Chinese Crackers Family Tour

Bring history alive with this fun-packed China adventure for the whole family. Visit the historical sites that define China’s imperial past AND try out some of its more exotic rides - camels, sheepskin-rafts… even sand-toboggans. In Chengdu you will get to see the cute but endangered pandas, and in Yangshuo you will cycle through magnificent countryside. Your family will experience all this and more on your China family holiday.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 20
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel on Day 1
Fully Escorted: By tour leader and services of local guide in Xi'an
Transport: Soft sleeper train, public and private buses, overnight luxury sleeper bus, taxi
Flights: Beijing to Yinchuan, Xi'an to Chengdu and Chengdu to Guilin
Activities: Walk along the Great Wall, camel ride, and bike ride
Accommodation: 10 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night under the stars in the desert, 1 night soft sleeper train, 1 night overnight luxury bus
Meals: Not included except on the overnight camel ride and breakfast in Hong Kong. Allow US$8 per day
Entrance Fees: Not included. Allow US$50 for all sites listed as part of the itinerary

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Great Wall and Forbidden City
• Camel riding in the desert
• Terracotta Warriors
• Panda sanctuary in Chengdu
• Bicycle ride around the Yangshuo countryside

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, BEIJING: Arrival day.

Day 2, BEIJING: A full day excursion to the Great Wall with the chance to take a hike along one of the most beautiful sections.

Day 3, BEIJING: Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Free afternoon to explore Beijing's other sights - perhaps take a boat out on the lake at the Summer Palace. In the evening there is the option to watch the incredible Beijing acrobats.

Day 4, ZHONGWEI: Fly to Yinchuan and continue to Zhongwei. Free time to explore.

Day 5, SHAPOTOU - CAMEL SAFARI: A day of activities - we transfer to Shapotou on the banks of the great Yellow River and the southern fringes of the Gobi Desert. We have the chance to raft down the Yellow River on inflatable sheepskins and to go sand-tobogganing. In the afternoon we ride out into the desert on camels for an overnight camp. (D)

Day 6, SHAPATOU - XI'AN: See the sunrise in the desert and take a morning ride on our camels. After a chance to freshen up back in Zhongwei we catch an overnight train to Xi'an. (B)

Day 7, XI'AN: A free day to explore this wonderful ancient city. Visit the Muslim quarter or take a bike ride on top of the city walls.

Day 8, XI'AN - CHENGDU: Excursion to the Terracotta Warriors and the First Emperor's tomb. After a picnic lunch we take a flight to Chengdu.

Day 9, CHENGDU: Excursion to the Panda Sanctuary, where we see these delightful animals, as well as their less well known cousin, the red panda. Free afternoon to explore the many parks for which Chengdu is famous, or perhaps sample the delicious local food.

Day 10, YANGSHUO: A flight to Guilin before continuing to the enchanting small town of Yangshuo, in the heart of one of the most beautiful areas of China. We have laid on a fun session of activities - cooking, tai-chi and painting / calligraphy - you might even learn how to write your name in Chinese characters! For those who want to be energetic, there are plenty of other opportunities including climbing, caving and bike riding.

Day 11, YANGSHUO: A bike ride through this amazing landscape, and an opportunity for a swim to cool off.

Day 12, YANGSHUO - SHENZHEN: A free day to do as you please or hunt for souvenirs in the excellent markets. In the evening we board an overnight luxury sleeper train to Shenzhen.

Day 13, HONG KONG: Take the MTR train to Kowloon. The rest of the day is free to explore this bustling metropolis.

Day 14, HONG KONG: Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

For parents with their children who have a positive outlook on life and are seeking an alternative to the more conventional family holiday.

Maximum Group Size - 16-20: If you've got children (minimum age 6) and you're looking for something more for your holidays, imagine the excitement of discovering unusual lands, learning about different cultures and sharing the experience with new friends on an escorted Imaginative Family tour.
Accommodation: Wherever possible we use tourist class hotels (2-3 star) on a twin share (or, if available, family room) basis with private facilities and often swimming pools. Some accommodation may be more representational of the destination (e.g. a luxurious mud hut or a Bedouin camp).
Transportation: We travel mainly in air-conditioned coaches and minibuses but also may use trains, sailboats, horse drawn carriages, camels and donkeys!
Meals: Breakfast is often included plus some lunches and dinners (see itineraries for full details).
Activities: Our itineraries combine just the right balance of rest and play to keep children occupied and entertained but not exhausted. Activities may include elephant and camel riding, swimming, snorkelling and walking around sites and bazaars.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]