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12 Days | From thriving cities to ancient villages, discover the real heart of China

4.7 out of 5 based on 6 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
ZAR  80,135
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Embark on a 12-day Premium journey that weaves together China’s layered history, famous icons, cultural heritage and celebrated cuisine. Uncover modern China in Shanghai, then step back in time to the villages of Huizhou. See the magnificent karst hills of Yangshuo and come face to face with the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an. Walk an original section of the Great Wall – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – and revel in the big show of Beijing. Of all China’s assets, its greatest is its people, so you’ll also visit traditional family homes for homecooked meals and travel with an expert local leader to uncover a lesser-known side of the country.

Trip overview

Map of Premium China including China
Start
Shanghai, China
Finish
Beijing, China
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
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
Premium
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
CBPY
This trip generates 162 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Premium accommodation

Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service

Premium experiences

All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium

Premium knowledge

Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders


Why you'll love this trip
  • Feast on authentic Chinese cuisine during Exclusive Experiences, including a homecooked lunch with a local family in Huizhou and a delicious duck dinner in a Beijing courtyard.
  • Take in the scenery of Yangshuo – with karst hills dotted along Li River, you’ll be surrounded by mountain views, sip on perfectly brewed green tea and take part in a traditional countryside cooking class.
  • Get a sense of the scale of China’s epic history when you come face to face with the Terracotta warriors and visit a lesser-known section of the Great Wall during an Exclusive Experience – this is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, after all!
  • Journey to the peaceful Huizhou villages, home to the quintessential image of white walled, black tiled traditional houses, and enjoy a Feature Stay in a heritage hotel converted from the mansion home of a famous Ming Dynasty poet.
  • Discover the bright lights of modern China in Shanghai and uncover a different side of Beijing as you wander through the city’s hutongs, followed by a homecooked lunch in an authentic hutong house.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The trip covers a fair amount of ground with experiencing a variety of transports, so be prepared for some long journeys. And we suggest packing relatively lightly for this trip, as you’ll need to be able to comfortably carry your own luggage onto and off the trains.
  • 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.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Map of Premium China including China

Inclusions

Meals

11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Plane, Private Vehicle, High Speed Train, Metro

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights), Huizhou Feature Stay (1 night)

Premium Inclusions
  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support
Activities
  • Shanghai - Shanghai cuisine welcome dinner
  • Shanghai - City walking tour
  • Huizhou - Bamboo weaving family visit
  • Huizhou - Stone tablet inscription printing demonstration
  • Huizhou - Home-cooked lunch
  • Huizhou - Tangmo village tour
  • Shanghai - rooftop bar (one drink included)
  • Yangshuo - Walking Tour
  • Yangshuo - Xianggong Hill & Tea Farm Visit
  • Yangshuo - Cooking class
  • Xi'an - Muslim Quarter Walking Tour
  • Xi'an - Muslim Quarter dumpling dinner
  • Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour - leader led
  • Xi'an - Home-cooked lunch
  • Beijing - Forbidden City
  • Beijing - Tiananmen Square
  • Beijing - Wood mortise and tenon demonstration
  • Beijing - Hutong home-cooked lunch
  • Beijing - Hutong walking tour
  • Beijing - Jingshan Park
  • Great Wall - Huanghuacheng Section
  • Beijing - Beijing duck dinner
Add on activities
  • Shanghai - Acrobat show - CNY280
  • Shanghai - Huangpu River Night Cruise (ticket) - CNY120
  • Yangshuo - Impressions Liu Sanjie light show (minimum 4 people) - CNY328
  • Yangshuo - Tai Chi/Kung Fu class - CNY120
  • Xi'an - Bell & Drum Towers (entrance fee) - CNY50
  • Xi'an - Great Mosque (entrance fee) - CNY25
  • Xi'an - Tang Dynasty Show - CNY290
  • Xi'an - Cycling on City Wall - CNY80
  • Xi'an - Little Wild Goose Pagoda - CNY50
  • Beijing - Beijing Opera show (ticket) - CNY380
  • Beijing - Kungfu Show (ticket) - CNY280
  • Beijing - Temple of Heaven Park - CNY35
  • Beijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please provide a scanned copy of your passport bio page at time of booking to secure flight and train tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket if an amendment occurs.
4. This trip includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 20kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
5. This trip includes travel on fast trains. There are size restrictions for luggage on fast trains. Your main piece of luggage must not exceed 160cm (sum of height, length and width).

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

4.7 out of 5 based on 6 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.

Filter by rating

John · Traveled April 2024
A fantastic trip with an awesome guide! Definitely recommend China for sure
Review submitted 02 May 2024

Samantha · Traveled April 2024
My very first intrepid journey was fantastic, Thanks China and Thanks Loong
Review submitted 04 May 2024

Dhanalutchmee · Traveled April 2024
Loved my China holiday and recommend my outstanding tour guide: Loong
Review submitted 28 May 2024

Julian and Elizabeth · Traveled March 2024
Great trip but very busy schedule. We enjoyed it all but mostly due to a great trip leader, Kris. The trip would benefit by being three days longer.
Review submitted 31 Mar 2024

Susan · Traveled August 2023
I would not recommend booking this trip within four weeks of the departure date if you are a US passport holder. Obtaining a visa to China is difficult with a tight time-frame. The itinerary is very interesting. I found the locals very friendly despite the language barrier and the food exceeded my expectations.
Review submitted 11 Sep 2023
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