Ni Hao! Welcome to China. The capital of the most populous country on earth, Beijing has quickly shed its historical face in favour of progress and modernity. However, there are still plenty of places that give an insight into the nation's ancient past, as well as newer sights that showcase China's contemporary culture. Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm this evening. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. After the meeting maybe head out to explore the Beijing Streets – with your hotel located centrally, a walk in any direction will unveil all sorts of wonderful surprises. Perhaps kick off your China adventure with an iconic dish – Peking duck.

Today you’ll explore two of the most popular sights in Beijing. There will be a lot of walking today as well as using public buses and the subway to get around. Make your way to the centre of the city – Tian'anmen Square, the symbolic centre of Chinese power. Framed by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its Mao portrait, Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum, and with elaborate flag raising and lowering ceremonies at dawn and dusk, it's a place of pilgrimage for the Chinese tourists who consider it the heart of their nation. From here you will enter the enormous Forbidden City. Built more than 500 years ago and off limits to commoners for almost all that time, is a truly amazing place. Despite the transformation of the city around it, the Forbidden City looks much like it always has. As you explore t...

This morning you’ll take a private bus to a lesser-visited section of the Great Wall (Jinshanling, approximately 3 hours) and spend some time exploring, taking photos and learning the history of this mighty site (and sight). An incredible piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6,000 km westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from the 'barbarians' of the north and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still without a doubt one of the country's most remarkable achievements and an iconic destination. The walk is generally on the restored section of the wall, but this still means walking on steep, uneven terrain and multiple steps, so reasonable fitness and comfortable shoes are needed. The walk is approximately 5 kilometres, or 3 hours, depending on you...

Before you depart Beijing today you will visit our friends at Beijing Huiling (meaning 'wise spirit') – a special Intrepid-supported project for young people with intellectual and learning disabilities. If you’re lucky you might enjoy a performance of singing and dancing by the students (and be asked to join in!) and have a chance to see their artwork and handicrafts. You will then transfer to Beijing West train station and board your first overnight sleeper train to Xi'an, (approximately 12 hours). 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, as it's the main form of transport for locals. We use hard sleeper class trains for most of our overnight train journeys. These are not as rough as they sound – compartments are open-p...

Arrive in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province and the largest city in northwest China. Once the imperial centre of China for 2,000 years, Xi'an is now a vibrant, modern city dotted with many interesting historical sites and is a great place to explore. Join your leader on a short walking tour to uncover what was once the start of the ancient trading route of the Silk Road. The city has a wonderful Muslim Quarter, and you’ll wander the narrow streets of shops, lively markets, and groups of white-bearded men in skull caps sipping tea in cafes. See the City Walls and Gates, the most complete in China, running over 13 kilometres around the city. Xi’an’s Silk Road history means it has an exciting mixture of cultures, especially found in its food options, ranging from delicious Muslim fare to great little dumplings in Chinese ...

Today we will travel by public transport (approx 2 hours) to visit what is undoubtedly one of the man-made wonders of the world – the Terracotta Warriors. You’ll learn all about this incredible archaeological find, discovered in 1976 by farmers digging a well, after being buried for 2,000 years. These clay statues of soldiers, horses and chariots (originally all painted) were commissioned by the emperor Qin Shi Huangdi as part of his mausoleum after he ascended to the throne in 264 BC. Three main pits are open for you to view, where just under 2,000 of the total 6,000 warriors – each individually sculpted from clay, each having a different costume, height, and even facial expressions – stand in battle formation. The scale is incredibly impressive. Return to Xi’an for you final evening in the city.

Today you’ll have free time in Xi'an until you board our overnight sleeper train to Emei Shan. There’s still much to see in the city: perhaps cycle around the city walls that you saw on your first walking tour, or visit the impressive Tang Dynasty Small or Big Wild Goose Pagodas. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a picturesque Buddhist pagoda built in 652 AD, located in a scenic area that also includes the Shaanxi History Museum and Da Cien Temple. It’s especially popular with locals in the evenings, when there is a nightly light & music show around the many fountains. You can learn about Chinese dynasties in the Small Wild Goose Pagoda (inside the Jianfu Temple) and the nearby Xi'an Museum. You could also visit the Great Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in China. Featuring an unusual blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture, t...

Arrive into Emei Shan late afternoon today after your long train journey. Emei Shan is one of the holiest places in China, long associated with bodhisattva (person committed to the enlightment for the sake of others) Samantabhadra. At just over 3,000 metres high, this mountain of thick forest has been a centre of pilgrimage for over 1,800 years, with over a hundred temples and monasteries hidden in its peaks. The area is stunning at any time of year, from the lush greens of the summer, to the golden reds and yellows of autumn, and the clear, mystical whites of winter. Here you will visit and overnight at the peaceful Baoguo Monastery, where you’ll experience sharing accommodation with monks and waking up to the sounds of drums and prayers. Special Information

Travel by local bus this morning and then take a cable car to best experience the immense landscape (total travel time approximately 3 hours) – the views from the 3,099m peak at Emei Shan are truly spectacular on a clear day. Jump back on the public bus down the mountain, where you’ll start your 3-hour trek with a local guide to your accommodation at one of the mountain's monastery guesthouses. Expect plenty of steps and steep paths, so make sure you dress appropriately, wear sturdy footwear and be ready for a physical but rewarding day on the mountain. On Day 10 you’ll continue to explore the beautiful countryside at the base of the mountain, which provides ample opportunity for leisurely paced walks. It may be possible to visit some local hot springs to relax and revive from your hike, or take a tour of some nearby village...

Today, travel by private bus to the town of Leshan (approximately 2.5 hours) for a stopover on your way to Chengdu, and visit the amazing Leshan Giant Buddha. A World Heritage site, the Leshan Giant Buddha is a statue of Maitreya (a Bodhisattva usually represented as a very stout monk with a broad smile on his face and with his naked breast and paunch exposed to view) in sitting posture. Facing the river, the Buddha is beautifully captured in its solemn stillness. It is 71 meters high, has 8.3-meter-long fingers, and took 90 years to carve. You’ll arrive into Chengdu in the early afternoon or evening depending on traveling time (approximately 4.5 hours). Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province, which is most famous for two main things – the pandas living in the mountains and the food. Its hot, spicy dishes are considered b...

It might be one of China's biggest cities, but Chengdu has preserved plenty of its traditional flavour and visitors can still find famous teahouses, numerous markets and some of the most interesting food in China. Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base today, where you're able to witness the conservation efforts being made to save this endearing endangered species. There are only around 1,000 pandas left in the world and 80% of them are found in the mountains in Sichuan. The facility was set up 30 years ago to help conserve this animal, and there are more than 80 giant and red pandas living at the base. The pandas have over 600 acres of parkland to live in, and you can get up close and learn more about these majestic creatures. Watch them play, eat bamboo and climb the trees. If you’re lucky enough you might even get to ...

After a free morning, transfer to the station and take a high-speed train to the industrial city of Chongqing (approximately 2 hours), the gateway to the Yangzi River. Chongqing is the biggest city in China with a population of over 20 million in the city centre and suburbs sprawling along the river and up the steep hills behind. Board your river boat - your home for the next 3 nights. Cruise down one of the world’s greatest rivers, with two full days on board a tourist class boat down river to Yichang. The Yangzi has inspired numerous poets, writers and travellers over the centuries. You will travel along one of the most picturesque sections, through the renowned Three Gorges. The dramatic 'Sanxia', as they are known in Chinese, stretch for 200 kilometres and vary from 100 metres to 300 metres in width. As well as relaxing an...

Your Yangzi boat trip will end in the small city (by Chinese standards!) of Yichang. It offers a great chance to see typical everyday Chinese life in the provinces. Here you’ll enjoy a tour of the incredible feat of engineering that is the Three Gorges Dam. The world’s largest hydroelectric project, the dam generates power and prevents the major flooding that had long threatened the people of the area (though the impact on displaced people and archaeological sites should not be ignored). From here you’ll take a private bus to the train station and board your second overnight train to Liuzhou (approximately 15 hours). As Yichang is not a major railway hub there's only one train heading south passing through here. To make the long journey as comfortable as possible, you will travel by soft sleeper (4 people per compartment wit...

Arrive in Liuzhou very early in the morning (approximately 4.30am) and travel by private transfer direct to your next destination, Yangshuo (approximately 3.5 hours). When you arrive, take the day to rest and soak up the charm of this little town, popular with the Chinese and Western travellers alike, who come for the beautiful landscape and stay for the great cafe and bar culture. It's also one of the best places in the country to get a feel for local culture and traditions, while having plenty of fun at the same time. The countryside around Yangshuo is immortalized in many traditional Chinese paintings – picture immense limestone karsts dotting the rural landscape and towering spectacularly over rice paddies and the meandering Li River, all celebrated on every 20 yuan note.

Today you’ll shake out your train legs and experience the dramatic limestone karst landscape on a bike ride, where you’ll gain a real insight into rural Chinese life. Stop for lunch at the house of our local friends for a tasty meal made from locally grown produce. This is an absolutely stunning region to explore, as every turn in the road brings you to another picture-postcard location. You’ll have a local guide take us on this bike trip, and helmets and bike rental are included. Cycling through some of China’s most epic landscapes is a highlight for many passengers. The evening is free for you to explore Yangshuo's lively cafe and bar scene.

Today is free day for you to do as you wish, and there are lots of activities on offer. You could begin the day by focusing your body and mind with a morning Tai Chi class or Kung Fu lesson, and then continue the active theme by climbing up to Moon Hill – a limestone pinnacle with a moon-shaped hole penetrating the hill. Perhaps try your hand at Chinese calligraphy or simply sit back and relax as you enjoy a relaxing cruise down the Li or Yulong Rivers. Maybe visit the market to shop with the locals and get a feel for the regional produce. You can then put this new knowledge to use in a cooking class at the Yangshuo Cooking School. Learn to cook Chinese dishes with recipes that are easy to make and ingredients readily available outside of China, so that you’ll soon be wowing friends and family back at home. Later, perhaps wat...

Take a private bus from your Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin North Station, and then board a bullet train to Shenzhen North Station (approximately 3.5 hours). This it’s a short metro train from Shenzhen to the Hong Kong border. The China-Hong Kong border is busy, so there can often be a bit of a wait to get through and a lot of patience is required. On average, it takes around 2 hours to clear immigration and customs on both sides. Your bags will be with you during this time. Then you’ll walk the short distance from the train station to the border, go through procedures to exit China, and then enter Hong Kong. Once all that's done, you’ll travel on the KCR train to central Hong Kong. It was as a British colony that Hong Kong made itself known to the world and, since the 1997 handover, the city is still a unique and fascinating plac...

There are no activities planned for the today and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. Special Information