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Li river and hills in the sun, Yangshuo

Great Wall, Dynasties, & Rivers

Active China - Example 13 Day Tour
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Experience some of the main highlights of China on an active trip designed for those who want to explore on the move. Hike the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, as well as through rural villages in the rice terraces of Longsheng. Bike through Beijing hutongs, Xi'an's ancient city wall and along the picturesque Li River, and kayak the Yulong River. See the Forbidden City and Summer Palace in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, and encounter the people and lifestyle of various ethnic groups found in China. Experience the diversity of China on this active trip.
Adventures in China! GuilinPandas in China!Rice terraces. Adventures in China!Sunrise over the mountains of YangshuoLi River HikingClimbing the Great WallAdventures in China!Aerial View of the Summer Palace in BeijingLongsheng Rice TerracesAdventures in China! Terracotta WarriorsGreat Wall of China in the sunshineLi River kayakingBeijing TouringLi River HikingYulong RiverBeijing great wall trekkingBeijing TouringRice terraces and mountains in ChinaLi River HikingXi'an CalligraphyLi River Yangshuo CyclingLi River kayakingPing'an Village LongshengLongsheng Rice TerracesLi River HikingBeijing great wall trekkingBeijing great wall trekkingXi'an Ancient City WalXi'anStatue in the Forbidden City, BeijingTerracotta Warriors of Xi'anPandaPandaPandaLi river and hills in the sun, Yangshuo
Highlights
  • Hike a remote and well preserved section of the Great Wall
  • Visit Leshan & the Giant Buddha that sits at the confluence of three rivers
  • View pandas at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center
  • Explore Ping'an Village and the surrounding rice terraces
Places Visited
  • Asia
  • China
  • Beijing
  • Chengdu
  • Guilin
  • Xi'an
  • Dazhai Village
  • Dongkou
  • Forbidden City
  • Fuli Town
  • Guangxi
  • Hebei Province
  • Jinshanling Section
  • Liugong
  • Longsheng
  • Olympic Forest Park
  • Ping'An Village
  • Shaanxi Province
  • Sichuan Province
  • Summer Palace
Activity Level: Easy Active
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Beijing

Arrive at Beijing's airport where you are greeted by your guide, and drive about an hour to your hotel. After a short rest, enjoy a walking tour of Tian'anmen Square and the buildings in the area including National Museum of China, Tian'anmen Tower, Great Hall of the People, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and the Monument to the People's Heroes. 

Day 2: Forbidden City & Beijing Hutongs

Start out early this morning the day starts with an hour long Taichi lesson in the hotel courtyard. After breakfast head out to the magnificent Forbidden City. The Forbidden City bears the legacy of housing the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties starting in 1420.  After exploring this unique site, drive to Hutong area to find a hidden Yunnan Restaurant near the Bell Tower.

In the afternoon, take a walk to the Hutong area. You may start the walking from Houhai area, then walk east to Nan Luoguxiang, and end up in Lama temple area.

Enjoy dinner this evening at Dadong Roasted Duck restaurant for the chance to try the renowned culinary delight, Peking duck.

Day 3: Great Wall Hiking

Early this morning drive 2 hours to the Jinshanling Great Wall to start the hike towards the Simatai section. Jinshanling is one of the more remote and best preserved original portions of the Great Wall and still retains many original features. This remote and relatively-isolated section of the Great Wall has not been repaired since 1570 and is a great place to explore the wall on foot. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the 4-hour hike taking in the views and admiring the impressive accomplishment.

End the hike at Dongkou (or Wuyanlou Tower), where you hike back to the road and meet your vehicle to drive back to Beijing. Enjoy your free time to explore around Beijing and have your own dinner.

Hiking: 4-6 miles / 8-10 km / 4-5 hours, moderate to difficult with some steep up/down stairs on the wall

Day 4: Bullet Train to Xi'an | Ancient City Wall

Early this morning head to the Beijing Western Railway station and board the bullet train to Xi'an in a first-class seat. Meet your Xi'an guide at the train station and head out to explore this historic city.

Xian was the capital of China for 13 dynasties in ancient times, like Western Zhou (11th century to 771 BC) and Tang (618-907).
This afternoon, take a short part of walk on the 8.5 miles along the Xi'an ancient city wall, stopping for views to either side, one that boasts impressive views of the old city contained within its walls, and to the other side of the modern city that lies without it.

Xi'an is known for its dumplings. Tonight you'll enjoy a Dumpling Dinner at one of Xi'an's most famous restaurants.

Day 5: Terracotta Warriors and Tang Dynasty

After breakfast this morning, drive 1.5 hours to the Terracotta Warriors, which are arguably the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century. First discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, the discovery eventually attracted archaeologists which led to the largest pottery figurine found in China's history. Drive back to the city for an introduction to the Tang Dynasty, or the 'golden era' of China. Visit the Tang Dynasty Art Museum where you receive a brief introductory lesson in calligraphy. Try your hand at this visual art as you practice writing Chinese characters with a brush and ink. Next, explore Giant Wild Goose Pagoda this afternoon. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the Buddhist pagoda is about 1,300 years old and offers an amazing view of Xi'an. Arrange lunch and dinner on your own today.

Day 6: Xian to Chengdu with Chengdu City

Transfer to Xian Train Station to take the train G343 (07:25-11:06) with a first-class seat to Chengdu East Railway station. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and is well known for its leisure lifestyle and history. Check in to your hotel, then head to the Broad and Narrow Alleys for your lunch with the recommendation of the guide in that area. Next, visit Renmin Park, where you can see the local people enjoying their daily life over a cup of tea and playing Mahjong. If you are interested, the guide can teach you how to play mahjong.

Near your hotel, there is an old street with many small restaurants and stores. You can have your dinner there.

Day 7: Dujiangyan Irrigation system | Qingcheng Mountain

This morning, drive to Dujiangyan city, home to the UNESCO engineering feat of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System which dates back to 256 BC.  Designed to bring water to the once dry Chengdu Plain, this massive man-made marvel has irrigated this Sichuan region into one of the most fertile and productive regions in China to this day. Wander the walkways around the structure and learn about its construction at Erwangmiao Temple. Hike up to Qingcheng Mountain, a sacred mountain for Taoism, a popular religion in China. In late afternoon, drive back to Chengdu and enjoy Sichuan Local Opera, or the face-changing show.  Enjoy dinner tonight on your own. Sichuan Hot Pot or a bamboo dinner are local favorites.

Day 8: Panda Center, Broad and Narrow Alleys | Fly to Guilin

Leave early this morning for a visit to the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center, which houses more than 20 panda bears in various enclosures. Arriving early allows you to witness them when they are most active, during the morning feeding.The Center has been created and imitates the pandas' natural habitat. Baby pandas are typically best seen between May-November.  Drive back to Chengdu to explore the Broad and Narrow Alleys. These are fashioned after ancient architecture and contain an endless variety of street food and shops.

In late afternoon, catch your flight on to Guilin. Upon arrival Guilin, you are greeted and drive to your hotel. 

Day 9: Longsheng Rice Paddies

  • 1 Breakfast
This morning drive two hours towards Longsheng Rice Terraces. Upon arrival to the scenic area, store your larger luggage and board a 45-minute shuttle towards Ping'An village. The village has been traditionally inhabited by the Zhuang ethnic group and is surrounded by rice terraces. Hike a half hour uphill to Li'an Lodge where you'll be staying.

The minority group of Zhuang people living here is the second largest of 56 recognized ethnic groups in China. The Yao people, known for their heavy earrings and long hair, also work the rice paddies here. These rice terraces, built over 650 years ago, cover an area of over 16,000 acres and span an altitude between 980 ft and 3600 ft. Every year in May or early June they flood the rice paddies and transfer young plants into them to re-plant for the harvest in fall. 

In the afternoon, take a 2-3 hour hike to Longji Village which is a lesser-touristed destination. Get the chance to see the local way of life before checking into the hotel for the evening.

Day 10: One Day Hike in Longsheng

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
After breakfast, head out for a one-day hike from Ping’an village to Zhuang village and Yao village. Yao is another major ethnic groups in China known for preserving their rich traditional culture.

Afterwards, take a light lunch at a local home or local restaurant.

Visit the village of Tiandouzhai and Dazhai, which have a large area of rice terraces. In farming season, you may see how they plough their fields or plant rice shoots in the terraces.

Then, from Dazhai, you drive back to Ping’an village.

Day 11: Li River Hike | Yangshuo

This morning, drive to Yangdi Village to start a gentle hike through the countryside. Follow a more isolated stretch of the picturesque Li River. Take bamboo rafts or local ferries a few times to cross the river, and cross through local villages along the way.  After about 4-5 hours of easy hiking, arrive at the trail's end in Xingping, an old town with a history of over 800 years. From here drive an hour to the new hotel near Moon Hill in Yangshuo.

Hiking: 7-9 miles / 12-15 km / 4-6 hours. Flat hiking, with an easy bamboo rafting ride.

Day 12: Silver Cave | Liusanjie Impressions Show

Today spend 2-3 hours biking in the countryside of Yangshuo on a paved path that running alongside the river. This afternoon, your guide takes you to Silver Cave, one of the largest in China. Walk through the cave and admire the various large formations of stalactites and stalagmites. After an early dinner, attend the Impression of Liusanjie Show, a laser show at night overlooking the water. The popular show was created by Mr. Zhang Yimou, the director of the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies in 2008.
 

Day 13: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
This morning is free before you are taken to the airport in Guilin for your flight home.

Accommodations

Beijing - Hotels

Yangshuo - Hotels

Xi'an - Hotels

Guilin - Hotels

Chengdu - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$4,739 2-3 travelers

Notes

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Rates based on current exchange rate CNY/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.

Rates may vary based on current exchange rate.

Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • 4 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Luggage storage and porter fees Ping'An Village
  • China Visa Fee - US citizens must obtain visa prior to arrival
  • Bullet train from Xi'an to Chengdu
  • Luggage storage or porter fees Ping'An village

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney

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