Real China Highlights

Day 1 Arrive in Beijing & group meeting

Ni Hao! Welcome to Beijing, capital of the most populous country on earth. With plenty of places that give an insight into the China's ancient history, as well as newer sights that showcase contemporary culture.

We will collect/check your passport, insurance and next of kin information at the group meeting, please have these on hand. After the meeting maybe head out to explore the Beijing streets - with your hotel located centrally, a walk in any direction will unveil all sorts of wonderful surprises. Perhaps kick off your China adventure with a taste of an iconic dish - Peking duck.

Special Information

If you wish to arrive a few days early in Beijing, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Joining Point

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place.

Hotel Information:

Hotel Name: Beijing Chongwenmen Hotel

酒店名称：北京崇文门饭店

Hotel Address: No.2, West St, Chongwenmen, Dongcheng District, Beijing

酒店地址：北京市东城区崇文门西大街2号

Hotel Tel/酒店电话：+86 (010)65122211-0

Day 2 Beijing Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City tour

Today you’ll explore two of the most popular sights in Beijing on foot and using public transport. While this can be crowded, it's the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Make your way to the centre of the city – Tiananmen Square, 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. From here you will enter the enormous Forbidden City. Built more than 500 years ago and off limits to commoners for almost all that time, the Forbidden City looks much like it always has. As you explore the great halls and courtyards you’ll be able appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Enjoy a free evening to either relax or explore further.

Day 3 Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall & overnight train to Xi'an

This morning you’ll take a private bus to visit Mutianyu Great Wall (around 2 hours) and spend some time exploring, taking photos and learning the history of this mighty site. An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 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 walk is generally on the restored section of the wall, but this still means walking on steep, uneven terrain with multiple steps, so reasonable fitness and comfortable shoes are needed. The walk is approximately 5 kilometres and will take 2 to 3 hours depending on your level of fitness. You can choose how you access the wall, with options including cable car, chairlift or even toboggan to come down (at your own expense). It's a good idea to pack a picnic lunch with you to enjoy atop the wall during a rest break. Being perched on this incredible engineering feat and surveying the spectacular surrounding countryside is an unforgettable experience. Return to Beijing by private bus. This evening you will catch an over night train to Xi’an.

Day 4 Xi'an Muslim Quarter & ancient City Wall walking tour

You will arrive at Xi’an train station around 9am, private transfer to hotel.

Today join your leader on a short walking tour to uncover what was once the start of the ancient trading route of the Silk Road. The city has a wonderful Muslim Quarter, and you’ll wander the narrow streets past shops, lively markets, and groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in cafes. See the City Walls and Gates, the most complete in China, running over 13 kilometers (8 miles) around the city. Xi’an’s Silk Road history means it has an exciting mixture of cultures, exemplified by its food options, which range from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in Chinese restaurants. Maybe choose to visit the Bell and Drum Towers, the former built (according to legend) to restrain the dragons that were causing earthquakes, the latter is (unsurprisingly) full of drums, once used to mark time and warn in emergencies. Perhaps visit the night markets and try many of the tantalising local specialties such as Pao mo (lamb broth that you break flat bread into), hand pulled noodles, hot pot and barbecue.

Day 5 Exploring the Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an

Today we will travel by privater transport (around 2 hours) to visit what is undoubtedly one of the man-made wonders of the world - the Terracotta Warriors. You’ll learn all about this incredible archaeological find, rediscovered in 1976 by farmers digging a well after being buried for 2000 years. These clay statues of soldiers, horses and chariots (originally all painted) were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC. Three main pits are open for you to view, where just under 2000 of the warriors - each individually sculpted from clay and with a different costume, height, and even facial expressions - stand in battle formation. The scale is incredibly impressive. Enjoy a free evening to explore Xi’an.

Day 6 Xi’an to Chengdu & city walking tour

In the morning, you will catch a high-speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu (approximately. 3 hours), after arrival settle into your hotel and then discovery Chengdu. Chengdu has a very casual vibe. Here is where locals value life more than work (that's how it should be, right?), so mahjong and tea are two of the most crucial elements in their life. Go on a walking tour with your leader to downtown Tianfu Square where a giant statue of Chairman Mao overlooks his people. Continue to the lively People's Park and sit down in a tea house for a sip of tea, taking advantage of the other services on offer like ear cleaning and massages. Chengdu was listed in 2010 as a gourmet capital by UNESCO, so why not give the local delicacies a go?

Day 7 Close encounter with giant pandas in Chengdu

Prepare for the fuzzies this morning as you get up close with the adorable pandas at the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu. Learn about the conservation efforts being made to repopulate this ancient species. And of course you'll see them being fed, playing, sleeping or just being plain cute in their playgrounds. Enjoy some more downtime in the afternoon, maybe checking out the hip Kuanzhai Lane or searching for some spicy Chengdu snacks on Jinli Street.

Day 8 Chengdu to Yangshuo & West Street walking tour

This morning you’ll catch a High-speed train from Chengdu to Yangshuo, after arrival at Yangshuo station, then transfer to the hotel in Yangshuo. Surrounded by limestone karsts, Yangshuo is super popular with both international and domestic tourists, which isn't a bad thing if you're into your cafes and bars. It's one of the best places in the country to get a feel for local culture and traditions while having plenty of fun at the same time. Take a walk through the town with your leader on arrival and head down to the Li River to get a feel for a landscape immortalised in plenty of Chinese paintings.

Day 9 Countryside cycling & rafting on Yulong River

The dramatic countryside surrounding Yangshuo is best seen on a bike, today you’ll jump on a bike and explore the splendid green landscape surrounds and nearby villages, bamboo rafting on the Yulong River enjoy the idyllic scenery on both sides of the river, which is pleasing to the eye. Stop for lunch at the house of our local farmer friends for a tasty meal made from locally grown produce.

This evening is free time for you, there is a spectacular outdoor cultural show staged by Zhang Yimou, director of the Beijing Olympic's opening ceremony, is a definite highlight and highly recommended (optional).

Day 10 Continue to discover the beauty of Yangshuo

A great optional activity for you to head out, what is one of the largest tea plantations in Yangshuo, in the plantation you’ll try on a Chinese reed hat to feel the atmosphere of a tea plantation, pick your own tea leaves and wander through the rows of tea and return to the lodge to experience the traditional tea service and learn the customs, climb up to the Xianggong hill to experience the spectacular panorama over the Li River Valley, from here you’ll see sunlight & shadow, clouds sea & the rosy clouds, If you're lucky, you can also see a beautiful rainbow.

It’s the last night in Yangshuo, enjoy an optional final dinner to sample some of the best Yangshuo dishes, and wander up the busy West shopping street, then enjoy some time to browse the stores or relax in a cafe.

Day 11 Yangshuo to Hong Kong

Leave Yangshuo and continue your journey to the final stop, Hong Kong. You'll be transferred to Guilin and then hop on the high-speed train (approximately three and half hours) to Hong Kong West Kowloon High Speed Railway Station, from there head to your centrally located hotel. Go on a walking tour, then maybe check out the Temple Street night market or the light show at Victoria Harbour. Take the chance to celebrate your final night with the group in this awesome city.

Day 12 Hong Kong (Departure Day)

Your China tour comes to an end this morning, and there are no activities on the final day and you are free to leave your accommodation at any time before 12:00 noon.

Kindly Reminder: If you have booked an airport transfer through Truly China Travel, please confirm the pick up time with your tour leader in advance.

If you wish to leave a few days later in Hong Kong, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).