of the People, it's a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it to be the heart of their nation. Cross the Golden Water bridge north to the square and enter the grounds of the enormous Forbidden City, which was built more than 600 years ago and has been off limits to commoners for almost all that time. Despite the transformation of the city around it, the Forbidden City looks much like it always has. Explore the halls and courtyards and appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Then, you’ll have a free afternoon to maybe explore the Hutong area in the old part of the city, which originated from Yuan Dynasty when the Mongols were in control of China. Now, it’s a local neighbourhood that represents the spirit of old Beijing. Leave in the early evening for an overnight train to Xi’an.

This morning upon arrival, you’ll journey outside of Xi’an to what is undoubtedly one of the man-made wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. Learn all about this incredible archaeological find, which was discovered after being buried for 2000 years. These clay statues depicting soldiers, horses and chariots were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huang as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC. See over 1000 warriors, each individually sculpted from clay and with a different costume, height and facial expression. In the afternoon, return to Xi’an and refresh. In the late afternoon, you’ll head out on a walking tour of what was once the start of the Silk Road. Your leader will introduce you to the Muslim Quarter. Xi’an’s Silk Road history means it has an exciting mixture of cultures, especially found in its food – Muslim dishes are a specialty here! For tonight's dinner, you'll get to try a range of different snacks to get a real sense of the passion for food the locals have – maybe try some lamb kebabs, persimmon cake, cold noodles, fried rice with pickles or a varied range of dried fruits. (D)

Today is a free day to explore Xi’an at your own pace. Within the ancient city walls, this city is very walkable! You could also hop on a bike on the city wall for a different perspective. Maybe visit the Bell Tower, which according to legend was built to restrain dragons that were causing earthquakes, or the Drum Tower, which is full of instruments once used to mark time and warn the population in emergencies. Maybe see the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and its squares, which now is a popular hotspot in the city for the locals – music, fountains, dancing, and lots of food!

Take the bullet train to Chengdu and transfer to Mt Qingcheng. On the way, stop and visit the Dujiangyan Panda Breeding Center to learn how they introduce the pandas back into the wild after the breeding program, which battles against extinction. Then, head on to Mt Qingcheng – where philosopher Zhang Ling founded the doctrine of Chinese Taoism in 142 AD. Most of the temples on the mountain represent the main teachings of Taoism, having been built in the Jin and Tang dynasties. Explore the ancient town at the foot of the mountain with your leader, wander the old streets lined with houses that were built hundreds of years ago and soak in the scenery. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a hotpot dinner in town (spicy bubbling broth cooking fresh meat and vegetables). (D)

This morning, you’ll continue to explore Mt Qingcheng with your leader. Take the cable car up the mountain for some incredible panoramic views, then take the easy hike back down. While you walk through the ancient forest, listen to the chimes of old temples and maybe find your own meditative state within the trees. After, take a private transfer to Chengdu. Here, you’ll head out on a walking tour through Tianfu Square (spot the giant statue of Chairman Mao!) and the People’s Park. Perhaps take the chance to sit down in a traditional tea house with your free time this afternoon. Tonight, make the most of Chengdu’s culinary offerings for dinner – Chengdu was listed a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, so you know you’re in for a treat!

Embrace a full day of travelling from Chengdu to Yangshuo today. Hop on a high-speed train from Chengdu to Guilin, then transfer to your hotel in Yangshuo. Surrounded by limestone karsts, Yangshuo is popular with both international and local tourists and has become a hub for those wanting to explore the natural side of China. Take a walk through the town with your leader and head down to the Li River to get a feel for the landscape, having been immortalised in many paintings and summed up by Han Yu, a Tang dynasty poet – ‘the river winds like a green silk ribbon, while the hills are like jade hairpins. ’

This morning, strap on your trainers and get active with a bike ride through the striking natural landscape. You’ll head into the countryside and gain a true insight into rural Chinese life. Stop by a local house for a delicious home-cooked meal from locally grown produce. You’ll have a guide during the ride, and helmets and bike rental are included. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to explore Yangshuo’s lively restaurant and bar scene, so perhaps grab yourself some pork stuffed tofu or ‘beer fish’ (a regional specialty of fish simmered in a fragrant broth). (L)

Today is as clear as Yangshuo’s spring, and there are plenty of optional activities to choose from. You could begin the day by focusing your body and mind with a morning tai chi class or kung-fu lesson. Perhaps try your hand at Chinese calligraphy, or book in a relaxing cruise down the Li or Yulong River. Maybe visit the market to shop with the locals and get a feel for the regional produce, and perhaps put this new knowledge to use in a cooking class at the Yangshuo Cooking School. Later, you can book in to watch the Liu San Jie Impression Light Show, which runs every night and has been staged by 2008 Beijing Olympics’ Opening Ceremony director, Zhang Yimou. It’s best to book tickets in advance to ensure you have an ideal viewing and get to see the show from the official seating area.

Take a private bus to the train station, then board a bullet train to Hong Kong. When you arrive, follow your leader on an orientation walk near your hotel. Hong Kong's cityscape is spectacular, and its modern fast-paced life is only minutes from picturesque islands and beaches. The locals are very proud of their Cantonese culture and history, so step out of the shopping malls and off the main streets to discover another side of the city. This evening, enjoy an optional final farewell dinner to sample some of the best Cantonese dishes.

There are no activities planned for the today, and you’re free to leave at any time. It’s highly recommended that you spend a couple of extra days here so that you can make the most of Hong Kong. If you would like to book additional accommodation, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.