G Adventures
Save 20%Epic Southeast Asia: River Cruises & Karst Mountains
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand · 40 days · Moderate
fromCAD 3,935
Next: 21 JunThe adventure
Experience the towering achievements of China's rich history as you uncover its past along the Great Wall and reflect on its future among Shanghai’s gleaming towers. Explore the country’s great cities, magnificent architecture, gorgeous landscapes, and archaeological treasures. Float down the Yangtze River and wander among iconic limestone karsts. Our expert CEOs will reveal the region’s hidden gems, taking the hassle out of travel so you can focus on experiencing all that China has to offer.
At a glance
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
China
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalAfter the group meeting, head out for an optional group dinner and go for a stroll along the Bund, taking in Shanghai's futuristic skyline.
After the group meeting, head out for an optional group dinner and go for a stroll along the Bund, taking in Shanghai's futuristic skyline.
Day 2Visit the Shanghai Museum before boarding a bullet train to HangzhouStart the day with an orientation walk of the city and finish with free time to explore a mix of the modern and the historic in Shanghai. The Shanghai Museum is one of the best in the country, housing excellent collections of bronzes and artwork. In the afternoon, take a bullet train to Hangzhou, one of China's most dynamic cities.
ShanghaiStart the day with an orientation walk of the city and finish with free time to explore a mix of the modern and the historic in Shanghai. The Shanghai Museum is one of the best in the country, housing excellent collections of bronzes and artwork. In the afternoon, take a bullet train to Hangzhou, one of China's most dynamic cities.
Day 3Visit a tea plantation in Longjing village…Spend most of the day exploring Hangzhou. Visit West Lake and Longjing village, home of the famous Longjing tea. Enjoy plantation views while learning about ancient tea production. Take the opportunity to taste some fresh brewed tea. In the evening, fly to Guilin and travel south by private bus through stunning limestone karst scenery. Arrive at the town of Yangshuo on the world-famous Li River.
Spend most of the day exploring Hangzhou. Visit West Lake and Longjing village, home of the famous Longjing tea. Enjoy plantation views while learning about ancient tea production. Take the opportunity to taste some fresh brewed tea. In the evening, fly to Guilin and travel south by private bus through stunning limestone karst scenery. Arrive at the town of Yangshuo on the world-famous Li River.
Day 4Spend two days enjoying the beautiful scenery…Spend two days in Yangshuo enjoying the heaps of activities available in this scenic region. Some favourites include trying your hand at cooking local fare at a boutique cooking school, dabbling in Tai Chi or Chinese calligraphy, walking and cycling through the countryside, climbing atop a karst for panoramic views or relaxing at one of the town's many cafés.
Spend two days in Yangshuo enjoying the heaps of activities available in this scenic region. Some favourites include trying your hand at cooking local fare at a boutique cooking school, dabbling in Tai Chi or Chinese calligraphy, walking and cycling through the countryside, climbing atop a karst for panoramic views or relaxing at one of the town's many cafés.
Day 5Enjoy a cycling tour through the countryside…Enjoy a half-day cycling tour through the countryside. Take in a charming mix of vibrant rural life and unique stunning scenery. Pass rice paddies with local farmers and water buffalo, and wave to children swimming in the streams. Enjoy an otherwordly backdrop of surreal topography as you ride.
Enjoy a half-day cycling tour through the countryside. Take in a charming mix of vibrant rural life and unique stunning scenery. Pass rice paddies with local farmers and water buffalo, and wave to children swimming in the streams. Enjoy an otherwordly backdrop of surreal topography as you ride.
Day 6Fly to Chongqing and prepare for a two-day…Fly from Guilin to bustling Chongqing. Travel by private bus to board the Chinese-style boat taking us down the Yangtze River. Spend two days travelling through stunning scenery along one of China's most powerful rivers, which divides the country into north and south.
Fly from Guilin to bustling Chongqing. Travel by private bus to board the Chinese-style boat taking us down the Yangtze River. Spend two days travelling through stunning scenery along one of China's most powerful rivers, which divides the country into north and south.
Day 7Opt to leave the boat and take small…
Opt to leave the boat and take small side trips on land to see villages and temples along the river. Or board smaller boats to visit tributaries along the way.
Day 8Opt to leave the boat and take small…
Opt to leave the boat and take small side trips on land to see villages and temples along the river. Or board smaller boats to visit tributaries along the way.
Day 9Pass through the Three Gorges and head…Opt to visit the largest dam in the world, the Three Gorges Dam. It's best viewed in passing, but there’s an option to tour the facility and see the engineering giant at work. Head to the train station and board an overnight train to Xi'an.
Opt to visit the largest dam in the world, the Three Gorges Dam. It's best viewed in passing, but there’s an option to tour the facility and see the engineering giant at work. Head to the train station and board an overnight train to Xi'an.
Day 10Enjoy all Xi'an has to offerArrive early to Xi'an, the ancient capital of China and terminus of the fabled Silk Road. Xi'an boats a plethora of attractions, including the Great Mosque and a downtown core enclosed by an enormous city wall, which can be climbed for a small fee. Rent a bike and cycle around the walls for great city views. Head out to the Muslim Quarter for some of the best street food in China – the spicy beef and lamb kebabs are always a favourite.
Arrive early to Xi'an, the ancient capital of China and terminus of the fabled Silk Road. Xi'an boats a plethora of attractions, including the Great Mosque and a downtown core enclosed by an enormous city wall, which can be climbed for a small fee. Rent a bike and cycle around the walls for great city views. Head out to the Muslim Quarter for some of the best street food in China – the spicy beef and lamb kebabs are always a favourite.
Day 11Enjoy a free day to explore the city…Beijing
BeijingEnjoy a free day to explore the city before an overnight train to Beijing.
Day 12Arrive in Beijing and enjoy included tours…Arrive in Beijing early today. Head off to explore the nearby iconic Tiananmen Square and the sprawling Forbidden City. With free time in the afternoon, opt to experience one of Beijing's many markets and world-class shopping malls. Visit some of the city’s many sights such as the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, Lama Temple or traditional alleys called hutongs.
BeijingArrive in Beijing early today. Head off to explore the nearby iconic Tiananmen Square and the sprawling Forbidden City. With free time in the afternoon, opt to experience one of Beijing's many markets and world-class shopping malls. Visit some of the city’s many sights such as the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, Lama Temple or traditional alleys called hutongs.
Day 13Explore the Great Wall before our last night in the cityBeijingThe trip finishes with a day trip out to the Great Wall, an incredible feat of engineering stretching more than 6000km from the Yellow Sea to the desert fort of Jiayuguan. The wall was originally constructed to protect the Chinese empires from the Mongolian 'barbarians' of the north. Return to to Beijing in the late afternoon for an opportunity to spend the final night with fellow travellers at one of the capital's many bars or restaurants.
BeijingThe trip finishes with a day trip out to the Great Wall, an incredible feat of engineering stretching more than 6000km from the Yellow Sea to the desert fort of Jiayuguan. The wall was originally constructed to protect the Chinese empires from the Mongolian 'barbarians' of the north. Return to to Beijing in the late afternoon for an opportunity to spend the final night with fellow travellers at one of the capital's many bars or restaurants.
Day 14Departure dayDepartureDepart at any time.
Depart at any time.
Traveller reviews
“The trip was called 'Highlights of China' and it delivered exactly that - the highlights of China. Nothing was left out: everything was special.”
“I loved the tour. This was my first G Adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Chris, our guide, was delightful and so helpful. He directed us to all the facilities we would need on our alone time.”
“All aspects of the trip were excellent but special praise goes to our guide, Chris. Knowledgable, enthusiastic, funny, a truly great host. Also, by the way, the hotels were all excellent (you guys keep improving every year!) and the route you selected is really a superb…”
Discover China
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
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