China Walking Adventure Tour
Overview
China offers many amazing walking destinations with some of world's greatest hiking trails. On 16 days China classic hiking adventure, indulge yourself in a strange land for the stunning landscape, fantastic minority cultures and smiling local people. From Beijing, go further into the snow mountains in Yunnan, Karst hills in Guilin & magnificent Victoria harbour of Hong Kong. And other highlights like Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, ancient city wall, Black Dragon Pool, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Longji Rice Terraces, Li River...
Duration: 16 days & 15 nights
Destinations: Beijing - Xi'an - Lijiang - Kunming - Guilin - Longsheng - Yangshuo - Hong Kong
Travel type: Private walking tour
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Today, we will travel back in time to visit Forbidden City, officially known as the Imperial Palace Museum, which retain its 600-hundred-year characteristics. Here you can find traces of 24 emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasty among the majestic palaces and discover many invaluable cultural relics. Then climb up Jingshan Park, immediately north of the Forbidden City on the central axis of Beijing. On the top of the hill, you can have a panoramic view of Forbidden City. Later, take a 3-wheel rickshaw to Hutong (Beijing's traditional alleyways) to see the local people's life and this tour will actually show old Beijing's timeless best to you.
Meal: B, L
Drive to the Jinshanling Great Wall of China, a less visited section which is justifiably famous and breathtaking. It connects to the Simatai section of the wall in the east and Gubeikou section in the west. Enjoy yourself walking on the eroded walls, through beacon tower, to learn its history and take in great mountain views. The duration of the Great Wall hike can be adjusted from 2 to 4 hours.
Meal: B, L
In the morning, visit Temple of Heaven, where you can pray in faith as it worked as sacrificial compound building for the Ming and Qing emperors and it boasts the largest sacrificial place in Beijing among a few imperial altars to Heaven, Earth, the Sun, the Moon super natures. In nowadays, you can see local Beijingers practicing Taichi, running and dancing at the park of Temple of Heaven. Then transfer to the train station and catch your bullet train to Xian. It is a great and comfortable journey, and you can chat with local Chinese on train if you like. Upon arrival in Xian, be met and transferred to the hotel.
Meal: B, L
Transfer to visit the excavation site of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, which is one of the most legendary ancient tombs in the world, featuring historical significance and uniqueness. You'll meet hundreds of life-sized "soldiers and officers" that were meant to protect Emperor Qinshihuang after his death. The army represent the army that triumphed over all other Chinese armies and were the decisive factor in forming a united China. Later, go to visit the Wild Goose Pagoda, it was first built in Tang Dynasty for the storage of Buddhist scriptures taken from India by Monk Xuanzang and now becomes the city emblem. Then stroll around local Muslim Quarter, lined with food stalls.
Meal: B, L
This morning, enjoy a walk on the old city wall of Xian. With a history of over 600 years, 13.74km long and 12m high, it is the longest and best preserved ancient wall in China. You'll wander around to discover the ancient city gates, rostrums, view the old town and compare it with Xian's modern high-rises. On the way to the airport, visit Hanyang Tomb - a fantastic underground museum of the fourth Han Dynasty Emperor. Upon arrival in Lijiang, transfer to your hotel in Lijiang old town. Enjoy the exotic night light of Lijiang.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, go to explore Black Dragon Pool Park to enjoy stunning landscape there and catch Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on water. In the park, there is Dongba Museum, which has more than 10000 Dongba cultural relics and various other historical relics and offers the "Dongba Culture Exhibition". In the afternoon, take a short climb uphill on Lion Hill, reaching Wangu Tower for a birds-eye view of Lijiang old town and the mountains in the distance followed by a visit to the Mu Palace, known as the Forbidden City of Lijiang. Later, there will be time for you to explore the town at your leisure. The town is a very well preserved old town built by Naxi people with unique cultural background. In the evening, we will take in a demonstration of Naxi music in the local theater.
Meal: B, L
Today it is time to trek Tiger Leaping Gorge where the Yangtze River surges through one of the world's deepest gorges. It is known as one of the best hikes in China and beyond. The walk starts at Changping village on a series of steep switchbacks. Walk on the high road above Yangtze River, to take in stunning wild scenery. And you may encounter horse wranglers. The hiking trail takes us first to Naxi Guesthouse for lunch and then to our overnight accommodation at Tea Horse Guesthouse or the same class.
Meal: B, L, D
Wake up from a long sleep to enjoy superb views of Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the surrounding snow-capped mountains, which are the holy mountain of local Naxi People. Continue your trek up and dowm, immersing into a fresh natural world. Walk to Halfway Inn for your 'elevenses', then on to Tina’s House where we will have lunch and drive back to Lijiang.
Meal: B, L
Have a later start today in view of the long day ahead. Free at leisure in the morning, you may rest at hotel or go ramble the local market. Then transfer to the airport and fly to Kunming, then connect your flight to Guilin, which is famous for Karst landscape and one of China's most beautiful rice terraces.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, drive for about 2.5 hours to hike Longji rice terraces, which is built into the hillsides with an altitude difference of 800m. The terraces look like great chains or ribbons as they wind from the foot to the top of the hill. This ingenious construction makes best use of the scarce arable land and water resources in the mountainous area. Later, walk through the rice terraces to visit the minority Zhuang villages, made of wodden houses, to get close to unsophisticated Zhuang people and their culture. Then drive back to Guilin city.
Meal: B, L
Enjoy a relaxing morning, embark on a cruise down the Li River with wonderful views of the surrounding limestone karst mountains which rise dramatically from the valley floor (lunch is included on the boat). You will also see lovely islets, bamboo troves, and primitive villages with the country paths disappearing into distance. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, we walk the short distance from the wharf to our hotel. In the afternoon, a walking excursion will be arranged to Moon Hill, one of the main peaks of the region. Climb to the top of the hill, you can have a full picture of Yangshuo's countryside.
Meal: B, L
Today, we transfer to Yulong Bridge for a lovely walk alongside the Yulong River, a tributary of Li River, with even more beautiful landscape. We follow the trail through the Yangshuo countryside - of limestone peaks, rural farmlands, orchard, authentic villages - to knock on the door of a local family. Chat with the friendly host to understand local life. Then enjoy a tasty luch at a local restaurant. After that, return to Yangshuo for free time to explore the town.
Meal: B, L
Drive back to Guilin and visit Guilin Art Gallery famous for Chinese landscape paintings. It is a delightful leisure time to savor local art and see some of the best Chinese landscape painting in Guilin, after days of walking. Enjoy lunch in Guilin followed by a transfer to the railway station for your high speed train to Hong Kong.
Meal: B, L
Described by Time Magazine as 'the city's finest and most surprising ramble', we walk on the Dragon's Back Trail high above the cityscape of Hong Kong. You can also take in incredible coast scenery. What a nice walk! In afternoon, we cross by Star Fery to Kowloon to indulge in some last-minute shopping and enjoy the stunning light show across the Hong Kong skyline.
Meal: B, L
Board the Peak Tram funicular railway and ascend to the summit for magnificent views of the city and Victoria Harbor. Then descend by railway. Later, Transfer to Hong Kong airport and fly to your next destination.
Meal: B
End of service.