Comfort
Explorer
Explore China
12 Days | Explore ancient temples and dazzling cities in the diverse northeast
4.7
Excellent
12 reviews
12 days
Start
Shanghai, China
Finish
Beijing, China
Trip Code
CBKS
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Plane, Private vehicle, High Speed Train, Subway, Taxi
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
Explore the Longmen Grottoes and wonder at the thousands of Buddha statues carved directly from the limestone cliffs, including the 17-metre-high Vairocana.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
In order to see as much as possible, this tour includes some long journeys. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
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.
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
Inclusions
Meals
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Plane, Private vehicle, High Speed Train, Subway, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights)
Activities
Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Shanghai - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Shanghai - Yuyuan Gardens
Shaolin - Temple, Pagoda Forest & Kung Fu show (entrace fee and transport included, leader-led)
Buddhist Vegetarian Lunch
Luoyang - Longmen Grottoes (entrance fee, transport included)
Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour
Xi'an - Home-cooked lunch
Xiahe - Leader-led orientation walk
Xiahe - Labrang Monastery (entrance fee, local guide)
Xiahe - Tibetan family visit & lunch
Xiahe - Sangke Grassland (transport included)
Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall
Beijing - Leader-led Hutong walking tour
Beijing - Forbidden City
Beijing - Beijing duck dinner
Add on activities
Shanghai - Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre (entrance fee) - CNY25
Shanghai - Shanghai Tower Observation Deck (entrance fee) - CNY180
Shanghai - Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Halll (entrance fee) - CNY30
Shanghai - Acrobat show - CNY280
Shanghai - Huangpu River Night Cruise (ticket) - CNY150
Shanghai - Jing'an Temple (entrance fee) - CNY50
Luoyang - Luoyang Museum (entrance fee) - CNY40
Luoyang - Ancient Tombs Museum (entrace fee) - CNY20
Luoyang - White Horse Temple (entrance fee) - CNY35
Beijing - Temple of Heaven (entrance fee) - CNY40
Beijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25
Beijing - Summer Palace (entrance fee) - CNY60
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Important notes
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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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