China, the “Middle Kingdom,” boasts the world’s oldest continuous civilization. Our tour takes you through the heart of China's rich cultural heritage, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking natural wonders.

From ancient palaces and historic temples, from great cities to small villages and majestic landscapes, every moment is designed to immerse you in the profound history of this remarkable country. Imprint has curated the best of China’s travel offerings into a journey of discovery that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Experience the very best of China through a carefully crafted itinerary that ensures you see, feel, and taste the essence of this magnificent country. This tour will be a captivating adventure from start to finish.

• Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: Enter and explore the iconic imperial palace complex, once home to Chinese emperors and a symbol of the country's rich history and culture. Discover the stunning architecture and cultural significance of the historic Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for good harvests and divine guidance.
• Great Wall: Hike along one of the most famous and impressive landmarks in the world, offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into China's ancient defensive strategies.
• Terracotta Warriors: Marvel at the thousands of life-sized clay soldiers guarding the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, each uniquely crafted to represent his army.
• Pandas: Be charmed by the adorable and rare giant pandas at a dedicated conservation center, learning about efforts to protect these beloved creatures.
• Natural Wonders: Sail past the stunning limestone karst formations along the Li River in Guilin, capturing the beauty of this unique and picturesque landscape. Tread through the picturesque rice terraces of the Dragons' Backbone, witnessing the harmonious blend of nature and agriculture.

Visa Requirements: Participants are REQUIRED to obtain a Visitor Visa prior to the trip at their own expense. 

Q: How do I obtain a visa for China?

A: You need a visitor visa before arrival. Apply online via the Chinese Online Visa Application (COVA) and attend an in-person interview at a Chinese Embassy in the US (NYC, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles).

Registration and Deposit

Q: What should I expect after registering and paying the deposit for the tour?

A: You will receive a confirmation email welcoming you to the tour. This email will include a link to a Manage Booking page where you can view all your trip details, your deposit receipt, payment schedule, and information for purchasing travel insurance through Travelex. Imprint Tours STRONGLY recommends purchasing trip insurance.

Flight Information

Q: Are flights included?

A: International Flights to/from the tour are NOT included. Internal tour flights, when used, are included.

Q: What airport do I use to join/depart the tour?

A: The tour starts in Bejing (PEK; PKX; NAY) on Sept 16 (late afternoon) and ends in Hong Kong (HKG) on Sept 29 (after breakfast).

Q: Should I arrive early for the tour?

A: When you arrive is entirely up to you. Most Imprint travelers arrive 1 day early.

Q: Can I skip breakfast on the final day and depart early that morning?

A: Yes, you are not obliged to partake of the final breakfast, nor will you miss any tour activities.

Q: Does Imprint provide or arrange airport transfers?

A: No, airport transfers are the traveler's responsibility to arrange. Basic information will be included in the 8-Week Letter.

Q: Does Imprint provide advice about airlines, routing, or booking?

A: No, Imprint does not provide these services.

Q: When should I book my flight?

A: Avoid booking flights before Jan 16, 2025 unless you confirm the tour status.

Q: Do I need to check the tour status after Jan 16?

A: No, if you have not received a cancellation notice from Imprint by Jan 16, you may assume the tour is a go.

Early Pay Discount (EPD)

Q: How do I avail the Early Pay Discount (EPD)?

A: To receive the $300 EPD, you must book your trip and pay in full by the designated date. The payment system already reflects this discount. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions regarding EPD as cancellation incurs a penalty.

Pre-Departure Information

Q: What should I do to prepare for the tour?

A: About 8 weeks before departure, you'll receive a detailed email with a packing list, sightseeing suggestions, and other important information. Meanwhile, ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the tour end date and has two clean pages for visa stamps.

Pre- and Post-Tour Hotels

Q: Since Imprint is unable to assist with pre- and post-tour hotel bookings, how do I book non-tour hotel nights? 

A: For pre-tour nights, book at Beijing Sunworld Hotel. For post-tour nights, book at Metropark Hotel Kowloon. Bookings are under Intrepid Travel China and Imprint Tours, standard rooms. Final hotel bookings with roster names will be made about 60 days prior to the tour start.

Tour Hotels

Q: If I need a complete list of tour hotels, where do I find that?

A: On the China Tour ITINERARY page on the Imprint website. 

Important Reminders

Q: Are there any critical things I need to keep in mind?

A:

• Print and keep the confirmation letter for reference.

• If your passport will expire between now and 6 months beyond your intended departure from China, it is your sole responsibility to update your registration information in We Travel. You can use the link in your confirmation email to return to your account to make edits. Imprint Tours is not responsible for reminding you to update your information nor for any problems with booking delays, mistakes, or omissions due to incorrect passport data.

• Add reid@imprinttours.com to your email address book.

• Download & activate Whatsapp for essential on-tour communications.

• Check your bank’s policy on international ATM withdrawal or Credit Card fees.

Health and Safety

Q: What health precautions should I take?

A: Visit the CDC website or your local travel medicine clinic for suggested inoculations for China. We cannot advise on inoculations due to liability concerns. This tour involves moderate physical activity, including walking tours and excursions to natural sites with uneven terrain. Participants should be in good health and capable of handling such activities.

Tour Member Expectations

Q: What mindset should I have for the tour?

A: Be flexible, independent, and personally responsible. Expect challenges and surprises, especially in less-developed areas. Positive, flexible attitudes contribute to a better group experience.

Travel Insurance

Q: Why is travel insurance important?

A: Travel insurance protects your investment against unforeseen events like flight delays, baggage loss, or sudden illness. We recommend Travelex.

In case you haven’t read our Terms and Conditions carefully, we would like to repeat the importance of purchasing trip insurance. We have partnered with Travelex, a leader in the travel insurance industry. We have chosen Travelex for their very high rating, their record and reliability of processing claims, and their excellent customer service. Travelex is proud to offer you a variety of travel protection plans to fit your travel needs. We understand your plans can change quickly and unforeseen events could impact your travel plans. We feel it’s important to consider purchasing a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment.

Travel protection plans help provide coverage for:

- Trip Cancellation

- Trip Interruption

- Emergency Medical Expenses

- Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains

- Travel Delay

- Baggage & Personal Effects

- Baggage Delay and more

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SERVICES*:  With a Travelex Travel Protection Plan, emergency assistance and travel services are just a phone call away from virtually anywhere in the world. For more information on the recommended plans or to enroll, CLICK HERE or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0252.

Please Note:
Travelex Insurance Services plans are only available to U.S. Residents. To be eligible for a waiver of the pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the Ultimate protection plan must be purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit. However, plans can be purchased any time up until the day prior to departure.

*Travel Assistance Services are provided by the designated provider as listed in the policy. The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York), 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Certain coverages not available in all states. 

Our tour begins with a get-acquainted meeting in our Beijing hotel, followed by a classic Beijing Duck dinner.

Tiananmen; Temple of Heaven; Forbidden City
Today begins with a private coach tour of the city. Stops include The Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City. This morning’s theme is gargantuan public spaces. The Temple of Heaven is the signature structure in a collection of temples in an immense public park at the city’s center. Tiananmen Square, the symbolic center of the modern Chinese nation, is the world’s largest public square. The Forbidden City, so called because commoners were not allowed for 500 years, was the capital for two dynasties and is the largest palace complex in the world. In the afternoon a walking tour gives a more intimate glimpse of life in the capital as we explore a Hutong district. Hutongs are the tiny streets or alleyways that make up the ancient, traditional neighborhoods of Beijing. We’ll see more of the bustle of everyday Beijing life here along with ceremonial gates, towers, and mansions, and traditional courtyard houses.

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.