The wonders of China

Hello! Welcome to China! Your adventure begins in Beijing with a welcome meeting scheduled for 6:00 PM this evening. If you arrive early, take some time to explore Beijing on your own. You might want to stop by the Silk Market to pick up some souvenirs or explore the Forbidden City. After the meeting, you might choose to join an optional welcome dinner and order your first Peking duck.

Today is the day we visit the Great Wall, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, located at Mutianyu. This is one of the best-preserved sections and is easily accessible from Beijing. Let's enjoy the breathtaking views (hoping for a clear day!) and don't forget to take lots of photos: it will be an unforgettable moment. This extraordinary feat of engineering stretches for 6000 km westward from the mountains north of Beijing. It was originally built to protect the Chinese empires from northern invaders, and although it did not succeed in this task, it remains one of the country's most incredible achievements. We will have the chance to take an exciting toboggan ride down to the base of the Great Wall, a fun and unique way to rest our legs after the climbs and descents.

Today is a day of open visits! Start your day in Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square, then follow us through the picturesque alleys, known as the Hutong area. This area is one of the most famous in Beijing, as these alleys and courtyard houses represent the roots of old Beijing city and offer an authentic view of local life. In the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore at your leisure, you might visit the Forbidden City if you haven't already. Or, you might decide to hop on a bike and pedal through the hutongs, relax in the Temple of Heaven Park or visit the Lama Temple. This evening, we will accompany you on board an overnight train from Beijing to Xi'an, in an air-conditioned cabin with six sleeping berths.

Today you will arrive at Xi'an, a place that has been the heart of the Chinese empire for 2000 years and is now a modern and vibrant city, full of fascinating historical sites. You will have the opportunity to explore the Muslim Quarter, known for its exquisite cuisine and with a history that dates back nearly 1300 years. During the tour, your leader will purchase a selection of local dishes for you to try. Among the local delights are persimmon cake, lamb skewers, and sticky rice sweets, although the offerings vary with the season. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore at your leisure. You might decide to rent a bicycle and ride along the walls of Xi'an city, the only ancient city wall that is completely preserved in China. In the evening, your leader will take you to the lively square near the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. Seeing the 600-year-old temple illuminated is a truly breathtaking experience and a great opportunity to interact with the locals.

Today you will have the opportunity to visit the most famous site of Xi'an, the Terracotta Warriors. You will take a public bus and spend a few hours exploring this fascinating place. You will discover all about the extraordinary archaeological discovery made in 1976 by farmers who were digging a well, after it had been buried for thousands of years. These clay statues depicting soldiers, horses, and chariots, all in battle formation, were commissioned by the emperor of the Qin dynasty as part of his mausoleum and now several pits are open to the public. The rest of your afternoon and evening will be free - you might want to try some local specialties for dinner, such as pao mo (lamb broth with crumbled bread), hand-pulled noodles, hot pot, or grilled meat skewers. Later, you might decide to do karaoke with your group and sing until late at night.

Today, we are traveling on a high-speed train from Xi'an to Chengdu. Chengdu is a city that lives at a leisurely pace, where its inhabitants prioritize enjoying life over work. Here, mahjong and tea are two fundamental aspects of daily life. We will explore Tianfu Square on a walking tour, where a towering statue of Chairman Mao stands. Afterwards, we head to the bustling People's Park and relax in a tea house, savoring a drink and taking advantage of services offered, such as ear cleaning and massages. Make the most of your time here, immersing yourself in local life by participating in a group dance, practicing martial arts, or simply improving our mahjong skills.

This morning, we will have the unique opportunity to get closer to the delightful pandas at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center. We will discover the conservation efforts undertaken to protect this ancient species and observe them as they feed, play, and sleep (or simply while being irresistibly charming in their playgrounds). In the afternoon, we will have more free time to deepen our knowledge about pandas or to explore the vibrant Kuanzhai Lane. We might also set out to discover some tasty spicy snacks of Chengdu on Jinli Street.

Today we have a full day of travel on the high-speed train, heading to Yangshuo. This city, surrounded by limestone formations, is highly regarded by both international and domestic tourists, which is a great advantage if you love cafes and bars. Yangshuo is one of the most enchanting places in the country to immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions while having fun at the same time. After our arrival, we will take a walk around the city with our leader and then head to the Li River to admire a landscape that seems to come straight out of Chinese paintings.

Join us on an exciting bike tour through the picturesque countryside of Yangshuo. We'll pedal alongside karst hills rising from rice paddies and small villages, admiring the locals working the fields with water buffaloes. Visiting this enchanting region is often the highlight of the trip for many (so don't forget your camera), and every turn in the road will bring us to another postcard-worthy spot. We'll stop for lunch at a local family's home, where we'll have the chance to taste some local specialties, such as chicken and vegetables. Later, we'll continue our bike tour up to Moon Hill, where we'll take a short hike to the famous arch to enjoy a panoramic view of the area. This evening and tomorrow, you'll have some free time in Yangshuo - you might consider a cruise on the Li River and ask us for advice on the best local places to eat.

We continue our journey from Yangshuo to Hong Kong. We will move to Guilin, from where we will take the high-speed train to Shenzhen. From Shenzhen, we will cross the border to enter Hong Kong, before reaching our hotel. Tonight, we will take a guided walking tour, exploring the Temple Street night market or the light show at Victoria Harbour. This is our last night, so let's make the most of it by celebrating in this incredible city and immersing ourselves in its vibrant nightlife. As always, our guide will take us to some fantastic places.

Since you have no other activities scheduled, your trip concludes this morning. If you wish to extend your stay in Hong Kong, do not hesitate to ask!