China: Cultural Sites & Epic Cities

Duration: 7 days

Begins: Beijing

Ends: Chengdu

Trip Code: ACXC

From

£359 per person

Angebot anfordern

or Call 01273 099433

    Short and sweet, but doesn't miss a beat. Embark on an eight-day whirlwind tour through three of China's greatest destinations: Beijing, Xi'an, and Chengdu. Wander through Tian'anmen Square and climb Jinshan Park for a bird's-eye view of the Forbidden City. Walk along the historic Great Wall, and bring a picnic lunch to chow down beside this world wonder. With free time in futuristic Beijing and visits to ancient marvels like the Terracotta Warriors, experience the best of China in just over a week.
    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
    • Tiananmen Square tour
    • 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
    Accommodation

    Hotels (5 nights), overnight sleeper train (1 night).

    Meals

    No meals included

    Allow USD185-240 for meals not included.

    Transportation

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

    Acommodation

    Sicily Hotel Beijing

    Acommodation

    Sicily Hotel Beijing

    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.

    Acommodation

    Sicily Hotel Beijing

    Acommodation

    Sicily Hotel Beijing

    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.

    Acommodation

    Bancheng Guesthouse

    Acommodation

    Bancheng Guesthouse

    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!

    Acommodation

    Poshpacker local tea hostel

    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.

    Acommodation

    Poshpacker local tea hostel

    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.

    Acommodation

    Poshpacker local tea hostel

    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.

    Acommodation

    Poshpacker local tea hostel

    Day 7 : Chengdu

    Depart at any time.

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