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Real China: From Great Walls to Giant Pandas

China
4

Real China: From Great Walls to Giant Pandas

12 Days 11 Nights
$980.00
18
Beijing, China
18+ +
10/20
English

Date Expired !

Overview

From the mighty Great Wall to the playful pandas of Chengdu, this 12-day adventure is your fast-track into the heart of real China. Walk through ancient dynasties, pedal through misty karst mountains, snack your way through street markets, and end it all in the vibrant city of Hong Kong. It’s the perfect blend of culture, nature, and unforgettable moments.

💎 All-Inclusive (except flights) | Hotel & Meals Included | Private Guided Experiences


🛎 What’s Included?

✅ 11 nights’ accommodation, 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service

✅ Transportation: Overnight Hard Sleeper Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, High-speed Train, Subway, Taxi
✅ 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
✅ English-Speaking Resident Tour Director and Local Guides
✅ Industry leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
✅ Our knowledgeable Customer Service Team to answer your queries – just a phone call, email or chat away
✅ Customer Service pre-trip phone calls to ensure you’re ‘trip ready’
✅ Nutritious snacks to keep you fueled
✅ All activities outlined in the itinerary
✅ All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities

❌ Not Included: International flights, personal expenses, extra activities


Real China: From an Ancient Wonder to Pandas & Karst Peaks

You could spend a lifetime exploring China and still only scratch the surface—but this 12-day immersive adventure gets you closer to the heart of it than most. Start in Beijing, where imperial history meets modern energy, and tick a bucket list moment with a hike along the Great Wall of China, one of the world’s most awe-inspiring structures.

Next, journey to Xi’an to stand face-to-face with the silent army of the Terracotta Warriors, a wonder buried in mystery and history. Then, it’s off to Chengdu, where the highlight is undeniably the Giant Panda Breeding Centre—prepare to fall in love with these adorable icons of conservation.

Slow down in People’s Park, where locals sip tea and play mahjong, and snack your way through Chengdu’s spicy street food scene with a local guide who knows where to find the best bites. In Yangshuo, swap the city buzz for cycling through surreal karst mountain landscapes, paddle on peaceful rivers, and soak in postcard-perfect views of Moon Hill.

Wrap up your journey in Hong Kong, a city that fuses tradition and innovation, and where night markets, skyscrapers, and dim sum await. With expert local leaders, seamless travel, and a perfect balance of adventure, history, and leisure, this is Real China—bold, beautiful, and unforgettable.

  • Walk the walk on the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), watching the stones snake as far as the eye can see. If you’d like, you can even toboggan back down!
  • Take a scenic cycling tour through farms and villages in Yangshuo’s karst-dotted countryside. Every turn in the road brings you to another postcard-perfect spot before riding to Moon Hill and taking a short hike that leads to panoramic views of the area.
  • Watch rolly polly baby pandas playing, munching bamboo and generally doing their thing at the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu – if they’re not already, pandas might just be your favourite animal after this.
  • Join a local guide to see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an – the most famous site in the city – only discovered in 1976 by farmers digging a well.
  • Eat your way through China, from Beijing’s Peking duck to the delicious Sichuan pepper – then, maybe challenge yourself with authentic local delicacies like silkworms, spicy rabbit head and beer fish.

 

 

Schedule Details

Day 1: Beijing

Nimen Hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins in Beijing with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, get acquainted with Beijing on your own and maybe walk around Silk Market and pick up some souvenirs or explore the Forbidden City. After your meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner and order your first Peking duck.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Special information

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place

Day 2: Great Wall & Beijing

This morning, it’s time to visit the Great Wall – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – at Mutianyu, which is one of the best-preserved and easily accessed sections from Beijing. Hop on a public bus and take in the surrounding views (hopefully it’s a clear day!) – this is one to remember. A truly epic piece of engineering, the wall stretches 6000 km westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect Chinese empires from invaders in the north, and even though it failed in this purpose, it's still without a doubt one of the country's most amazing achievements. There’s an opportunity to take a thrilling toboggan ride to the base of the Great Wall, which is a unique way to rest your legs after all the ups and downs.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Included activities
  • Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall
 
Special information

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Day 3: Beijing Overnight train

Spend the morning exploring Tiananmen Square and follow your leader through the zigzag lanes known as the Hutong area. This is one of the most notable areas in Beijing because these lanes and courtyard houses are the root of old Beijing city and now, offering a peek into local life. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace, maybe visiting the Forbidden City if you haven’t already. Perhaps jump on a bike and ride through the hutongs, hang out in the Temple of Heaven Park or visit the Lama Temple. Tonight, you’ll board an overnight train from Beijing to Xi'an in a six-berth, air-conditioned cabin.

Accommodation: Train
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Included activities
  • Beijing - Tiananmen Square
  • Beijing - Leader-led Hutong Walking Tour
 
Special information

The Forbidden City only allows 30,000 visitors per day. Tickets are in demand year-round, but particularly during July and August.

Tiananmen Square can occasionally close without notice due to local events and ceremonies, especially in March when the National Congress Conference is held.

We recommend you bring your own sleeping sheet as the quality of sheets on the overnight train may not be what you’re used to. Most trains have a dining carriage where meals and snacks are available. Hot drinking water is also available - it’s a good idea to bring a mug and travel cutlery if you’re preparing your own hot drinks or food. Basic toilet facilities are at the end of each carriage. As toilet paper isn't always available, it's advised to carry some of your own.

Day 4: Xi'an

This morning, you’ll arrive in Xi'an – the imperial centre of China for 2000 years and now a vibrant, modern city dotted with interesting historical sites. Head out on a leader-led walking tour of the Muslim Quarter – famous for its food, this neighbourhood’s almost 1300 years old! Along the way, your leader will buy some dishes for you to sample. Some local specialties include persimmon cake, lamb skewers and sticky rice cakes, though it’ll depend on the season. Enjoy a free afternoon, where you can maybe hire a bike and ride to the top of Xi'an City Wall – the only intact ancient city wall in China. Tonight, your leader will take you to the lively square near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Seeing the 600-year-old temple ablaze with lights is pretty amazing, and it’s a great place to mingle with locals.

 
 
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
Included activities
  • Xi'an - Muslim Quarter Walking Tour and Snack Sampling
  • Xi'an - Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square Walking Tour
 
Optional activities
  • Xi'an - Little Wild Goose Pagoda - CNY50
  • Xi'an - Great Mosque (entrance fee) - CNY25
  • Xi'an - Bell & Drum Towers (entrance fee) - CNY50
  • Xi'an - Cycling on City Wall - CNY99
  • Xi'an - Karaoke - CNY100
Day 5: Xi'an
This morning, you’ll visit Xi'an's most famous site – the Terracotta Warriors. Take the metro and a public bus and spend a few hours exploring the fascinating location. Hear all about this incredible archaeological find (it was discovered by farmers digging a well in 1976 after being buried for thousands of years). These clay statues of soldiers, horses and chariots all standing in battle formation were commissioned by the emperor of the Qin dynasty as part of his mausoleum, and now, several pits are on view to the public. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free – you might want to grab some local specialities for dinner, such as pao mo (lamb broth that you break flat bread into), hand-pulled noodles or barbecued meat skewers. Later, maybe head out to karaoke with your group and sing the night away.
 
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Chengdu

Hop on a high-speed train from Xi'an to Chengdu this morning. Chengdu has a very casual vibe and the locals tend to value pleasure more than work, so mahjong and tea are two of the most crucial parts of life here. Go on a walking tour with your leader to downtown Tianfu Square, where a giant statue of Chairman Mao stands. Continue to the lively People's Park and sit down in a tea house to sip a brew and take advantage of the other services on offer (like ear cleaning and massages). Make the most of your time here and immerse yourself in local life by joining a group dance or martial arts practice or maybe just find a table and brush up on your mahjong skills.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Chengdu

This morning, you’ll get the heartwarming opportunity to get up close with the adorable pandas at the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu. Learn about the conservation efforts being made to repopulate this ancient species and watch them being fed, playing and sleeping (or just being plain cute in their playgrounds). Enjoy some more downtime in the afternoon to research pandas or check out the hip Kuanzhai Lane. You could also go searching for some spicy Chengdu snacks on Jinli Street.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Yangshuo

Embrace a full day of travelling on the bullet train this morning, headed for Yangshuo – surrounded by limestone karsts, this city is super popular with both international and domestic tourists (which isn't a bad thing if you're into cafes and bars). It's 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. Take a walk through the town with your leader when you arrive and then head down to the Li River to get a feel for a landscape immortalised in Chinese paintings.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9-10: Yangshuo

Hop on a bike and follow your leader on a cycling tour through the picturesque countryside of Yangshuo. Cycle past karst hills that rise from rice paddies and tiny villages, watching locals working the fields with water buffalo for company. Visiting this stunning region is a trip highlight for many travellers (so don’t forget your camera over these next two days), and every turn in the road brings you to another postcard-perfect spot. Stop for lunch in a local family’s house and be treated to some homecooked local delicacies, like chicken and vegetables. Then, ride to Moon Hill and take a short hike to the famous archway for panoramic views of the area. Tonight and tomorrow are free in Yangshuo – maybe head out on a river cruise on the Li River and ask your leader for the best local eats.

Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Hong Kong

Leave Yangshuo and continue your journey to Hong Kong. You'll be transferred to Guilin, then you’ll hop on the high-speed train. Tonight, you’ll go on a walking tour with your leader, checking out the Temple Street night market or the light show at Victoria Harbour. Take the chance to celebrate your final night with the group in this incredible city and hit the nightlife – as always, your leader will know some great spots.

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Departure

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to extend your time in Hong Kong, just speak to your booking agent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

F.A.Q

How much time do I have for extra activities?

This trip packs a lot into a short amount of time, with very little time spent in Beijing and Hong Kong – it’s recommended that you extend your stay in these locations before and after your trip if you want to explore them in depth.

How will we travel around China?

The primary means of transportation on this trip is public transport. You'll have to carry your own luggage on and off trains and buses, as well as some short distances to your accommodation. Make sure your bag doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find details in the 'Packing' section of the Essential Trip Information.The overnight train included on this trip is in ‘hard sleeper’ class, meaning carriages are sectioned off with six sleepers per compartment in tiers of three. It’s not luxury but efficient and a way to spend time with local travellers.

How physically demanding is the trip?

This journey includes moderate to strenuous activity. You will easily surpass your 10,000 steps a day on this trip, in fact most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering! Make sure your shoes are comfy enough to spend most days on your feet.

What else should I know before booking?

While travelling in China, you won’t have access to social media and some websites. The most common form of payment and communication is via the WeChat or Alipay apps.

A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Sleeper train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further 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.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Additional Services
  • Airport Transfer
  • Breakfast
  • Guide
  • Lunch
  • Meals
  • Transport

What's Excluded

  • Flights

Location Map

Why Book With Us?

  • Once-in-a-Lifetime, Handpicked Experiences. We curate exclusive, immersive journeys that go beyond sightseeing.
  • Every stay is at a 4 5-star luxury retreat, boutique heritage hotel, or secluded mountain sanctuary—because adventure should come with a touch of indulgence.
  • We handle every detail—from private guides to curated dining—so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.
  • We keep our groups intimate and exclusive so that every traveler gets a bespoke, tailored experience. Looking for a private trip? We can customize your journey for an even more personal adventure.

Got a Question?

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