Essential China Adventure - 22 Days

Essential China Adventure - 22 Days

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22 Days From

$2185

$1802

Essential China Adventure - 22 Days

22 Days Starting and ending in Shanghai, China

Visiting: Shanghai, Yangshuo, Chengdu, Xi'an, Shaolin, Great Wall, Beijing, Hangzhou

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

2079/BECA

Specialist Group:

Singles Solo

Guide Type:

Partially Guided

Group size:

2 - 20

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

18-55

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours, Camping

Interests:

Cultural, Wildlife Tours

Activities:

Cycling, Walking

From: $2185 $1802 Operator discount: -$328 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$56 -18%

NB: Prices correct on 05-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on the "Essential China Adventure - 22 Days" tour, a thrilling journey through China's most iconic destinations. Begin and end your adventure in the vibrant city of Shanghai, with time to explore its bustling streets and skyline. Cycle through the stunning karst landscapes of Yangshuo and enjoy bamboo rafting on the Yulong River. In Chengdu, visit the renowned Giant Panda Research and Breeding Centre. Marvel at the ancient Terracotta Army in Xi'an and choose between the Shaolin Temple or the Longmen Grottoes. Experience the majesty of the Great Wall with a unique camping experience, and explore Beijing's rich history with optional visits to the Forbidden City. Sail on West Lake in Hangzhou and hike through the enchanting Misty Woods. This small group adventure offers a perfect blend of guided tours and free time, ensuring an unforgettable exploration of China's diverse landscapes and cultural treasures.

Highlights

  • Shanghai - Start your tour with rooftop drinks overlooking the city and explore its vibrant attractions.

  • Yangshuo - Cycle past karst mountains and enjoy bamboo rafting on the Yulong River.

  • Chengdu - Visit the Giant Panda Research Base and see other rare Chinese wildlife.

  • Xi'an - Marvel at the Terracotta Army and explore the historic city walls.

  • Shaolin - Visit the home of Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple or explore the Longmen Grottoes.

  • The Great Wall - Hike along a deserted section and camp beside it, watching the sunrise.

  • Beijing - Discover the Forbidden City and explore the Nanluo district.

  • Hangzhou - Sail on West Lake and hike through the picturesque Misty Woods.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Shanghai

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train

Shanghai - Guilin. Huan ying, Welcome to China! Meet the trip leader and the rest of the group for a quick tour briefing and a welcome drink. We then make our way to Shanghai South Station, where our leader leaves us and we board the night train to Guilin (the journey takes approximately 19 hours).





Please note: The pre-departure meeting is at 12:30pm on day 1, so we recommend that you arrive in Shanghai the day before your tour starts. We can arrange pre-tour accommodation for you.

Day 2-4: Yangshuo

Location: Yangshuo

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Guilin - Yangshuo. Yangshuo is a picturesque resort town, surrounded by dramatic karst mountains and known for its outdoor adventure opportunities. Day 2 is at leisure, with available optional activities including kayaking along the Li River or a Chinese therapy experience, where you can enjoy traditional hot cupping.





Day 3 sees us heading out to enjoy some included activities. We start the day with a bike ride before transferring to bamboo rafts to cruise down the Yulong River. Later, you can enjoy an optional mud bath, visit a nearby cave complex or enjoy a dip in some hot springs. There's optional karaoke in the evening!





Day 4 is free to continue exploring independently. We strongly recommend hiking amongst the limestone peaks of the area. There is also optional rock climbing, or you can opt to visit a local village for an insight into traditional life in Yangshuo.

Day 5: Chengdu

Location: Chengdu

Accommodation Name: Hostel

Yangshuo - Chengdu. Our final morning in Yangshuo is at leisure to see any last minute sites before we leave beautiful Yangshuo and our tour leader behind and travel by bus and bullet train to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province and home to the largest and best-known Panda breeding and research centre. On arrival we are met by our tour guide and make our way to our hostel for an evening at leisure.

Day 6-7: Chengdu

Location: Chengdu

Accommodation Name: Hostel

Meals Included: Breakfast

On day 6 we take a short drive out of town to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, to visit China's animal emblem. We spend the day exploring the grounds, watching the pandas eat their bamboo breakfast and seeing other endangered animals including red pandas, golden monkeys and more. Visit the panda nursery and get close to the new born or infant pandas.





In the afternoon we learn some useful Mandarin phrases in a brief lesson with our tour leader before returning to our accommodation. The rest of the evening is free to relax. For those looking for an authentic experience, there is the optional traditional Sichuan opera.





Day 7 is at leisure to explore Chengdu, and perhaps wander down Jinli street or explore the Tibetan districts. We also have the opportunity to visit Leshan for a visit to see the worlds largest stone Buddha. This evening return to Chengdu for an optional hot pot dinner and a night out!

Day 8: Chengdu

Location: Chengdu

Accommodation Name: Hostel

Chengdu - Xi’an. Our final day in Chengdu is free for you to laze in the hostel or head out for some last minute exploring. Perhaps you would like to visit the Chengdu People's Park? Home to an artificial lake, it is the largest green space in the city, perfect for an early morning stroll or a jog to burn off last night's dinner! There is also an optional visit to a rehabilitation centre for children with autism.





At around 5:30pm you will board the train to Xi'an. Your new tour guide will meet you at the other end and take you to the hostel.

Day 9-10: Xi'an

Location: Xi'an

Accommodation Name: Hostel

The morning of day 9 is at leisure. In the afternoon there is an optional bike ride along the Ming Dynasty Xi'an City Walls, an unforgettable experience which we strongly recommend you partake in! You can also join an excursion to visit the Bell Drum Towers and the Muslim Quarter to learn more about the history of the Silk Road and taste some delicious street food.





On the morning of day 10, we have an included visit to the jewel of Xi’an - The Terracotta Warriors. The army was made to guard Emperor Qin Shihuang in the afterlife after he unified China for the first time in history. Take time to walk through this impressive army and museum, which has been built on top of the emperor’s underground palace and burial site. In the evening, you can opt to watch the music and light show which takes place at the fountain near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, one of Xi'an's most famous landmarks.

Day 11: Shaolin

Location: Shaolin

Accommodation Name: Family run guest house

Xi’an - Shaolin. Today we leave Xi’an behind and board the bus to Shaolin (approx. 6 hours). On arrival we make our way to our family run guest house, located a stone’s throw away from the Shaolin Temple. This afternoon there is an optional Kung Fu lesson and show at a local children’s home run by a master from the Shaolin Temple. We finish our day with another Mandarin lesson from our trip leader.

Day 12: Shaolin

Location: Shaolin

Accommodation Name: Guesthouse

Shaolin - Beijing. You can choose from two incredible optional activities today. Visit the Shaolin Temple, the home of Kung Fu. Here you can admire the masters practicing physically impossible moves in the courtyard. Then, hike to Dharma cave, located on Elephant Trunk Mountain, and be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding shrines and landscapes.





Alternatively, you can visit the UNESCO-listed Longmen Grottoes. This is one of the finest depictions of Chinese Buddhist art, with more than 100,000 Buddhas of varying sizes carved into the rock face.





The rest of the day is free. It's an early start tomorrow, so we recommend a quiet night!

Day 13: Great Wall

Location: Great Wall

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Great Wall (camping)

Shaolin - Beijing - The Great Wall. We rise early, taking the bullet train to Beijing. You will be met by your local guide and taken to China's most famous attraction, the Great Wall. We’ll stop at a local farming village for lunch (at your own expense) and to gain access to the ‘locals only’ section of the wall; deserted sections where we’ll have the place to ourselves to set up camp. Walk along the wall as the sun sets before returning to camp.





Please note: Due to cold weather bookings made before the end of April and after the end of September will be staying in a guesthouse near the Wall but will return to the Wall to watch the sun rise.

Day 14-15: Great Wall Sunrise & Exploring Beijing

Location: Beijing

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Beijing

We wake early on day 14 in order to watch the sunrise over the Great Wall. There is a strong possibility this will be the highlight of your trip! Take in your surroundings and appreciate the early morning silence.





At around 9am we transfer back to Beijing. Opt to take a walk-through Tiananmen Square and visit the Forbidden city, the once imperial palace of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. There's also an optional Chinese acrobatics show and a group dinner for those who would like to sample traditional Peking duck, a meal fit for an emperor!





Day 15 is free. You can visit the fake goods markets or the Temple of Heaven, used by emperors for sacrifices to appease the heavens. There is also an optional visit to Nanluo district, one of the best-preserved historical areas in Beijing, famous for its hutongs and siheyan courtyards as well as an array of bars and cafes.

Day 16: Beijing

Location: Beijing

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Sleeper Train

Beijing - Hangzhou. Our final day in Beijing is free for you to tick off any last sights or experiences. Make sure you have enjoyed a rickshaw ride, or you could head to the imperial Summer Palace. This evening at around 17:00, we take the subway to Beijing station. At around 19:00, we board an overnight train to Hangzhou (approx. 14.5 hours).

Day 17: Hangzhou

Location: Hangzhou

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Arrive early into scenic Hangzhou, the southern terminus of the Grand Canal and an important centre for silk, tea and paper-making. After settling into our accommodation, we embark on a scenic boat trip to Lesser Yingzhou Isle on the West Lake which is dotted with various islands and causeways, whilst the shoreline offers wonderful vistas of green trees, hills, flowers, pavilions, pagodas and boats. We take some time to walk around the island and see the three pools mirroring the moon. Return to dry land for some free time to relax or perhaps visit the National Tea Museum or National Silk Museum.





This evening we hike up Jiuyao Mountain to soak up the views of the sunset descending over the lake – a truly breath-taking sight. Return to the city for a group meal and an evening at leisure (not included). Walk along the beautifully lit waterfront or wander through the streets of the Old Town.

Day 18: Shanghai

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Hangzhou - Shanghai. This morning, we kick our day off with a beautiful hike to the Nine Creeks. On the way, meander through the Misty Woods – a truly magical place. Once we’re back at the hostel, there is time to freshen up and grab some lunch before we check out.





This afternoon, we’re transferring back to Shanghai, the final stop on our tour. We’ll arrive in the evening, so there’s enough time for you to explore and grab some dinner.

Day 19: Shanghai

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Enjoy a relaxing morning before there's another Mandarin lesson today. This extra special class will be held by professional teachers, all the way from the Mandarin Garden Chinese Language School!





The rest of the day is free. You could opt to walk to the Yu Gardens, a bustling historical site of a former dignitary’s lavish family quarters. Or perhaps go and see People’s Square, before heading on to the world’s busiest shopping street, Nanjing Road.





Afterwards, you can go for a walk along the Bund, a hub of global architecture. To finish off, head to the top floor of a skyscraper to admire Shanghai’s skyline from a rooftop bar. Enjoy your free evening!

Day 20-21: Shanghai

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Shanghai

The next two days are at leisure to further explore Shanghai. You could visit the Disneyland theme park, take in the Shanghai Museum or wander down Moganshan Art Street. In the evenings, why not enjoy the company of your fellow travellers in the city's bars and restaurants. There's an optional Huangpu River cruise on day 21.

Day 22: Shanghai

Location: Shanghai

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Sadly, today marks the end of our Shanghai backpacking tour! You’ll bid farewell to your fellow travellers and prepare to head home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    18 nights hostel dorm, 1-night camping, 2 overnight trains (6 berth hard sleeper cabins): Shanghai - Guilin, Beijing - Hangzhou.

  • Local Guides

    Local guides for scheduled sightseeing in Yangshuo, Chengdu, Xi’an, Shaolin and Beijing. Unescorted travel between cities.

  • Tour Briefing

    Local guide in Shanghai for tour briefing.

  • Transportation

    All relevant transfer and transportation within China using public transport.

  • Yulong River Excursion

    Cycle and cruise excursion down Yulong River.

  • Giant Panda Research

    Entrance to Giant Panda Research and Breeding Centre.

  • Mandarin Lessons

    Free basic Mandarin lessons.

  • Terracotta Warriors

    Entrance to Terracotta Warriors museum.

  • Great Wall Hiking

    Hiking along unrestored parts of The Great Wall of China.

What's Not Included

  • International Flights and Visa

    International flights and visa are not included.

  • Tipping

    Tipping is an entirely personal gesture and is not included.

  • Optional Activities

    Optional activities are paid locally and are not included.

  • Airport Transfers

    Airport transfers are not included.

Age Policy

Age ranges from 18 – 55 years old. Please note these are backpacker type tours, please bear this in mind when quoting passengers. There is some flexibility with the maximum age on the family tours. Min age: 18 years old for group tours.Avg age: 28 years old. 

Mode of Transport

Travel across China using public transport, including overnight trains from Shanghai to Guilin and Beijing to Hangzhou, as well as buses and bullet trains for intercity travel.

Accommodation

Experience a mix of accommodations including 18 nights in hostel dorms, 1 night camping on the Great Wall, and 2 overnight trains in 6-berth hard sleeper cabins.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 18 nights in hostel dorms, 1 night camping, and 2 overnight trains in 6 berth hard sleeper cabins.

  • Are there any language lessons included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes free basic Mandarin lessons.

  • What activities are included in Yangshuo?

    In Yangshuo, included activities are a bike ride and bamboo rafting on the Yulong River.

  • Will there be a guide during the tour?

    Local guides are provided for scheduled sightseeing in Yangshuo, Chengdu, Xi’an, Shaolin, and Beijing. There is also a local guide in Shanghai for the tour briefing.

  • Is there an opportunity to see pandas during the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you can see giant pandas and other endangered animals.

  • What is the highlight of the visit to the Great Wall?

    The highlight is hiking along a deserted section of the Great Wall and camping beside it, with the opportunity to watch the sunrise.

  • What are the optional activities available in Xi'an?

    In Xi'an, optional activities include a bike ride along the Ming Dynasty City Walls, visiting the Bell Drum Towers and the Muslim Quarter, and watching a music and light show at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

  • What are the transportation arrangements within China during the tour?

    All relevant transfers and transportation within China are provided using public transport.

  • What is the age policy for this tour?

    The age range for this tour is 18 to 55 years old, with an average age of 28. The minimum age for group tours is 18 years old.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

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Norma Sullivan  

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The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

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05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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1 Select your preferred date

Monday - Monday

Mar 24, 2025 - Apr 14, 2025
$2255 $1859

Operator discount: -$338

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$58

Monday - Monday

Apr 07, 2025 - Apr 28, 2025
$2255 $1859

Operator discount: -$338

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$58

Monday - Monday

May 12, 2025 - Jun 02, 2025
$2185 $1802

Operator discount: -$328

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$56

Monday - Monday

Jun 02, 2025 - Jun 23, 2025
$2185 $1802

Operator discount: -$328

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$56

Monday - Monday

Jun 09, 2025 - Jun 30, 2025
$2185 $1802

Operator discount: -$328

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$56

Monday - Monday

Jun 16, 2025 - Jul 07, 2025
$2185 $1802

Operator discount: -$328

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$56

Monday - Monday

Jun 23, 2025 - Jul 14, 2025
$2185 $1802

Operator discount: -$328

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$56

Monday - Monday

Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 28, 2025
$2185 $2119

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$66

Monday - Monday

Jul 14, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025
$2255 $2187

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$68

Monday - Monday

Jul 21, 2025 - Aug 11, 2025
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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$68

Monday - Monday

Aug 04, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025
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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$68

Monday - Monday

Aug 18, 2025 - Sep 08, 2025
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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$68

Monday - Monday

Sep 01, 2025 - Sep 22, 2025
$2255 $2187

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$68

Monday - Monday

Sep 08, 2025 - Sep 29, 2025
$2255 $2187

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$68

Monday - Monday

Oct 13, 2025 - Nov 03, 2025
$2255 $2187

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$68

Monday - Monday

Oct 20, 2025 - Nov 10, 2025
$2255 $2187

Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$68

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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