Real China

12 days4.834 reviews
18 to 35s
From
NZD $1,665
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

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

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.

Map of Real China including China and Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region Of China
Trip code: CBYC
Start
Beijing, China
End
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Destinations
China, Hong Kong
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)
Days
12
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 18- Max 35
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
18 to 35s
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Basix
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
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 destinationsTick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences
Great valueAffordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time
Meaningful experiencesConnect 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.

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

Itinerary

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

Inclusions and activities

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)

Included 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
  • 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

Optional 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 - CNY99
  • Xi'an - Karaoke - CNY100
  • Yangshuo - Li River Cruise - CNY230
  • Yangshuo - Tai Chi/Kung Fu class - CNY120
  • Yangshuo - Cooking School & Market Tour - CNY230

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.

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

4.8 out of 5 based on 34 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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Clare · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 02 Nov 2024

Patrick · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 02 Nov 2024

Sharifah · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 02 Nov 2024

Zack · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 02 Nov 2024

Simone · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 05 Nov 2024
Real China
From
NZD $1,665