China Highlights
China Highlights
China Highlights
10 Days Starting in Hong Kong and ending in Beijing
Visiting: Hong Kong, Guilin, Yangshuo County, Xi'an, Beijing
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 18
Age range:
16-
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
From the modern skyscrapers of Hong Kong to the imperial palaces of Beijing, this trip offers a great introduction to China. Catch the bullet train to Guilin, admire dramatic limestone scenery on a river cruise through vast paddy fields flanked by vast limestone stacks, visit Terracotta Warriors and walk on the Great Wall.
Hong Kong - Explore this bustling metropolis, an interesting mixture of modern life and ancient traditions
Xian - Visit the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi and admire the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
Beijing - Walk a section of the Great Wall, explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Trip In Hong Kong
Location: Hong Kong
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Panda Hotel
Arrive in Hong Kong; where East meets West. This lively and sophisticated city is a melting pot of culture and ancient traditions, which thrive harmoniously alongside towering skyscrapers. World-class transport and age-old markets make up the vibrancy of this unique metropolis.
For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 5pm for the welcome meeting followed by the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers over dinner (not included). There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Hong Kong at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which is 40 minutes from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up at 9am on Day 2.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day the options are endless but you could go by underground to the waterfront of Victoria Harbour, and then on to Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon.
Day 2: Discover Hong Kong's Waterfront And The Li Yuen Street Market; Optional Ride On The Victoria Peak Tram
Location: Hong Kong
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Panda Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Situated in a dramatic setting, Hong Kong is a lively, sophisticated city and an important financial centre. We spend the morning exploring this remarkable city on an orientation tour by metro, ferry and on foot; taking in sites such as Kowloon Waterfront, the Star Ferry, stock exchange, Des Voeux Road, Li Yuen St markets, Man Mo Temple and Bank of China.
The afternoon is left free for optional excursions. Public transport is efficient and easy to use. You can take a funicular railway to Victoria Peak or a launch out to a floating restaurant in Aberdeen Harbour. Alternatively explore the jade market or admire the latest sartorial and electronic fashions.
Day 3: Travel To Guilin By High Speed Train, Free Evening On Arrival
Location: Guilin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Guilin Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a relaxed breakfast we will transfer to Hong Kong West Kowloon station and board the high speed train to Guilin. Our border formalities will be completed in Hong Kong and therefore we will need to be at the station a couple of hours before. The train journey will take three hours arriving into Guilin in the late afternoon. Guilin is known as the gateway to the stunning limestone scenery for which this part of China is known and was once an important transport hub of the Qin dinasty thanks to the construction of the Ling canal in 214 BC. After an orientation walk around Guilin it will be time for dinner.
Day 4: Li River Cruise Past Dramatic Limestone Scenery To The Relaxed Town Of Yangshuo
Location: Yangshuo County
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: New Century Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we head to MoPanShan Dock where we board our cruise to Yangshuo on the Li River passing paddy fields, villages and stunning limestone scenery along the way. Lunch is taken aboard the boat during the journey. An afternoon arrival into Yangshuo offers the opportunity to explore this laidback town - a contrast to the bustle of Hong Kong. During this free time you may wish to take one of the optional bike rides or walks in the surrounding villages. Alternatively you could head to one of the many limestone pinnacles around the town, the best known being Moon Hill. This evening you may choose to see an impressive sound and light show.
Day 5: Free Time In The Beautiful Setting Of Yangshuo. Late Afternoon Flight To Xian
Location: Yangshuo County
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: HNA Business Hotel Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Yangshuo has a lot to offer so most of the day is left free for you to explore at your own pace. You can walk into the surrounding karst summits or hire a bike and cycle through country back lanes. Alternatively, you can soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful riverside town. You may wish to practice your bartering skills in the local market or try your hand at Tai Chi, cooking or calligraphy. Later on today we fly to Xian.
Day 6: Discover Xian's Giant Wild Goose Pagoda And The Characterful Muslim Quarter
Location: Xi'an
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: HNA Business Hotel Downtown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our stay in Xian reveals the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilisation. Xian (Changan) served 11 dynasties and was the very starting point of the Silk Road connecting Asia with Europe. We spend the morning on a sightseeing tour visiting ancient monuments including the Big Wild Goose Pagoda - a 7-storey, 64-metre high structure with superb views over the city - and the wonderful 15th century Great Mosque in the old muslim Hui District. The afternoon is left free and you may consider a relaxed cycle along the city walls.
Day 7: Visit The Impressive Terracotta Army And Take An Overnight Train To Beijing
Location: Beijing
Accommodation: Overnight Train
Accommodation Name: Overnight Train from Xian to Beijing
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a relaxed morning we check out of the hotel and drive to one of the highlights of any visit to China - the magnificent Terracotta Warriors and Horses who guard the Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. There are literally thousands of lifesize warriors, dating from 200BC. This dramatic find of the 1970s is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century. We should also have time to stop at the on-site factory to see how the warriors are made today. Later this afternoon we drive back to Xian train station for the overnight train to Beijing - a great way to cover large distances and travel as a local.
Our sleeping arrangements on the train are usually in 1st class 'soft sleeper' lockable compartments for 4 which have 2 sets of bunks. Hot meals and snacks are usually sold to your berth on overnight journeys. In times of large demand we may have to travel in 2nd class 'hard sleeper' which consists of open plan carriages with blocks of 6 beds in 2 triple bunks leading off the corridor. WC and washbasins are provided for shared use at the end of each carriage and clean bedding is provided. We try to ensure the group is accommodated in the same carriage and compartments although this will not always be possible, therefore at times you will be sharing with fellow travellers of different nationalities. The Tour Leader will try to accommodate the group as best they can, keeping travel companions together.
Day 8: Explore Beijing - The Forbidden City And Walk Through Tiananmen Square
Location: Beijing
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Xiao Xiang Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Upon arrival this morning we will drive to our hotel for breakfast and to store our luggage. The Tour Leader will try to arrange an early check in for the group, however this may not be possible. Kublai Khan made Beijing the capital of his mighty Asian Empire in the late 1200s and it has often played a central role since then. Nowadays, Beijing is China's capital and its political and cultural centre and all clocks in this vast country are set by Beijing time despite the westernmost regions being some 5000kms away.
This morning we plan to visit Tiananmen Square and the vast Forbidden City, the one-time home of the Ming and the Manchu (Qing) emperors and a treasure trove of eastern wares.
The afternoon is left free and there is the option to visit the Summer Palace an extensive imperial garden complex located outside of Beijing with a large boating lake and impressive palace buildings. There is also the option of seeing an acrobatic performance in the evening. You may also want to seek out a place to try Peking Duck.
Day 9: Walk On The Incredible Great Wall At The Mutianyu Section
Location: Beijing
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Xiao Xiang Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we visit a renovated part of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, a 2.5 hour drive north of the city. Began in the 3rd century BC by Shi Huangdi, thousands of conscripted workers laboured on it and many lie buried in its brick and stone ramparts. It is incredible to think that this wall spans the entire country! Here there is a 2km section to walk along with watchtowers and views of the surrounding countryside. En route we may also get to visit a cloisonné workshop where you can see examples of this ancient metal-working technique. We drive back to Beijing later this afternoon.
Day 10: Trip Ends In Beijing
Location: Beijing
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Beijing.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Beijing at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from either Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) which is 1 hour and 30 minutes from our hotel or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) which is a 1 hour 45 minutes drive away.
What's Included
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Meals – Breakfast Only
Breakfast: 9
Lunch: 1 -
Fully Guided
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Accommodation
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Train Tickets
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Country Entry Visas
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
Why Book this Tour
With a fast pace and busy days this tour is the ideal introduction to China. Combining modern cities, important sites and the natural beauty of the Li River it offers something for everyone.
Meals
Breakfasts: 9
Lunches: 1
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Trasnfers are included on the first and the last day of the trip
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
8 nights comfortable hotel
1 nights simple overnight train -
What is the maximum group size?
18
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Moderate
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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