Embark on a journey of discovery with our China: Off the Beaten Track (OBT-1) tour, an exclusive expedition that takes you far beyond the typical tourist paths to reveal China's hidden treasures. 

This tour introduces you to the Middle Kingdom's rich and diverse heritage, from mesmerizing natural landscapes to ancient cultural sites. You'll explore breathtaking caves, surreal rock formations, dramatic gorges, and serene valleys, all set against stunning mountain backdrops. 

The adventure continues with visits to vibrant rainbow hills, historic Silk Road cities, and enchanting desert landscapes. Every moment promises a blend of natural beauty and cultural depth that will leave you in awe.

Throughout the trip, enjoy the comfort of carefully selected accommodations and savor local culinary delights. Expert guides will lead the way, ensuring every detail is taken care of so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience. 

This is more than a tour; it's an invitation to discover China in a way few do. Join us for an unforgettable adventure that promises to enrich your soul and ignite your imagination. 

• Stone Forest and Jiuxiang Cave: Explore the surreal karst formations of the Stone Forest and the awe-inspiring Jiuxiang Cave, complete with dramatic formations and an interior waterfall.
• Tiger Leaping Gorge and Blue Moon Valley: Experience the breathtaking views of the roaring Jinsha River at Tiger Leaping Gorge and the stunning terraced pools of Blue Moon Valley, with unparalleled vistas from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
• Danxia Rainbow Hills and Mati Si Cliff Temples: Marvel at the vibrant, multi-colored striations of the Danxia Rainbow Hills and the ancient, photogenic cliff temples of Mati Si.
• Jiayuguan Fort and the Hanging Great Wall: Visit the historical western gateway of Imperial China at Jiayuguan Fort and see the gravity-defying Hanging Great Wall.
• Mogao Caves and Crescent Moon Lake: Discover the exquisite Buddhist art of the Mogao Caves and the picturesque Crescent Moon Lake nestled among the iconic Singing Sand Dunes in the Gobi Desert.

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 Kunming (KMG) on Oct 9 (late afternoon) and ends in Xian (XIY) on Oct 21 (after breakfast). If opting for the optional Terre Cotta Warriors visit on Oct 21, book an evening flight or a post-tour night in Xian, departing on Oct 22. For those combining the two OBT tours, depart from Shanghai on Nov 2.

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 Feb9, 2025 unless you confirm the tour status.

Q: Do I need to check the tour status after Feb 9?

A: No, if you have not received a cancellation notice from Imprint by Feb 9, you may assume the tour is a go.

Early Pay Discount (EPD)

Q: How do I take advantage of the Early Pay Discount (EPD)

A: To receive the $300 EPD, you must register for the EPD price and pay in full by the designated date. You will receive a notice of final payment due one week prior. 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.

Terre Cotta Warriors

Q: If I want to see the Terre Cotta Warriors near Xian, how can I do that?

A: There is an optional "add-on" to visit the TCWs after the tour ends on Oct 21. If participating, please book an evening flight on the 21st (6:00PM or later) or a post-tour night in Xian, departing on Oct 22. For those combining the two OBT tours, depart from Shanghai on Nov 2..

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 Kunming Long Teng Hotel (no hotel website; use your favorite booking engine). For post-tour nights, book at Xi’an Bell Tower Hotel. 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 OBT 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. 

Meeting; Welcome Dinner
Welcome to Yunnan Province. The variety of its ethnic groups and landscapes makes Yunnan the perfect place to begin our OBT travels together. As always we will gather for our get-acquainted meeting and then enjoy a dinner of local specialties.

Jiuxiang Cave; Stone Forest
We begin our explorations with a visit to Jiuxiang Cave. Not just another cave, this natural wonder impresses with its scale, variety of formations, its dramatic setting, and an interior waterfall. Our afternoon destination is the Stone Forest. This amazing conglomeration of karst structures looks to be straight out of a science fiction movie. We’ll take plenty of time to explore and wonder among the shards, blocks, towers, and erratic formations.

Old Town tour; Three Pagodas; Erhai Lake
Our morning begins with a two-hour train ride to alluring Dali, beautifully situated between a lake and mountains. We’ll enjoy a brief walking tour of the historic old town, then a coach excursion to the area’s highlights. We’ll include a photo stop at the Three Pagodas, the titular symbols of Dali. Then we proceed to scenic Erhai Hu with its magical vistas of the Cang Shan mountains, which soar to 13,000 feet. Then its back on the train to continue our journey to charming World Heritage designated Lijiang. The town’s time-locked old town is most delightful at night, so we’ll conclude this busy day with a quick wander and dinner near the Old Market Square.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Today we enjoy an all-day excursion to Shangri-La and Tiger Leaping Gorge. The gorge, famous for the boiling and roiling “angry Jinsha River”, is a sight not to be missed. Among many photo-worthy view stops we’ll descend to the “howling tiger” viewing platform for up-close views of this stunning natural spectacle.

Blue Moon Valley; Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

This morning we venture to nearby Blue Moon Valley with its terraced pools, unique blue water lakes, and views of the area’s signature mountain - Jade Dragon. A cable car whisks us up to a viewing platform with unparalleled views. We’ll return to Lijiang for a free afternoon.

After breakfast we’ll be transferred to Lijiang’s airport for our flight north to Ganshu Province and our destination of Lanzhou. We’ll be most of the day underway to gain Ganshu. Our reward is arriving in an entirely new travel ecosystem. 

Dafu Temple

After our long travel day we will take a leisurely morning today. We’ll visit Lanzhou’s premier sight, White Pagoda Hill, before taking a midday train to Zhangye. Upon arrival we will visit Dafu Temple with it’s 120 foot long reclining Buddha statue.

Mati Si; Danxia

We have two amazing sights to enjoy on this day. We begin with the Mati Si cliff temples. Built into or clinging to rugged sandstone cliffs, these photogenic monastery structures are accessed by interior passages, winding staircases, and wooden bridges. In the afternoon we’ll foray to Danxia National Geological Park, otherwise known as the Rainbow Hills. The multi-chromatic striations of these remarkable hills have been called “an overturned palette from heaven”.

First Beacon Platform
We begin the second week of our tour with another bullet train. We will sweep along the Hexi Corridor, the ancient Silk Road, flanked by the Qilian Shan mountains and the Hei Shan mountains. Our destination is Jiayuguan, the historical western gateway to Imperial China. After settling into our hotel, we will visit the First Beacon Platform and the western terminus of the Great Wall. 

Jiayuguan Fort; Hanging Great Wall

In the morning we will have a guided tour of mighty Jiayuguan Fort. More than 600 years old, this bastion was called the “Impregnable Defile Under Heaven”. It guarded the pass at “the end of the civilized world”. Next up, the Hanging Great Wall, a section of the wall that snakes up the encroaching mountains, seeming to defy gravity. In the afternoon we’ll continue on to Dunhuang, an oasis on the edge of the great Gobi Desert.

Singing Sands

Our destination today is the iconic Crescent Moon Lake in the midst of the Singing Sand Dunes. Surrounded by towering dunes, the crescent-shaped lake is a tiny photogenic superstar in the midst of a vast desert environment. The vista of undulating dunes stretches to the horizon. Nearby is the remarkable Singing Sands Mountain, a huge sand dune that makes a humming sound when the wind blows.

Mogao Caves

Before embarking for our afternoon Xian flight, we have one last world class sight to explore. The evocative Mogao Caves are one of the greatest repositories of Buddhist art on the planet. Once hosting 18 monasteries and dating back to the fourth century, 492 caves were eventually carved into rock-hewn temples. We’ll spend the morning exploring this exquisite site. Upon arrival in Xian we’ll be transferred to our hotel. Tonight we gather for a last dinner together to celebrate our travel discoveries.

Tour Over

OBT1 officially ends after breakfast today. Imprint will assist with airport transfer arrangements. For those continuing on with OBT2, we will organize an optional excursion to see the famous Terre Cotta Warriors or you have a day at leisure to enjoy Xian.