Journey Across China Tour

Travel through the heart of China and get a great insight into its past, present and future. Starting in Beijing we visit the major attractions from China's Imperial past before a cruise along the recently dammed section of the Yangtse River. Short hops then take us to the spectacular mountains of Yangshuo and Yunan for bikes and hikes on your China tour.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 18
Trek Grade B: Moderate
Arrival Transfer: Not included
Staffing: Fully escorted by an Imaginative Traveller tour leader , services of local guides in Xi'an and on Yangtse cruise.
Transport: Plane, public and private bus, air-conditioned Yangtse cruise boat, train & taxi
Flights: Guilin to Kunming, Lijiang to Chengdu
Accommodation: 7 nights simple hotels, 6 nights guesthouses, 4 nights sleeper train, 3 nights Yangtse cruise boat.
Activities: Optional hike on the Great Wall, optional cycling in Yangshuo and Dali, trek in Tiger Leaping Gorge, extensive walking at sites.
Meals: Meals are only included on the Yangtse cruise boat. Please allow US$8 per day for meals.
Entrance fees: Not included. Allow US$70.
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax on the Yangtse cruise
• Cycle in stunning Yangshuo
• Hike Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Visit the pandas in Chengdu

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 2, BEIJING, GREAT WALL: A day at the Great Wall, with the chance to hike along one of the less visited sections.

Day 3, BEIJING: Visit Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City. Overnight train to Xi’an.

Day 4, XI’AN: Morning arrival in Xi’an and guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors. In the afternoon you can explore Xi’an’s fascinating Muslim quarter.

Day 5, XI’AN: A free day to explore the many fascinating sites of Xi’an before the overnight train to Chongqing.

Day 6, CHONGQING: Arrive in Chongqing where there’s free time to explore before we board our cruise boat.

Days 7-8, YANGTSE RIVER CRUISE: We cruise down the Yangtse River, passing through the spectacular Three Gorges section. Along the way we stop for various excursions to places of interest. (BLD)

Day 9, YICHANG – GUILIN: We disembark in Yichang and transfer to Wuhan for the overnight train to Guilin. (B)

Day 10, YANGSHUO: Early arrival in Guilin and transfer to the scenic town of Yangshuo. The day is free to relax, explore the surroundings or perhaps take a lesson in Tai Chi, calligraphy or Chinese cooking.

Day 11, YANGSHUO: A free day to explore. Perhaps hire a bike and cycle along small tracks through the countryside amidst the amazing karst scenery.

Day 12, YANGSHUO - KUNMING: Time to further explore the beautiful countryside or shop for souvenirs. Later in the day we fly to Kunming.

Day 13, KUNMING: A full free day to explore Kunming. Overnight train to Dali.

Day 14, DALI: Morning arrival and transfer to the old town, home of the Bai People. The rest of the day is free to explore.

Day 15, DALI: A free day to sample the delights of Dali – it is an ideal place to explore by bike or you can take a short horse trek into the mountains behind the town. Option to visit the colourful Shaping markets.

Days 16-17, DALI - TIGER LEAPING GORGE TREK: A bus journey takes us to Qiaotou, the start of our trek. We begin with a short walk and spend the first night at a minority guesthouse inside the gorge. Trek through this impressive gorge with superb views of Jade Dragon Mountain and the Yangtse. We spend another night inside the gorge at Walnut Grove.

Day 18, TIGER LEAPING GORGE – LIJIANG: A morning to relax or further explore the gorge, before travelling to lovely old town of Lijiang.

Day 19, LIJIANG: Full free day in Lijiang, home of the Naxi minority group.

Day 20, LIJIANG - CHENGDU: Time to explore the small lanes and canals of Lijiang before we fly to Chengdu.

Day 21, CHENGDU: Tour ends after a morning visit to the Giant Panda Research Base.

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you want to spend more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Maximum Group Size - 18: You love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.
Included: All accommodation (usually twin share but occasionally multi share), transportation
Not included: Most meals, entrance fees
Single Supplement: Not available. [Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]