The Great China Adventure - Overland Trip
3 weeks: Beijing to Hong Kong (IMT-AAGC08)
Intro
Explore some of the best locations in this remarkable country . . . A combination of big cities and small towns. You will see the major attractions from Chinas imperial past and be able to escape to the quieter corners for a truly memorable experience.Group Size
Max 18Activities
Optional cycling in Nanjing, Hangzhou and Yangshuo. Farm stay. Extensive walking at sites - especially along the Great Wall, climbing Mt Tai and trekking around Longsheng.Trek grade
EasyAccommodation
12 nights simple hotels, 3 nights village guesthouse, 1 night farm stay, 4 nights sleeper trainTransport
Train, private bus, taxi & planeFully Escorted
By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides in Xian and Taian (including the farm stay)Itineraries
Day 1, BEIJINGArrival day.
Day 2, BEIJING - GREAT WALLA day at the Great Wall with a 3-5 hour hike along one of the less visited sections.
Day 3, BEIJING - XIANVisit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Overnight train to Xian.
Day 4, XIANMorning arrival and guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 5, XIAN - TAIANA free morning for more sightseeing before boarding the overnight train to Taian.
Day 6, TAIAN - FARM STAYGet a glimpse of life for some of the farmers in China. Although things are changing fast elsewhere, the way of life here remains simple. You can only be amazed at the generous hospitality shown by our hosts. (LD)
Day 7, TAIANAfter breakfast return to Taian where theres the opportunity to climb Tai Shan, one of Chinas holiest mountains. Overnight train to Nanjing. (B)
Day 8, NANJINGMorning arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free day.
Day 9, NANJINGOption to take bicycles to the mausoleum of revolutionary leader Dr Sun Yat Sen and continue via the Ming city walls to Lake Xuanwu.
Day 10, HANGZHOUWe take a local train for the short ride to Hangzhou, a lovely lakeside city. Free afternoon.
Day 11, HANGZHOUOption to follow the classic Nine creeks and eighteen gullies route by bike through the famous tea plantations of Longjing. Relax by the lakeside in the afternoon or take your bike and explore further afield.
Day 12, SHANGHAIAnother short local train journey brings us to Shanghai. Opportunity to take a river cruise.
Day 13, SHANGHAIA full free day to explore this bustling city. In the evening we see the famed Shanghai acrobats.
Day 14, SHANGHAI LONGSHENGA morning flight to Guilin and transfer to Longsheng, the Dragons Backbone rice terraces. The scenery in this area is outstanding with rice terraces cascading down the hillside and stretching in all directions. We stay in small wooden guesthouses as guests of a local family.
Days 15-16, LONGSHENGWe trek along the ridge to another picturesque village and stay there for the night. On day 16 we return to our start point by another scenic route.
Days 17-19, YANGSHUOTransfer to Yangshuo for three days of exploring the amazing karst scenery and enjoying as many activities as you feel able to manage. Try cooking, calligraphy or Tai Chi. In the late afternoon of day 19 we catch an overnight train to Shenzhen.
Day 20, SHENZHEN HONG KONGArrive in Hong Kong. Free afternoon.
Day 21, HONG KONGTour ends.
Last updated: 8th June 2008
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