Arrive in Beijing & group meeting

Temple of Heaven - Ni Hao! Welcome to Beijing, the capital of the world’s most populous country. This city offers a blend of ancient history and modern culture. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travelers. Check the hotel lobby for a note or ask reception for the meeting location. Please bring your passport, insurance, and next of kin information for the group meeting. Afterward, explore the streets of Beijing—your centrally located hotel makes it easy to discover delightful surprises in any direction. Perhaps start your China adventure with a taste of the iconic Peking duck.
No meals are included today.
Special Information
If you’d like to arrive in Beijing a few days early, we can arrange additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Beijing Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City tour

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - Today, you’ll explore two of Beijing’s most famous sights on foot and by public transport. While it can be crowded, this is the best way to experience local culture. Head to Tiananmen Square, the symbolic center of Chinese power. Surrounded by the Gate of Heavenly Peace with its Mao portrait, Mao’s Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, and the National Museum, it’s a pilgrimage site for Chinese tourists. From here, enter the vast Forbidden City. Built over 500 years ago and off-limits to commoners for most of that time, the Forbidden City remains much as it was. As you wander through its grand halls and courtyards, you’ll appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall & overnight train to Xi’an

Mutianyu Great Wall - This morning, take a private bus to the Mutianyu Great Wall (about 2 hours) and spend time exploring, taking photos, and learning about this historic site. This incredible engineering feat stretches 6000 km west from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. Originally built to protect Chinese empires from northern nomadic tribes, it remains one of the country’s most remarkable achievements. The walk is generally on the restored section of the wall, but it involves steep, uneven terrain with many steps, so reasonable fitness and comfortable shoes are required. The walk is about 5 kilometers and will take 2 to 3 hours, depending on your fitness level. You can choose how to access the wall, with options including cable car, chairlift, or even toboggan (at your own expense). This evening, catch an overnight train to Xi’an.

Xi’an Muslim Quarter & ancient City Wall walking tour

Muslim Quarter - Arrive at Xi’an train station around 9 am and transfer to your hotel. Join your leader on a short walking tour to explore what was once the start of the ancient Silk Road. The city boasts a vibrant Muslim Quarter, where you’ll wander narrow streets lined with shops, lively markets, and cafes where white-bearded men in skull caps sip tea. See the City Walls and Gates, the most complete in China, stretching over 13 kilometers (8 miles) around the city. Xi’an’s Silk Road history brings a mix of cultures, reflected in its food options, from delicious Muslim fare to tasty dumplings in Chinese restaurants. You might also visit the Bell and Drum Towers, the former built (according to legend) to restrain dragons causing earthquakes, and the latter filled with drums once used to mark time and warn of emergencies.

Exploring the Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses - Today, travel by private transport (about 2 hours) to visit the Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s man-made wonders. Learn about this incredible archaeological find, rediscovered in 1976 by farmers digging a well after being buried for 2000 years. These clay statues of soldiers, horses, and chariots (originally painted) were commissioned by Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi for his mausoleum after he ascended the throne in 264 BC. Three main pits are open for viewing, where nearly 2000 warriors—each uniquely sculpted with different costumes, heights, and facial expressions—stand in battle formation. The scale is truly impressive.
Enjoy a free evening to explore Xi’an.

Xi’an to Chengdu & city walking tour

Tianfu Square - In the morning, catch a high-speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu (about 3 hours). After arriving, settle into your hotel and start exploring Chengdu. The city has a relaxed vibe, where locals value life over work. Mahjong and tea are essential elements of their lifestyle. Join your leader for a walking tour to downtown Tianfu Square, where a giant statue of Chairman Mao overlooks the people. Continue to the lively People’s Park and enjoy a cup of tea at a tea house, perhaps trying other services like ear cleaning and massages. Chengdu was named a gourmet capital by UNESCO in 2010, so be sure to try the local delicacies.

Close encounter with giant pandas in Chengdu

Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Xiongmao Jidi) - This morning, get up close with adorable pandas at the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu. Learn about conservation efforts to repopulate this ancient species. Watch them being fed, playing, sleeping, or just being cute in their playgrounds. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon, perhaps visiting the trendy Kuanzhai Lane or searching for spicy Chengdu snacks on Jinli Street.

Chengdu to Yangshuo & West Street walking tour

West Street - This morning, catch a high-speed train from Chengdu to Yangshuo. After arriving at Yangshuo station, transfer to your hotel. Surrounded by limestone karsts, Yangshuo is popular with both international and domestic tourists. It’s a great place to experience local culture and traditions while having fun. Take a walk through the town with your leader and head to the Li River to see a landscape immortalized in many Chinese paintings.

Yangshuo countryside cycling tour

Moon Hill - The dramatic countryside around Yangshuo is best seen on an optional Li River cruise. Float past limestone monoliths, rice paddies, and water buffaloes drinking at the river’s edge. For the more active, consider biking through the beautiful green surroundings and nearby villages or joining a peaceful Tai Chi session. Enjoy a guided walk through a local market before visiting a converted country house to learn to cook local specialties.

Continue to discover the beauty of Yangshuo

Xianggong Mountain - A great optional activity for the day is picking tea leaves, making tea, drinking tea, and listening to the rhyme leisurely at the Seven Fairies Peak tea plantation. Climb Xianggong Hill to view the meandering Li River and enjoy the sunlight, shadows, sea of clouds, sunrise, sunset, and rosy clouds. Discover the mystery of the Ancient Stone Village. Highly recommended.

Yangshuo to Hong Kong

Victoria Harbour - Leave Yangshuo and head to your final stop, Hong Kong. Transfer to Guilin and then take a high-speed train (about three and a half hours) to Hong Kong West Kowloon High-Speed Railway Station. From there, head to your centrally located hotel. Join your leader for a walking tour, then perhaps visit the Temple Street night market or watch the light show at Victoria Harbour. Celebrate your final night with the group in this amazing city.

Hong Kong (Departure Day)

Hong Kong Park - Your China tour ends this morning. There are no activities planned for the final day, and you are free to leave your accommodation at any time. Kindly note that check-out time is usually 12:00. If you have booked an airport transfer through Truly China Travel, please confirm the pick-up time with your tour leader in advance. If you’d like to stay in Hong Kong a few days longer, we can arrange additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

• Travel agency liability insurance
• Private transfers from/to airport/train station
• Visits to Terracotta Warriors, Panda Breeding Center, and a cycling tour in Yangshuo
• English speaking tour guides in each destination
• Breakfast included
• High-speed train tickets for specified routes
• Private bus and entrance tickets for Mutianyu Great Wall excursion
• Overnight train with soft sleeper
• Accommodations in double rooms with private facilities

• International flight and departure tax;
• Lunches and dinners;
• Other optional excursions and entrance tickets;
• Tips to tour guides and drivers;
• Other personal expenses;
• Visa to China.

Get thee to China for the adventure of your life! Seriously, these 12 days of the country’s big-ticket highlights will have you missing this country for years to come. From massive and historical Beijing (hello Great Wall!), ancient capital  Xi’an (home of the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors), leisure Chengdu (the hometown of China’s National Treasure Giant Panda), pastorally picturesque Yangshuo, and eventually to the world-in-itself gobsmacking city of Hong Kong, this is your (super affordable) opportunity to get here with a whole group of new friends.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.