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Real China

Real China

From $ 1,520 AUD

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Description

You could travel for a lifetime in China, and there would still be more to explore – but this 12-day trip through the country’s highlights does a pretty good job of narrowing it down. Tick an ancient Wonder of the World off your bucket list at the Great Wall, witness the Terracotta Warriors in Xi-an and watch baby pandas play in Chengdu. Sip tea in People’s Park, taste delicious street food with a local leader who knows all the best spots and cycle through the misty countryside of Yangshuo – home to stunning vistas, Moon Hill and karst mountains. Start in Beijing and end in Hong Kong for some thriving nightlife and you’ve got a pretty cool adventure.

Trip Name
Real China
Last Updated
2024-08-30
Days
12
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Walk the walk on the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), watching the stones snake as far as the eye can see. If you’d like, you can even toboggan back down!
  • Take a scenic cycling tour through farms and villages in Yangshuo’s karst-dotted countryside. Every turn in the road brings you to another postcard-perfect spot before riding to Moon Hill and taking a short hike that leads to panoramic views of the area.
  • Watch rolly polly baby pandas playing, munching bamboo and generally doing their thing at the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu – if they’re not already, pandas might just be your favourite animal after this.
  • Join a local guide to see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an – the most famous site in the city – only discovered in 1976 by farmers digging a well.
  • Eat your way through China, from Beijing’s Peking duck to the delicious Sichuan pepper – then, maybe challenge yourself with authentic local delicacies like silkworms, spicy rabbit head and beer fish.

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. 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 tonight. If you arrive early, get acquainted with Beijing on your own and maybe walk around Silk Market and pick up some souvenirs or explore the Forbidden City. After your meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner and order your first Peking duck.
Day 2 - Great Wall / Beijing
This morning, it’s time to visit the Great Wall – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – at Mutianyu, which is one of the best-preserved and easily accessed sections from Beijing. Hop on a public bus and take in the surrounding views (hopefully it’s a clear day!) – this is one to remember. A truly epic piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from invaders in the north, and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still without a doubt one of the country's most amazing achievements. There’s an opportunity to take a thrilling toboggan ride to the base of the Great Wall, which is a unique way to rest your legs after all the ups and downs.
Day 3 - Beijing / Overnight Train
Spend the morning exploring Tiananmen Square and follow your leader through the zigzag lanes known as the Hutong area. This is one of the most notable areas in Beijing because these lanes and courtyard houses are the root of old Beijing city and now, offering a peek into local life. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace, maybe visiting the Forbidden City if you haven’t already. Perhaps jump on a bike and ride through the hutongs, hang out in the Temple of Heaven Park or visit the Lama Temple. Tonight, you’ll board an overnight train from Beijing to Xi'an in a six-berth, air-conditioned cabin.
Day 4 - Xi'an
This morning, you’ll arrive in Xi'an – the imperial centre of China for 2000 years and now a vibrant, modern city dotted with interesting historical sites. Head out on a leader-led walking tour of the Muslim Quarter – famous for its food, this neighbourhood’s almost 1300 years old! Along the way, your leader will buy some dishes for you to sample. Some local specialties include persimmon cake, lamb skewers and sticky rice cakes, though it’ll depend on the season. Enjoy a free afternoon, where you can maybe hire a bike and ride to the top of Xi'an City Wall – the only intact ancient city wall in China. Tonight, your leader will take you to the lively square near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Seeing the 600-year-old temple ablaze with lights is pretty amazing, and it’s a great place to mingle with locals.
Day 5 - Xi'an
This morning, you’ll visit Xi'an's most famous site – the Terracotta Warriors. Take the metro and a public bus and spend a few hours exploring the fascinating location. Hear all about this incredible archaeological find (it was discovered by farmers digging a well in 1976 after being buried for thousands of years). These clay statues of soldiers, horses and chariots all standing in battle formation were commissioned by the emperor of the Qin dynasty as part of his mausoleum, and now, several pits are on view to the public. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free – you might want to grab some local specialities for dinner, such as pao mo (lamb broth that you break flat bread into), hand-pulled noodles or barbecued meat skewers. Later, maybe head out to karaoke with your group and sing the night away.
Day 6 - Chengdu
Hop on a high-speed train from Xi'an to Chengdu this morning. Chengdu has a very casual vibe and the locals tend to value pleasure more than work, so mahjong and tea are two of the most crucial parts of life here. Go on a walking tour with your leader to downtown Tianfu Square, where a giant statue of Chairman Mao stands. Continue to the lively People's Park and sit down in a tea house to sip a brew and take advantage of the other services on offer (like ear cleaning and massages). Make the most of your time here and immerse yourself in local life by joining a group dance or martial arts practice or maybe just find a table and brush up on your mahjong skills.
Day 7 - Chengdu
This morning, you’ll get the heartwarming opportunity to get up close with the adorable pandas at the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu. Learn about the conservation efforts being made to repopulate this ancient species and watch them being fed, playing and sleeping (or just being plain cute in their playgrounds). Enjoy some more downtime in the afternoon to research pandas or check out the hip Kuanzhai Lane. You could also go searching for some spicy Chengdu snacks on Jinli Street.
Day 8 - Yangshuo
Embrace a full day of travelling on the bullet train this morning, headed for Yangshuo – surrounded by limestone karsts, this city is super popular with both international and domestic tourists (which isn't a bad thing if you're into cafes and bars). It's one of the best places in the country to get a feel for local culture and traditions while having plenty of fun at the same time. Take a walk through the town with your leader when you arrive and then head down to the Li River to get a feel for a landscape immortalised in Chinese paintings.
Day 9-10 - Yangshuo
Hop on a bike and follow your leader on a cycling tour through the picturesque countryside of Yangshuo. Cycle past karst hills that rise from rice paddies and tiny villages, watching locals working the fields with water buffalo for company. Visiting this stunning region is a trip highlight for many travellers (so don’t forget your camera over these next two days), and every turn in the road brings you to another postcard-perfect spot. Stop for lunch in a local family’s house and be treated to some homecooked local delicacies, like chicken and vegetables. Then, ride to Moon Hill and take a short hike to the famous archway for panoramic views of the area. Tonight and tomorrow are free in Yangshuo – maybe head out on a river cruise on the Li River and ask your leader for the best local eats.
Day 11 - Hong Kong
Leave Yangshuo and continue your journey to Hong Kong. You'll be transferred to Guilin, then you’ll hop on the high-speed train. Tonight, you’ll go on a walking tour with your leader, checking out the Temple Street night market or the light show at Victoria Harbour. Take the chance to celebrate your final night with the group in this incredible city and hit the nightlife – as always, your leader will know some great spots.
Day 12 - Hong Kong
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to extend your time in Hong Kong, just speak to your booking agent.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-02-202502-03-2025AUD $ 1,540-
12-03-202523-03-2025AUD $ 1,650-
19-03-202530-03-2025AUD $ 1,540-
26-03-202506-04-2025AUD $ 1,900-
09-04-202520-04-2025AUD $ 1,730-
16-04-202527-04-2025AUD $ 1,630-
18-04-202529-04-2025AUD $ 1,660-
07-05-202518-05-2025AUD $ 1,660-
14-05-202525-05-2025AUD $ 1,640-
21-05-202501-06-2025AUD $ 1,660-
11-06-202522-06-2025AUD $ 1,580-
25-06-202506-07-2025AUD $ 1,580-
09-07-202520-07-2025AUD $ 1,520-
16-07-202527-07-2025AUD $ 1,520-
23-07-202503-08-2025AUD $ 1,520-
06-08-202517-08-2025AUD $ 1,520-
20-08-202531-08-2025AUD $ 1,580-
03-09-202514-09-2025AUD $ 1,580-
10-09-202521-09-2025AUD $ 1,640-
14-09-202525-09-2025AUD $ 1,640-
17-09-202528-09-2025AUD $ 1,640-
15-10-202526-10-2025AUD $ 1,640-
22-10-202502-11-2025AUD $ 1,640-
29-10-202509-11-2025AUD $ 1,580-
12-11-202523-11-2025AUD $ 1,580-
26-11-202507-12-2025AUD $ 1,520-
17-12-202528-12-2025AUD $ 1,520-
07-01-202618-01-2026AUD $ 1,595-
11-03-202622-03-2026AUD $ 1,595-
25-03-202605-04-2026AUD $ 1,660-
08-04-202619-04-2026AUD $ 1,660-
15-04-202626-04-2026AUD $ 1,720-
06-05-202617-05-2026AUD $ 1,720-
20-05-202631-05-2026AUD $ 1,660-
10-06-202621-06-2026AUD $ 1,595-
24-06-202605-07-2026AUD $ 1,595-
08-07-202619-07-2026AUD $ 1,660-
22-07-202602-08-2026AUD $ 1,595-
05-08-202616-08-2026AUD $ 1,660-
09-09-202620-09-2026AUD $ 1,720-
16-09-202627-09-2026AUD $ 1,720-
14-10-202625-10-2026AUD $ 1,720-
11-11-202622-11-2026AUD $ 1,660-
16-12-202627-12-2026AUD $ 1,595-

Accommodation

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

Transport

Overnight Hard Sleeper Train,Public bus,Private vehicle,High-speed Train,Subway,Taxi

Map

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