Walking the Charms of China - Privately Guided
Walking the Charms of China - Privately Guided
Walking the Charms of China - Privately Guided
11 Days Starting and ending in Beijing
Visiting: Beijing, Jinshanling Great Wall Tourist Area, Wohu Mountain, Great Wall of China, Xi'An, Big Wild Goose Pagoda culture and leisure resort, Ping'An, Li River, Yulong River
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W10CH
Group size:
1 - 4
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
16-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$6650 (USD)Tour Overview
Your adventure begins in the city that never sleeps, Beijing. With a guided visit to the Forbidden City, you'll soon become immersed in the remarkable history of this former Chinese Imperial Palace. You'll have the opportunity to add guided tours of Tiananmen Square & the Temple of Heaven, along with a traditional Peking Duck Banquet, and incredible Kung Fu or Opera night time shows. Experience for yourself one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall of China. You'll walk along wild and restored sections as you encounter countless fortifications dominating the skyline; this really is a spectacle to behold.
As you leave Beijing & The Great Wall of China behind, you'll take a high speed train to Xi'an, an ancient imperial capital and eastern departure point of the Silk Road. Xi'an is where you'll feast your eyes on one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century -Â the Terracotta Warriors. Showcasing terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the Museum Halls & Pits are an extraordinary sight. You'll also have time to explore the Ancient City Walls of Xi'an, built under the rule of the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a military defence system; these walls are particularly beautiful to cycle on as the sun is setting behind you. Your time in Xi'an ends with a trip to the bustling Muslim Quarters to sample their famously exotic street food.
After your first few days near to the cities, the third portion of your trip takes you to the sub-tropical region of Guilin in Southern China. Famous for its dramatic landscapes of limestone karst hills, Guilin sits on the banks of the Li River offering a true natural paradise. Here, you'll traverse the lush rice terraces known locally as the 'Dragon's Backbone', passing through remote villages and walking alongside the tranquil Li River. This region invites you to enjoy a slower pace where the 'old style' way of life is still thriving - quite a stark contrast to city life. You'll fly back to Beijing for your last night before departing for home, we're confident with fond memories of the true Charms of China.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Beijing
Location: Beijing
Ni hao. Welcome to China! You'll be collected from Beijing Peking airport and transferred to your first accommodation (approx. 60mins).
If arriving early, you may want to add on a private guided tour of Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven or an authentic Peking Duck Banquet (both booked in advance). Otherwise, explore the fascinating city of Beijing at leisure before receiving your welcome briefing at the hotel.
Overnight Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel, Beijing.
Day 2 : Walk Jinshanling Great Wall & Wohu Mountain
Location: Jinshanling Great Wall Tourist Area, Wohu Mountain
Meals Included: breakfastlunch
The perfect introduction to your adventure across China - walking the Great Wall! This section of the Great Wall is divided into two distinct parts; the Woushan section and the Jinshanling section. Both offer stunning views of the Great Wall and surrounding landscape.
You'll walk on a much less crowded part of the wall, along intact and restored sections with several diversions onto mountain trails through cultivated fields and with the outline of the Great Wall dominating the sky-line. Explore the General Tower and 24-Window Towers en-route; these imposing watchtowers were once used as military command posts and provide a fascinating glimpse into the history and architecture of the Great Wall.
Overnight Local Farmer House, Beijing Great Wall area.
Day 3 : Walk Gubeikou Great Wall
Location: Great Wall of China
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
Your walk begins in Gubeikou where you walk along some wilder sections of the Great Wall. Your path leads away from the wall for a short while, walking along dusty trails before joining the Great Wall again towards Jinshanling. After today's walk, you'll transfer back to central Beijing.
In the evening, you can choose to add on a night show (booking advance):
Beijing Kung Fu Show:Â A rare chance to watch the real Shaolin Kung Fu where they've mastered incredibly difficult moves.
Beijing Opera Show:Â One of the most famous traditional Chinese opera. The artists wear heavy make-up and act out the legends and romance with their unique style of singing and dance.
Overnight Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel, Beijing.
Day 4 : Forbidden City & Onto To Xi'an
Location: Xi'An
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
After breakfast, you'll visit the former Chinese imperial palace, the Forbidden City. This large palace building was built between1406 and 1420, and served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government for almost 500 years. The Forbidden City was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, and is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to Beijing train station where you'll take the high speed train to Xi'an (approx. 5hrs - included). You'll be met at Xi'an train station and transferred to your hotel (approx. 10mins).
Overnight Grand Noble Hotel, Xi'an.
Day 5 : Terracotta Warriors & Horse Museum, Then Xi'an City Walls
Location: Xi'An
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
Today you'll visit the Terracotta Warriors & Horses Museum. This is an incredible excursion, nothing can quite prepare you for the sights witnessed in the Museum Halls. One of the most important archaeological finds in the 20th century, this collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China are a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210 - 209 BCE with the purpose of protecting the emperor in his afterlife. The figures, dating from approximately the late third century BCE, were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong County, outside Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. The three pits containing the Terracotta Army held more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which remained buried in the pits near Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. A late lunch is taken in the local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you'll visit the Ancient City Walls of Xi'an. These walls were built under the rule of the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a military defence system. They have been refurbished many times since it was built in the 14th century, thrice at intervals of about 200 years in the later half of the 1500s and 1700s, and in recent years in 1983. The wall encloses an area of about 14 square km and is on the tentative list of UNESCO's World Heritage Site under the title 'City Walls of the Ming and Qing Dynasties'.
Overnight Grand Noble Hotel, Xi'an.
Day 6 : Big Wild Goose Pagoda Park & Muslim Quarters
Location: Big Wild Goose Pagoda culture and leisure resort
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
This morning, you'll visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Park, built in 652 during the Tang dynasty. The structure was rebuilt in 704 during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian and its exterior brick facade was renovated during the Ming dynasty. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of Gautama Buddha that were brought to China from India by the seventh-century Buddhist monk, Xuanzang. Today, the interior walls of the pagoda feature engraved statues of Buddha by the renowned artist Yan Liben.
You'll then head to the Muslim Quarters located inside the city wall of Xi'an with around 32,361 Muslim residence , 50% of the total Muslim population in Xi'an city. The history of the Xi'an Muslim Quarter can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, when Muslim merchants came to and aggregated in Chang'an, today's Xi'an, via the Silk Road. It is now a well-known tourism site which is famous for its culture and incredible local food.
In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to Xi'an airport for your flight to Guilin (approx. 2hrs). You'll be collected from the airport and transferred to your accommodation (approx. 1hr).
Overnight Bravo Hotel, Guilin.
Day 7 : Walk Pingan To Dazha
Location: Ping'An
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
This wonderful walk follows the villagers' trail over to Dazha, taking you over two mountain ridges with rice terraces in between. Starting from the remote village of Ping'an, the first 30 minutes is a stepped climb up to the first viewpoint where you're rewarded with amazing views across the lush rice terraces and distant mountains.
The trail brings you to the small village of Zhong Liu, home to the Yao community. Continue over a ridge with beautiful vistas of rice terraces before you, known fondly as the Dragons Backbone - you'll soon see why!
Overnight Bravo Hotel, Guilin.
Day 8 : Walk Along Li River To Xingping
Location: Li River
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
This is the walk of all walks - a fascinating trail along the stunning Li River. Follow an ancient path along the river, alternating between dirt tracks and purpose built paths; you'll even cross the river by boat to add to the excitement! Walk past cultivated fields, ancient Chinese houses, and between the breath-taking karst mountains with incredible views of the Li River down below. Lunch will be taken in a farmers home, where simple local dishes are served - expect deliciously fresh vegetables!
Your descent brings you to a cobbled trail, hugging the side of the river with ever striking mountain views. Here, you cross the river by boat before continuing your walk to Xingping beside bamboo forest, fields and orchards. On arrival in Xingping, take some time to explore this ancient town before transferring to your accommodation in Yangshuo.
Overnight Bamboo Leaf Hotel, Yangshuo.
Day 9 : Walk Along Yulong River & Bamboo Rafting
Location: Yulong River
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
Today's walk begins at Fuli bridge, a beautifully rural Chinese setting, with stunning Karst mountains as a backdrop to this green, tranquil river. Our route starts over the bridge and follows the river as it meanders through fields, rice paddies and villages where the 'old style' way of life is still thriving, providing a stark contrast to city life. Lunch will be taken en-route or at your destination depending on timing.
Overnight Bamboo Leaf Hotel, Yangshuo.
Day 10 : Return To Beijing
Location: Beijing
Meals Included: breakfast
Transfer from your accommodation to Guilin airport for your flight back to Beijing (approx. 3hrs). You'll be collected from Beijing airport and transferred to your accommodation where you'll have the afternoon & evening to explore Beijing.
Overnight Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel, Beijing.
Day 11 : Depart Beijing
Location: Beijing
Meals Included: breakfast
You'll be transferred from your accommodation to Beijing Peking airport (approx. 60mins).
What's Included
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10 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 4
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hotels and a local farmer house
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All breakfasts & seven lunches
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Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
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Luggage transfers between hotelsÂ
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Services of an experienced walking guide
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Train from Beijing to Xi'an & car transfers as per itinerary
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Domestic flights from Xi'an to Guilin & from Guilin to Beijing
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Reduction in price per person for 3 or 4 travellers
What's Not Included
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Dinners
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Single room (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Travel insurance
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Solo travellers (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Private guided tour of Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven (optional extra)
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Beijing Peking Duck Banquet (optional extra)
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Li River Impression Liusanjie Open-Air Live Show (optional extra)
Food
Accommodation
Stay in the centre of Beijing City, just a short drive from the main attractions including Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace. Enjoy a wide range of drinks at the Pavilion Lounge Bar or choose from their selection of three on-site restaurants serving traditional and international cuisine.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.