Our most popular trip, this group tour includes most of the highlights of our slightly longer China itinerary, including travel to the pandas in Chengdu, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, bamboo rafting in Yangshuo and camping under the stars on the Great Wall.
Highlights (TL/DR):
Get off the beaten track on this 18 day China trip starting and finishing in Shanghai. Your mind will have been blown by the culture you have been immersed in, the food you have tasted sights and people you will have met on this China adventure.
Starting in Shanghai you will travel to Yangshuo for mud baths, rafting, cycling, and swimming. Yangshuo is a backpackers paradise in China, with plenty of good bars and local food located is this small country town surrounded by mountains. A holiday destination for local Chinese and international travelers, immerse yourself in the peaceful relaxed nature of the crystal clear river. Plus Yangshuo is famous for rock climbing, the most popular rock climbing spot in China for any of you enthusiasts. Then it's off to Chengdu for the ultimate in Chinese experiences Buddist Shrines and tea houses. Here we take you to the Panda research center to get up close to the Pandas eating their bamboo in the early morning. You then visit the ancient city of Xi'an before spending two days in Shaolin temples to learn Kung Fu from the masters. You would have seen Shaolin temples on Kung Fu Panda or Karate kid, a total China highlight. Head to the Kung Fu school to see the highly trained kids, and let them give you a Kung Fu show.
Time to camp under the stars on the Great Wall of China, a once in a lifetime amazing experience. We head to a deserted section of the Great Wall of China, no selfie with thousands of people behind you! If it's too cold to camp on the Great Wall (March/April and October/November) we will stay at a local guest house and head out to the wall for both sunset and sunrise. Camping on the Great Wall of China is constantly a highlight for our passengers. Then its time to head to Shanghai for a bit of nightlife and city life.
A whirlwind of sights, sounds, and smells, this is an 18-day tour to China you'll never forget!
Departure Dates 2021
Mar: 10, 17, 24
Apr: 5, 7, 14, 26
May: 5, 12, 19, 24
Jun: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Jul: 05, 14, 21, 28
Aug: 04, 11, 18, 25
Sep: 1, 6, 15, 22
Oct: 6, 13, 27
Nov: 3
18-day China Trip from Shanghai - Tour itinerary - 18 Days
Kickstart your Shanghai to Shanghai backpacking tour on the rooftop bar at the Phoenix Hostel at 1:30pm. This is where you will meet your Adventure Leader, have a trip briefing and meet your fellow travellers.
After drinks, you will transfer to Shanghai South Station to board a night train to Guilin. One Adventure Leader will put you on the train and another will collect you in Guilin.
Please note that this group tour does not include any time in Shanghai. To enjoy the city, it’s best to add an extra night before or after your trip.
Today is a free day on your group tour!
You have the option to join a traditional cooking class, kayak along the Li River or experience traditional Chinese therapy such as hot cupping.
Get ready for adventure! You’ll start the day at 9.30am with a morning bike ride along with a cruise down the Yulong River on bamboo rafts. If you have a waterproof camera, definitely bring it along for this activity!
Later on, you have the option to continue the fun and visit local mud baths and hot springs. In the evening, why not participate in some karaoke with the rest of the group?
Another free day!
There is a tonne to see and do in Yangshuo and it’s beautiful surroundings are a feast on the eyes. To gain a new perspective, we recommend rock climbing to the top of one of the regions limestone peaks. The views are unforgettable from the top!
In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to experience life on a farm by visiting your local Adventure Leader’s home village and learning about rural life in Yangshuo.
On to the next destination! You will board a bus back to Guilin and take a bullet train to Chengdu, arriving in the evening. Then, you will take the metro to the hostel and meet your new Adventure Leader.
The day starts early as you will be off to the Giant Panda Breeding & Research Centre. You can’t hold or touch the pandas but you will see them up close and learn about the centres efforts to breed them and release them into the wild.
Later in the day, you will also be taught some mandarin thanks to your Adventure Leader and after lunch will visit an Autism Children Rehabilitation Centre.
In the evening, you have the option to enjoy a traditional Sichuan show.
Today is a free day!
In the morning, you have the option to go to Leshan to see the world’s largest stone Buddha. Carved into the side of Mt. Lingyun, the colossal statue is over 1,300-years-old and is considered to the tallest pre-modern statue. The site attracts millions of people every year, including Buddhist pilgrims, making it something of a sacred destination and an ancient wonder of the world.
In the evening you can sample to famous Sichuan Hot Pot (if you dare). You can also have a night out in Chengdu and enjoy your freedom!
This morning you can enjoy a lazy lie in to recover from the night before or get up early and explore the sights of Chengdu – perhaps enjoy a spot of shopping.
After lunch, you have the option to visit the Chengdu People’s Park. There are many scenic spots in this park, including the Gold Water Stream, the Goldfish Island and the Potted Landscape Garden. Besides appreciating the charming landscape, tourists can sail on the artificial lake, drink tea in the teahouse by the lake and watch all kinds of exhibitions and performances on the Rockery Square.
At around 5pm you will say goodbye to your Adventure Leader and board your train to travel to Xian, where you will meet your new Adventure Leader and go to your hostel.
You have the morning free to visit temples, museums or go shopping in your own time.
In the afternoon, you have the option to bike ride on Ming Dynasty City Walls and later, to explore the Bell-Drum Towers and Muslim quarter to learn about the history of the Silk Road. Make sure to enjoy some local street food!
Today’s unmissable attraction is the tour of the world-famous Terracotta Warriors!
The Terracotta Army in Xian, is a large collection of life-size terra cotta sculptures in battle formations, reproducing the mega imperial guard troops of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 – 210BC), the first emperor of the first unified dynasty of Imperial China. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Terracotta Army is no doubt a must-see for every visitor to Xian.
In the evening, you can enjoy the music and light fountain show that takes place on the North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the Qujiang District.
The next morning, you will be off on a long journey to Shaolin.
This afternoon, you can visit a local Kung Fu Children’s Home and join in on a lesson and show run by a master from the Shaolin Temple.. After dinner, you can have another Mandarin lesson to top up what you have learned so far!
You have two options today:– You can visit the home of Kung Fu, The Shaolin Temple, and hike to Dharma Cave, a spiritual spot for Buddhist pilgrims. Here, you will be rewarded by beautiful views of both the shrines and temples in the area.
– Or if you’ve had enough of temples and Kung Fu isn’t your combat style, you can visit the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO world heritage site with over 100,000 carved Buddha’s.
Later, you can have a late lunch at the guesthouse then check out and depart to Zhengzhou to board your night train to Beijing.
When you arrive in Beijing, you will meet your next Adventure Leader and go to a hostel for a rest. You won’t be staying the night here, but can use the showers and common areas to relax before heading to the Great Wall of China in the afternoon.
After a couple of hours, you can take another mandarin lesson and you can use your freshly learned language skills to complete challenges around Beijing’s ancient streets and alleyways on a scavenger hunt. The winning team earns a prize!
After a late lunch at a local farm we will gain access to a section of the Great Wall that only the locals get to see and then we will hike on the unrestored sections of the Wall before setting up camp on a deserted section
The sunrise on the Great Wall of China will be the most unforgettable part of your trip. Today you will wake up early, enjoy the silence and watch the sun rise over the Great Wall.
Around 9 am, you’ll return to Beijing and have the option to visit fake good markets and the nearby Temple of Heaven.
You can also watch a stunning Chinese Acrobatics Performance performed by young talents recruited from around China.
Additionally, enjoyed exclusively by royalty in ancient times, you can taste Beijing’s signature dish Peking Roast Duck.
Today is a free day!
You’ll have the option to take a walk through the infamous, Tiananmen Square, or visit the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is the largest palatial complex in the world, with 980 buildings and a history of housing 2 different Chinese emperors.
You can also go to Jingshan Park for a bird’s eye view of the three palaces: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square.
In the afternoon, you can visit the Nanluo district, a historical area in Beijing, famous for its hutongs and siheyuan courtyards as well as the bars, cafes and craft shops.
Enjoy another free morning to pack in the last few of Beijing’s sights before heading to your next destination. You can visit the 798 art district, the Summer Palace, or any other highlights of Beijing.
In the evening, you will board the night train to Hangzhou.
You’ll arrive in Hangzhou in the morning where you’ll go to your hostel for a late breakfast. Then, you will visit the famous West Lake and take a relaxing boat tour to one of the islands.
You will also have the option to learn about China’s trade history with visits to the China National Tea Museum or the National Silk Museum and then around 5pm, you will hike up Jiuyao Mountain to catch the stunning sunset over West Lake.
An early start today to hike up to the Nine Creeks meandering through the Misty Woods. This is where you will witness a peaceful and charming setting in the hills of Hangzhou, with paved paths winding along streams and trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls and breathtaking landscapes.
Then you will return to the hostel, check out and have lunch before traveling to Shanghai by train – this marks the end of your trip! Say goodbye to your fellow Dragons and enjoy the onwards adventure.
Safe travels!
