The Great China Adventure - Overland Trip

3 weeks: Beijing to Hong Kong (IMT-AAGC)

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 China’s imperial past and be able to escape to the quieter corners for a truly memorable experience.

Group Size

Max 18

Activities

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

Easy

Accommodation

12 nights simple hotels, 3 nights village guesthouse, 1 night farm stay, 4 nights sleeper train

Transport

Train, private bus, taxi & plane

Fully Escorted

By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides in Xi’an and Tai’an (including the farm stay)

Itineraries (Beijing - Hong Kong)

Day 1,BEIJING

Arrival day.

Day 2,BEIJING - GREAT WALL

A day at the Great Wall with a 3-5 hour hike along one of the less visited sections.

Day 3,BEIJING - XI’AN

Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Overnight train to Xi’an.

Day 4,XI’AN

Morning arrival and guided tour of the Terracotta Warriors. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 5,XI’AN - TAI’AN

A free morning for more sightseeing before boarding the overnight train to Tai’an.

Day 6,TAI’AN - FARM STAY

Get 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,Tai’an

After breakfast return to Tai’an where there’s the opportunity to climb Tai Shan, one of China’s holiest mountains. Overnight train to Nanjing. (B)

Day 8,NANJING

Morning arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free day.

Day 9,NANJING

Option to visit the mausoleum of revolutionary leader Dr Sun Yat Sen and continue via the Ming city walls to Lake Xuanwu.

Day 10,HANGZHOU

We take a local train for the short ride to Hangzhou, a lovely lakeside city. Free afternoon.

Day 11,Hanghzou

Option 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 to Day 13,SHANGHAI

Another short local train journey brings us to Shanghai. Opportunity to take a river cruise.

Day 14,SHANGHAI – LONGSHENG

A morning flight to Guilin and transfer to Longsheng, the ‘Dragon’s 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.

Day 15 to Day 16,LONGSHENG

We 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.

Day 17 to Day 19,YANGSHUO

Transfer 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 KONG

Arrive in Hong Kong. Free afternoon.

Day 21,HONG KONG

Tour ends.

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Departures

Reference	Departure		Arrival		Price GBP	Kitty	Notes
IMT-IT-AAGC-090111	11 Jan 09	Beijing	01 Feb 09	Hong Kong	£975	0
IMT-IT-AAGC-090208	08 Feb 09	Beijing	01 Mar 09	Hong Kong	£975	0