China: Big Cities & Iconic Culture

Duration: 15 days

Begins: Beijing

Ends: Shanghai

Trip Code: ACBA

From

£943 per person

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    Get ready for two weeks of must-see highlights and epic off-the-beaten-path adventures that will make you fall in love with all sides of China. From the bustling cities of Beijing and Shanghai to the breathtaking nature of Yangshuo's riverside mountain town, every moment is unforgettable. But the real gem? A journey back in time to the Hakka tulou houses in Yongding. Stay in this cultural village and discover a side of China you never knew existed. Wrap up your adventure in Shanghai, China's most international city, and let us know which side of China steals your heart.
    Is this tour for me?
    Travel Style
    18-to-Thirtysomethings
    Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.
    Service Level
    Basic
    Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.
    Physical Rating
    3 - Average
    Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
    Trip Type
    Small Group
    Small Group experience; Max 18, avg 15
    Age requirement
    12+
    All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    What's Included
    • Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Big Night Out Moment: Chengdu Your Discover Moment: Yangshuo Your Local Living Moment: Hakka Tulou, Hongkeng Village Your Big Night Out Moment: Shanghai
    • Tour of Tiananmen Square
    • Jingshan Park visit
    • Orientation walk in Beijing
    • Included visit to the Great Wall of China
    • Visit the Terracotta Warriors
    • Tour the Xi'An Muslim Quarter tour
    • Orientation walk in Xi'an
    • Tianfu Square visit
    • Orientation walk in Chengdu
    • Overnight stay in a traditional Hakka Village
    • Cycle tour through Yangshuo city and countryside
    • Orientation walk in Yangshuo
    • Chinese lunch in a local Yangshuo community
    • Guangzhou city tour
    • CEO-led walk through old town Shanghai
    • Free time in Shanghai
    Accommodation

    Hotels (11 nights), overnight sleeper train (1 night), Hakka guesthouse (2 nights).

    Meals

    1 lunch

    Allow USD385-500 for meals not included.

    Transportation

    Bullet train, overnight train, metro, public bus, private vehicle, bicycle, walking.

    Staff & experts

    CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

    Day 1 : Beijing

    Welcome to China! Arrive at anytime. Then join your CEO and group in the evening for a Welcome Meeting and an Orientation Walk of Beijing. Tonight's your First Night Out so get to know your group under the bright Beijing lights.

    Orientation Walk

    Beijing 0h30m 2km

    Set out on an orientation walk near the hotel with your CEO to get your bearings. They will show you restaurants, points of interest, supermarkets, ATMs, etc.

    Connect With New Friends

    Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

    Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

    1h

    Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

    Day 2 : Beijing

    Hop on local transportation and visit some of Beijing's top tourist spots. Take a CEO led tour of the symbolic centre of Chinese power, Tiananmen Square. See the Forbidden City from a birds eye view at Jingshan Park and wander through the picturesque Hutong alleyways.

    Tiananmen Square

    Beijing

    Explore one of the world's largest public squares and the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its Mao portrait, Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and with elaborate flag raising and lowering ceremonies at dawn and dusk, it's a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it the heart of their nation.

    Hutong Walk

    Beijing 2h - 4h

    Take a walking tour through some of Beijing's traditional alleyways and backstreets (known as hutongs) and get a taste of this magnificent metropolis.

    Drum and Bell Tower Visit

    Beijing 1h

    Climb to the top of the Drum Tower for an unforgettable aerial view of the city. Back in the Han Dynasty the towers were used to echo the time to the city with bells in the morning and drums in the evening. Today the 63-ton bell still stands in one tower and drum performances happen daily in the morning and afternoon.

    Nanluoguxiang

    Beijing

    In the centre of Old Beijing, the narrow alley of Nanluoguxiang offers a unique experience in the city. This kilometer long street is lined with cute cafes, bars and traditional craft stores. Try a local snack or do some souvenir shopping.

    Jingshan Park Visit

    Jingshan

    Only a moat separates you from Jingshan Park. This royal garden offers the perfect birds eye view of the Forbidden City.

    Day 3 : Beijing/Xi’an

    This morning, travel to the legendary Great Wall of China. Together we'll hike about 5 kilometers of this 6000 km masterpiece. Opt to ride the cable car, chairlift or even ride the toboggan down. After a full day at the Wall, we'll return to Beijing where we'll board an overnight train to Xi'an.

    Lunch will be on your own at the Great Wall. There are options at the foot of the wall, but you can also bring your own lunch if you wish to spend more time on the wall.

    Basic Overnight Train (beds)

    Beijing - Xi'an 12h - 15h

    Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.

    Private Vehicle

    Beijing - Mutianyu 2h - 2h30m 80km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your shared bus transportation from Beijing to Mutianyu.

    Private Vehicle

    Mutianyu - Beijing 2h - 2h30m 80km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your shared bus transportation from Mutianyu to Beijing.

    Mutianyu Great Wall Visit

    Beijing 3h

    Climb the rolling hills of Huairou County at Mutianyu, one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. Enjoy scenic views as the wall winds along mountain ridges, and take brag-worthy photos of the wall from any of the 22 towers. The Great wall is an incredible piece of engineering stretching 6000 km west from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from nomadic northern tribes, and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still one of the country's most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination. The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located about 80km away from the Veijing City Center. The walk is approximately 5 kilometres and will take 2 to 3 hours depending on your level of fitness.

    Optional Activities - Day 3

    Toboggan at Great Wall

    Mutianyu

    After your hike on the Great Wall, opt to take a Toboggan ride back down instead of the cable car! 100 CNY ( one way) -140 CNY ( Round trip

    Toboggan Station is at Tower 6. The return ticket include a cable car up to Tower 6 and the Toboggan.

    Cable Car at Great Wall

    Mutianyu

    The cable car ride is about 5 minutes ride up to tower 14, from where you may walk to the highest point of Mutianyu Great Wall at Tower 20. The walk from ticket check to tower 10 is about 30 minutes. The cable car ride is a good option if you are hoping to save energy to challenge the Tower 20. Return ticket is recommended as you may spend more time on the wall.

    Day 4 : Xi’an

    Wake up this morning as you pull into the historical city of Xi'An, the entrance to the Silk Road. After an orientation walk, hop on a public bus with your CEO to take a tour of the mysterious Terracotta Warriors. In the evening, return to the city for an evening stroll through the Muslim Quarter.

    Local Bus

    Xi'an

    Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride from Xi'an to the Terracotta Warriors Museum.

    Local Bus

    Xi'an

    Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride from the Terracotta Warriors Museum back to Xi'an.

    Orientation Walk

    Xi'an 1h

    Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk close to the Xi'an hotel to help you get the lay of the land. Learn where you can find local services (like ATMs and laundromats) and, perhaps, see some city highlights. Every CEO does something slightly different for their orientation walk to show visitors what they like best about the city.

    Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour

    Xi'an 3h 2km

    Take a guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors where more than 8,000 clay soldiers and hundreds of replica horses and chariots stand in three pits. Learn why the Emperor Qin Shihuang commissioned the statues to serve as his army in the afterlife and how they were discovered. Spend a half-day exploring this archaeological wonder.

    Muslim Quarter Orientation Walk

    Xi'an 1h

    Enjoy a walk around Xi'an’s Muslim Quarter with our CEO, and be introduced to favourite streets, artists, chefs or food stalls in the quarter. Each CEO offers a unique perspective. Get a better feel for the district and have plenty of time to roam around on your own, shopping and eating along the way.

    Day 5 : Xi’an/Chengdu

    This morning, enjoy some free time in the city of Xi'an before heading to our next destination. Opt to visit the ancient City Wall or take a cycling tour on top of it. Then head to train station to take the bullet train to Chengdu. Join your CEO for an orientation walk of the city before heading out for your Big Night Out! Grab a beer, on us, and enjoy under the bright lights of Chengdu.

    Free time:

    Xi’an

    Enjoy some free time in Xi'an this morning.

    Bullet Train

    Xi'an - Chengdu 3h30m - 4h

    Catch a high speed train to our next stop.

    Orientation Walk

    Chengdu

    Set out on an orientation walk near the hotel with your CEO to get your bearings. They will show you restaurants, points of interest, supermarkets, ATMs, etc.

    Big Night Out

    Chengdu

    First round on us! Have a beer and a fun night out on the town with your group!

    Optional Activities - Day 5

    Cycling Xi'an City Walls

    Xi'an 1h - 2h 14km

    Rent a bike and cycle the Xi’an city walls. The walls – built for protection in the Tang Dynasty and expanded in the Ming dynasty –are a great way to absorb local history. Hop off where you like and admire the views as you pedal along the 12m (39 ft) wide wall, which takes about 2 hrs to cycle along.

    Day 6 : Chengdu

    After your Big Night Out, choose to take this morning slow or get ready to see all that Chengdu has to offer. Opt to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center and learn about this amazing, but endangered, species. In the afternoon, with your group and CEO, visit Chengdu's more popular spots, like Tianfu Square, People's Park and Kuanzhaixiang.

    Free time:

    Chengdu

    A free morning in Chengdu? How about a trip to the Panda Breeding Center!

    People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit

    Chengdu

    Built in 1911, the People's Park was the first public park in Chengdu. It's the largest green area in downtown. The park features an artificial lake, gardens, teahouses, and is a popular place for locals to enjoy the outdoors. Walk to Tianfu Square in the centre of the city, surrounded by museums.

    Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi

    Chengdu

    Wander through Kuan Zhai alley, translating to wide (kuan) and narrow (zhai) lanes. Dip into a charming teahouse, walk through the ancient architecture or try some delicious Sichuan food.

    Optional Activities - Day 6

    Giant Panda Breeding Center

    Chengdu 3h

    Visit the popular pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, created to provide an ideal breeding environment for these endangered creatures. Learn about their life cycle and habitat and take memorable photographs of these iconic national treasures. See a number of other rare species, including the little-known red panda. Arrive in the fall for a chance to see tiny newborn pandas.

    Day 7 : Chengdu/Yangshuo

    We'll ditch the big city this morning and head to the mountains today. A late morning bullet train brings us to the city of Yangshuo. After we arrive, we'll take an orientation walk of this picturesque, riverside city.

    Bullet Train

    Chengdu - Guilin

    Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

    Private Vehicle

    Guilin - Yangshuo 1h30m - 2h

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Orientation Walk

    Yangshuo 1h

    This backpacker town is full of things to do and see. An orientation walk will get you situated and help you make the most of your time in this idyllic location.

    Day 8 : Yangshuo

    Today we'll hop on a bike and explore the countryside of Yangshuo. Ride along the river, travel through a local village and stop for lunch at a local restaurant, all while taking in the incredible mountains surrounding the area. In the afternoon, head back to the city and enjoy a free evening.

    Yangshuo Guided Cycle Tour

    Yangshuo 4h - 5h 10km

    Follow the guide and cycle over the flat(ish) landscape past rice paddies, local farmers, and water buffalo. Marvel at the limestone karsts and hear the legends of how they came to be. Stop for lunch at the house of a local family for a tasty meal made from freshly grown produce.

    Meals Included:

    Lunch

    Day 9 : Yangshuo

    Enjoy a free day in Yangshuo! While this city may not be as big as some of China's other top destinations, there is no shortage of things to do here. Opt to visit the Xianggongshan & Tea Farm or go to the Impression Liu Sanjie light show. How about a Tai Chi or Kung Fu class? Even a cooking class!

    Free time:

    Yangshuo Full day

    Spend a free day exploring Yangshuo how you'd like.

    Optional Activities - Day 9

    Tai Chi Class

    Yangshuo

    Start the day early with a private Tai Chi class led by a local expert. This weaving together of calming yoga and meditation is practiced by millions daily throughout China and around the world. Learn the basic principles and moves of this ancient practice and start to discover firsthand why Tai Chi is revered for such health benefits as stress relief, improved balance and circulation, and overall well-being.

    Impression Liu Sanjie Culture Show

    Yangshuo 2h

    When the sun goes down, the Li River lights up for the 'Impression of Liu Sanjie' light show. The show consists of 7 episodes: the Prelude, Red Impression, Green Impression, Golden Impression, Blue Impression, Silvery Impression and the Epilogue. Each scene in the show is more spectacular and breathtaking than the last and is made up of 600 actors and actresses, colourful stage lights, and special-effect smoke systems. Watch the moonlight dance along the Li River combined with colourful lights and dancers as the show plays on!

    Central Chinese Cooking Class - Yangshuo

    Yangshuo 3h

    Calling all foodies! Get an inside look at real Chinese food with a tour of the Yangshuo market to learn about the ingredients used in the Yangshuo area. Afterward, learn to cook Chinese food in a traditional Chinese farmhouse in the beautiful countryside just outside Yangshuo. After the cooking class you can sit down and enjoy the delicious dishes you have prepared.

    Xianggongshan & Tea Farm Visit

    Yangshuo

    Travel us Xianggongshan, one of the amazing karst mountains in Yangshuo. Go up to the top and enjoy a birds eye view of the LiRiver. Visit a tea plantation and pick kumquats.

    Day 10 : Yangshuo/Guangzhou

    We'll arrive to the train station this morning to take a bullet train to one of the most important cities in China, Guangzhou. After arriving and a short rest, we'll hit the town and take a tour to see what Guangzhou has to offer. Visit Yuexiu Park, Chen Clan Academy and the Shamian Island. Then in the evening, opt to take the Pearl River boat cruise under the Guangzhou city lights.

    Private Vehicle

    Yangshuo - Guilin 1h30m - 2h

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Bullet Train

    Guilin - Guangzhou 3h 490km

    Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

    Guangzhou City Tour

    Guangzhou

    Go on a tour of the city of Guangzhou led by your CEO. Visit Yuexiu Park, the largest park in Guangzhou, Five Ram Stone Statue, the symbol of Guangzhou, Ancient Ming-Dynasty city wall, Sun-Yat Sun Monument, Chen Clan Academy and Shamian Island.

    Day 11 : Guangzhou/Yongding

    The next two nights are a special opportunity to stay in the extremely unique homes of the Hakka People. We'll stay in Hakka Tulou, ancient fortified buildings. Some can be 5 stories tall and some can be dated back to the 12th century. Travel back to the past as we explore this super off the beaten path part of China.

    Today's travel brings you quite a distance so charge up those devices and get your playlists ready to roll.

    Private Vehicle

    Longyan - Yongding 1h30m 80km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Hakka Tulou

    Hongkeng Village

    Spend two nights in an authentic Hakka tulou for a once-in-a-lifetime cultural immersion experience. These rural Chinese dwellings, also known as earthen houses, are circular or rectangular fortified structures up to five stories high with an open-air centre. Settle in and make yourself at home.

    Bullet Train

    Guangzhou - Longyan 5h30m 540km

    Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

    Day 12 : Yongding

    Wake up in one of the most unique places you'll ever stay. Then join your group and take an orientation walk of the Hakka Cultural Village. This afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to explore this impressive fortress how you'd like. Learn from the locals and hear their stories about how their families have been living in these homes for hundreds of years.

    Hakka Cultural Village Orientation Walk

    Yongding

    Starting from your Hakka guest house, go an orientation walk of the village and plan how you'll spend your day in this incredible place.

    Free time:

    Yongding Full day

    Enjoy a free day to continue visiting the village and have local interactions.

    Day 13 : Yongding/Shanghai

    Say goodbye to the community at the Hakka Houses before we head off on our journey to Shanghai. This is a long travel day, but the big city beckons! Shanghai is known to be distinct from the rest of China as one of the most internationally influenced cities in the country. It's an awesome spot to end our trip!

    Bullet Train

    Longyan - Shanghai

    Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

    Shuttle

    Yongding

    Move efficiently from point A to point B aboard this dependable ride.

    Day 14 : Shanghai

    Start today with an orientation walk in Shanghai. Then join your CEO to head to some of the cities most popular spots. Start in the historical, waterfront district of the Bund Area and then pay a visit to Shanghai Old Town. This afternoon, tick off whatever is left on your Shanghai to do list with some free time. Opt to visit the Yuyuan Garden, shop and stroll through Nanjing Road or ask your CEO from some local restaurant recs. The options are endless in Shanghai! In the evening, join your crew for a Big Night Out and a drink on us!

    Orientation Walk

    Shanghai 1h

    Take a stroll along the Bund, a main road that follows the Huangpu River, with your CEO. This is a great opportunity to get a layout of the city and figure out what you want to explore next.

    Old Town Shanghai Walk

    Shanghai 1h30m

    Enjoy a walk in the picturesque Old Town of Shanghai, which lies inside the ancient walled city of Shanghai. There are many wonderful sites to explore here, including the Yuyuan Garden and many temples.

    Free time:

    Shanghai

    Enjoy a free afternoon in Shanghai.

    Big Night Out

    Shanghai

    Join us for a drink on our tab then head out for night out on the town in Shanghai!

    Day 15 : Shanghai

    Depart at any time.

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