Comfort
Explorer
Explore China
12 Days | Explore ancient temples and dazzling cities in the diverse northeast
4.7
Excellent
circle12 reviews
location_on 12 days
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Start
Shanghai, China
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Finish
Beijing, China
tour
Trip Code
CBKS
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 12
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Physical Rating
restaurant_menu
Meals
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
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Transport
Plane, Private vehicle, High Speed Train, Subway, Taxi
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights)
From £2,629(12 days)
Trip Informations
Capture the spirit of China on this 12-day tour from Shanghai to Beijing. From fast-paced modern cities to the well-preserved remnants of a long and storied history, this adventure reveals the many sides of one of the world’s great cradles of civilisation. We think it’s important to contrast the big and the bold with quiet moments and real connections. That’s why our tour of the Terracotta Warriors finishes with lunch at a local family home, and why we spend a few days in the Tibetan Buddhist town of Xiahe before tackling boisterous Beijing. Whether you’re scaling the Great Wall or sharing crispy Beijing (Peking) duck with your fellow travellers, this tour is packed with unforgettable moments.
Why you’ll love this trip
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Explore the Longmen Grottoes and wonder at the thousands of Buddha statues carved directly from the limestone cliffs, including the 17-metre-high Vairocana.
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Take a spectacular walk along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and see towers that date back to the Ming dynasty about 600 years ago.
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Fall in love with Chinese food during a vegetarian feast at a Buddhist temple, a home-cooked lunch with a family in rural Xi’an, a Beijing (Peking) duck dinner, and more.
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Check out the mind-blowing Terracotta Army, then head to a local’s house for lunch and some insight into how life has changed since farmers discovered the vast mausoleum.
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Immerse yourself in Tibetan culture with a two-day stay in Xiahe, an autonomous Tibetan region with a deeply ingrained Buddhist tradition centred around the legendary Labrang Monastery, without having to apply for a permit for Tibet.
Is this trip right for you?
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The best way to experience a place is by doing as the locals do – and in this case that means using public transport such as trams, buses or metro at some locations. It’s better for the environment and you’ll get an authentic look at daily life, just be aware you may find yourself sharing a busy bus ride with local commuters (for example). Train travel in China may not be entirely luxurious, but it's certainly one of the best ways to come face-to-face with the country and its people.
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This trip travels to altitudes of up to 3100 metres above sea level and as a result, some travellers can feel the effects of altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health.
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In order to see as much as possible, this tour includes some long journeys. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
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You'll need a reasonable level of fitness for the Great Wall walk. Shoes with good support and grip are essential. There are many steps and slopes on the way, so be prepared for a tough climb in sections. You are free to walk as far as you want, and it is possible to reach the section we visit via cable car.
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China’s world-class sites and experiences draw large numbers of local and international travellers. We recommend a little patience and comfortable shoes as you may need to wait before entering the more popular locations on your itinerary.
Itinerary
- DAY 1Shanghai
- DAY 2Shanghai
- DAY 3Luoyang
- DAY 4Shaolin – Luoyang
- DAY 5Longmen – Xi'an
- DAY 6Xi'an
- DAY 7Xiahe
- DAY 8Xiahe
- DAY 9Lanzhou – Beijing
- DAY 10Beijing
- DAY 11Beijing
- DAY 12Beijing
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Plane, Private vehicle, High Speed Train, Subway, Taxi
bed Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights)
festival Activities
circleComplimentary Arrival Transfer
circleShanghai - Leader-led Orientation Walk
circleShanghai - Yuyuan Gardens
circleShaolin - Temple, Pagoda Forest & Kung Fu show (entrace fee and transport included, leader-led)
circleBuddhist Vegetarian Lunch
circleLuoyang - Longmen Grottoes (entrance fee, transport included)
circleXi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour
circleXi'an - Home-cooked lunch
circleXiahe - Leader-led orientation walk
circleXiahe - Labrang Monastery (entrance fee, local guide)
circleXiahe - Tibetan family visit & lunch
circleXiahe - Sangke Grassland (transport included)
circleBeijing - Mutianyu Great Wall
circleBeijing - Leader-led Hutong walking tour
circleBeijing - Forbidden City
circleBeijing - Beijing duck dinner
museum Add on activities
circleShanghai - Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre (entrance fee) - CNY25
circleShanghai - Shanghai Tower Observation Deck (entrance fee) - CNY180
circleShanghai - Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Halll (entrance fee) - CNY30
circleShanghai - Acrobat show - CNY280
circleShanghai - Huangpu River Night Cruise (ticket) - CNY150
circleShanghai - Jing'an Temple (entrance fee) - CNY50
circleLuoyang - Luoyang Museum (entrance fee) - CNY40
circleLuoyang - Ancient Tombs Museum (entrace fee) - CNY20
circleLuoyang - White Horse Temple (entrance fee) - CNY35
circleBeijing - Temple of Heaven (entrance fee) - CNY40
circleBeijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25
circleBeijing - Summer Palace (entrance fee) - CNY60
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,629
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Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Wednesday Jul 23, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£2,629
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Saturday Aug 30, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£2,629
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Saturday Sep 06, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,734
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Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£2,838
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Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,838
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Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,838
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Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,838
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Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Wednesday Nov 05, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,734
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Saturday Mar 07, 2026
Wednesday Mar 18, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,761
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Saturday Mar 21, 2026
Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,871
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Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,981
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Saturday May 09, 2026
Wednesday May 20, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 9 spaces left
£2,871
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Saturday May 16, 2026
Wednesday May 27, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,761
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Saturday Jun 13, 2026
Wednesday Jun 24, 2026
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,761
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Important notes
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1.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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2. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport is required no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase your train and flight tickets.
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3. Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres (9200 feet) where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude – regardless of your age, gender, and fitness. If you have concerns, discuss this with your doctor before leaving.
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4. While traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites like Google, Facebook, Instagram and others. You can consider getting a VPN for access to these websites before leaving if necessary.
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5. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
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