Discover the best of China from Shanghai on this 22-day Essentials tour. Enjoy the view over Shanghai from a rooftop bar and explore the lush scenery of Yangshuo by bike and bamboo raft. See giant pandas and other rare species in Chengdu, marvel at the fascinating Terracotta Army in Xi'an and opt to visit the Shaolin Temple. Walk along the Great Wall and camp beside a deserted section, discover the highlights of Beijing independently, learn Mandarin with several included lessons and hike to the top of Jiuyao Mountain in Hangzhou.
You could travel for a lifetime in China, and there would still be more to explore – but this 12-day trip through the country’s highlights does a pretty good job of narrowing it down. Tick an ancient Wonder of the World off your bucket list at the Great Wall, witness the Terracotta Warriors in Xi-an and watch baby pandas play in Chengdu. Sip tea in People’s Park, taste delicious street food with a local leader who knows all the best spots and cycle through the misty countryside of Yangshuo – home to stunning vistas, Moon Hill and karst mountains. Start in Beijing and end in Hong Kong for some thriving nightlife and you’ve got a pretty cool adventure.
Cycle from Guangzhou through stunning rural countryside and the limestone pinnacles of Yangshuo, visit the Terracotta Warriors and historical sights of Beijing. On this trip you go as a traveller, only to find that you become the main attraction, as local people are delighted to see that we travel as they do - on bicycles. We jostle for room with lumbering buffaloes, friendly farmers and of course local cyclists while at other times we cycle for long periods in complete serenity on country roads. Our cycling pace is relaxed with time to stop in villages or any other sites of interest. A mini bus accompanies us to carry our gear and provides a welcome break when you have had enough cycling for the day. Following our cycle ride we have ample time to appreciate the rich culture and history of Xian (with its thousands of terracotta warriors) and Beijing (including a remote section of the Great Wall) to provide an incomparable panorama of rural, ancient and modern China. No wonder this is one of our most popular trips.
