14-day hiking & culture tour through China

Beijing

Day 1: Welcome to Beijing!

Let us welcome you to the magnificent city of Beijing, China's capital. Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, you will be met by your driver, who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Freshen up and rest after your flight in the comfort of your hotel room in the city center.

Beijing

Day 2: See the Sights of China's Capital City

This morning after breakfast at your hotel, set out on a city tour of Beijing. First, we'll visit the Summer Palace, which served as a royal garden during the Qing Dynasty. Here, you'll encounter the quintessence of Chinese classical landscape gardening. The long Corridor is one of the most exquisite structures in the garden. Stretching over 700 meters, it is decorated with thousands of paintings.

Continue to Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world, then follow in the footsteps of emperors to the magnificent Forbidden City, the empirical residence from the 15th century to the early 20th century.

A hike to Jingshan Park follows. From here, you can take in panoramic views of the Forbidden City from the top of Coal Hill.

This evening you will have the opportunity to see a Peking opera performance. 

Beijing - Jiankou - Mutianyu

Day 3: Hike Along the Great Wall of China

Today, we will drive for 2 hours to Jiankou village, the starting point for today’s hike.

The Jiankou section of the the Great Wall is known to be one of most beautiful parts of the Great Wall near Beijing. It is loved by photographers. After a half-hour climb upwards, through a gentle wooded area, we will clamber out onto a portion of the Wall not visited by tourists.

After a simple breakfast, hike eastwards to Mutianyu Great Wall. The hike itself is quiet and beautiful. After about 4 hours of passing deserted sections of the Wall in its original state, we will reach the well-known restored section of the Wall - Mutianyu.

After a late lunch, drive to back to Beijing where you can enjoy the evening at your leisure. 

Beijing - Xi’an

Day 4: Ride a Rickshaw through a Hutong Neighborhood

This morning, we will visit the 798 Art District. This modern Art Zone was originally the site of a factory that produced electronics. The halls were built with Soviet aid in the 1950s, with East Germany providing architectural and industrial design. Beginning from 2002, it gradually became an area of international character, merging contemporary art, architecture, and culture with a historically interesting location.

After lunch, head to the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors offered sacrifices and prayed for a good harvest. Next, take a rickshaw tour through a Hutong neighborhood. When you visit this area, you will really get a sense of the life of the common people in Beijing. 

Tonight, you will board a high-speed train to Xi'an.

Xi’an

Day 5: Encounter the Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an

This morning, your train pulls into Xi'an where you will encounter the magnificent Terracotta Army at Qin's tomb, one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world.

Qin's tomb was built about 2500 years ago and was filled with more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, and 520 horses as well as models of palaces, pavilions, fine vessels, precious stones, and rarities.

In the afternoon, drive back to Xian city where we will visit the Ancient City Wall, which represents one of the oldest and best-preserved city walls in China.

Continue to visit the Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter. 

Xian - Chengdu

Day 6: Be Enchanted by Chengdu

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading to the train station to catch a high-speed train to Chengdu.

Upon arrival, we will enjoy a local Hot Pot for lunch.

Later in the day, venture to the Wenshu Temple where you can spend some time enjoying the atmosphere at the tea house, sipping a fragrant cup of tea.

After dinner, you will get the chance to see a live performance of Sichuan Opera—a dazzling show performed with local instruments, hand shadows, candle storytelling, fire-spitting, and face changing.

End the evening by wandering around the local market and bar street Jinli, enjoying the leisure life with local people.

Chengdu - Guilin

Day 7: See China's Giant Pandas

The Chengdu Research Center of Panda Breeding is on the agenda for today. This is your chance to observe China's treasured Giant pandas. Here, scientists have created an environment that mimics the animals' natural habitat in order to provide the best possible environment for rearing and breeding.

After, set off on a 1.5-hour drive to reach the Leshan Giant Buddha. This Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) relic is the largest carved stone Buddha in the world, at 71 meters. The Buddha, built in the year 713 by a Chinese monk named Haitong, was crafted from a cliff face.

After the visit, we'll drive directly to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to catch an evening flight to Guilin.

Guilin - Zhaoxing

Day 8: Make Your Way to the Dong Village of Zhaoxing

From Guilin, we'll take a train to Zhaoxing Dong village.

Surrounded by high mountains, Zhaoxing is one of the largest Dong villages in the region, with more than 700 households and a population of 4,000. The Dong can be recognized by their turbans (for men), and pleated skirts (for women). They are also known for their distinctive architecture, particularly their drum towers, and wind and rain bridges (Feng Yuqiao), which serve as pavilions for sheltering people during bad weather.

Walk around Zhaoxing Dong Village and visit a local family in their home. Then learn a traditional folk handicraft, tye-dying with the local people.

After a late lunch, set out on a 3-hour hike to one of the small villages nearby. In the evening, you will enjoy a local performance.

Zhaoxing - Longsheng

Day 9: Hike Across Serene Rice Terraces

After breakfast, transfer to the Congjiang railway station, and take a bullet train back to Guilin. Upon arrival, head out on a 1.5 to 2-hour drive to one of the most beautiful rice terraces in China, Longji Terraces, and encounter an ethnic minority culture.

As soon as you get to the entrance of Longji, you'll ride the local shuttle bus to Longji Ancient Zhuang Village, then start your hiking to Pingan Zhuang Village, where you will spend the night.

During your hike, enjoy the peaceful rural scenery, while taking in views of the rice terraces from different angles. You'll also see local farmers at work in the fields. This approximately 1-hour hike is a good warm-up for the days of hiking ahead.

Longsheng - Yangshuo

Day 10: Follow the Trail Along the Li River

Have a big breakfast today and be prepared for the 5-hour hiking along the Li River.

Leave the stunning rice terraces behind and walk 30 minutes down to the parking lot, while mist shrouds the mountain making it a scenic wonderland. The driver will transfer you to the foot of Mount Hebao, where you will begin your hike along the beautiful Li River to Xingping.

Featuring breathtaking scenery and a taste of life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the section of the Li River from Yangdi to Xingping is a feast for the senses. On both sides, there are farmlands, orchards, and forests. Water buffalos patrol the fields, while in the distance, gorgeous Karst peaks of all shapes surprise you at each bend of the river.

A ferry boat will bring you to the well-preserved fishing village of Xingping Town. From there you will be transferred to your hotel in Yangshuo.

Yangshuo

Day 11: Go Rock Climbing and Ride a Bamboo Raft

This morning, you will have the opportunity to do some rock climbing in a stunning environment. A climbing mecca, Yangshuo is rich in limestone and environmental resources. Even if you have no rock climbing experience, you can still have a wonderful time on the rock.

In the afternoon, climb aboard a bamboo raft and relax as you drift down the Yulong River. During the 1.5 hour cruise, you will get a fascinating insight into life in rural China. After that, ride a bicycle along country roads through the paddy field and orchards surrounded by mountains. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views, which include the delicate Moon Hill. Don't forget to stop along the way for photographs.

Your countryside trip ends up with a traditional dinner.

Yangshuo - Guilin - Shanghai

Day 12: Experience Rappelling, then Catch a Flight to Shanghai

An exciting rappelling experience awaits this morning. SRT technology is used for climbing and caving. With the help of professional rope equipment, climbers can use a single rope to lower themselves off the rock with their back to the ground. Rappelling is an experience that tests you mentally, challenges your fears, and allows you to experience the fun of struggle and success simultaneously.

After lunch, transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the city center. The evening is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Shanghai

Day 13: See the Sights of Shanghai

After breakfast, check out of your hotel, then set out to visit Yu Garden, one of the most famous gardens in China. Built in 1559 and extended in 1577, each section of the garden is separated by curved white walls crowned with the head and body of a dragon.

Continue to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, an icon of Pudong’s renaissance. Soaring to a height of 468-meters this landmark boldly characterizes the Lujiazui cityscape.

Your tour continues to The Bund, also called the Zhongshan Road, this famous waterfront has been a symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. This was the center of Shanghai’s politics, economy, and culture hundreds of years ago.

Shanghai

Day 14: Goodbye, China!

Your 2-week journey through China comes to an end today. We hope you have had an unforgettable experience here. At the appropriate time, you will be driven to the airport to catch your flight back home. We wish you pleasant travels.