Basix
Explorer
Rail
North China Getaway
12 Days | Great Wall hikes, Shanghai bites and all the northern sights
4.9
Excellent
28 reviews
12 days
Start
Beijing, China
Finish
Shanghai, China
Trip Code
CBRF
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - null
Physical Rating
Transport
Overnight Hard Sleeper Train, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Subway
Accommodation
Twin-share Guesthouse/Hostel (7 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Overnight Hard Sleeper Train (2 nights)
From £1,051(12 days)
Trip Informations
Discover the breathtaking countryside and rich cultural history of China's north on this 12-day trip bookended by the bright city lights of the country’s biggest hubs. From the dizzying heights of Huangshan, the Great Wall and waterfront Shanghai to the underground pits that hold thousands of Terracotta Warriors, this trip explores the diversity and significance of China. Go beyond the tourist trail, immersing yourself in the local ways of life, with hand-picked experiences to choose from and curated stays in small village guesthouses along the way. Northern China is a feast for the senses, especially your appetite.
Why you’ll love this trip
China is a land of contrasts. From soaking up the bright city lights of Shanghai’s waterfront to exploring the unearthed Terracotta Warriors outside of Xi’an, you’ll get to see it all for yourself!
Spend two nights at the base of the Great Wall in a locally run guesthouse, and follow in the footsteps of soldiers from hundreds of years ago when you trek the lesser-visited Gubeikou to Jinshanling section.
This adventure offers plenty of opportunity to get active among the wonders of China. Explore city laneways on walking tours, climb the steps of the Yellow Mountain, trek the Great Wall and cycle countryside lanes in Hongcun.
Two overnight trains means you'll maximise your time in each destination, get to know your fellow travellers over a game of mahjong, and have a real sense of the vast size of the country.
We’re all about authentic experiences, so go local every step of the way with an experienced local leader, public transport, and family-run guesthouses and lodgings wherever possible.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
This trip packs a lot into a short amount of time, so we highly recommend spending extra time in Beijing and Shanghai before and after your trip.
Family-run guesthouses and hostels are used on this trip, which tend to have more basic facilities than hotels (but offer a lot more character). You’ll encounter some cold-water showers, might need to rug up inside in the colder months and need to use a few squat toilets. The local experience is worth it – trust us!
With treks on the Great Wall and Huangshan, both of which can be tough going with many steps, uneven surfaces and steep terrain, you'll need a good level of fitness to get the most out of this trip. Walking shoes with good support and grip are essential, as is being prepared to sweat it out a bit.
The overnight train travel included is in 'hard sleeper' class – carriages sectioned off into 3 tier (6 berth) compartments. It’s not luxury, but it’s efficient and a great local experience. For more information about the overnight train condition, please check out the Essential Trip Information.
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. Please review the Itinerary for tickets you may need to purchase in advance.
Itinerary
Inclusions
Transport
Overnight Hard Sleeper Train, Public Bus, Private vehicle, Subway
Accommodation
Twin-share Guesthouse/Hostel (7 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Overnight Hard Sleeper Train (2 nights)
Activities
Beijing - Great Wall
Xi'an - Muslim Quarter Walking Tour
Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour - leader led
Shanghai - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Huangshan - National Park Trek
Hongcun - Leader-led Village Walking Tour
Optional activities
Beijing - Forbidden City - CNY60
Beijing - Lama Temple (entrance fee) - CNY25
Beijing - Summer Palace (entrance fee) - CNY60
Beijing - Temple of Heaven (entrance fee) - CNY40
Xi'an - Great Mosque (entrance fee) - CNY25
Xi'an - Big Goose Pagoda (entrance fee) - CNY80
Xi'an - City Wall bike hire - CNY45
Xi'an - Bell & Drum Towers (entrance fee) - CNY50
Shanghai - Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre (entrance fee) - CNY25
Shanghai - Shanghai Museum (entrance fee) - Free
Shanghai - Yuyuan Garden (entrance fee) - CNY40
Shanghai - Urban Planning Exhibition Centre (entrance fee) - CNY30
Shanghai - Acrobat Show (ticket) - CNY280
Shanghai - Oriental Pearl Tower Viewing Deck (entrance fee) - CNY150
Shanghai - Huangpu River Night Cruise (ticket) - CNY150
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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 excludes Day 4 and Day 6 (Overnight train) and Days 2,3,7,8,9,10,11 (Guesthouses) where you will be in shared accommodation 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 tickets.
3. Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites.
4. In winter months (Nov-Feb), we may stay in alternative guesthouses near the Great Wall due to the cold weather. This may also alter our trekking route along the Great Wall.
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