Real China

12 Days | From an ancient Wonder of the World to pandas and karst mountains

4.9 out of 5 based on 19 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
AUD $1,520
View dates and book
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

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 overview

Map of Real China including China and Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region Of China
Start
Beijing, China
Finish
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Theme
18 to 35s
Destinations
Hong Kong, China
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
CBYC
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Meaningful experiences

Connect to the places you go and the communities at the heart of every Intrepid experience


Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip packs a lot into a short amount of time, with very little time spent in Beijing and Hong Kong – it’s recommended that you extend your stay in these locations before and after your trip if you want to explore them in depth.
  • The primary means of transportation on this trip is public transport. You'll have to carry your own luggage on and off trains and buses, as well as some short distances to your accommodation. Make sure your bag doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find details in the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information.The overnight train included on this trip is in ‘hard sleeper’ class, meaning carriages are sectioned off with six sleepers per compartment in tiers of three. It’s not luxury but efficient and a way to spend time with local travellers.
  • You will easily surpass your 10,000 steps a day on this trip, in fact most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering! Make sure your shoes are comfy enough to spend most days on your feet.
  • China’s world-class sites and experiences draw large numbers of local and international travellers. We recommend a little patience and comfortable shoes as you may need to wait before entering the more popular locations on your itinerary. Please review the Itinerary for tickets you may need to purchase in advance.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Map of Real China including China and Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region Of China

Inclusions

Meals

1 lunch

Transport

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

Accommodation

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

Activities
  • Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall
  • Beijing - Tiananmen Square
  • Beijing - Leader-led Hutong Walking Tour
  • Xi'an - Muslim Quarter Walking Tour and Snack Sampling
  • Xi'an - Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square Walking Tour
  • Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour - leader led
  • Chengdu - Walking Tour (Tianfu Square, People's Park and Kuanzhai Lane)
  • Chengdu - Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (entrance fee & transport included)
  • Yangshuo - Walking Tour
  • Yangshuo - Bike Tour with Lunch & Moon Hill Visit
  • Hong Kong - Leader-led Walking Tour
  • Hong Kong – Temple Street Night Market Walking Tour
Add on activities
  • Beijing –Great Wall Toboggan Ride - (round trip) - CNY140
  • Beijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25
  • Beijing - Temple of Heaven (entrance fee) - CNY40
  • Beijing - Forbidden City (Entrance fee & Pre booking required) - CNY60
  • Xi'an - Little Wild Goose Pagoda - CNY50
  • Xi'an - Great Mosque (entrance fee) - CNY25
  • Xi'an - Bell & Drum Towers (entrance fee) - CNY50
  • Xi'an - Cycling on City Wall - CNY80
  • Xi'an - Karaoke - CNY100
  • Yangshuo - Li River Cruise - CNY230
  • Yangshuo - Tai Chi/Kung Fu class - CNY120
  • Yangshuo - Cooking School & Market Tour - CNY230

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Sleeper train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport needs to be sent to your booking agent no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase your train tickets.
3. The overnight train from Beijing to Xi'an on this tour is in 6-berth 'hard-sleeper' class. Bedding is provided and wash basins and toilets (squat/western) are available in each carriage, but there are no shower facilities.
4. Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 19 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Elisabet · Traveled September 2024
This is a great option to visit China for the first time. It combines urban and rural areas, some of the biggest attractions, and a considerable amount of free time and optional activities to make the most of your trip.
Review submitted 21 Sep 2024

Jeremi · Traveled September 2024
I was really enjoying this trip. The included actives were great and also the optional ones and we had a very good Guide!! Very good value for money!! I can recommend this trip
Review submitted 21 Sep 2024

Valentina · Traveled September 2024
This was my first Intrepid tour and it was great fun! The hotels we stayed at were pretty good and I loved the activities (add-ons were great: cooking class, tai chi, mahjong...). There was a lot of using the subway + sometimes we got a private mini bus which was great. My favourite thing was the cycling in Yangshuo and the delicious lunch!
Review submitted 21 Sep 2024

Anastasia · Traveled August 2024
China was great . you all should come
Review submitted 09 Sep 2024

Kyle · Traveled August 2024
I’m A China pro now after this great trip
Review submitted 07 Sep 2024
Real China
From
AUD $1,520