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Beijing to Hong Kong Adventure

Beijing to Hong Kong Adventure

From $ 3,550 AUD

Description

Hit the major sights and sounds of China on a 12-day adventure from Beijing to Hong Kong. See the magnificent Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, the giant pandas of Sichuan and the striking limestone karsts in Yangshuo. Soak up the exciting neon lights in Hong Kong, meet locals over homemade dumplings and explore the countryside in Yangshuo. Travel with ease on China’s modern rail network for almost 4000 km and get up close and transcend time with a visit to an ancient town. With a knowledgeable small-group leader at the helm, your China adventure will be full of insightful history, delicious cuisine and unforgettable experiences.

Trip Name
Beijing to Hong Kong Adventure
Last Updated
2024-08-30
Days
12
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • See the heart of China, using the vast train network – you'll take one overnight train and three high-speed trains, covering almost 4000 km across the country from the north to the south – a fantastic way of low impact travelling!
  • Be welcomed into a local guesthouse near the Great Wall – after hiking along this magnificent Wonder of the World – and join a dumpling demonstration for lunch.
  • Explore the local countryside in the Yangshuo region, cycling through the riverbanks and karsts and stopping by a local home for a freshly prepared lunch.
  • Embrace the epicurean delights of China with a leader-led tour of Xi’an’s Muslim quarter (where you can try lots of authentic snacks), a day in Chengdu, the City of Gastronomy, and a steaming bowl of hotpot.
  • Veer off the busy tourist trail with a visit to the time-forgotten Taian Ancient Town, a hike down Mt Qingcheng – a sacred mountain in Taoism – and a meet and greet with giant pandas at the Dujiangyan Panda Breeding Center.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. URBAN ADVENTURES: Join us for the Best. Day. Ever. Urban Adventures are for those who want to get away from the tourist crowds and really connect with a city, with a local by their side. The experience can be as short as a couple of hours, or as long as a whole day, but in every case our Urban Adventures tours take travellers to interesting places to experience local culture and see what makes a place unique. If you are travelling before or after your trip with us and would like to book an Urban Adventure in advance, please contact your booking agent or use this link: http://www.urbanadventures.com/?aff=2226. While on tour with us, your leader can assist in booking other Urban Adventures. PASSPORTS USED FOR ENTRY TO TOURISM SITES AND TRAIN STATIONS International visitors will have their passport scanned upon entry to tourism sites and at train stations in China. The passport acts as an entrance ticket and it takes 1-2mins for scanning and entry. This means that it can take 20-30mins for our groups to enter some locations, depending on group size and processing capacity in each location. Chinese nationals have their ID cards scanned at these locations and these are processed instantly.

Day 1 - Beijing
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!
Day 2 - Great Wall/Beijing
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.
Day 3 - Beijing/ Overnight Train
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.
Day 4 - Terra Cotta Warriors/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.
Day 5 - Xi'an
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!
Day 6 - Mt. Qingcheng
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).
Day 7 - Chengdu
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!
Day 8 - Yangshuo
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.’
Day 9 - Yangshuo
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).
Day 10 - Yangshuo
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.
Day 11 - Hong Kong
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.
Day 12 - Hong Kong
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
24-02-202507-03-2025AUD $ 3,550-
17-03-202528-03-2025AUD $ 3,590-
23-03-202503-04-2025AUD $ 3,660-
07-04-202518-04-2025AUD $ 4,435-
11-04-202522-04-2025AUD $ 3,690-
14-04-202525-04-2025AUD $ 4,435-
18-04-202529-04-2025AUD $ 4,260-
05-05-202516-05-2025AUD $ 3,930-
12-05-202523-05-2025AUD $ 3,770-
19-05-202530-05-2025AUD $ 3,690-
06-06-202517-06-2025AUD $ 3,690-
09-06-202520-06-2025AUD $ 4,320-
23-06-202504-07-2025AUD $ 3,730-
30-06-202511-07-2025AUD $ 3,550-
14-07-202525-07-2025AUD $ 3,550-
25-08-202505-09-2025AUD $ 3,550-
01-09-202512-09-2025AUD $ 3,690-
08-09-202519-09-2025AUD $ 3,690-
11-09-202522-09-2025AUD $ 3,835-
15-09-202526-09-2025AUD $ 3,835-
19-09-202530-09-2025AUD $ 3,835-
09-10-202520-10-2025AUD $ 3,895-
13-10-202524-10-2025AUD $ 3,835-
20-10-202531-10-2025AUD $ 3,835-
23-10-202503-11-2025AUD $ 3,690-
27-10-202507-11-2025AUD $ 3,690-
03-11-202514-11-2025AUD $ 3,550-
10-11-202521-11-2025AUD $ 3,550-
16-03-202627-03-2026AUD $ 3,725-
06-04-202617-04-2026AUD $ 3,725-
13-04-202624-04-2026AUD $ 3,875-
11-05-202622-05-2026AUD $ 3,875-
18-05-202629-05-2026AUD $ 3,875-
08-06-202619-06-2026AUD $ 3,725-
22-06-202603-07-2026AUD $ 3,725-
31-08-202611-09-2026AUD $ 3,875-
07-09-202618-09-2026AUD $ 4,025-
14-09-202625-09-2026AUD $ 4,025-
12-10-202623-10-2026AUD $ 4,025-
26-10-202606-11-2026AUD $ 4,025-
09-11-202620-11-2026AUD $ 3,875-

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights),Overnight Train (1 night)

Transport

Private vehicle,Overnight Train,High-speed Train,Subway,Taxi

Map