Classic: Essential China (ACEC)

Countries Visited: China, Hong Kong
Trip Style: Classic - Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.
Service Level: Standard
  • Great value, reasonable prices, quality experiences
  • Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for location and character
  • Mix of public and private transport for the best overall experience
  • All the top highlights included, plus plenty of time to explore on your own
    Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
    Group Size: Max 16, avg 12
    Meals Included: 1 lunch
    Accommodations: Hotels (11 nts), basic monastery (2 nts), sleeper trains (4 nts), Yangtze boat (3 nts).

    Highlights
    Bargain in bustling markets, Walk the Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City, stand face-to-face with Terracotta Warriors, visit a panda sanctuary, cruise the Yangtze, bike through Yangshuos karst landscape

    Description
    Encounter the essence of China in all its wonderful diversity - climb the Great Wall and stare down the Terracotta Warriors before heading down south on this three-week tour of Chinas cultural and natural highlights. Rest your gaze on the giant Buddha of Leshan and explore ancient mountainside monasteries at Emei Shan, then float down the world-famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River before stepping out to experience the vibrant rural life and stunning scenery of Yangshuo. With your accommodation and transport arranged by our expert CEOs, this adventure offers up a great combination of must-see highlights and free time to explore on your own.
  • Call (800) 468-2359 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13740559

    Tour Operator
    G Adventures
    Duration
    21 Days
    Escorted
    Escorted - Yes
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1BeijingDay 1 Beijing
    Arrive at any time. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
    Day 2BeijingDay 2 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 atmopshere. Included Activities: Great Wall Mutianyu Visit Transport: Drive through the city and countryside to reach the Great Walls Mutianyu section. Take the same transportation back. Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s))
    Day 3BeijingDay 3 Beijing
    Explore the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Use free time to shop in the various markets scattered throughout the city, take a tour of the ancient hutongs (alleyways) in Beijings old city or visit the Tibetan Monastery. Included Activities: Tiananmen Square Forbidden City Tour
    Day 4ShanghaiDay 4 Beijing/Shanghai
    Enjoy a free morning before a bullet train ride to Shanghai. Overnight in Shanghai. Transport: Relax an enjoy smooth ride at 300km per hour and scenery along the way. Bullet train (5.00-6.00 hours)
    Day 5ShanghaiDay 5 Shanghai
    Take an orientation walk down one of the city's most famous streets, Nanjing Road, ending at the Shanghai Museum, one of the best in the country. Included Activities: Orientation Walk of the Bund Shanghai Museum
    Day 6Xi'anDay 6 Shanghai/Xi'an
    Temples, markets, gardens and colonial enclaves are around every corner. Spend some time exploring the Yuyuan Gardens or the old alleyways. Transport: Basic overnight train (beds) (18.00 hour(s))
    Day 7Xi'anDay 7 Xi'an
    Arrive in Xian in the morning and, after checking into the hotel, opt to visit one of Xi'an's most fascinating areas - the Muslim Quarter. Tour the lovely and unusual Great Mosque, a wonderfully serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, bargain at souvenir stalls and enjoy some of the best street food in China. The remaining city walls are a great place to watch the sunset or join the locals for ballroom dancing or tai chi in the early morning.
    Day 8Xi'anDay 8 Xi'an
    Day 9Emei ShanDay 9 Xi'an/Emei Shan
    Visit one of China's greatest archaeological treasures-the Terracotta Warriors. Later, board an overnight train to Emei Shan. Included Activities: Terracotta Warriors Guided Tour Transport: Drive out to the Terracotta Warriors site, located about an hour out of the city. Private Vehicle (1.00 hour(s)) Basic overnight train (beds) (15.00-17.00 hours)
    Day 10Emei ShanDay 10 Emei Shan
    Settle in for a stay at the monastery - one of the highlights of the trip! Facilities are basic but the views and the experience will take your breath away. Included Activities: Orientation Walk
    Day 11Emei ShanDay 11 Emei Shan
    Spend a full day exploring the monasteries, stunning vistas and sites of Mt Emei - one of Chinas sacred Buddhist peaks. Included Activities: Emei Shan Hike
    Day 12Emei ShanDay 12 Emei Shan
    Visit Giant Budhha in the morning, optional take a tour visiting local tea farm and one of the regions old villages. Included Activities: Leshan Giant Buddha Visit Transport: Private Vehicle (0.75 hour(s)) Private Vehicle (0.75 hour(s))
    Day 13ChengduDay 13 Emei Shan/Chengdu
    Travel by local train to Chengdu. Free exploration in this tea & spice loving city. Enjoy a local Hotpot dinner. Transport: Private Vehicle (0.75 hour(s)) Local train (1.00 hour(s))
    Days 14-15Yangtze RiverDays 14-15 Chengdu/Yangtze River
    See the famous giant pandas up close at the Panda Breeding Centre before boarding a fast train to Chongqing. Later, board the Chinese-style boat and settle in before tomorrows cruise down the mighty Yangtze River and through the Three Gorges. Included Activities: Giant Panda Breeding Center Transport: Local train (2.00 hour(s)) Chinese-style boat
    Day 15Yangtze RiverDay 15 Yangtze River
    Spend two days on board a basic boat traversing through the Three Gorges en route to Yichang. Along the way take the opportunity to visit some of the many attractions and towns. There is the opportunity to leave the boat to take an early morning trip down a tributary of the Yangtze River. Additional Notes: The cabins are clean, twin-share with private toilet and shower facilities, but not luxurious. There is basic Chinese food available in the restaurant on board. Included Activities: Yangtze River Cruise Transport: Chinese-style boat
    Day 16Yangtze RiverDay 16 Yangtze River
    Spend two days on board a basic boat traversing through the Three Gorges en route to Yichang. Along the way take the opportunity to visit some of the many attractions and towns. There is the opportunity to leave the boat to take an early morning trip down a tributary of the Yangtze River. Additional Notes: The cabins are clean, twin-share with private toilet and shower facilities, but not luxurious. There is basic Chinese food available in the restaurant on board. Included Activities: Yangtze River Cruise Transport: Chinese-style boat
    Day 17LiuzhouDay 17 Yangtze River/Liuzhou
    Disembark in Yichang and board an overnight train to Liuzhou. Transport: Basic overnight train (beds) (16.00 hour(s))
    Day 18YangshuoDay 18 Liuzhou/Yangshuo
    Arrive in Liuzhou early in the morning and travel to the small countryside town of Yangshuo, where the Li River winds its way around thousands of limestone karst mountains. Every turn in the road brings you to another picture-postcard sight. Here, there are so many activities to choose from- bamboo rafting, rock climbing, hiking, acupuncture and traditional massage, the Light and Sound Show, calligraphy lessons, tai chi, or a countryside cooking class. Included Activities: Orientation Walk Transport: Private Vehicle (3.50 hour(s))
    Day 19YangshuoDay 19 Yangshuo (1L)
    Cycle out over the mostly flat fields to get more of a feel for the region. Ride past rice paddies with water buffalo and stare up at towering limestone karsts. En route, enjoy a delicious local lunch with options like the local beer fish, garlic fried water spinach and stuffed aubergine. Included Activities: Yangshuo Guided Cycle Tour
    Day 20Hong KongDay 20 Yangshuo/Hong Kong
    Arrive late morning to Shenzhen, cross the border and catch the metro into the heart of Hong Kong, arriving late afternoon. Prepare for the change of pace as you enjoy your last nights dinner in the most dynamic city in Asia. Explore Stanley Market, shop, eat, go to the top of Victoria Peak or take a harbour cruise. Included Activities: Border Crossing (China - Hong Kong) Transport: Private Vehicle (1.50 hour(s)) Local train (3.50 hour(s)) Metro
    Day 21Hong KongDay 21 Hong Kong
    Depart at any time. Additional Notes: We highly recommend you book post-accommodation to fully experience this vibrant city.
    Disclaimer

    Local Flights: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

    Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

    VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

    Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

    Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
      
    Online Agency Travel Websites