Southern China Highlights: Hong Kong to Shanghai

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Explorer

Carbon neutral

10 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Ends

Shanghai, China

Highlights

Explore Chongqing’s cyberpunk cityscape, rebuilt from WWII ruins. Your leader will show you through winding alleys, where solo travellers often get lost. Marvel at its incredible urbanscape and enjoy a hotpot meal inside a former air-raid shelter.

Ride the world's fastest outdoor Bailong elevator to the Avatar like Zhangjiajie landscape. Hike in the national park and take in the amazing scenery.

Learn about Nvshu (translated to ‘women’s script) – a secret language created for the freedom of communication between women in ancient China. Meet an expert and learn about Nvshu’s history and cultural impact, then create your own message.

Discover Shanghai’s architectural transformations as you explore from the Bund to the historic French Concession, witnessing the city’s evolution from the ‘Paris of the East’ to one of Asia’s most iconic skylines.

Travel over 3000 km from Hong Kong to Shanghai on China’s high-speed rail. Witness incredible infrastructure and see how China has evolved over the last 40 years.

Itinerary

Traverse southern China from the neon lit Hong Kong to the top skyline of Shanghai. Explore the cyber punk city of Chongqing, sweat a little over its signature hotpot, ride the world's tallest outdoor elevator to see the Avatar mountains in Zhangjiajie National Park and dive into the mystic Nvshu scripts in Changsha. This is a trip that showcases a different side of China that mixes modern landscapes with traditional culture.

day 1 - Hong Kong

Neih-hou! Welcome to Hong Kong. A fusion of east and west, this dynamic city is known for its skyline, bustling markets and rich cultural heritage. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe ride the Peak Tram for panoramic views over Hong Kong, visit the Tian Tan Buddha or take a stroll along the Victorian Harbor. Tonight, join your group for a tour through the lively Temple Street night market, where the energy of Hong Kong comes alive. After, maybe head out together for dinner and sample some local cuisine like dim sum or roast goose.

included:Hong Kong - Temple Street Night Market visit

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Chongqing

Enjoy a relaxed morning before your first bullet train journey. This is a true taste of modern China, as you reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. Sit back and enjoy the scenery, read a book or listen to your favourite podcast as you travel across provinces. You may even want to try ordering takeaway food from a train station to your seat (your leader can assist to make this happen). You’ll arrive in Chongqing early evening. Either settle into your accommodation or join your leader for a short orientation walk to explore the city.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 3 - Chongqing

Start today with a guided city walking tour. Experience daily life like a local as you explore Chongqing’s Old Town on guided city walking tour. Stroll through Longmenhao Old Street, walk among the skyscrapers of Nanbing Road and visit the Hongya Cave. Learn about the city’s history from the street and cross the Yangtze River on the public cable car and ferry. Your walk ends with a traditional Chongqing hot pot lunch served in a former air raid shelter. These shelters, built during World War II to protect citizens from bombings, have since been repurposed. Take the rest of the day to explore this city of hills, maybe even check out the trending site where the train goes into a building or try and find the local spot where you come out of a highrise building's 22 floor onto a street - no wonder the locals call it the 8D city!

included:Chongqing - Hotpot meal in former air raid shelter, Chongqing - Guided Chongqing city tour

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Lunch

day 4 - Zhangjiajie City

Travel from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie City today via train. You'll arrive in Zhangjiajie by mid-afternoon, then head out on a short orientation walk with your leader to help you get familiar with the area. Located in Hunan Province, Zhangjiajie city is known for its natural landscapes, including the famous Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain. Beyond the iconic scenery, the city itself offers a vibrant local life in its bustling night markets, leafy parks filled with locals practicing tai chi and a distinct Hunan-style food culture known for its bold, aromatic spice (quite different from Chongqing’s heat). Enjoy a free evening to relax, try some local dishes or simply soak in the atmosphere of this lively mountain city.

included:Zhangjiajie - Leader-led orientation walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 5 - Tianmen Mountain / Zhangjiajie City

This morning, you’ll visit the iconic Tianmen Mountain. This area is known for its cliff-hanging walkways, scenic cableway and the iconic Tianmen Cave – a massive natural archway often called Heaven’s Gate. Here, you’ll spend a few hours exploring the landmark. For those who’d rather skip the 999 steps, you can take an escalator to the top. After soaking in the views and fresh mountain air, you’ll return to Zhangjiajie city. This afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your own pace.

included:Zhangjiajie - Tianmen Mountain

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 6 - Zhangjiajie National Park/Zhangjiajie City

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, located in China’s Hunan Province, is renowned for its towering sandstone pillars and misty peaks – and this area was the inspiration for the floating mountains in the Avatar! Spend the day exploring the national park, hiking along well-maintained trails that weave through dramatic cliffs and forested valleys. You’ll also ride the Bailong Elevator – a glass lift built into the side of a cliff. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed landmark offers countless of photo-worthy moments, so have your camera ready. Later, return to your accommodation in Wulingyuan for a relaxing night.

included:Zhangjiajie National Park - Cable car, Zhangjiajie National Park - Balong Elevator, Zhangjiajie National Park - Hike

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 7 - Changsha

Take another bullet train to Changsha – the capital of Hunan Province. When you arrive, you’ll head straight to a local cultural heritage centre to learn about Nvshu – the world’s only known writing system created and used exclusively by women. Now recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, this unique script reflects generations of female expression and resilience. Learn about the culture and stories behind Nvshu and try writing your own message in this elegant script. After, check into your hotel and enjoy some free time before you head to one of Changsha’s night markets, where you can pick up some local street food for dinner. For the more adventurous in eating, maybe try sticky tofu, pig’s feet or crayfish mouth.

included:Changsha - Local night market visit, Changsha - Nvshu script writing with local master

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 8 - Shanghai

Travel to Shanghai this morning by bullet train, arriving in the city in the afternoon. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to spend as you like. In the evening, your leader will take you to the Bund, where you’ll see the striking contrast between old and new Shanghai. As you walk, you’ll see historic mansions dating back 100 to 200 years on one side and across the Huangpu River, you’ll see the modern skyline with high-rises and towers built over the past four decades.

included:Shanghai - Leader-led night bund walking tour

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 9 - Shanghai

This morning, set off on a walking tour to Shanghai’s French Concession. Originally a residential and retail area of Shanghai, this neighbourhood is now known for its tree-lined streets, European-style architecture and vibrant cafes. Stroll through its historic lanes and learn about the city's blend of Chinese and French influences. This afternoon you have some free time to explore Shanghai at your own pace. Maybe visit the Shanghai Museum, explore the Yuyun Garden and Old Bazar or head up to the Shanghai Tower observation deck. Tonight, maybe meet up with your group and celebrate the end of the trip with a farewell dinner.

included:Shanghai - Leader-led French Concession walking tour

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 10 - Shanghai

With no activities planned today, you’re free to leave at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay in Shanghai, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

meals:1 Breakfast

Southern China Highlights: Hong Kong to Shanghai

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights)

Meals

2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch

Transport

Private vehicle, High-speed Train, Subway, Taxi

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Hong Kong - Temple Street Night Market visitChongqing - Hotpot meal in former air raid shelterChongqing - Guided Chongqing city tourZhangjiajie - Leader-led orientation walkZhangjiajie - Tianmen MountainZhangjiajie National Park - Cable carZhangjiajie National Park - Balong ElevatorZhangjiajie National Park - HikeChangsha - Local night market visitChangsha - Nvshu script writing with local masterShanghai - Leader-led night bund walking tourShanghai - Leader-led French Concession walking tour

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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