Summer Palace

On our way out of Beijing we will stop for a tour of the magnificent Summer Palace. Then we proceed to Gubeikou village near the Great Wall. We’ll have dinner with our guesthouse hosts.

Great Wall

Our entire morning will be spent learning about, photographing, and hiking the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the only one that can be seen from space. We have chosen to visit the Jinshanling section. It is further afield from Beijing, but less crowded and commercial, less restored, and the view is amazing. In the afternoon we return to Beijing to board our overnight train to Xian in Shaanxi province.

Muslim Quarter tour

Upon arrival today we’ll have a Chinese breakfast before enjoying a walking tour of the Muslim quarter of Xian. The tour will include a visit to the Great Mosque, one of the largest in China. An interesting blend of Chinese and Muslim architecture, the mosque blends a spirit wall and Chinese garden with calligraphy-decorated gates and a minaret. Your afternoon is free to explore Xian on your own.

Xian Terra Cotta Warriors

The incomparable Terra Cotta Warriors are the highlight of today’s activities. This 1974 discovery is one of the great archaeological finds and sights in the world today. Multiple pits (formerly tombs) house an army of thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and war machines. Our lunch today is at a local farmer’s restaurant and your afternoon is free for exploration or relaxation in Xian.

Pandas

A morning bullet train delivers us to Chengdu, in Sichuan. Upon arrival we'll settle into our hotel. Then we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Center for a memorable encounter with these lovable bears. Nearly 50 giant and red pandas call this preserve home. It is the best place to see, photograph, and learn about these shy and gentle creatures.

Leshan Buddha; Hot Pot dinner

This morning we’ll visit one of China’s signature sights – the Leshan Giant Buddha. Carved into the riverside cliff, this 1200-year-old stone Buddha is no less than 233 feet tall. Our afternoon is free to relax or explore Chengdu. Tonight, we share chuan-chuan xiang (hotpot) for dinner, the quintessential local specialty.

Today is primarily a travel day. We’ll transfer to the station for our high-speed bullet train to Guilin. Upon arrival, we’ll drive to Yangshuo and check into our hotel. You’ll have the late afternoon and evening free to relax and enjoy this charming town on the Li River.

Li River Cruise; Cooking class

This morning we will be boarding boats for an iconic journey down the karst-lined Li River. The spectacular and surreal karst landscape is world famous and we’re sure to take many photographs on this scenic cruise. For lunch, we have a Chinese cooking class arranged. If time allows we’ll take a bike ride in the countryside as well.

Dragon’s Backbone

The fabled and intensely photogenic Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces are our goal this morning as we venture out to a tiny village in the countryside. The drive alone is worth our effort as we wind through the picturesque valleys and more karst formations to our destination of Ping’an. It is sure to be another spectacular photo safari day as we stroll among the picturesque rice terraces.

Today is another travel day as we make our way south to Hong Kong. Our comfortable coach drives us to Guilin where we catch another bullet train. This high-speed wonder rockets us along in comfort as we watch the scenery of Guangxi and Guangdong provinces speed by. We’ll settle into our HK hotel in the early evening.

Victoria Peak

This morning we’ll begin our sightseeing with a walking tour of Hong Kong and concluding with the iconic tram excursion to famous Victoria Peak for panoramic views. The rest of your day is free to explore before we gather for a last night dinner together.

Tour Over

Tour over after breakfast. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements.