Experience Overview
China will ignite your imagination with its futuristic cities and sweep you off your feet with ancient traditions and rich cultural heritage. This two-week adventure checks off the must-sees like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors, but that’s just the start. Journey south to Kunming and discover hidden gems in smaller cities brimming with centuries of history. Wander through Chengdu’s lively People's Park and stroll the charming old towns of Shaxi and Dali. It's the perfect balance of old and new, city and countryside — China like you’ve never experienced before.
Highlights
- Forbidden City Visit
- Tiananmen Square
- Great Wall of China excursion
- Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour
- Giant Panda Breeding Center
- People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit in Chengdu
- Lijiang Old Town Visit
- Black Dragon Pool Park
- Shaxi Walking Tour
- Dali Old Town walking tour.
Trip Details
Product Code: 20607
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Train, private vehicle, walking, plane, public bus.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Budget
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Supplier Code: ACBD
Starts: Beijing, China
Finishes: Kunming, China
Duration: 14 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Average
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Local Family Lunch Xi'an, Xi'an
- Orientation walk in Beijing, Xi'an
- Forbidden City Visit
- Tiananmen Square
- Free time in Beijing, Xi'an
- Great Wall of China
- Muslim Quarters Visit
- Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour
- Lunch with local family in Xi'an
- Giant Panda Breeding Center
- People's Park & Tianfu Square Visit in Chengdu
- Lijiang Old Town Visit
- Black Dragon Pool Park
- Shaxi Walking Tour
- Dali Old Town
- Dali Xizhou Old Town walking tour
- Transport to and from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotel (13 nts)
- 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
- Train, private vehicle, walking, plane, public bus.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and local guides throughout
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,987 ($213 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing
Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening followed by an orientation walk with your CEO in the area of Beijing near the joining hotel. There will be an optional group dinner afterwards at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Beijing
Visit the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Use free time to explore the Hutongs (historic narrow streets and alleys) or The Temple of Heaven, the Drum and Bell Tower, Lama Temple, or Summer Palace.
Explore bustling Beijing including the famous Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City.
Day 3: Beijing
Travel north to the Great Wall, one of the most iconic sights in all of China. Spend the better part of the day exploring and taking photos, soaking in the atmosphere.
Head out to discover the wonders of the Great Wall of China.
Day 4: Beijing/Xi’an
In the morning catch a bullet train from Beijing to vibrant Xi'an. After settling in at your hotel go on an orientation walk with your CEO and visit points of interest around the city like the bustling Muslim Quarter. Known as one of Xi'an's most fascinating areas, you will pass the lovely and unusual Great Mosque and wander by food stalls with some of the best street eats in China.
Day 5: Xi’an
Visit one of China's greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. This evening, opt for a dumpling banquet with your CEO and group.
Day 6: Xi’an/Chengdu
Spend a free morning in Xi'An then board a bullet train in the afternoon to Chengdu. After getting settled at the hotel, join an orientation walk around the city. In the evening sit down for a Hotpot dinner with the group.
Hotpot is a very local way to have a meal. We sit around a table with a pot built in the middle – the pot is divided into 2 halves (spicy vs. non-spicy usually). The restaurants flavoured soup is added and brought to a boil, then we can start adding our food in the pot to cook ( including vegetable, meat or fish). The table also offers various sorts of herbs, spices, oil etc so you can make your own soup to taste.
Day 7: Chengdu
Enjoy a morning visit to see pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Witness the conservation efforts being made to save this endearing species. Afterwards, take time for lunch on your own before your CEO will take the group to People's Park by metro for an orientation walk. End the walk in Tianfu Square, located in the city centre of Chengdu. Take the metro back to the hotel before an optional group dinner in the evening.
Day 8: Chengdu/Lijiang
Spend the morning free in the bustling city of Chengdu. Opt to visit the Wenshu Monastery or Kuanzhai Alley. Take an afternoon flight from Chengdu to Lijiang.
Day 9: Lijiang
After a morning orientation walk of Lijiang, visit the the Black dragon Pool and the spectacular views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain above the marble bridge. Upon finishing the tour, head to Lijiang Old town to and explore the must see spots like The Giant Water Wheel, Wangu Tower and Lion Hill. Then enjoy a free evening. Opt to visit the Mufu Museum or grab dinner with your group.
Day 10: Lijiang/Shaxi
Drive to Shaxi Old Town first thing this morning and head out for a walking tour of this ancient, medieval town full of Buddhist culture. Visit the iconic spots of the town like the Old Market Square, the Old Theater, and Yujin Bridge. This afternoon, enjoy free time in this beautiful town. Opt to visit the Xingjiao Temple or the Ouyang Courtyard.
Day 11: Shaxi/Dali
We head to the next town this morning, the thousand year old village of Xizhou Old Town. Explore the well preserved architecture with a tour led by your CEO. Then after a bit of free time in Xizhou, drive to Dali. Head out for an orientation walk and to Dali Old Town. Join your group and CEO for dinner together at a local restaurant. On the way back to the hotel, admire the lanterns that light up this beautiful town at night.
Day 12: Dali
This beautiful lakeside town is yours to do as you wish today! Opt to explore the Old Town, cycle around Dali town or Lake Erhai. Maybe visit the National Geological park of Cangshan Mountain on a hike or on the cable car. A local favorite is the Three Pagodas at Chongsheng Temple or you could learn the art of traditional Tie-Dying by the local Bai people. With so many options, the choice is yours!
Day 13: Dali/Kunming
Together we'll catch a morning train to Kunming, known as one of China's best natural phenomenons with all its waterfalls, lakes and karst formations. After an orientation walk of the town, opt to head to lunch to try the famous local rice noodle dish. This afternoon, visit the jaw dropping Kunming Flower Market, the largest flower market in all of Asia. Then head to the Green Lake (Cuihu) Park where not only will you see your first glimpse of this karst mountain, lake filled town, but you'll also witness locals dancing, singing and playing instruments during their leisure time.
Day 14: Kunming
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Beth - Traveled, November 2019
The best things about this trip was our CEO, Jennifer. She was knowledgeable, helpful and gave a lot of great suggestions about foods to try, what we could do in our free time, etc. The accommodations and food were good for the price. The amount of time spent in transit and carrying around luggage was the main downside. The sleeper trains were also hard to get a good sleep on.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2019
William - Traveled, October 2024
We got to experience a lot of varied experiences in 8 days.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/20/2024
Mary - Traveled, November 2019
Good value for money and the guide was on point. Would definitely use them again as an option for budget travel. China would likely have been difficult and beat and undoable without a tour (and I am a fairly a seasoned traveler)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/15/2019
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